Obituaries published for the Schuylkill County area on .
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Devon Michael Shaak
Devon Michael Shaak, 36, died unexpectedly in August 2026.
Born on , in Pottsville, Devon attended Good Shepherd School and graduated from Minersville Area High School in 2008.
An extrovert through and through, Devon was happiest in the company of friends.
A handful of jobs in his twenties sparked a genuine love of cooking, and Devon enjoyed creating all kinds of dishes. He loved live music, great movies and delicious food. He enjoyed walking in the woods, at the beach or somewhere new, and he never came across a rock or trinket he did not want to add to his collection.
Devon will be remembered for his outgoing spirit and the joy he found in being with others. His life was far too short, but the stories, laughter and memories he shared will remain with those who knew and loved him.
Devon is survived by his mother, Judy Rizzardi, and stepfather, Ron Rizzardi, of Pine Grove; grandfather, Jon Leonard; uncles, Jeff and John Leonard; aunt, Jessica “Jebba” Leonard; sisters, Kristin Shaak of Harrisburg and Danielle Shaak of Pottsville; brother, Ian Shaak of Kissimmee, Florida; stepsisters, Nina Rizzardi and Kaitlin Rizzardi-Brennan of Pottsville; and numerous cousins, great-aunts, great-uncles and friends.
He is reunited in death with his beloved Grammie, Patricia Leonard; aunt, Becky Miller; and his dearly missed friends, including Mitchell, Adam, Chris, Ed and Amanda.
A celebration of life for family and friends will be held from noon to 4 p.m. on , at the former Mount Pleasant Hose Company, 1546 Sunbury Road, outside Minersville.
The Cremation Society of Schuylkill County has been entrusted with arrangements.
Hildegard B.E. “Suzy” McMullin
Hildegard B.E. “Suzy” McMullin, 89, of Kaska, passed away Wednesday, , at Schuylkill Center in Pottsville.
Suzy was born in Hanau, Germany, on , a daughter of the late Traugott and Elfriede Ochlich.
She was the loving wife of John B. McMullin, to whom she was married for 65 years.
Suzy was preceded in death by her daughter, Ilona Kay McMullin.
In addition to her husband, Suzy is survived by her children, Ryan McMullin and his wife, Laura, of Schuylkill Haven, and Sandra Nocket of State College; three grandchildren, Alicia Foust, Sarah Nocket and Katelyn Newman; and four great-grandchildren.
Private services will be held at the family’s convenience.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Suzy’s memory may be made to Kaska Volunteer Fire Company, 8 Hillside Lane, Kaska, PA 17959.
Haus Bartashus Funeral Home & Crematory Inc., New Philadelphia, has been entrusted with arrangements.
John J. Mattie
John J. Mattie, 98, a resident of Providence Place in Drums and formerly of McAdoo and Hazleton, passed away Saturday morning.
Born in Beaver Brook, he was a son of the late John A. and Mary Husar Mattie.
John was a proud World War II veteran who served in the U.S. Army. He was also a member of St. Pius of Pietrelcina Parish at St. Gabriel’s Church in Hazleton.
He graduated from Hazle Township High School with the Class of 1946. He earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial arts from Penn State University in 1952 and a master’s degree in industrial arts from Penn State in 1962.
Before retiring in 1992, John worked for many years as an industrial arts and drafting teacher at Hazleton High School. He previously taught at McAdoo, Bloomsburg and Coughlin High School in Wilkes-Barre. He also taught engineering graphics at Penn State Hazleton from 1983 through 1991.
John was a life member of the Pennsylvania Industrial Arts Association and the American Legion. He was a former football, basketball and wrestling coach during his high school teaching career and was an avid bowler.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Margaret Stecina Mattie; second wife, Catherine Polchin Mattie; and sisters, Marie Aussner, Irene Byorick and Anne Undeck.
Surviving are his daughters, Mary Lynn Palma and her husband, Thomas, of Virginia, and Lorrie Ann Johnson and her husband, William, of Florida; sons, John Mattie III and his wife, Denise, of New Jersey, and Mark A. Mattie and his wife, Isabelle, of West Chester; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.
His funeral will be held Thursday, . A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. at St. Pius of Pietrelcina Parish at St. Gabriel’s Church in Hazleton. Interment will follow in St. Mary of the Assumption Cemetery in McAdoo.
A calling hour will be held Thursday from 9 to 10 a.m. at the church.
Damiano Funeral Home Inc., McAdoo, is assisting the family.