Obituaries by LocationMarch 6, 1997
Sister Elma Chappell
Sister Elma Chappell, 77, of Sisters of Christian Charity, died Thursday, Feb. 27, in the Geisinger Medical Center, Wilkes-Barre.
Born Beatrice Chappell, in East Mauch Chunk, she was a daughter of the late Elmer and Johanna (Marzen) Chappell.
After being professed in 1938, she taught History at several high schools, including Bayley-Ellard High School, Madison, N.J.; Central Catholic in Reading; Bishop McDevitt in Harrisburg; Delone Catholic in McSherrystown.
Surviving are an uncle, two nieces, a sister-in-law and several cousins.
A prayer service was held Sunday in the convent Chapel. Burial was in St. Joseph Cemetery , Danville.
Walter E. Long
Walter E. Young, 70, of Dresher, Montgomery County, died Tuesday in the Abington Memorial Hospital. He was the husband of Sara E. (Heffelfinger) Long.
A 1948 graduate of Pennsylvania State University, he was an electrical engineer for the former United Engineers and Constrictors, now Raytheon Corporation, Philadelphia, for 45 years before retiring in 1991.
He served on the Upper Dublin Township Planning Commission from 1967-74, having been its president in 1973. He also served on its zoning hearing board.
Born in Tamaqua, he was a son of Mrs. Sallie Helen (Shoemaker) Long of Tamaqua and the late Elias Henry Long.
He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Fort Washington, where he was a former teacher and superintendent of the Sunday school.
Long was a past member and president in 1960 of the Fort Washington PTA; a former board member and president of Turning Point, Ambler; and a member of the former Upper Dublin Kiwanis Club.
He was Upper Dublin Republican Committee Citizen of the Year in 1979.
Long was a Navy veteran of World War II and a member of the William Bolton Dixon American Legion Post 10, Fort Washington.
Surviving in addition to his widow and mother are three daughters, Judy A. Sparango of Salfordville, Beverly A. Norton of Media, Delaware County, and Michelle A. Smith of Ambler; a son, Todd W. of Roslyn; two sisters, Grace Hoffman of Tamaqua and Mildred Dixon of Etters, York County; and 12 grandchildren.
Mrs. Gloria J. Koneschusky
Mrs. Gloria J. Koneschusky, 66, of 901 North St., Weatherly, died Tuesday afternoon in the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township. She was the widow of Frank Koneschusky, who died Jan. 3, 1993.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., she was the daughter of the late Sebastian and Shirley Laterza.
She was a member of St. Nicholas Catholic Church, Weatherly.
Surviving are three daughters, Lynn, wife of Joe Dolinsky, Weatherly R.2, Lori, wife of Jhn Parker and Janet, wife of Wayne Gettig, both of Weatherly; three sons, Frank of Mount Holly, N.J., James of Weatherly, and George of Westampton, N.J.; 13 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Rev. Dr. John McConomy
The Rev. Dr. John McConomy, 80, a retired Lutheran pastor, died Monday in his home in Villas, N.J., after an illness. He was formerly of Trappe, Montgomery County.
He was pastor of Augustus Lutheran Church, Trappe, from 1956 until retiring in 1982. Previously, he served Lutheran churches in Hightstown, N.J., and Weissport.
He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Lillian E. (Giersch) McConomy; four children and eight grandchildren.
Anastasia Wassel
Anastasia Wassel, 75, formerly of 222 E. Broad St., Tamaqua, died Wednesday in the Miners Memorial Geriatric Center, Coaldale.
Prior to retiring in 1984, she had been employed by the Amerace Corporation in New Jersey.
Born in Tamaqua, she was a daughter of the late Thomas and Eva (Simco) Wassel.
She was a member of St. Mary's Russian Orthodox Church, Coaldale.
Miss Wassel is survived by three sisters, Justina, wife of Arlington Hawk of Tamaqua, Mrs. Helen Torres of Clifton, N.J. and Mrs. Olga Sagura of Patterson, N.J.
She was preceded in death by a step-sister, Anna Tatusko.
The Jon M. Zizelmann Funeral Home, 500 E. Broad St., Tamaqua, is in charge of arrangements.
March 7, 1997
Zello W. Davis
Zello W. Davis, 70, of 65 W. Railroad St., Nesquehoning, died Thursday in his home. He was the husband of Janet (Bond) Davis. They were married for 48 years.
Davis was a warehouseman for AT&T, King of Prussia, for 35 years before retiring. The family resided in Norristown until 10 years ago, when they moved to Nesquehoning.
Born in Summit Hill, he was the son of the late Samuel and Anna Mae (Mars) Davis.
During World War II, he was a seaman first class with the U.S. Navy.
He was a member of St. Mark and St. John Episcopal Parish, Jim Thorpe; VFW Post 8008, American Legion Post 172 and the New Columbus Fire Company, all of Nesquehoning; Bridgeport Fire Company No. 1, Bridgeport, Pa.
He played on the Nesquehoning Hurricanes semi-professional football team,
Surviving in addition to his widow are a son, Zello Jr. of West Grove; a daughter, Ruth Ann, wife of William Smith of Kennett Square; a brother William of Hatfield; three sisters, Eleanor, wife of John Tout, Elizabeth, wife of John Arthur, and Dorothy, wife of John Blakeslee, all of Nesquehoning; and four grandchildren.
The Bruce A. Nalesnik Funeral Home, 57 W. Center St., Nesquehoning, is in charge of the arrangements.
Hoyt G. Weiss
Hoyt G. Weiss, 78, of 2232 S. Dauphin St., Allentown, died Thursday in the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township. He was the husband of Mary A. (Rozzo) Weiss.
He was a brakeman and conductor for the former Reading Railroad for 30 years before retiring in 1979.
Born in Allentown, he was a son of the late Walter W. and Bertha M. (Zellner) Weiss.
He was a Navy veteran of World War II and a member of the Gold Star Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2124, Allentown, and a life member of the Mountainville Fire Company No. 16.
Surviving in addition to his widow are two sons, Gary of Slatington and Jonathan of Coplay; a daughter Virginia, wife of Merle Renner of Emmaus; two brothers, Stuart and James, both of Allentown; six sisters, Joyce, wife of Robert Stuart, Dorcas, wife of Harold Heiser, Mary Jane Belles, Nancy, wife of Arthur Souillard, Caroline, wife of Bruce Ebert, and Kathleen, all of Allentown; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
He was also preceded in death by a son, Gilbert G.
Franklin R. Lentz
Franklin R. Wentz, 77, of Allentown, died Thursday in the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township. He was the husband of Barbara R. (Rupp) Lentz. They observed their 55th wedding anniversary in December.
He was a superintendent of Plant 5C at Mack Trucks, Inc., Allentown, before retiring in 1977 after 38 years of service.
Born in Slatington, he was a son of the late Walter and Vera (Richards) Lentz.
He was a member of Cedar United Church of Christ, Cetronia.
Lentz was an Army veteran of World War II.
Surviving in addition to his widow are two sons, Dennis F. and Jeffrey A., both of Allentown; a daughter, Brenda B. Cline of Hamburg; a brother Richard of Bethlehem; a sister Lois, wife of Sydney Moyer of Naples, Fla.; seven grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and a great-great-granddaughter.
Mrs. Benjamin Titus
Mrs. Irene M. Titus, 85, of Still Creek, Tamaqua R.4, died Thursday in her home. She was the wife of Benjamin Titus. They were married for 67 years.
Born in Hosensock, Barnesville, she was a daughter of the late Elwood and Caroline (Liddle) Schappell.
She was of the Protestant faith.
Surviving in addition to her husband are two sons, Lee of Weatherly R.D. and Dale of New Ringgold R.D.; four daughters, Sylvia, wife of Floyd Bachert of Quakake, Fern Haug and Roberta, wife of Remo Santacecilia, both of Wilmington, Del., and Jacqueline, wife of Lee Shafer of New Ringgold R.D.; 18 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by a son Lowell.
The Lamar Christ Funeral Home, Hometown, is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Mary F. Groves
Mrs. Mary F. Groves of Trumbull, Conn., died Saturday in her home. She was the widow of Charles Groves, who died in 1995.
Born in Freeland, she was a daughter of the late Andrew and Helen (Guza) Fatula.
Surviving are a son Charles and a daughter Barbara; and three brothers and three sisters, including Pauline Fairchild of Weatherly.
John E. Gazdick
John E. Gazdick, 81, of 544 E. Railroad St., Nesquehoning, died this morning in Miners Memorial Medical Center, Coaldale. He was the husband of Anna (Hulupa) Gazdick.
The Joseph S. Blazosky Funeral Home, 81 E. Catawissa St., Nesquehoning, is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Catherine Marren
Mrs. Catherine Marren, 81, of 220 East Street, Coaldale, died Thursday in Miners Memorial Medical Center, Coaldale. She was the widow of Andrew Marren, who died in 1962.
Born in the Little Italy section of Nesquehoning, she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Biagia (Rizzo) Rao.
Mrs. Marren was a member of St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, Coaldale.
She is survived by a daughter, Andrea Ann, with whom she resided; and two sisters, Mrs. Lena Colura and Mrs. Josephine Corona, both of Easton.
She was preceded in death by two daughters.
The August M. Gulla Funeral Home, 130 E. Ridge St., Coaldale, is in charge of arrangements.
John M. Perchik Sr.
John M. Perchik Sr., 82, of 223 W. Howard Ave., Coaldale, died this morning in Miners Memorial Medical Center, Coaldale. He was the husband of the late Ann (Trynosky) Perchik, who died in 1979.
The August M. Gulla Funeral Home, 130 E. Ridge St., Coaldale, is in charge of arrangements.
Robert M. Smith
Robert M. Smith, 63, died this morning at the home of Ray and Dawn Darker, 617 Arlington St., Tamaqua.
Prior to retiring, he had been employed by the Philip Gurian Company.
Born in Tamaqua, he was a son of the late Lloyd and Rose A. (Melchior) Smith.
He was a member of Trinity United Church of Christ, Tamaqua. He was also a member of the Pa. Sheriff's Assoc.; the North American Hunt Club; the National Rifle Assoc.; West Penn Rod and Gun Club, Clamtown; East End Fire Company, Tamaqua; the Blue and Gold Assoc.; Keystone Hunt and Fish Club - Kellner's Dam Project; Tamaqua American Legion, C.H. Berry Post 173; Beaver Run Rod and Gun Club; and the Lansford and Summit Hill Italian Clubs.
He is survived by three sons, Robert J., in the U.S. Navy; Gary E. and Gene Allen, both of Tamaqua; a daughter, Sue Ellen of Tamaqua; a brother, Charles of Sumter, S.C.; and a sister, Mrs. Helen Horton of Sumter, S.C.
The E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home, 655 E. Broad St., Tamaqua, is in charge of arrangements.
