Obituaries published for the Schuylkill County area on .
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Barry L. Heffner
Barry L. Heffner, 79, a resident of Pottsville, passed away at home surrounded by his family on Saturday, .
Barry was born in Pottsville on , a son of the late Bruce and Rose Schauers Heffner.
After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served his country as a lance corporal during the Vietnam War. He earned a Purple Heart for his service.
Barry was a member of the Marine Corps League of Minersville and Vietnam Veterans War Post 29 of Port Carbon.
He worked in the railroad industry during his career, retiring in 2007 as a mechanical supervisor with Norfolk Southern in Allentown.
Barry was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Pottsville. He was also a classic-car enthusiast and a member of the Schuylkill County Corvette Club.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Bruce Heffner and Robert Heffner.
Barry is survived by his wife of 56 years, Jeanine Pion Heffner; their two children, Jeffrey Heffner of Las Vegas, Nevada, and Kelly, wife of Anthony Homer, of Branchdale; his brother, Leo Heffner of Las Vegas; and nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a funeral service at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, , at Schlitzer Allen Pugh Funeral Home, 515 West Market Street, Pottsville.
A viewing will be held at the funeral home beginning at 9 a.m. and continuing until the time of the service.
Barry will be laid to rest with military honors at 1:30 p.m. at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery in Annville.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church.
Margaret A "Peggy" Latshaw, 73 years of age formerly of New Ringgold passed away on Sunday, October 4, 2026, at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Twp.
Born Thursday, February 26, 1953 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania the daughter of the late Leo W. and Margaret (Cormican) Beerley. Peggy was also predeceased by; brothers Leo W. and Kenneth L. Beerley; great grandchild, Nicole Ann Warren; her devoted companion, Daniel Zaprazny and her step-son Paul Mickley.
Surviving are step-daughters Christine Dabashinsky wife of Joseph R., Melissa Lynam wife of Anthony, and Stacy Mickley wife of Paul, a son Michael A. Warren, and daughter, Theresa A. Warren, and many extended family members.
A 1968 graduate of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School, she continued her education at Bishop Newman Business School, graduating in 1970. Catholic by faith, Peggy was a member of the Legion Post 369 Auxiliary and New Ringgold Fire Company Auxiliary.
She was an avid crafter and loved to share her artwork and crafts with her loved ones and friends. Her and Dan were the biggest fans of their daughter and son in laws band, Whiskey Crush and Peggy loved to dance and sing along. She was adored by all who had the pleasure of having her in their life for her joyful and uplifting disposition.
She will be greatly missed.
Private arrangements entrusted to the Robert S. Nester Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. 2066 West Penn Pike New Ringgold Pennsylvania 17960.
Wayne Lamar Farr, 87, of North Manheim Township, passed away Sunday, October 4, 2026, at Edenbrook of Greenwood Hill, Pottsville.
Born in Schuylkill Haven on July 27, 1939, Wayne was a son of the late Francis Oliver and Jennie Estelle (Fenstemacher) Farr.
Married 50 years, Wayne was the loving husband of Alice Louise (Kantner) Farr.
Wayne was a graduate of Schuylkill Haven Area High School, class of 1957.
He served in the U.S. Army Reserves.
Wayne dedicated 40 years to Comcast, where he worked as a head technician. He also worked as a Photographer on the side and spent several years working alongside his wife at the Roller Roost.
Music was an important part of Wayne’s life. He played guitar with the “Versatils Band” and “Chubby and The Royals” and marched with the Rainbow Drum and Bugle Corps. He was a member of Schuylkill Hose, the Fire Police and Special Police in Schuylkill Haven, and was a former member of Rainbow Hose.
In his free time, Wayne enjoyed being outdoors, especially fishing, hunting and camping.
In addition to his wife, Wayne is survived by a daughter Regina Farr Killian, wife of Barry; stepsons Kenneth Reber, husband of Marion and Gary Reber, husband of Kelly; grandchildren Heather Lauck (Shane Cillo), Rachael Campos (Aric) and Lauren Dallatore (Derek); great-grandchildren Mackenzie Wessner, Emily Sorokach, Tanner Cillo and Tucker Dallatore; several nieces and nephews.
Wayne was preceded in death by brothers Francis Farr Jr, Robert Farr and Earl Farr.
A Celebration of Life Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, October 9, 2026 at Geschwindt Stabingas Ebling Funeral Home, Inc. in Schuylkill Haven with Rev. Frederick Kantner officiating. A viewing for family and friends will be held from 10:00 AM until time of services.
Interment will follow at Schuylkill Memorial Park.
Geschwindt Stabingas Ebling Funeral Home Inc. has been entrusted with arrangements.
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Ellen K. Sullivan, 78, of Frackville, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 5th, at her home, surrounded by her loving family.
Born in Pottsville, she was a daughter of the late John “Butch” and Catherine (Pastue) Simodejka. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 54 years, Thomas M. Sullivan, who passed away earlier this year.
Ellen was a 1966 graduate of Nativity BVM High School. Following high school, she continued her education at Sacred Heart Hospital School of Nursing, graduating in 1969.
Upon graduation, Ellen began her nursing career at NYU in New York City, followed by a nursing home in Bethlehem, PA. After returning to Schuylkill County, she and her husband, Thomas, established the Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home, continuing their commitment to serving families throughout the community.
Above all else, Ellen was a devoted mother and a woman of deep faith. She began her spiritual journey in the Byzantine Catholic Rite and later changed to the Roman Catholic Rite after her wedding, which became an important part of her life. She was a member of St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Frackville. Ellen also was a member of The Catholic Daughters of the Americas and the Mothers' Guild of Cardinal Brennan High School.
She chose to put her nursing career on hold so that she could pour her heart into raising her 5 children, believing that those years were too precious to miss. While raising her children, Ellen also shared her knowledge and passion for nursing by teaching evening nursing classes at the vocational school in Frackville. Once her children were all in school, she returned to nursing full-time, beginning a career with Fresenius Medical Dialysis Center in St. Clair, where she worked as a registered nurse for more than 20 years.
Ellen enjoyed celebrating the Irish culture, which included multiple trips to Ireland with Tom. She also treasured nights out, including trying her luck at the casino. While she enjoyed playing the slots, Tom was perfectly content to stand beside her and watch, not quite sharing the same enthusiasm but enjoying her company. She was a wonderful cook who found deep satisfaction in preparing meals for her family and friends to bring everyone together around the table.
Ellen was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and nurse. She took great pride in her family and was always there to support and care for those she loved. She was the anchor of her family, the quiet strength behind the scenes who gave so much of herself without ever seeking recognition. Her kindness, strength, compassion, and dedication to her family and community will be deeply missed.
She is survived by her five children: Thomas B. Sullivan and his wife, Melinda, of Myrtle Beach; Tara Campton and her husband, Tom, of Boiling Springs; Trisha Przyuski and her husband, John, of Center Valley; Tammy Murphy and her husband, Steve, of Dillsburg; and Timothy M. Sullivan and his wife, Brandy, of Fountain Springs.
She was the proud Nana of 10 loving grandchildren: Ryan, Aaron, Evan, Mason, Grace, Jack, Declan, Liam, Rylee, and Molly. She is also survived by a sister, Charlene Makara and her husband, Andrew, of Primrose, and a brother, John Simodejka and his wife, Karen, of Harrisburg. She is also survived by nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, October 12th at 11 a.m. from St. Joseph the Worker Parish located at 49 N. Line Street, Frackville with Rev. Christopher Zelonis, pastor, as the celebrant.
Family and friends are invited to her viewing at the church on Monday morning from 9 a.m. until the time of mass. A Panakyda service will be held at 9 a.m. with Fr. Paul Spotts. Interment will follow the mass in St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery in the Englewood section of Frackville.
In accordance with her wishes, flowers are reserved around the casket from her family only. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations/checks be made payable to the “Thomas M. Sullivan Scholarship” and sent to the funeral home at 501 W. Washington Street, Frackville, PA 17931.
Sign the guestbook, leave personal condolences and for further information please visit www.thomasmsullivanfuneralhome.com
Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home Inc., Frackville & Girardville is in charge of the arrangements.
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John A. Engle 87, a resident of Ringtown, passed away peacefully at Lehigh Valley Hospital–Cedar Crest in Allentown surrounded by his loving family. John was born June 29th,1939 at the former Locust Mountain Hospital in Shenandoah to the late Harry and Lillian (Shoup) Engle. He was a 1957 graduate of the former Ringtown High School and was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church.
After graduating, he took a position at Standard Pressed Steel Company, in Jenkintown, PA, a global leader in fasteners, specialty materials, and precision tools. While employed there, He was drafted to the United States Army. He reported to Fort Knox, Ky in March of 63` for Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training. And then he was stationed at Fort Wainwright, Ak, where he became a member of the Polar Strike Way Below Zero Club , an Alaskan command where he was issued a certificate that SP4 Engle participated in exercise polar strike along the Tanana River, Alaska, in February 1965 when temperatures reached minus 54 Fahrenheit. He was then Honorable Discharged in 1968 and returned to the Ringtown Valley to start his loving family. He was employed as a Journeyman press operator at St. Regis Paper Co. Flex Pkg Division, who was bought out by Princeton Packaging and was later bought out by Bemis Manufacturing Company where after 32 years he retired.
In his younger years he enjoyed Bowling (got a few trophies) and playing on a league that traveled around different alleys in the area. In John’s later years he became an avid golfer and was able to play some of the popular golf courses in South Carolina, North Carolina, Pennsylvania. And tried to play as many of the local fund-raising events in the area.
In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his high school sweetheart and loving wife Lorraine January 8th 2022. Also, Sister Martha Moser in 2019, Brothers: Harry “Boz” (1994), Edward (2020), Gerald “Ducky” (2016), and Grand Dogs Aubree and Brantley (2026).
John is survived by a son Eric of Ringtown, brothers Ronald and wife Lillian (Penny) and Robert and wife Theresa. Along with nieces and nephews.
The simplest pleasures brought John great joy. He loved gardening, short road trips and golfing as well as walking along the beaches of Ocean City, Maryland with Lorraine. He also volunteered countless hours of his time at St. John's Lutheran Church, as well as The Ringtown Library.
John will be remembered for his warm smile, love of family, adventurous spirit, and the joy he brought to those who knew him. His memory will live in the hearts of all who loved him.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a viewing from 9 –11am Thursday October 8th 2026 at Stauffer-Breznik Funeral Home, A Funeral Service will be held at 11 AM and John will be laid to rest alongside his wife, Lorraine immediately following the Service.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Stauffer-Breznik Funeral Home, Ringtown.