Obituaries published for the Schuylkill County area on .
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Nancy Goodale
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Nancy Goodale, 69, of Girardville, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, October 9th at her residence.
Born in Ashland, she was a daughter of the late James and Claire (Calvert) McAvoy.
Nancy proudly served her country in the United States Air Force for 20 years before retiring from military service. Following her military career, she continued her professional journey as a veterinary technician at Ringtown Valley Veterinary Hospital, where she worked until her retirement.
Nancy loved the beach, manatees, and taking long walks around Girardville where she was recognized and cherished by many.
She is survived by her son, Kyle Goodale, of Danville.
Private services will be held at the convenience of the family.
Sign the guestbook, leave personal condolences, or for further information, please visit www.thomasmsullivanfuneralhome.com.
The Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home, Inc., Girardville, is in charge of the arrangements.
John Albert Woelfle
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John Albert Woelfle, 71 years of age, of Eagle Rock Zion Grove, Pennsylvania passed away on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at Lehigh Valley Hazleton.
Born Saturday, June 25, 1955 in Adrian, Michigan son of the late Albert George and Gertrude Eleanor (Byerley) Woelfle. John was also predeceased by; long term partner, Lily (Adelaida Marconi).
Surviving are brother, Albert Joseph Woelfle of Wake Forest, NC.
John spent his career in the plastic bag industry, primarily with Trans Western Polymers of Tamaqua.
Private arrangements entrusted to the E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. 655 East Broad Street Tamaqua Pennsylvania 18252.
Mary Alice (Erb) Champ
Mary Alice (Erb) Champ, of Hegins, Pennsylvania, aged 82 years, 9 months, and 22 days, passed away peacefully at home on October 9, 2026. She was born December 17, 1943 in Hershey, Pennsylvania, to Amos Rutt Erb and Ruth Mildred (Garber) Erb.
She is survived by her husband, Stanley, and ten children: Darryl Champ of East Earl, PA; Marlin Champ and his wife, Gloria (Martin), of Jonestown, PA; Nevin Champ and his wife, Wilma (Zimmerman), of Hegins, PA; S. Gerald Champ and his wife, Janet (Hursh), of Texas; Philip Champ and his wife, Sharon (Witmer), of Clayhole, KY; Elaine, wife of Joseph Witmer, of Seneca Falls, NY; Stephen Champ and his wife, Marilyn (Martin), of Loysville, PA; Vera, wife of Brandon Smoker of Ephrata, PA; Vernon Champ and his wife, Emily (Lichtenberger), of Shippensburg, PA; and Elizabeth, wife of David Miller, of Dutton, MT. She is also survived by 59 grandchildren and 51 great-grandchildren; and one brother, Harry Erb and his wife Laverne, of Scurry, TX. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers: Martin Erb and David Erb; four sisters: Elizabeth Erb, Mabel Erb de Lugo, Anne Spangenberg, and Linda Erb; and one grandson, Joseph Champ.
Mary Alice graduated from Lancaster Mennonite School with the class of 1962. She married Stanley Earl Champ of Cabins, West Virginia on November 1, 1964. Mary Alice’s mother, Ruth (Garber) Erb had taught Stanley’s father how to read in the late 1920s when she taught at the Champ school in the mountains near Seneca Rocks, WV. Ruth was affectionately known as “Miss Garber” and the families kept up correspondence even after she married a widower, Amos Erb, and moved to Pennsylvania. Stanley and Mary Alice learned to know each other partly through Stanley boarding with the Erb family on weekends as he completed his senior year of high school at LMS with the class of ’64.
After their marriage, Stanley and Mary Alice lived in Stanley’s home area for five years. They moved to Pennsylvania in 1970 to seek better opportunities for the family, and to join the newly formed Eastern Pennsylvania Mennonite Church. Stanley and Mary Alice first lived in a rented farmhouse in the Tower City area, then moved to an apartment over the Grand Avenue church building, before moving to their own house in Carsonville.
Stanley was ordained deacon for the congregation, which had moved to Orwin, in March of 1977. The family moved to a larger property in Hegins in 1978, in order to be closer to church and school and the other families of the congregation. The 1895 farmhouse sheltered the family until a new house was built across the road in 2006, where Stanley and Mary Alice spent their remaining years together.
The family expresses special appreciation to Gerald’s daughter, Lydia, who made her home with Dad and Mom for the last five years. She was an invaluable support and encouragement to them, and lent her assistance to Dad and Mom as Mom took her final breath.
Mary Alice was a faithful member of the Hegins Valley Congregation of the EPMC. She regularly prayed for her children and communicated with them through phone calls, letters, and visits. She loved the Lord sincerely and deeply longed for her children to faithfully follow Him.
A viewing is planned from 2–4 and 6–8 PM on Wednesday, October 14, at the Hegins Valley Mennonite Church, 180 East Mountain Road, Hegins, PA 17938. The funeral will be held at the same location, on Thursday, October 15, at 10:00 a.m. Lord Willing.
Barbara A. (Swiech-Stefanik) Berger
Barbara A. (Swiech-Stefanik) Berger, 84, formerly of Hazleton and McAdoo, entered into eternal rest Friday, October 9, 2026, at Providence Place Senior Living, Drums, PA.
She was the wife of Joseph M. Berger. They celebrated their 22nd wedding anniversary on March 20th of this year. She was also the wife of the late Daniel T. Swiech who passed away December 1992.
Born in Hazleton and raised in Freeland, she was the daughter of the late John E. “Ginger” and Anna (Fifick) Stefanik.
She was a member of Church of All Saints, McAdoo.
Barbara was a proud graduate of Women's Med. Nursing Hospital, of Phila., PA, where she began her lifelong dedication providing kindness and compassion to all. She was employed as a registered nurse and dedicated her life to taking care of others. She previously worked at Koval Getter Oral Surgery; St. Joseph Hospital, Hazleton; and the White Haven Center, historically known as the White Haven State School and Hospital. Her care and compassion extended far beyond her nursing career. She was always there providing care to all those who had the pleasure of knowing her or needing her assistance, regardless of the day or time.
Barbara enjoyed shopping and trips to the casino, but most of all loved spending time with her family. She was very proud of her children and grandchildren and loved big family gatherings, especially Christmas.
Preceding her in death in addition to her parents and first spouse are her late brothers, John T. and Martin Stefanik.
Surviving along with her husband, Joseph are a daughter, Donna Swiech-Henry and her husband, Leon of Palmerton; sons, Thomas Swiech of Mountain Top and Daniel Swiech and his wife, Wendy of Drums; grandchildren, Chrisotpher, Nicole, and Brian Henry, Justin Swiech, and Katelyn Anna Swiech.
Friends and relatives are invited to attend the Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. in Church of All Saints, 21 N. Cleveland St., McAdoo, PA 18237, with Rev. Barnabas Shayo officiating. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Drums.
Calling hours will be held Saturday 9-10:30 a.m. in the church.
The Damiano Funeral Home Inc., McAdoo, is assisting the family with arrangements.