Obituaries published for the Schuylkill County area on . Obituaries are listed from youngest to oldest.
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Brach Daniel Robert Gibbons, 43
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Brach Daniel Robert Gibbons, 43, of Orwigsburg, passed away Thursday, .
Brach was born in Reading on November 24, 1982, the son of Heidi Stripe Gibbons and Mark R. Gibbons.
He was a graduate of Blue Mountain High School. Brach served in the United States Army and later worked at the Indiantown Gap Army depot.
He called himself a farmer and outdoorsman and found comfort in nature beginning in childhood. He was a kind, loving and giving soul who touched everyone he met.
In addition to his parents, Heidi and Mark, Brach is survived by two sons, Barrett and Hunter Gibbons; his sister, Elizabeth Kattner; his girlfriend, Bobby Jo Tice; stepsisters and a stepbrother; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Mildred Stripe and Norman Stripe Sr.; paternal grandparents, Robert and Esther Gibbons; stepsister, Heather DeAngelo; uncles, Norman W. Stripe Jr. and Walter Carey; and Brach’s dog and faithful companion, Gunner.
Friends and family may gather for a Celebration of Life at 2 p.m. Monday, , at Welcome Church, 107 Main Street, Landingville.
Interment with military honors was held privately at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery in Annville.
Hamilton-Breiner Funeral Home & Cremation Services Inc. is honored to be serving the family.
Vernon “Snook” C. Schaner, 65
Vernon “Snook” C. Schaner, 65, of Saint Clair, passed away Monday morning, , at his son’s home in Shamokin, surrounded by family.
Born in Reading on October 27, 1960, he was the son of the late Jeannette Long Schaner and Vernon R. Schaner.
He was of the Christian faith and attended Kutztown High School.
Snook most recently worked as a car detailer for Steve Moyer Subaru in Leesport. Before that, he worked for Engineered Material Solutions in Hamburg.
He was a volunteer firefighter for many years with the Hamburg Fire Department. Snook enjoyed hunting, fishing, car shows and camping.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant brother, John, and his spouse, Karen Shollenberger Schaner.
Surviving are four brothers, Bobby Schaner and his wife, Shelva, of Shoemakersville, Norman Schaner and his wife, Cindy, of Hamburg, Gary Schaner and his wife, Tammy, of Shoemakersville, and Paul Schaner and his wife, Lisa, of Reading; son, Jared Schaner and his wife, Rachel, of Shamokin; daughter, Megan Schaner of Saint Clair; six grandchildren, Skyler, Dakota, Reed, Deliah, Lily and Jaedyn; sister-in-law, Tracy Mason and her husband, Travis, of Hamburg; and many nieces and nephews.
Services will be private at the family’s request.
Rothermel-Heizenroth-Clark Funeral Services Inc. of Elysburg and Kull-Heizenroth Funeral Home Inc. have been entrusted with the arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at Kull Funeral Home’s website.
Stephen “Butchie” “Bull” Platko Jr., 75
Stephen “Butchie” “Bull” Platko Jr., 75, of Buck Run, passed away Thursday, , at Rosewood Rehabilitation & Nursing Center, surrounded by his loving family.
Born August 31, 1951, in Pottsville, he was the son of the late Stephen Platko Sr. and Anna Helen Krasnitsky Platko.
Stephen was a 1969 graduate of Minersville Area High School. He was a Reiki master for many years and dedicated much of his life to helping others through his practice.
In his early years, Stephen worked as a local coal miner before beginning a long career at Honeywell, from which he retired in 2013.
Stephen enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and was known for his love of ice cream, poker and cheering for the Philadelphia Phillies and Philadelphia Eagles. His greatest joy was spending time with his family.
In addition to his parents, Stephen was preceded in death by his twin brother, John Platko, and brother, Stanley Platko.
He is survived by his daughter, Stephanie Kunstek; son, Stephen Platko, and his companion, Molly Bressler; brothers, Michael Platko and Joseph Platko, husband of Jill; sister, Anna Marie Demmers, wife of Kenneth; three grandchildren, Victoria, David III and Jayson Kunstek; bonus daughter, Kristina Berger; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.
Stephen will be remembered for his love of family, sense of humor and the lasting impact he made on those who knew him.
Services will be private at the convenience of the family.
Mahal-Ritzel Funeral Home Inc., Minersville, has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Stewart O. Stroble, 84
Stewart O. Stroble, 84, of Shenandoah, passed away Wednesday morning, , at Shenandoah Senior Living Community.
Born in Ashland on November 19, 1941, he was the son of the late Cora Felker Stroble and Lewis Stroble.
He was the husband of the late Phyllis L. Bracey Stroble, who passed away in 2020.
Stewart graduated from Ashland High School in 1959. He also graduated from Bloomsburg University and East Stroudsburg University.
Early in his career, he worked as an Ashland Borough police officer. After college, he taught history and driver education for many years in the Shenandoah Valley School District. Stew also collected tickets at Shenandoah Valley High School football and basketball games for many years.
Stewart was of the Protestant faith. He was a member of Washington Fire Company Ambulance and Ashland Masonic Lodge No. 294, where he recently received his 60-year pin. Stew was also an avid Penn State football fan.
In addition to his parents and wife, Phyllis, he was preceded in death by his brother, Lewis Stroble; sister, Donna Freed; nephew, James Freed; and brother-in-law, James Freed.
He is survived by his son, Stephen A. Stroble of Shenandoah; daughter, Stephanie Stroble of North Wildwood, New Jersey; two granddaughters, Rebecca and Lauren Stroble of Austin, Texas; and nephew, David Freed.
Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, , at Christ Church Cemetery, 118 Broad Street, Ashland. Family and friends are invited to begin gathering at the cemetery after 10 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Stewart’s memory to Hillside SPCA, P.O. Box 233, Pottsville, PA 17901.
Kull-Heizenroth Funeral Home Inc., 901 Centre Street, Ashland, has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Margaret E. Baransky, 87
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Margaret E. Baransky, 87, of Cumbola, passed away peacefully Tuesday, , surrounded by her family.
Born January 18, 1939, Margaret was the daughter of the late Albert and Mary Brennan McHugh.
She grew up in Buck Run and graduated from Nativity BVM. At age 42, she pursued higher education, beginning at Penn State before transferring to Alvernia College, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in social work.
Margaret was a faithful member of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Cumbola and later Holy Cross Parish in New Philadelphia.
She dearly loved her work at Heisler’s Dairy Bar and Mini Golf, where she spent more than 30 years and cherished the many connections she made. Margaret had a gift for connecting with everyone she encountered and cherished her friends, rocks, recipes and glass with immense love and enthusiasm.
She also enjoyed camping, traveling and learning, though her greatest joy was always her family.
Margaret is survived by her children, Anthony Baransky, Daria Baransky and Susan Baransky; grandchildren, Kimberly Baransky and Ian Baransky; nieces and nephews; and David Manton.
In addition to her parents and uncle, William Brennan, she was preceded in death by her husband, Anthony Baransky, and granddaughter, Jessica Lynn Baransky.
A visitation for family and friends will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, , at Haus Bartashus Funeral Home, 63 Kimber Street, New Philadelphia.
An additional visitation will be held from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday, , at Holy Cross Catholic Church in New Philadelphia. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10 a.m.
Interment will follow at St. Anthony’s Church Cemetery in Cumbola.
Haus Bartashus Funeral Home & Crematory Inc., New Philadelphia, has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Robert D. Vago, 89
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Robert D. Vago, 89, of Summit Hill, passed away Wednesday, , at his residence.
Born March 31, 1937, in Coaldale, Robert was the son of the late Stephen and Mary Fayock Wadyak.
A graduate of Lansford High School, Robert enjoyed playing football and later earned a football scholarship to George Washington University.
Robert proudly served his country as a member of the United States Army. He was also a member of St. John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Church in Lansford.
He is survived by many nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by his brothers, Joseph Wadyak, Stephen Wadyak and Richard Vadjak; and sisters, Helen Koutsakos, Miriam Alfredson, Pauline Willis-Westfal, Irene Wadyak, Florence Feddock and Verna Wadyak.
A Funeral of Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday, , at St. John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Church, 104 E. Bertsch Street, Lansford. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home & Cremation Services Inc., 655 E. Broad Street, Tamaqua.
Agnes Rebecca Versailles, 92
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Agnes Rebecca Versailles, 92, who resided with her son in Tamaqua, passed away Thursday, .
Born April 26, 1934, in Owl Creek, Tamaqua, Agnes was the daughter of the late Jacob and Paula Sittler Zeart.
She was a 1951 graduate of Tamaqua Area High School and worked for many years in a garment factory. She later worked for Tamaqua area middle and elementary schools.
Agnes was a member of St. John United Church of Christ in Tamaqua. She enjoyed gardening, landscaping, the outdoors, camping and traveling.
Her travels took her to China, Australia, Europe, Hawaii and many other destinations. Agnes also enjoyed staying connected with friends and was involved with her class reunion committee.
She is survived by her son, Joseph Salla Jr.; daughter, Patricia Salla Dolena; grandchildren, Shawn Clemens, Shannon Clemens and Shavonne Clemens; and three great-grandchildren.
Agnes was preceded in death by her husband, Allen Versailles; son, Vincent Salla; brother, Dewey Zeart; and sisters, Edith Zeart and Paula Sell.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, , at E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home, 655 E. Broad Street, Tamaqua. A viewing will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Burial will follow in Odd Fellows Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home & Cremation Services Inc., Tamaqua.