Obituaries by LocationMarch 12, 1997
David F. Bellhorn
David F. Bellhorn, 77, of 1300 E. Kercher Ave., Lot 36, Myerstown, Lebanon County, died Monday in the Good Samaritan Hospital, Lebanon. He was the husband of Marjorie R. Bellhorn. They were married for 55 years.
He was retired from Calvin J. Wagner, Inc., Myerstown.
Born in the former Mauch Chunk, he was a son of the late Frederick and Annie (Smith) Bellhorn.
He was a member of Zion Evangelical Congregational Church, Myerstown, the Myerstown Golden Age Club, and had been a long-time caretaker for the Friedens Lutheran Church Cemetery , Myerstown.
He was an Army veteran of World War II.
Surviving in addition to his widow are a son, David R. of North Brunswick, N.J.; a daughter Bonnie, wife of Roger Houtz of Myerstown; a brother Edward of Lehighton; and three grandchildren.
The Grose Funeral Home, 9 N. College St., Myerstown, is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Frank T. Molenaar
Mrs. Dorothy H. Molenaar, 54, of 361 Lehigh Ave., Palmerton, died Saturday in the University of Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia. She was the wife of Frank T. Molenaar, Sr.
Born in Paterson, N.J., she was a daughter of Russell J. "Tom" and Dorothy H. (Van Hooker) Seedyk of Pinellas Park, Fla.
She was a member of Calvary's Light Fellowship Church, Palmerton, and served as a Sunday school teacher at area churches for more than 15 years.
She was also active in Girl Scouting, and had served Palmerton area girl scouts for more than 30 years.
Surviving in addition to her husband and parents are three daughters, Dorothy H. Cahill of Ogdensburg, N.J., Peg R., wife of Barney Durrett of Falmouth, Va., and Amanda J., at home; two sons, Len Krautheim III of Beavertown, Snyder County, and Frank T. Jr. of Palmerton; a sister Ruth, wife of Thomas Collins of Sevierville, Tenn.; a brother, Russell J. Jr. of Waynesville, Mo.; and eight grandchildren.
Steven Comisac Jr.
Steven Comisac Jr., 65, of Tamaqua R.3 died Tuesday morning in the Lehigh Valley Hospital Center, Salisbury Township. He was the husband of Lois (Moser) Comisac.
He was the owner-operator of Allstate Schuylkill Asphalt and H.T.B. Asphalt and Equipment, Cressona.
Born in Coaldale, he was a son of Fannie (Kashlak) Comisac of Tamaqua and the late Stephen Comisac Sr.
The deceased was a U.S. Navy veteran.
A member of Trinity United Church of Christ, Tamaqua, he served as an elder and deacon. He graduated from Tamaqua High School in 1950 and was a member of the Tamaqua Football Boosters. He attended Villanova University.
Surviving in addition to his widow and mother are three sons, Stephen III of Pottsville, Marc A. of Alexandria, Va., and Glenn D. of Ellicot, Md.; four daughters, Deborah, wife of Charles Yuskauskus, Cindy C., wife of David Williams, and Lois M., wife of Andrew Smarr, all of Tamaqua, and Barbara L. of Mount Holly, N.J.; a brother Ernest of Hamburg; a sister, Mrs. Rose Marie Peiffer of New Cumberland; and six grandchildren.
The E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home, 655 E. Broad St., Tamaqua, is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Elizabeth S. Williams
Mrs. Elizabeth S. Williams, 87, formerly of 261 E. Catawissa St., Nesquehoning, died Tuesday in the Luther Crest Retirement Community, South Whitehall Township. She was the widow of John D. Williams.
She was a music teacher at the former Lansford elementary and junior high schools.
Mrs. Williams was a graduate of Temple University and attended New York University.
Born in Wind Gap, she was a daughter of the late Rev. Walter B. and Nellie (Rush) Smith.
She was a member of the Asbury Methodist Church, Allentown, and a former member and organist of Meeds United Methodist Church, Nesquehoning.
Surviving are a son Robert of Gretna, La.; a daughter Marilyn, wife of Robert Martin of Allentown; and three grandchildren.
The Bruce A. Nalesnik Funeral Home, 57 W. Center St., Nesquehoning, is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Robert E. Serafin
Mrs. Elaine H. Serafin, 72, of Walnutport Mobile Home Park No. 2 H-30, died Tuesday in the Palmerton Hospital. She was the wife of Robert E. Serafin. They observed their 54th wedding anniversary in October.
Born in Plains, Luzerne County, she was a daughter of the late Ignatius and Rose (Pash) Hertus.
She was a member of St. Nicholas Catholic Church, Berlinsville, and an associate member of the Reserve Officers Association, Pocono Mountain Chapter.
Surviving in addition to her husband are three daughters, Diana, wife of Richard McCarthy of Allentown, Elaine, wife of Earl Pugh of Emmaus, and Roberta, wife of Ron Heiser of Slatington; a son, Robert E. of Slatington; a brother John of Bradenton, Fla.; and four grandchildren.
Mrs. Emil Weisbrot
Mrs. Helen Weisbrot, 74, of Schnecksville, formerly of North Branch, N.J., died Monday in the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township, after being stricken at home. She was the wife of Emil Weisbrot. They observed their 55th wedding anniversary in January.
Born in Hillside, N.J., she was a daughter of the late William and Mary (Nazar) Biblyk.
She was a member of Ebenezer United Church of Christ, New Tripoli, where she was a volunteer in its pre-school.
Surviving in addition to her husband are a son, Gary F. of Andover, N.J.; a daughter, Gail M.K. Baron of Philadelphia; and two granddaughters.
John G. Rakos
John G. Rakos, 64, of 220 E. Catawissa St., Nesquehoning, formerly of Lehighton, died Tuesday in the Gnaden Huetten Memorial Hospital, Lehighton. He was the husband of the late Carol Ann (Emery) Rakos, who died in 1990.
A 1958 graduate of East Stroudsburg University, where he received a bachelor's degree in education, he was a history teacher in the middle school of the Lehighton Area School District for 34 years before retiring in 1993.
Born in Lehighton, he was a son of the late Stephen J. and Winifred C. (Hager) Rakos, and had lived in Nesquehoning for the past 30 years since moving from Lehighton.
He was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Nesquehoning.
Rakos was a Marine Corps veteran of the Korean Conflict, having attained the rank of sergeant.
He was a member of the Shoemaker-Haydt American Legion Post 314, Lehighton.
The deceased was a 4th Degree Knight of Damien Council-Msgr. Agnello J. Angelini Chapter No. 598, Knights of Columbus, Jim Thorpe.
He also belonged to the Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees and the Lehighton American Legion Home Association.
Surviving are a daughter Rebecca, wife of Joseph Tite of Nesquehoning; three sisters, Rita Witzel and Theresa, wife of George Sander, both of Lehighton, and Barbara, wife of Roy Vogel of Coopersburg; a grandson and nieces and nephews.
He was also preceded in death by a daughter, Melissa A., who died in 1992; two brothers, Stephen in 1991 and Joseph in 1994; and two sisters, Cordelia in 1977 and Lucille in 1967.
The Joseph S. Blazosky Funeral Home, 81 E. Catawissa St., Nesquehoning, is in charge of the arrangements.
Rakos service
All members of the Damien Council-Msgr. Agnello J. Angelini Chapter No. 598, Knights of Columbus, are asked to meet at the Joseph S. Blazosky Funeral Home, 81 E. Catawissa St., Nesquehoning, on Friday, when they will pay last respects to departed Sir Knight John G. Rakos, a 4th Degree member of the council who died Tuesday.
All knights serving as honor guards are asked to assemble at 6 p.m. and all members of the Knights of Columbus are requested to take part in the service which is scheduled for 9 p.m.
Stephen Durich
Stephen Durich, 77, of 530 Whitehall St., Allentown, died Monday in the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township. He was the husband of Julia (Zwiesdak) Durich. They observed their 57th wedding anniversary last July.
He was an electrician for Mack Trucks, Inc., Allentown, for 26 years before retiring in 1980, and previously was a miner in Coaldale.
Born in Coaldale, he was a son of the late Stephen and Catherine (Topolnicki) Durich.
He was a member of St. Mary Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Allentown.
Durich was a Navy Seabees veteran of World War II and a member of the H.L. Peters American Legion Post 576, Allentown.
Surviving in addition to his widow are a son, Dr. Richard S. of Allentown; a daughter, Marian Rodgers of Fountain Hill; five sisters, Sue Petris of Coaldale, Frances Cully and Rose, wife of George Dascalakis, both of Levittown, Bucks County, Helen, wife of Edward Boyle of Grande, N.C., and Stephanie Cannady of Torrance, Calif.; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Albert J. Aicher
Albert J. Aicher, 79, of Walnutport, formerly of Palmer Township, died Sunday in the Easton Hospital. He was the husband of the late Helen (Barchawski) Aicher.
He worked in the shipping department of Transogram Toy, formerly of Easton, for 30 years before retiring.
Born in Easton, he was a son of the late Albert and Anna (Hunter) Aicher.
He was a member of St. Jane Frances de Chantal Catholic Church, Wilson.
Aicher was an Army veteran of World War II, having served with the 11th Airborne in Japan.
Surviving are two brothers, Donald of St. Cloud, Fla., and Francis of Bethlehem; and nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Ceceilia K. Masteller
Mrs. Ceceilia K. Masteller, 92, of Bethlehem, died Tuesday in Cedarbrook's Fountain Hill Annex. She was the widow of Irvin W. Masteller.
Born in Parryville, she was a daughter of the late John and Anna (Miklos) Bednar.
She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church, Bethlehem, and the Bethlehem Women's Club.
Surviving are a son, Robert Sr., and two daughters, Doris, wife of Herbert Dorrow, and Marlene, wife of Richard Kreidler, all of Bethlehem; 10 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by two sons, Harold and William.
George Janakis
George Janakis, 78, of Jonas, formerly of Little Ferry, N.J., died Monday in the Gnaden Huetten Nursing Center, Lehighton. He was the husband of Katherine (Kaufmann) Janakis. They observed their 50th wedding anniversary last August.
He was a self-employed retail gasoline dealer in Little Ferry for 10 years before retiring in 1981.
Born in New York City, N.Y., he was a son of the late George and Martha Janakis.
He was a member of Evangelical Congregational United Church of Christ, Little Ferry.
Janakis was an Army veteran of World War II and a member of the American Legion and V.F.W. posts, both in Little Ferry.
Surviving in addition to his widow are two daughters, Janet of Hamburg, N.J., and Judith Regan of Vernon, N.J.; and two granddaughters.
The Kresge Funeral Home, Rt. 209, Brodheadsville, is in charge of the arrangements.
John Reinford
John Reinford, 50, of 390 Scenic Ave., Bloomsburg, died Tuesday following a short illness in the Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, where he had been a patient since Sunday. He was the husband of Luann C. (Thomas) Reinford. They were married for 28 years.
He was a sales account representative for the Danville News for four years, and previously had worked for 18-1/2 years for the Press Enterprise, Bloomsburg.
Born in Norristown, he was a son of the late John L. Reinford and Pearl (Smith) Henning of Albrightsville, and had resided in Bloomsburg for the past 19 years.
He was a member of Shiloh Bible Church, Almedia, where he was a former Sunday school teacher.
Reinford was a member, president, past president and sergeant-at-arms of the former Bloomsburg Jaycees, and a past president of the local chapter of the American Diabetes Association.
A 1964 graduate of Emmaus High School, he attended the University of Dubuque in Iowa for two years and was a Navy veteran of the Vietnam War.
Surviving in addition to his widow are two sons, John R. of Catawissa and Kent T., at home; two sisters, Mrs. William (Caroline) Keson in Arizona and Mrs. James (Beverly) Strothers in Florida; and two brothers, Jeff Henning of Albrightsville and Kevin Henning of Jim Thorpe.
The Allen Funeral Home, Market and Eighth streets, Bloomsburg, is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Stella F. Mantz
Mrs. Stella F. Mantz, 62, of 8 Shakespeare Drive, Cornwall Terrace, Spring Township, Berks County, died at her home on Tuesday morning. She was the widow of Robert Mantz, who died in 1974.
A certified laboratory technologist, she was employed three years as supervisor by Lab Corporation, until her illness.
Born in Summit Hill, she was a daughter of the late Casimir and Sophie (Gniadecka) Filip.
She was a member of St. John Baptist de la Salle Roman Catholic Church, Shillington.
Surviving are two brothers, Joseph and John, both of Summit Hill; and five sisters, Tillie, wife of Laddie Simek, Leocadia Filip, and Mrs. Walter (Stephanie) Stawiarski, all of Summit Hill, Mrs. Ronald (Ann) Shollenberger of Allentown, and Mrs. Francis (Florence) Bartal, with whom she resided.
The Bean Funeral Home Inc., 129 E. Lancaster Ave., Shillington, is in charge of arrangements.
