Obituaries published for the Schuylkill County area on , including family remembrances and available funeral service information.
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Marc Benjamin Sr., 60
Marc Benjamin Sr., 60, passed away October 31, 2026.
He was the son of John and Inga (Borman) Benjamin. Marc worked at Tom’s Auto for many years. Marc enjoyed fishing and spending time with his grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his father, John Benjamin Sr.; his two brothers, John Benjamin Jr. and Dennis Benjamin; and his sister, Inglee (Benjamin) Snyder.
He will always be cherished by his beloved wife, Jacqueline (Grodzki) Benjamin, to whom he was married for 41 years.
He is survived by his children, Marc Benjamin Jr. of Mahanoy Plane, Kimberly Benjamin of Mahanoy City, and Lynnann Case of Ferndale, Washington; his six grandchildren, Kaydance Wyre, Jaelynn Benjamin, Brianna Case, Brittany Case, Marc Imler, and Edmund Imler; along with two sisters, Cheryl Brennan and Faith Webb; and six brothers, Kenny, Bruce, Brian, Michael, Christopher, and Keith.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date at the convenience of the family.
Chris R. Mason, 67, Pottsville
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Chris R. Mason, 67, of Pottsville, passed away on Monday, November 2, 2026, at home with family by his side.
Born in Pottsville on February 14, 1959, Chris was a son of John and Shirley (Zeiler) Mason, of Pottsville.
Married 22 years, Chris was the husband of Cindy L. (Shappell) Mason.
Chris graduated from Pottsville Area High School, Class of 1978.
He was employed as a laborer with Schlouch Inc. until his retirement. He later continued working as a custodian at Schuylkill Haven High School.
Chris was a member of St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church.
In addition to his wife and parents, Chris is survived by his children Jenny Zelwalk (DJ), Pottsville; Robert Donton (Carina Gross), Ringtown; Devin Neiswender (Mary), Frackville; Desiree Warunek (Rick), Marlin; Derek Neiswender (Loretta), Myerstown; 13 grandchildren; siblings Jeff Mason, Hamburg; Cheryl Bigg, Pottsville; David Mason, Pottsville; nieces and nephews.
Chris was preceded in death by his brother John Mason.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 7, at St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church in Schuylkill Haven with Rev. Msgr. Edward S. Zemanik officiating. A viewing for family and friends will be held from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. Entombment will follow at Saint Ambrose Mausoleum, Schuylkill Haven.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hillside SPCA, P.O. Box 233, Pottsville, PA 17901.
Lord Ebling Haus Funeral Home Inc. has been entrusted with arrangements.
Elaine Margaret Yondura, 68, Port Carbon
Elaine Margaret Yondura, 68, of Port Carbon, PA, passed away Sunday, November 1, 2026, at Lehigh Valley Hospital–Cedar Crest, Allentown.
Born in Pottsville, PA, on May 25, 1958, she was the daughter of the late John Joseph and Irma Gertrude (Campion) Phillips.
Elaine was a graduate of Pottsville Area High School, Class of 1976. She worked for Boscov’s in Pottsville and then Lowe’s in Pottsville. Elaine loved spending time with her family and her dog Pickles.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Maureen Johnson, and a brother, Joseph Phillips.
Elaine is survived by her husband of 50 years, Ronald J. Yondura; a son, Jason Yondura (Kelley); granddaughters, Harper and Cameryn; sisters, Patricia Phillips (John), Joanie Stiedle (Kurt), and Kathy O’Neill (Steve); and nieces and nephews.
Services and interment are private.
Memorial donations may be made to the National Kidney Foundation.
The Robert A. Evans Jr. Funeral Home, Port Carbon, is in charge of arrangements.
Robert R. Chuplis, 70, Girardville
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Robert R. Chuplis, 70, of Girardville, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, October 28, at Geisinger Medical Center, Shamokin.
Born in Shenandoah, he was the son of the late Anthony J. Chuplis and Alberta Johnson Chuplis. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Judith Ann Chuplis; his two sons, Robert and David Chuplis; and a brother, Daniel Chuplis.
Robert is survived by his brother, Anthony “Chipper” Chuplis and his wife, Susie, of Shenandoah; his sister, Rita Pritula and her husband, John, of Lost Creek; his brother, Richard Chuplis and his wife, Angela, of Wapwallopen; and his beloved grandson, David Chuplis. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Private funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family.
To sign the guestbook, leave personal condolences, or obtain further information, please visit Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home’s website.
The Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home, Inc., Girardville, is in charge of the arrangements.
John Joseph Goho Jr., 79, Tamaqua
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John Joseph Goho Jr., 79, of Tamaqua, Pennsylvania, passed away on November 2, 2026, at his home surrounded by his loving family.
Born on January 26, 1947, he was the son of the late John Joseph Goho Sr. and Emma Stahler Goho.
John worked as an automobile mechanic and tire recapper throughout his career. He had a lifelong passion for automobiles and was especially fond of Mustangs and working on cars.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Elaine V. Goho, whom he married on September 7, 1968.
John is survived by his loving children, John J. Goho III and his wife, Jessica, of Brockton; Ronald L. Goho of Tamaqua; Donald W. Goho and his wife, Deanna, of Hometown; Maria Hoppes and her husband, Jeffrey, of New Ringgold; and Angela Goho of Tamaqua.
He is also survived by his sister, Connie Scheeler and her husband, Herbie, of Barnesville.
John was preceded in death by his brothers, Robert, Richard and William Goho; and sisters, Dorothy Frye and Patricia Evans.
He leaves behind his cherished grandchildren, Todd Tyson and his wife, Natasha; Tyler Tyson; Dominic Hoppes; Samantha Goho; Shelly Goho; John Goho IV; Jazmine Goho; Donald Goho; Erica Goho; Ryann Goho; and Zachary Cerimele.
He is also survived by his great-grandchildren, Zabrina Goho, Isabella Pauley, Waylon Hoppes, Aubrey Tyson, Emma Tyson, and Saylor Young, along with many nieces and nephews.
John will be remembered for his love of family, his appreciation for automobiles, and the many memories he shared with those closest to him.
Private services will be held at the convenience of the family.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Robert S. Nester Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., 2066 West Penn Pike, New Ringgold, Pennsylvania 17960.
Ronald Lauver, 81, Weatherly, Formerly of McAdoo
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Ronald Lauver, 81, of Weatherly and formerly of McAdoo, affectionately known to everyone as “Poppy,” passed away on Sunday, November 1, 2026, in Weatherly. He was the husband of the late Shirley Ann (Donmoyer) Lauver, to whom he had been married for 33 years at the time of her death in 2004.
A son of the late Miles and Blanche (Smith) Lauver, Ronald graduated from Donegal High School in Mount Joy in 1963. He served honorably in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam era from 1965 to 1967 and worked for 35 years as a salesman for Bearing and Drive Solutions in Hazleton, retiring in 2019.
Ronald was an avid fan of Philadelphia sports teams. An accomplished athlete himself, he enjoyed golf and participating in his Hometown bowling league. A fantastic cook, he looked forward to cookie baking and preparing dinner for his family at Christmas, his favorite time of year. He also enjoyed fishing, especially at Pine Creek, a place he visited since childhood and loved sharing with his family. Most importantly, Ronald took great pleasure in spending time with his grandchildren and supporting them through their school and community involvement.
Ronald is survived by two daughters, Christi Hinkle and her fiancé Jeremy Pfancook of Quakertown, and Catie Walser and her husband Michael II of Tamaqua; one son, Chad Lauver and his wife Jennifer of Lancaster; seven grandchildren, Madilyn and Abigail Hinkle, Chase and Macy Lauver, and Luke, Liam, and Jacob Walser; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his wife and parents, Ronald was predeceased by eight brothers, Miles Lauver, Jr., and Lester, Lee, Richard, Kenneth, David, Robert, and Paul Lauver; and two sisters, Betty Keller and Evelyn Shenk.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home, 500 East Broad Street, Tamaqua, with Chaplain Marshall Wolverton officiating. Interment with military honors in Christ Church Cemetery, 132 Church Road, Barnesville, will follow the services. Family and friends may call at the funeral home from 10 a.m. to the time of the service.
Memorial contributions in Ronald’s name may be made to Family Pillars Hospice, 3910 Adler Place, Suite 130, Bethlehem, PA 18017.
Peggy A. Yorgey, 84, Formerly of New Ringgold
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Peggy A. Yorgey, beloved mother, sister, mom-mom, 84 years of age, formerly of New Ringgold, Pennsylvania, passed away as a guest of Orwigsburg Manor in Orwigsburg on Sunday, November 1, 2026.
Born Tuesday, May 26, 1942, in Allentown, Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of the late Lemuel and Margaret (Kunkel) Burnet. Peggy was also predeceased by her first husband, Lynn D. Yorgey, and second husband, David Steigerwalt; sisters, Sydney Clark and Elizabeth Dologite; and brothers, L. Robert Burnet Jr., Ronald Burnet, and C. Richard Burnet.
Surviving are her son, Michael D. Yorgey and his wife Charlotte; daughter, Lori L. Chinchar and her companion Kevin McArdle; sister, Eleanor Kurtz; grandchildren, Kaitlynn Yorgey, and Daniel Chinchar III and his wife Sydney. Many nieces and nephews also survive Peggy.
Peggy and her late husband, Lynn, were the proud owners and operators of the former Country Junction Farm Market and Texaco Gas Station in the Snyder mini-mall, having previously run Sunny Side Orchard. Following Lynn’s passing, Peggy began her tenure with Walmart, serving as a Regional Human Resources Manager. A woman of many passions, she bred Irish Setters, boarded and raised horses, and always found time for crafting and beach vacations. While annual trips to Disney World were a consistent highlight of her year, nothing ever topped her favorite role of all: being a devoted “Mom-Mom.” Holidays were always a special occasion at her home, filled with delicious baked goods and beautifully presented family meals.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Robert S. Nester Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., 2066 West Penn Pike, New Ringgold, Pennsylvania 17960. Telephone: 570-386-5884.
A funeral service will be held Thursday, November 5, 2026, at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. A visitation will take place Thursday morning from 10 a.m. until the time of services.
Interment will be in Zion Stone Church Cemetery of West Penn Township, New Ringgold, Pennsylvania.
Memorials in Peggy’s name may be made to Soar Animal Rescue, P.O. Box 286, Schnecksville, Pennsylvania 18078.
John R. Wolfgang, 87, Hegins
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John R. Wolfgang, 87, of Hegins, passed away Sunday, November 1, 2026, at his residence.
He was born on November 11, 1938, in Valley View, a son of the late Howard Wolfgang and the late Beatrice (Klouser) Wolfgang.
He was a self-employed truck driver for thirty years and then drove truck for Sterman Masser Potato for twenty years until his retirement.
John was a member of the Valley View Gun Club. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and was an avid trap shooter. He was involved in the development of the Pine Creek Trout Nursery and was very active in the management of the nursery.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Alice (Miller) Wolfgang, and by a grandchild, Derek Leitzel.
He is survived by his son, John (Denise) Wolfgang of Hegins; two daughters, Dana (David) Leitzel of Salisbury, NC, and Shannon Hastings of Broomfield, CO; grandchildren, Jared (Elizabeth) Wolfgang, Blake Wolfgang, Shayli Hastings, and Macoy Hastings; and great-granddaughters, Madelyn and Nora Wolfgang.
Honoring John’s wishes, there will be no services.
Burial will be in St. Andrew’s Cemetery, Valley View.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Valley View Gun Club Youth Day Fund, Drawer A, Valley View, PA 17983.
Buffington-Reed Funeral Home, Inc., Valley View, is honored to serve the Wolfgang family.
George H. Bradbury, 89, Barnesville
George H. Bradbury, 89, of Barnesville, passed away Saturday at Lehigh Valley Hospital–Schuylkill in Pottsville.
Born in Mahanoy City, he was the son of the late Edward and Anna (Bokus) Bradbury Sr. He was a 1954 graduate of Mahanoy Township High School and worked as a lineman leader for PPL.
He was a member of St. Peter’s UCC in Locust Valley and was a member and past president of the church consistory. He was a scout master for Christ Lutheran Church BSOA Troop #54 and held memberships with the Good American Hose Co. #3 and the Mahanoy City Social Club.
Preceding him in death, in addition to his parents, were sisters Mary Ann Bickowski, Ruth Lynch, Margaret Klemovage; and brothers Edward Jr., John, Daniel, Timothy and Donald Bradbury.
Survivors include his wife of 66 years, the former Joanne J. Dudash; two sons, George J. and Roy E. Bradbury, all of Barnesville; sisters Patricia Kanger, and Lois Davis and her husband Howell, all of Barnesville; brother Jeff of Frackville; grandchildren Codie Eaker and her husband Daniel, Ford and Naomi Bradbury; great-grandchild Lyra Eaker; his bonus daughter Darlene Steibler; as well as nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral on Friday at 11 a.m. at David D. Jarrett Funeral Home of Mahanoy City. The Rev. Robert Adams will officiate. Interment will follow at Sky View Memorial Park in Hometown. Friends may call at the funeral home Friday morning beginning at 9:30 a.m. until the time of services.
Contributions in his name to the Ryan Township Emergency and Rescue Squad, 848 Barnesville Drive, Barnesville, PA 18242, would be appreciated and will be accepted at the visitation.
Please sign the guest book at David D. Jarrett Funeral Home’s website.
Stuart Louis Smeltz, 90, Schuylkill Haven
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Stuart Louis Smeltz, 90, of Schuylkill Haven, passed away Sunday, November 1, 2026, at Geisinger St. Luke’s Hospital, Orwigsburg.
Born in Gratz, PA, on August 29, 1936, Stuart was a son of the late John D. and Maude E. (Miller) Smeltz.
Stuart was a graduate of Cressona High School, Class of 1954.
He proudly served in the U.S. Army.
Stuart worked for Dana Corporation as a welder/steel worker for 30 years.
He is survived by his daughter Deborah Hart, wife of Patrick, New Ringgold, and nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Stuart was preceded in death by his son, Jonathan M. Smeltz; siblings Anna Shade, Violet Kessler, Marvin Smeltz, Clarence Smeltz; and his stepbrother Ray Hepler.
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at Ebling Stabingas Funeral Home, Cressona, on Thursday, November 12, at 11 a.m. A visitation for family and friends will be held from 10 a.m. until the time of service.
Interment with military honors will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, November 13, at St. John’s Reformed Church of Christ Cemetery, Friedensburg.
Ebling Stabingas Funeral Home, Cressona, has been entrusted with arrangements.
Thelma E. Mansfield, 91, Pottsville
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Thelma E. Mansfield, 91, of Pottsville, died Sunday morning at Green Valley Nursing Center, Pottsville.
She was born April 3, 1935, in Sault Ste. Marie, MI, a daughter of the late Amos and Margaret Donnley Martin.
She was a graduate of Sault Ste. Marie High School, Sault Ste. Marie, MI.
Prior to retiring, she worked for J.C. Penny.
Thelma was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Pottsville, and volunteered at Dr. Liu’s office and the former Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center.
Thelma lived a long life marked by simple pleasures and quiet enjoyments. She loved watching old movies and spending time with puzzle books, pastimes that brought comfort, entertainment, and familiarity through the years. Those who knew her will remember the steady happiness she found in these interests and the gentle rhythm they gave to her days.
Thelma was preceded in death by her husband, Russell J. Mansfield, on November 8, 1993; a son, John Mansfield; and siblings Elmer Martin, Florence Trombley, Isabella Sparks, and Lawerence Martin.
Surviving are two daughters, Mary Smith and her husband Mike, Pottsville, and Cathy Scott and her husband Jeff, Sault Ste. Marie, MI; grandchildren Jennifer Kopinetz and her husband Jamie, Jessica Seiders and her husband Nathan, Kimberly Krammes and her husband Ken, David Scott and his wife Miranda, Stacey Bundy and her husband Scott, Jacob Scott and his wife Alicia, Ashley Mansfield, John Mansfield, and Kassandra Mansfield; 14 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Friday, November 6, at 11 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, Pottsville, with Rev. Chris Rothharpt officiating. Family and friends are invited to a viewing from 9 a.m. until the time of services. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Pottsville.
The family would prefer remembrances in the form of contributions in memory of Thelma to Hillside SPCA, P.O. Box 233, Pottsville, PA 17901, or the Pennsylvania Association for the Blind, 3800 Market St., Suite 206, Camp Hill, PA 17011.
Arrangements are under the care of James E. Humphrey Funeral Home, James B. Humphrey, F.D., Pottsville.
Louise B. “Lou” Billman, 100, Formerly of West Penn Township
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Louise B. “Lou” Billman, the beloved matriarch of her family, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 1, 2026, at the remarkable age of 100. Formerly of West Penn Township, Lou spent her final six years surrounded by comfort as a resident at Miners Memorial Medical Center.
Born in Tamaqua on January 27, 1926, she was the daughter of the late Walter and Florence (Rex) Fritz. Lou lived a life deeply rooted in family and faith. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of many years, Daniel F. Billman, who passed away on July 15, 2000, and her sisters, Edna Gerchufsky and Eleanor Neifert.
As a dedicated homemaker and a long-time, faithful member of Christ Evangelical Free Church of Lehighton, Lou poured her heart into creating a warm, welcoming home for everyone she cherished. She found joy in the simple pleasures of life: she was an exceptionally talented quilter, an avid puzzle solver, and loved taking long, peaceful walks along her neighborhood road.
Her legacy of love lives on through her surviving family, including her sons, Jeffrey D. Billman and his wife Carol, and Joel R. Billman and his wife Karen; her daughters, Cheryl A., wife of Dr. Paul Miller, and Denise K., wife of Robert Ibach; her three granddaughters, Britney Kempf, Amanda Restivo, and Tiffany Bieber; and eight cherished great-grandchildren.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Robert S. Nester Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., 2066 West Penn Pike, New Ringgold, Pennsylvania 17960. Telephone: 570-386-5884.
A funeral service celebrating Lou’s centenary life will be held on Thursday, November 5, 2026, at 1 p.m. at Christ Evangelical Free Church, 2420 Blakeslee Boulevard Dr. W, Lehighton, PA 18235, with Rev. Kevin Roberts officiating. Friends and family are invited to a viewing at the church from 11:30 a.m. until the time of the service.
Interment will follow at Sky View Memorial Park in Hometown, Pennsylvania.
Lou’s family wishes to extend their deepest gratitude to the staff on the fifth floor of Miners Memorial Medical Center for the tremendous, loving care they provided to their mother throughout her stay.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Lou’s honor may be made to Christ Evangelical Free Church of Lehighton or Bethany E.C.C. Church, 223 East Broad Street, Tamaqua, Pennsylvania 18252.
JoAnn Phyllis (Wojciechowski) Phillips
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JoAnn Phyllis (Wojciechowski) Phillips was called home to the Lord, surrounded by family, on October 29, 2026, after a life devoted to her Catholic faith and family.
Born in Middleport, PA, she was the daughter of the late Martin and Anna Wojciechowski. She attended Kutztown University, worked as a Head Start teacher and was a faithful parishioner of St. Joseph Church in Bogota, NJ. A long-time resident of Teaneck, NJ, she spent decades lovingly raising her children and establishing a beautiful home.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving brother, Martin F. Wojciechowski.
She is survived by her devoted husband of 62 years, Emmett D. Phillips Sr. She leaves to cherish her memory two sons, Emmett Phillips Jr. and Anthony Phillips; daughter-in-law Jennifer Phillips; her loving grandchildren Sydney Ann Phillips and Emmett Phillips III; along with her sister, Bernice and husband Robert Hansen. She will also be fondly remembered by many sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, 319 Mahantongo Street, Pottsville, PA 17901, on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. Rev. John S. Pendzick will officiate. Family and friends are invited to a visitation at the church from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. Interment will follow at St. Anthony of Padua Cemetery, Cumbola.
Spoczywaj w Pokoju (Rest in Peace).
Dutcavich Funeral Home & Cremation Care Inc., Minersville, is entrusted with arrangements.