Obituaries published for the Schuylkill County area on , including family remembrances and available funeral service information.
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Faith Ann Strause, 67 — Orwigsburg
Faith Ann Strause, 67, of Orwigsburg, passed away Thursday, October 29th, at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, Philadelphia.
Faith was born in Pottsville, Pa. on September 14, 1959, a daughter of the late Marion (Faust) and George Leiby.
Faith is survived by a daughter, Heather May Boyer, wife of William Boyer; a sister, Donna DiRenzo. She is also survived by grandchildren, William and Dylan Boyer, Kayla Ritchey, Alissa Petrovitch; and great-granddaughter, Ivie Boyer.
A visitation will be held from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM on Saturday, November 21st at Mahal-Ritzel Funeral Home Inc. in Minersville, PA.
Interment at Red Church Cemetery.
Mahal-Ritzel Funeral Home Inc., Minersville, is entrusted with the arrangements.
Robert F. Smith, 74 — New Ringgold
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Robert F. Smith, 74, of New Ringgold, formerly of Pottsville, passed away Monday, November 2, 2026 at Geisinger St. Luke Hospital, Orwigsburg.
Born in Pottsville August 26, 1952, he was a son of the late Robert J. and Anne P. (Melnick) Smith.
Robert was a 1970 graduate of Nativity BVM High School, Pottsville and later attended Pennsylvania State University.
He served in the US Army from 1979–1998, working as a Media Specialist at Ft. Indiantown Gap and also as a private contractor for PA National Guard Adjunct General Staff. He later helped his late wife Mary Ellen Smith operate Brierwood Kennels and Cattery, Seltzer, where they cared for many of the community's beloved pets.
He was the host of two internationally syndicated Radio Shows, “Vintage Gold Classics with Bob Francis” and “Rocketman Roberts Classic Radio Show”. He also worked for WPPA and WPAM Radio Stations.
In his spare time Bob loved photography, videography, and making stained glass art. He loved traveling with his late wife and visiting local casinos.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Mary Ellen (Stock) Smith in 2018; brother Francis S. Smith in 1978; and brother-in-law Charles Weller.
Surviving are two sisters, Anita Gogno and her husband Charles of Hatfield; Kathleen Weller of Selbyville, DE; and a brother, David Smith and his wife Cynthia of Pottsville; nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
Funeral Services will be held at 8:00 PM Monday, November 9, 2026 from Dutcavich Funeral Home & Cremation Care, 200 Sunbury St., Minersville, PA 17954. Deacon John Sutter will be officiating. Friends are invited to a visit from 6:00–8:00 PM at the funeral home.
Burial with military honor will be held at 10:00 AM Tuesday, November 10, 2026 at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, 60 Indiantown Gap Rd., Annville, PA 17003. Please arrive 30 minutes before the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Ruth Steinert SPCA, 18 Wertz Drive, Pine Grove, Pennsylvania 17963.
Elizabeth “Betty” Lucille Dunkel, 90 — Orwigsburg
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Elizabeth "Betty" Lucille Dunkel, 90, of Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania, passed away on Sunday, November 1, 2026.
Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 26, 1936, Betty was raised primarily by her beloved grandmother, Ethel Muhler, spending much of her childhood in both Philadelphia and Townsends Inlet, New Jersey. Throughout her 90 years, Betty built a life defined by devotion to family, a generous spirit, lifelong friendships, and an unwavering commitment to serving others.
A devoted mother, friend, and volunteer, Betty found great joy in being involved in the lives of those around her. Her love language was acts of service, and she gave freely of her time and energy to her family, church, schools, and community. Over the years, she volunteered at numerous Blue Mountain School functions, including the Booster Club. If you knew Betty, you could often find her in the stands at a local high school sporting event, enthusiastically cheering on the athletes. She was a passionate sports fan, especially when it came to her beloved Philadelphia Phillies, Philadelphia Eagles, and Penn State football.
Betty also cherished time spent with friends and enjoyed the camaraderie and friendly competition of playing Bridge and Pinochle. Whether gathered around a card table, cheering on her favorite teams, or volunteering alongside friends, she treasured the connections and shared moments that made life special.
Her commitment to community extended well beyond the school grounds. Betty was an active member of St. John's United Church of Christ in Orwigsburg, the Orwigsburg Women's League (OWLS), and the Lionettes. She also volunteered at Good Samaritan Hospital, served as recording secretary for the Pottsville Hospital and Warne Clinic Auxiliary, and gave several years of service to the American Red Cross. Wherever there was a need, Betty was often among the first to lend a hand.
Betty's accomplishments and involvement began long before her years of volunteer service. An exceptional student, she skipped a grade and graduated as Salutatorian of Ocean City High School, New Jersey, Class of 1954. Her high school years remained among the happiest of her life. She was a cheerleader, class officer, and active participant in numerous clubs, the Leaders Corps, and the Honor Society. She was also voted Most Popular in her senior class, a reflection of the friendships and connections she cherished throughout her life.
Following graduation, Betty returned to Philadelphia, where she worked as a secretary at the University of Philadelphia and later as a clerk stenographer for the Division of Aviation at Philadelphia International Airport. In June 1956, while living in Philadelphia, Betty participated in some local modeling and was selected as a finalist in the Miss Philadelphia beauty pageant.
In 1956, she graduated from Eastern Airlines' flight attendant training program and was stationed in New York City. It was during this chapter of her life that she met the love of her life, Captain Floyd D. Dunkel, an Eastern Airlines pilot, whom she would later marry.
Together, Betty and Floyd built a family and raised four children. Floyd preceded her in death in 1989, but the family and legacy they created remained at the heart of Betty's life.
Betty will be lovingly remembered by her four children: Elizabeth A. (Dunkel) Brady and her husband, Captain Robert Brady, of Carolina Beach, North Carolina; Gregg D. Dunkel and his wife, Sarah (Bamford) Dunkel, of Virginia; Jeffrey E. Dunkel and his wife, Diane "Dee" (Ballat) Dunkel, of Pottsville, Pennsylvania; and Susan L. (Dunkel) Bogle and her husband, Christopher Bogle, of Loudon, Tennessee.
Her legacy continues through her eight grandchildren: Ryan Brady, Whitney Brady, Stephanie Dunkel-Zimmerman, Edward Dunkel, Hayley Dunkel, Jed Dunkel, Shaye Wiley, and Jackson Wiley; her bonus granddaughter, Alexandra Bogle; and her two great-grandchildren, Rivers Brady and Ryan Frances "Frankie" Brady.
She is also survived by her two siblings, Linda D'Amico of Warwick, Pennsylvania, and Edward Muhler of Fredericksburg, Virginia, along with many beloved nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband, Floyd, Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Gladys Lucille Nocito, Philadelphia, P.A. and Edward Muhler, Townsends Inlet, N.J.
Betty leaves behind a legacy measured not simply by the years she lived, but by the countless lives she touched along the way. She showed her love through the things she did for others, the time she gave, the teams she cheered for, the friendships she nurtured, and the family she cherished. Her presence will be deeply missed, but the lessons she taught through a lifetime of kindness, generosity, and service will live on in the generations who follow her.
A life well lived, a family deeply loved, and a community made better because she was part of it.
A memorial service will be held at Hamilton-Breiner Funeral Home in Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, November 21, 2026. Visitation will take place from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., with the service immediately following at 11:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in Betty's name to:
St. John's United Church of Christ
236 E. Market Street
Orwigsburg, PA 17961
John Calvin Keiter, Jr., 94 — Tower City
John Calvin Keiter, Jr., age 94, of Tower City, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 4, 2026.
Born in Orwin on October 14, 1932, he was the son of the late Anna Stutzman Keiter Pinkerton and John Calvin Keiter, Sr.
John was a United States Navy veteran serving as a medical corpsman during the Korean Conflict.
He was a graduate of Porter Township High School and The Ford School of Business in Pottsville where he studied accounting.
John was retired from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania after 25 years of service as an analyst with the Public Utility Commission.
He was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Tower City and a former member of the Tower City Volunteer Fire Company.
His life revolved around his family and he was happiest when spending time with them. He greatly enjoyed his camp in Clarks Valley and was an avid hunter, fisherman, gardener, and reader.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his beloved wife of 68 years, Grace A. Keiter, who passed away in December 2022.
Surviving are his loving children; daughter Lori Malick (Randy) Harrisburg and sons Gary Keiter (Sue) of Muir and Michael Keiter (Ashley) of Reinerton; Five grandchildren—Matthew Malick (Janielle) of Harrisburg, Michael Malick (Erin) of Seattle, Washington, Katherine, Calvin, and Koli Keiter of Reinerton; Two step-grandchildren—Lisa Zimmerman (Shawn) and Eric Hand; Two great-grandchildren—Henry Malick (Seattle) and Mackenzie Malick (Harrisburg); Four step-great-grandchildren—Kali and Kamryn Miller and Brooklyn and Olivia Hand, and one step-great-great-granddaughter Oaklee Erdman, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, November 13, 2026 at 11:30 AM from the Chapel of the Dimon Funeral Home, Tower City, with his Pastor, Pastor Annette Shutt officiating. Visitation will be from 11–11:30 at the chapel. John will be laid to rest with full military honors at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Tower City Fire Co., PO Box 33, Tower City, PA 17980 or St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 415 E. Grand Avenue, Tower City, PA 17980.
The Dimon Funeral Home & Cremation Services Inc., Tower City, is honored to serve John's family.