Obituaries published for the Schuylkill County area on .
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Joseph J. Redner
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Joseph J. Redner, 71 years of age West Penn Township, New Ringgold, Pennsylvania passed away on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at St. Luke's Hospital Lehighton Campus.
Born Friday, August 8, 1955 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania the adopted son of the late Roland and Emily (McConomy) Frye. Joseph was also predeceased by his beloved wife Jane L. (Southam) Redner on August 11, 2018.
Surviving are sons, Joseph J. Redner, II, Christopher P. Redner and his wife Regina; sister, Patricia Pohlig; grandchildren, Christopher "CJ" Redner, Amelia Redner, Emily Redner, Shyann Redner, Johnathan Redner, Katelynn Redner; great grandchildren, Christopher Redner, Willow DeLong, Alrik Redner and Astrid Redner.
A graduate of Ridley High School in Philadelphia, Joseph was a Welder by trade. Joseph enjoyed the companionship of his dog Romeo.
Private arrangements entrusted to the Robert S. Nester Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. 2066 West Penn Pike New Ringgold Pennsylvania 17960.
John “Chick” Chowansky, Jr.
John “Chick” Chowansky, Jr., 84, of Frackville, passed away on October 11, 2026.
Born in Maizeville, Pennsylvania, on December 9, 1941, he was the son of John and Julia (Homza) Chowansky.
He is survived by his children, Michelle, John, and Michael “Mikey”; his grandchildren, Jennifer, Brianne, Zach, Joshua, Jaxson, Luka, and Zoya; his niece, Christine; and his nephew, Anthony. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Martha Ann (Mendinsky) Chowansky, who passed away on August 9, 2026, and his sister, Jean Vecolitis, who passed away in July 2025.
Chick attended elementary school in Maizeville’s one-room schoolhouse (his family still has his desk) and was a member of the last graduating class of Gilberton High School.
Chick never forgot the person who gave him his start. He often spoke of his first job with John Semanchick in Frackville and wanted everyone to know how deeply grateful he was for that opportunity. That experience shaped a lifetime of opening doors for others.
He served in the United States Army, graduated from Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, and earned a master’s degree from Temple University. He also spent several years working for RCA in Greenland, doing work he described as top secret until its recent declassification.
Upon returning from Greenland, Chick built his family homestead in Frackville and started Chowansky Electric out of his garage. Through determination and tireless work, that small business grew into Silicon Power Controls, Inc., which he operated for 35 years before retiring. His business ventures under Silicon Power also included Appalachian Technical Associates, MJM Inc., and Chowansky Technical Consulting.
Through it all, Chick was always teaching and always learning. He taught evening classes at the local vocational technical school and Penn State. After retiring from his business, he became a full-time professor at Lehigh Career & Technical Institute, where he led curriculum development for its electromechanical engineering program, wrote textbooks, and helped students and adults prepare for new careers. In 2008, he traveled to Siemens Technical Academy in Berlin for mechatronics training. He also shared his expertise by training employees at B. Braun Medical.
Whether in a classroom or on the job, he believed in giving people a chance even when it came at a cost to himself. His children often heard, “If it wasn’t for your father, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
His advice was straightforward: work hard and you’ll be rewarded, be honest and fair, and always try to do the right thing with a practical reminder to cover your back.
Chick and his beloved wife, Martha, shared 63 years together, with a household rhythm straight out of the 1960s: martinis chilling in the fridge, the newspaper waiting on the table, and dinner finishing on the stove when he returned from work. Dinner began promptly at 5:45 every evening, a reservation no one dared miss. He kept their Ukrainian heritage alive through stories of the “old times,” passing along traditions and memories that connected his children to their roots. Despite being married to an accomplished “chef,” Chick could only make pancakes and reservations. They were the most delicious reservations ever.
Chick was a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks in Frackville.
Chick’s love of sports extended well beyond the golf course. He played competitive fast-pitch softball with Shenandoah’s Shingle Kings as a member of the state championship team. He also coached football at Cardinal Brennan High School, his son Michael’s alma mater.
Despite working tirelessly, Chick found time for many, many, many rounds of golf. He played locally and traveled to some of the country’s finest courses, making golf a well-earned part of a busy life.
To his children, Michelle, John, and Mikey, he was Dad, Daddy, or Tatu; to his grandchildren, he was Gigi. In his second retirement, he spent countless hours traveling to his grandsons’ football and baseball games, chauffeuring them and their friends, and showing up with stacks of pizzas to feed growing boys. The man who had spent his life working, teaching, and helping others continued to show his love by showing up.
His legacy lives on in his family, his employees, his students, and the many people whose lives changed because Chick gave them a chance.
Visitation for family and friends will be held on Thursday, October 15th from 8:30 to 10:00am at St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Church in Maizeville, Pennsylvania. Funeral Liturgy will be held at 10:00 a.m. and will be officiated by Fr. Petro Zvarych. Interment will follow in St. John’s Cemetery, Frackville.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in John’s name may be made to the Thaddeus Stevens Foundation, 740 East End Avenue, Lancaster, PA 17602, or online at stevenscollege.edu/give/donate. Please note “In memory of John Chowansky” with your contribution.
Dorothy K. "Reds" Bailey
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Dorothy K. "Reds" Bailey, 94 years of age, of New Ringgold, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, October 10, 2026, surrounded by the tender care of her loving family. She was the devoted wife of 74 years to the late Curtis J. Bailey, a prominent local businessman and community activist.
Born in Andreas, West Penn Township, Dorothy was the daughter of the late Joseph A. and Josephine A. (Kupres) Bendrick. Alongside her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her son, Curtis D. Bailey, and her brothers, Leonard J. and Bernard C. Bendrick.
She is survived by her devoted children and caregivers: her son, Kevin A. Bailey, and his wife, Karen; and her daughter, Bonnie C. Steinbrunn. She is also survived by five grandchildren, Kevin Bailey and his wife, Nicole, Kelly Sears, wife of Jonathan, Matthew Bailey and his wife, Danelle, Jason Steinbrunn, and Lauren Steinbrunn; as well as seven cherished great-grandchildren. No matter the accolade, Dorothy took immense pride in her role as "Nan" keeping up with her grandchildren and great grandchildren's accomplishments and encouraging their success.
Dorothy attended Tamaqua schools and dedicated her life to her family, faith, and community. She was a faithful member of St. John XXIII Roman Catholic Church of Tamaqua and a dedicated member of the West Penn Lions and Lioness. In 1961, Dorothy and Curt founded Curtis J. Bailey Builders, which they successfully owned and operated together for over 50 years. Many realized Dorothy was the backbone to her husband's success.
Dorothy and her husband were avid travelers visiting many States and Canada. Closer to home, she was a talented gardener who took immense pride in cultivating beautiful spaces around her house. She shared a deep connection with nature, keeping a watchful and appreciative eye on the birds, deer and bear that frequented her meticulous gardens. Staying true to her upbringing as a farm girl Dorothy maintained a flock of Rhode Island Red chickens for many years. Doughnut day was a national holiday in Dorothy's eyes, she would make homemade doughnuts for friends, family and employees.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Robert S. Nester Funeral Home & Cremation services, Inc. 2066 West Penn Pike New Ringgold Pennsylvania 17960. (570) 386-5884
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated from St. John XXIII R.C.C. 309 Pine Street Tamaqua, Pennsylvania on Thursday October 15, 2026 at 11 o'clock A.M. Private Interment will be in Sky- View Memorial Park, Tamaqua, Pennsylvania.
Memorials in her name to:
Lehigh Valley Hospice Office of Philanthropy P.O. Box 1883 Allentown, Pennsylvania 18105-1883 or
St. Jude's Children's Hospital 262 Danny Thomas Place Memphis, Tennessee 38105.