Obituaries by LocationFebruary 22, 1997
Shavon Rose Ruoff
Shavon Rose Ruoff, 8, of 888 Ottomanelli Drive, Box 504, Albrightsville, Penn Forest Township, died Friday in Children's Hospital, Philadelphia, while she was awaiting a heart transplant.
She was the daughter of John L. II and Louise M. (Haney) Ruoff, and was a student at the L.B. Morris School in Jim Thorpe.
Born in Plainfield, Union County, N.J., she was in the second grade.
Surviving with her parents is a twin sister, Killeen, and another sister, Kati Bea, both at home; a half sister, Christina M. Symanski of Old Bridge, N.J.; maternal grandparents, Nels and Kathleen (Byram) Bargess of Albrightsville; paternal grandmother, Bertha (Parorsky) Ruoff, of Branchburg, N.J., and paternal great-grandmother, Louise Paborsky, Lake Ronkonkoma, N.Y.
The Andrew P. Ovsak Funeral Home, Fourth and Iron Streets, Lehighton, is in charge of arrangements.
February 24, 1997
Mrs. Mary Sisko
Mrs. Mary Sisko, 87, of 333 W. Ridge St., Lansford, died Sunday in her home. She was the widow of George Sisko.
She owned and operated Sisko's Bar and Grill, Lansford, since 1933.
Born in Coaldale, she was a daughter of the late John and Ella (Bryzinski) Prosymchak.
She was a member of St. John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Church, the Ladies Guild of the church and the Panther Valley Golden Agers, all of Lansford.
Surviving are a daughter, Mary Hosak, with whom she resided; a son, George Jr. of Rotonda West, Fla.; two brothers, Joseph of Mary D and Nicholas of Newburg, N.Y.; two sisters, Helen McLaughlin and Elizabeth Rokita, both of Lansford; six grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandchild.
She was also preceded in death by two brothers, John and Nestor; and a sister Anna.
The Skrabak-Parambo Funeral Home, 210 E. Bertsch St., Lansford, is in charge of the arrangements.
Thomas J. Boyle
Thomas J. Boyle, 71, of 428 Center St., Jim Thorpe, was dead on arrival Sunday at the Gnaden Huetten Memorial Hospital, Lehighton. He was the husband of Elizabeth (McTague) Boyle. They observed their 46th wedding anniversary last month.
He was a conductor for Conrail for 40 years before retiring in 1988.
Born in Mauch Chunk, he was a son of the late Dennis and Dorothy (Daffner) Boyle.
He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, the Dolon-Jones-Martino American Legion Post 314 and the Mauch Chunk Rod and Gun Club, all of Jim Thorpe.
Boyle was a Navy veteran.
Surviving in addition to his widow are a daughter Catherine, wife of Jeff Herman of Jim Thorpe; a sister, Jean Alice, wife of James Campbell of Dunellen, N.J.; and two grandchildren.
The Edward F. Melber Funeral Home, 524 Center St., Jim Thorpe, is in charge of the arrangements.
Irwin H. Strohl
Irwin H. 'Pap' Strohl, 78, of 825 Washington St., Walnutport, died Saturday in his home. He was the husband of Marie H. (Mack) Strohl. They observed their 57th wedding anniversary last April.
He was a self-employed mason in the Lehigh Valley for 34 years before retiring in 1984.
Born in Palmerton, he was a son of the late Elmer and Mabel (Bonser) Strohl.
He was a member of the Diamond Fire Company, Walnutport, and the Slatington Sporting and Skeet Club.
An Army Air Corps veteran of World War II, he was a life member of the R.W. Fritzinger Veterans of Foreign Wars Post, Walnutport, and a member of the Allen O. Delke American Legion Post 16, Slatington.
Surviving in addition to his widow are a son, Ronald I., and a brother Richard, both of Walnutport; a sister Ethel, wife of Donald Rex of Whitehall Township; four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
The Harding-Fox Funeral Home, 25-27 N. Second St., Slatington, is in charge of the arrangements.
Jack L. Capwell
Jack L. 'Donuts' Capwell, 65, of 74 N. Broadway, Wind Gap, died Saturday in ManorCare Health Services, Bethlehem. He was the husband of Mary B. (Lane) Capwell. They observed their 41st wedding anniversary last September.
He was last employed as a welder for the former Ricwell, Wind Gap, and previously had worked in the coke works of the Bethlehem Steel Corporation for many years.
Born in Elmira Heights, N.Y., he was a son of the late Dewey G. and Ida (Drake) Campbell.
He was an Army Air Corps veteran of World War II and a member of the American Legion Post 724, Wind Gap.
Surviving in addition to his widow are five daughters, Karen R. Pinto of Bangor, Elizabeth Sergent of Bethlehem, Michelle of Allentown, Jacqueline of Saylorsburg and Patricia Kocher of Easton; a brother Burleigh of Wind Gap; a sister, Harriet Eichelbergter of Lehighton; nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Louise A. Romanishan
Louise A. Romanishan, 50, of 15 W. Water St., Lansford, died Saturday in Hazleton after a lengthy illness.
Born in Coaldale, she was a daughter of Mrs. Eva (Miller) Trimmel of Lansford and the late Louis Trimmel.
The deceased was a member of SS. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church, Coaldale.
She was a 1964 graduate of the former Coaldale High School.
Surviving in addition to her mother are a daughter, Cynthia L. of Wind Gap; a son, Christopher A. of Bath; a sister, Martha, wife of Joseph Sediva of Lansford; and a granddaughter.
The August M. Gulla Funeral Home, 130 E. Ridge St., Coaldale, is in charge of the arrangements.
James E. Rose
James E. Rose, 79, of Northampton, died Saturday in the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township. He was the husband of Betty J. (Ringler) Rose. They observed their 47th wedding anniversary last September.
He was a truck mechanic for Meyers Truck Leasing, Altoona, Blair County, for many years before retiring in 1979.
Born in Cleveland, Ohio, he was a son of the late Edward J. and Mary M. (Rohm) Rose.
He was an Army veteran of World War II and was of the Protestant faith.
Surviving in addition to his widow are a son, Stephen J. of Allentown; four daughters, Beth, wife of James Shannon, and Carol J., wife of Thomas Mory, both of Bath, Susan M. of Robyhanna and Patricia A. Rose, wife of Ernie Coy Jr. of Walnutport; and two grandchildren.
Walter A. Griffith
Walter A. 'Bud' Griffith, 77, of 207 Hill St., Slatington, a former borough councilman, died Saturday in the Fellowship Manor, Whitehall Township. He was the husband of Bessie 'Betty' (Jackson) Griffith. They observed their 51st wedding anniversary last April.
He served on borough council from 1959-93, and was a member of its sewer authority for many years. In 1993, he was honored by council for his many years of service.
Griffith was a paint foreman at Muhlenberg College, Allentown, for 15 years before retiring in 1985, and previously had been a laborer for a Slatington florist.
A guitarist, he had a band called the Bud Griffith Combo, which played in the Lehigh Valley from the 1940s to the 1960s.
Born in Slatington, he was a son of the late Noah and Emma (Kern) Griffith.
He was a member of St. John United Church of Christ, Slatington.
Griffith was an Army veteran of World War II.
He was a past financial secretary of the Slatington Lions Club.
Surviving in addition to his widow are a son, John K. of Sarasota, Fla.; a sister, Mrs. Margaret Rush of Slatington; and two grandsons.
Mrs. Esther G. Eckhart
Mrs. Esther G. Eckhart, 81, of 4854 Timberline Road, Walnutport, died Friday in the St. Luke Hospital, Fountain Hill, Bethlehem. She was the widow of Paul W. Eckhart.
She was a mangler for Paris Accessories, Walnutport, for 25 years before retiring.
Born in Whitehall Township, she was a daughter of the late William W. and Sarah M. Solt.
She was a member of St. Paul United Church of Christ at Indianland, Cherryville.
Surviving are two sons, Paul W. Jr. of Walnutport and William A. of Slatington; a daughter, Mrs. Miriam A. Mack of Walnutport; 11 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Craig Gannett
Mrs. Mary Rieger-Gannett, 33, of 725 Hayes St., Bethlehem, died Friday in the St. Luke Hospital, Fountain Hill, Bethlehem. She was the wife of Craig Gannett. They observed their fifth wedding anniversary in October.
She was a barmaid for the Tatamy Democratic Association, Bethlehem, for eight years.
Born in Fountain Hill, she was a daughter of Thomas J. Rieger and Barbara A. Lambert, both of Bethlehem.
Surviving in addition to her husband and parents are two brothers, Thomas J. of Lancaster and Joseph M. of Bethlehem; a sister Patricia, wife of Warren R. Leiby Jr. of Germansville; her stepfather, Richard M. Ford of Bethlehem; and a niece and nephews.
Charles B. Werley
Charles B. Werley, 75, of Allentown, died Friday in his home. He was the husband of Verna M. (Geiger) Werley. They observed their 54th wedding anniversary in June.
He was a supervisor for the former Metal Welding and Supply, Kuhnsville, for 27 years before retiring in 1983.
Born in Lehigh County, he was a son of the late Monroe and Edna (Ohlinger) Werley.
He was a member of Morgenland Lutheran Church, Orefield, where he was treasurer of the Sunday school for over 33 years and a council member for 31 years.
Surviving in addition to his widow are a daughter, Sandra W. Wolf of Whitehall Township; two sisters, Irene Gessner of Allentown and Clara, wife of Ralph Geiger of Orefield; three brothers, George and Frederick, both of Orefield, and Ralph of Wescosville; a stepbrother, Walter Snyder of New Tripoli; and three grandchildren.
Mrs. Susan R. Trainer
Mrs. Susan R. Trainer, 83, of 428 Center Ave., Jim Thorpe, died Saturday in the Mahoning Valley Nursing and Convalescent Center, Mahoning Township. She was the widow of Donald H. Trainer.
She was a sewing machine operator at the former Arcady Bags, Jim Thorpe, before retiring.
Born in Catawissa, Columbia County, she was a daughter of the late Clark and Thalia (Yeager) Brobst.
She was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, Sixth and North streets, Jim Thorpe.
Surviving are two daughters, Virgie, wife of Calvin Ulshafer, and Barbara, wife of Earl Williams, and a son James, all of Jim Thorpe; two sisters, Kathryn I. Osborne of Catawissa and Margaret M. Distasio of Reading; a brother, Joseph H. Sr. of Catawissa; 10 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
The Edward F. Melber Funeral Home, 524 Center St., Jim Thorpe, is in charge of the arrangements.
Paul M. Mager
Paul M. 'Buck' Mager, 75, of Reeders R.3, died Saturday in the Pocono Medical Center, East Stroudsburg. He was the husband of Barbara B. (Bensley) Mager.
He was an underground foreman for the Pennsylvania Power and Light Company for 37 years before retiring in 1983, and previously was a welder at the New York shipyard.
Born in Reeders, he was a son of the late Otto and Anna (Herbeck) Mager.
He was a Merchant Marines veteran.
Mager was of the Methodist faith and belonged to the Chestnut Ridge Rod and Gun Club. He was a deputy fish warden for the Pennsylvania Fish Commission for many years.
Surviving in addition to his widow are two sons, Wesley of Reeders and Daniel of Ashland, Ky.; a daughter, Waanie Fletcher of Las Vegas, Nev.; a sister Lillian of Bartonsville; six grandchildren, several great-grandchildren and a niece.
John Hope
John Hope, 81, of Hometown, Tamaqua R.1, died Saturday in his home. He was the husband of Myrl (Miller) Hope.
Prior to retiring, he had an auto body repair shop in Hometown.
Born in Tamaqua, he was a son of the late Enoch and Sarah (Caldecott) Hope and was a lifelong resident of the area, having lived in Hometown for the past 50 years.
He was a charter and life member of the Hometown Fire Company, where he was a former fire chief.
Hope was an Army veteran of World War II.
Surviving are three daughters, Jonna Hope Wagner of Hometown, Suzanne Lee, wife of Richard Welker of Drums, and Kathleen E., wife of Dale Herb of Kutztown R.1; a son John of Allentown; a brother Robert of Tamaqua; a sister, Mary Frye of St. Louis, Mo.; and three grandsons.
He was also preceded in death by a daughter Blanche; a brother Richard; and a sister, Gertrude Pinzone.
The Lamar Christ Funeral Home, Hometown, is in charge of the arrangements.
Charles G. Bennecoff
Charles G. Bennecoff, 82, of 2350 Leiby Lane, Weisenberg Township, died Friday in the Kutztown Manor. He was the husband of Mildred M. (Snyder) Bennecoff. They observed their 54th wedding anniversary last March.
He was a farmer in Weisenberg Township from 1934-63 and served on the township's road crew from 1963 until retiring in 1979.
Bennecoff was a Weisenberg supervisor from 1967-79.
Born in Weisenberg Township, he was a son of the late Charles J. and Amy F. (Krick) Bennecoff.
He attended Kutztown University and was a member of the United Church of Christ congregation of Zion's Union Church, Maxatawny.
Surviving in addition to his widow are a son, Terry L. of Kutztown; four foster sons, Robert Angstadt of Lenhartsville, Harry Seiferd, residence unknown, Jesse Dixon Jr. of Hamburg and Raymond Dixon in New York; two foster daughters, Kathrine Angstadt in South Carolina and Linda Bentz in Maryland; a brother, Carl I. of Fleetwood; a grandson and three great-grandchildren.
George Chulock
George Chulock, 68, of 31 E. Market St., Tresckow, died early Saturday in the Hazleton General Hospital. He was the husband of Dorothy (Yaschur) Chulock.
Before retiring, he was a foreman for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
Born in Beaver Meadows, he was a son of the late Michael and Mary Prokopich.
He was a member of SS. Peter and Paul Byzantine Catholic Church, Beaver Meadows.
Surviving in addition to his widow are a son, Robert J. of Wallingford, Conn.; a daughter, Sharon Ann, wife of John Yatsko of Hazleton; three brothers, Michael of West Hazleton, Stephen in New Jersey and Paul of Beaver Meadows; two sisters, Julia of Weatherly and Mary Artim of McAdoo; two grandsons; and nieces and nephews.
Jonathan J. Tongue
Jonathan James Tongue, infant son of Barry and Marie (McGovern) Tongue of Jim Thorpe, died Saturday in the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Allentown.
He was born Feb. 4 in the Gnaden Huetten Memorial Hospital, Lehighton.
Surviving in addition to his parents are his paternal grandparents, Barry and Anna (Coll) Simmons of Jim Thorpe; maternal grandparents, John and Debbie (Ahern) McGovern in South Carolina; and his paternal great-grandmother, Hazel Simmons of Tamaqua.
The David J. Stianche Funeral Home, 123 Center St., Jim Thorpe, is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Helen Macenka
Mrs. Helen Macenka, 87, of 142 Coal St., Nesquehoning, died Sunday in the Hazleton-St. Joseph Hospital. She was the widow of Andrew Macenka, who died in 1980.
Born in Nesquehoning, she was a daughter of the late Jan and Elizabeth Kusko.
She was a member of St. Mary Byzantine Church, Nesquehoning.
Surviving are two sons, Andrew of New York, N.Y., and Robert of Wheaton, Md.; and four grandchildren.
The Holmes-Griffiths Funeral Home, 200 E. Bertsch St., Lansford, is in charge of the arrangements.
