Skook News: Obituaries

Skook News Obituaries: July 27th, 2020

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Richard H. Underwood, of Pottsville, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, July 26 after a brief but courageous battle with cancer.

Rick was born on October 14, 1939 in Pottsville. He was preceded in death by his parents John C. Underwood and Anna Brennan Underwood and his infant granddaughter Layla Lynn Underwood.

Rick was a graduate of Pottsville High School. He was a Veteran of the U.S. Navy, having served aboard the first nuclear powered aircraft carrier, the USS Enterprise. Rick retired from Verizon after 35 years of service. He was a member of St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church, St. Clair. In retirement, Rick enjoyed time with family, travel, gardening and his koi pond.

He was the beloved husband of Margaret (Maile) Underwood. Married August 8, 1970, Rick and Peg shared almost 50 years of marriage. In addition to his wife Peg, Rick is survived by Amy (Peter) Garabedian and their children Isabel and Luke of Villanova, Richard J. of Pottsville, Daniel (Carissa) and their children, Veda, Daniel and Trent, of Orwigsburg. He was adored by his family for his strength, work ethic and excellent advice. He will be greatly missed.

The family would also like to thank the doctors, nurses and caregivers that cared so compassionately for our beloved “Pop” during his illness, especially Dr. Matthew Sophy, Angela and Theresa.

Services will be private and at the convenience of the family. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Robert A Evans, Jr. funeral home, Port Carbon. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the March of Dimes in memory of Layla Lynn Underwood.
To offer condolences to the family, please visit www.robertaevansjrfh.com.

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Thomas P. Lacek, 96 years of age of Clamtown, South Tamaqua, PA passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 25, 2020, at Lebanon VA Medical Center in Lebanon, PA.

Tom was born Friday, March 21,1924 in Larksville, the son of the late Andrew and Dorothy (Jas) Lacek. Tom was predeceased by his beloved wife Clara M. (Koblish) Lacek on October 30, 2014 and son Thomas P. Lacek, Jr. on February 1, 2019; sisters, Anna Longo, Lydia Maksimik, and Helen Palackas; brothers, John, Andrew, Joseph, and Gaise Lacek.

Surviving are his children; Mary Lou Lacek and her husband Neil Aldin of Tolland, CT; Melissa A. Krechel and her husband Michael of Fawn Grove, PA; Timothy A. Lacek and his wife of Carol of New Tripoli, PA; daughter-in-law Barbara Lacek of Manheim, PA; grandchildren, Thomas Lacek III, Joseph Lacek, Rachel Lacek, Ellen Aldin, Jesse Aldin, Sara Krechel Gray and her husband Jacob, Hana Krechel, Noah Krechel, Andrew Lacek, Michaela Lacek; sister, Josephine Ploski. Many nieces and nephews also survive Tom.

A 1942 graduate of Larksville High School, Tom enrolled at Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA. His education was interrupted when called to serve his country in the United States Army during WWII in April of 1943. Tom served in the 104th Infantry Division, known as the Timberwolves, 414 Regiment, Company F. Tom rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant and was awarded a Purple Heart and received a Bronze Star. He was honorably discharged on November 21, 1945.

Returning to Dickinson, Tom earned his B.S. in Chemistry, graduating in 1948. While at Dickinson, Tom was a member of the football team and served as captain his senior year. Tom was known as "Two Point Tom” because he scored a safety against Lebanon Valley College to win the game 2-0. Tom was a member of the Raven's Claw Club at Dickinson.

Tom began his professional career at the former Atlas Powder Company of Reynolds in 1948 and worked there for 40 years. During his tenure, Tom and his family moved 5 times in 15 years with stops in White Haven, PA; Joplin, MO; Houghton, MI; Richmond, CA; Joplin again; and finally to Tamaqua in 1961 where he settled with his family until his passing.

Atlas encouraged their executives to become vested in the communities in which they resided, and Tom took that to heart. Tom was a devoted member of SS. Peter & Paul R.C.C. of Tamaqua, now St. John XXIII R.C.C. He served as a Eucharist Minister, Lector, and was a past President and Treasurer of the Holy Name Society. Tom served on the Tamaqua School Board, and Tamaqua Library Board.

Tom was an avid golfer and was a member of the Atlas League at White Birch until this summer. He also enjoyed wine making, specializing in sour cherry and dandelion wine.

Tom served his country and community and was the patriarch of his family. He will be deeply missed by all.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. of 655 East Broad Street Tamaqua, PA 18252. (570) 668-2550

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday July 30, 2020 at 10 o'clock A.M. from St. John XXIII R.C.C. 307 Pine Street Tamaqua, PA 18252.

Friends will be received on Wednesday evening, July 29, 2020 from the funeral home from 5 to 7:00 P.M. Masks will be required and occupancy limits will be adhered to.

Interment with Military Honors will be at the Fort Indiantown Gap National Cemetery Annville, PA.

Memorials in Tom's name may be made to Lebanon VA Hospice Unit 14B, 1700 S. Lincoln Ave. Lebanon, PA 17042 or Dickinson College, Office of College Advancement, PO Box 1773, Carlisle, PA 17013.

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Stanley Joseph Sharpe, 93, of Orwigsburg, formerly of Southampton, PA, passed away Saturday, July 18th at Seton Manor Inc.

Stanley was born in Andalusia, PA on November 29, 1926, the only son of the late Erna (Schaeffer) and Joseph C. Sharpe. He was the widower of Audrey (Fleming) Sharpe.

He served in the Merchant Marines in WWII, and in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

He was a 1957 graduate of the Pennsylvania State University and worked as a metallurgist and engineer in the steel and aluminum industries. He was also a skilled woodworker and boat builder.

Stanley is survived by nieces Brenda Binns, Elizabeth Clark, and Bonnie Fleming-Jacoby, and by grand nieces Brigitte Yeager and Rebecca Netznik and grand nephew Mark Clark.

Memorial Services will be held at Hamilton-Breiner Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. on August 5th at 11:00 AM. Family & Friends may gather from 10:00 AM until time of service. Internment will be private, in Sunset Memorial Park, Feasterville, PA.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Orwigsburg Food Pantry, c/o Edna Hart, 66 Hart Road, Auburn, PA 17922 or Philabundance, 3616 South Galloway Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148.

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Eugene R. "Gene" Vance, 82, of Tremont, passed away Monday, July 27th at his home.

Born in Lebanon, May 4, 1938, a son of the late Phillip and Irene Vance.

Gene was a United States Navy Veteran.

He was a self-employed mechanic, owning his own inspection station. He also had been a coal miner. For many years Gene was the caretaker of the local cemeteries in Tremont.

He was of the protestant faith. Gene was a member of the Little Run Gun Club and the former Tremont American Legion.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded by an infant son Eugene.

Surviving are his wife Janice Butler Vance; his children, Julie Witmer (Daryl), Tremont; Stacy Wolfe (George), Muir; Tammy Richard (Russell) Valley View; Tammy Castaneda (Erasmo), Texas; Tom Vance (Sherry), Lebanon; Phillip Vance (Kim), Myerstown and Cory Vance (Tania), Pottsville; a step-daughter, Amy Frew (Scott), Tremont; two sisters, Eva Tobias, Fredericksburg and Sandra Shindel, Lebanon. Numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held Saturday, August 1st at 11:00 am from the Chapel of the Dimon Funeral Home, Inc., Tower City. Visitation will be from 10-11 at the chapel. To sign the guest book visit www.dimonfuneralhome.com

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Leroy A. Wolfe, 90, a lifelong resident of Williamstown, passed away, Saturday, July 25th at the Wyomissing Nursing Home, Reading.

Born in Williamstown, March 10, 1930, a son of the late William and Eva Strohecker Wolfe.

Leroy was a graduate of the former Williamstown High School. He was a United States Air Force Veteran of the Korean War.

He was a retired mechanic from the former TRW, Harrisburg.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by two sons, William and Edward Wolfe and a brother Gerald.

Surviving are his four sisters, Vivian Shearman, Honey Brook; Barbara Lewis, Ephrata; Gloria Fry, Landisville and Cleo Libonati, Fort Washington; one brother, John Wolfe, York; 2 granddaughters. Nieces and Nephews.

Graveside services with military honors will be held Thursday, July 30th at 11:00 am at the Fairview Cemetery, Williamstown. The Dimon Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., has been entrusted with the arrangements.

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