Obituaries by LocationApril 10, 1997
William E. Hiller
William E. "Sparkle" Hiller, 73, of Sorrento, Fla., formerly of Jim Thorpe, died Tuesday in the Mount Dora Health Care Center, Mount Dora, Fla.
He was a retired self-employed salesman.
Born in Upper Mauch Chunk, he was a son of the late Harvey and Jessamine (Wildoner) Hiller.
He a corporal in the Army Air Force during World War II, having served in New Guinea, Okinawa and Japan.
Hiller played baseball with the 305th Air Force All Stars. While living in Mauch Chunk and Jim Thorpe, he played for, coached and managed several baseball teams.
An avid golfer, he had three holes-in-one in his career.
Hiller was a member of the Dolon-Jones-Martino American Legion Post 304, Jim Thorpe.
He was of the Lutheran faith.
Surviving are a daughter, Jackie Zvorsky of Orwigsburg; three grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
He was also preceded in death by a sister, Elizabeth "Betty" Walker; and two brothers, Stroud and Harvey Jr.
The Edward F. Melber Funeral Home, 524 Center St., Jim Thorpe, is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Mary E. Ebert
Mrs. Mary E. Ebert, 86, formerly of New Tripoli, died Wednesday in the Lehigh Manor, Lower Macungie Township. She was the widow of Carl A. Ebert.
Born in Berwick, she was a payroll clerk for the former Hess's, Allentown, for 27 years before retiring in 1980.
She was a member of the New Life Evangelical Lutheran Church, New Tripoli, where she served on the council for many years.
Mrs. Ebert also belonged to the Slatington Chapter No. 458, Order of Eastern Star.
Surviving are nephews.
Mrs. Margaret L. Mitchell
Mrs. Margaret L. Mitchell, 90, of Danville, Montour County, formerly of Kunkletown, died Wednesday in the Maria Joseph Manor, Danville. She was the widow of Lawrence V. Mitchell.
She was a clerical worker for the Lighthouse for the Blind, Queens, N.Y., for 10 years before retiring in 1968.
Born in Manhattan, N.Y., she was a daughter of the late Thomas and Eva (Benz) Weir.
She was a member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Gilbert, and the Chestnut Ridge Senior Citizens.
Surviving are two sons, Lawrence W. Jr. of West Milford, N.J., and Peter of Stockholm, N.J.; a daughter, Margaret Sharkey of Somerville, N.J.; 13 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by a son Thomas.
The Kresge Funeral Home, Rt. 209, Brodheadsville, is in charge of the arrangements.
Alfred Hujsa
Alfred Hujsa, 80, of Allentown, died Wednesday in the Phoebe Home, Allentown. He was the husband of Mary (Buhay) Hujsa. They observed their 57th wedding anniversary last June.
He was a supervisor for the Bethlehem Steel Corporation, having worked in the No. 2 machine shop for many years before retiring in 1978.
Born in Allentown, he was a son of the late Andrew and Gertrude (Fiala) Hujsa.
Surviving in addition to his widow are a son, Alfred C. of Whitehall; two daughters, Kathleen M., wife of James Frick of Saylorsburg, and Mary Ann D. Tretter of Allentown; three brothers, Stephen of Allentown, Robert of Bath and Richard of Slatington; two sisters, Rose Cox in California and Gertrude Pavenello of Northampton; three grandchildren and a great-grandson.
Mrs. Rudolph Cipko
Mrs. Anna M. Cipko, 73, of 175 Penn St., Tamaqua, died Wednesday in the Miners Memorial Medical Center, Coaldale. She was the wife of Rudolph B. Cipko. They were married for 55 years.
Prior to retiring, she was employed as a waitress for several area restaurants, including the former Royal, Vitale's Country House and the Tamaqua American Legion.
Born in Tamaqua, she was a daughter of the late Michael and Geraldine (Caprio) Ciorlanti.
She was a member of St. Jerome Catholic Church, Tamaqua.
Surviving in addition to her husband are two sons, Rudy J. and David B., both of Tamaqua; two daughters, Jeanette, wife of James Gimbor of Allentown, and Geraldine, at home; a sister, Mrs. Stephen (Jeanette) Chalinsky of Pottsville; eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by a sister, Lillian Butrie.
The Robert C. Reeser Funeral Home, 655 E. Broad St., Tamaqua, is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Margaret M. Deisenroth
Mrs. Margaret M. Deisenroth, 80, of 415 Fairview St., Weatherly, formerly of Tamaqua, died Wednesday in the Laurel Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Hamburg. She was the widow of Walter E. Deisenroth, who died in 1976.
During the 1970s, she owned and operated a ceramic shop on Rolling Mill Avenue, Tamaqua.
Born in Summit Hill, she was a daughter of the late Robert and Rebecca (Edwards) McLaughlin.
She was a member of Centenary United Methodist Church, Weatherly.
Surviving are a son, Harry Barron of Blandon; a daughter Donna, wife of Earl Hinkel of Harrisburg; three sisters, Anna, Nora Smith and Marion Weston, all of Weatherly; five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
The Jon M. Zizelmann Funeral Home, 500 E. Broad St., Tamaqua, is in charge of the arrangements.
April 11, 1997
Wash "Pat" Fedora
Wash "Pat" Fedora, 79, of 300 W. Kline Ave., Lansford, died Thursday in his home following a lengthy illness. He was the husband of Helen (Buran) Fedora. They were married for 47 years.
He was a miner at the No. 8 Colliery of the former Coaldale Mining Company, until it ceased operations.
Born in Lansford, he was a son of the late Wash Sr. and Anna (Hruba) Fedora.
He was a member of St. Michael Catholic Church, Lansford.
Fedora attended the former Lansford High School and was an Army veteran of World War II, having served in the European Theater of Operations. He received the Purple Heart Medal with a cluster.
The deceased was a member of the Lansford AMVETS Post and the Panther Valley Golden Age Club, also of Lansford.
Surviving in addition to his widow are a daughter Marianne, wife of George McIntyre, and a son Ronald, both of Lansford; a brother Theodore of Bethlehem; a sister, Helen Cudlic of Bethlehem; and four grandchildren.
He was also preceded in death by two brothers, Andrew and Nicholas; and a sister Anna.
The August M. Gulla Funeral Home, 130 E. Ridge St., Lansford, is in charge of the arrangements.
Paul C. Brown
Paul C. "Brownie" Brown, 81, of 4588 W. Mountainview Drive, Walnutport, died Wednesday in the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township. He was the husband of Virginia C. (App) Brown. They observed their 56th wedding anniversary in January.
He was a pipefitter Class A welder and foreman for the Bethlehem Steel Corporation for 37 years before retiring in 1977.
Born in Berlinsville, he was a son of the late Claude and Emma (Silfies) Brown.
He was a member of St. John United Church of Christ, Slatington, and was also a Sunday school teacher at Trinity Evangelical Congregational Church, Berlinsville, where he was treasurer since 1943.
A 50-year member of the Lehigh Township Lions Club, he received the Melvin Jones Award in 1993-94.
The deceased was the founding secretary of the Lehigh Township Fire Company in 1944, and a member of the Diamond Fire Company, Walnutport, and the Four-County Firemen's Association.
He was a member of the Lehigh Township Sewer Authority from its founding until 1996 and a former member of the Lehigh Township School Authority.
Brown was a 50-year member of F. & A.M. Lodge No. 440, Slatington, having served as its master in 1948.
Surviving in addition to his widow are a daughter, Linda L., wife of Thomas A. Peifer of Greentown, Pike County; a brother Willard of Allentown; two grandchildren and a great-granddaughter.
John Joseph Whitney Sr.
John Joseph "Jack" Whitney Sr., 68, of 700 Union St., Maple Springs Apartments, Birdsboro, Berks County, died Wednesday in the PersonaCare of Wyomissing, Berks County. He was the husband of Jeanne (McCracken) Whitney.
He was a truck driver for Matlock Trucing, Northampton, from 1975-82.
Born in McKeesport, Allegheny County, he was a son of Mrs. Nora A. (Johnson) Whitney of McKeesport and the late Joseph James Whitney.
He was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Birdsboro.
Whitney was an Army veteran of the Korean Conflict.
He was president of the Allentown Roller Skating Club from 1982-83.
Surviving in addition to his widow and mother are four sons, John Joseph Jr. of Coopersburg, Christopher of Lehighton, Bryan Thomas of Parryville and Patrick of Quakertown; three daughters, Colleen Marie, wife of William Hellwig of Kutztown, Cheryl Ann, wife of Terry Jacoby of Kunkletown, and Jeanne, wife of Jeffrey B. Gessner of Birdsboro; four brothers, J. William, Charles E., Ralph and Raymond K., all of McKeesport; three sisters, Lenora A., wife of Thomas Gibbons of Greenock, Allegheny County, M. Bernadette, wife of Henry Wyble of McKeesport, and Joan, wife of Lawrence Beauseigner of Bradford, McKean County; 14 grandchildren and a great-grandchild.
Mrs. Ann Lobitz
Mrs. Ann Lobitz, 84, of 700 Carson St., Hazleton, died Thursday in the Hazleton-St. Joseph Medical Center. She was the widow of Stanley Lobitz, who died Jan. 23.
She and her husband operated Lobitz's Catering Service in Hazleton and Hazle Township.
Born in Shenandoah, she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Mary (Novotka) Buchert.
She was a member of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, Hazleton.
Surviving are two sons, Stanley of Drums and James of Hazleton; a daughter, Ann Marie, wife of Eugene Sobeck of Ramsey, N.J.; a brother Charles of Hazleton; two sisters, Florence, wife of William Novitsky of West Hazleton, and Pauline, wife of Peter Dercole of Tresckow, Banks Township; 10 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.
She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Ann Regis; and three brothers, Stanley, John and Al.
Mrs. Lois B. Martin
Mrs. Lois B. Martin, 77, of 317 N. Columbia St., Tamaqua, died Thursday in her home. She was the wife of the late John Swinburne and Darrell Martin.
Prior to retiring, she had been employed at the former Purling Mills, Tamaqua.
Born in Coaldale, she was a daughter of the late Thomas and Sarah (Thomas) Bynon.
She was a member of St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Tamaqua, and graduated from the former Coaldale High School in 1937.
Surviving is a son, Thomas W. Swinburne of Tamaqua; two daughters, Sandra M. Swinburne, at home, and Lois, wife of James Stanell of Tamaqua; one sister, Mrs. Elizabeth West of Upper Marlboro, Md.; and five grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a sister, Margaret Fredericks, and a brother, William Bynon.
The Jon M. Zizelmann Funeral Home, 500 E. Broad St., Tamaqua, is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Mary J. Hackash
Mrs. Mary J. Hackash, 84, of 125 E. Bertsch St., Lansford, died Thursday in the Miners Memorial Medical Center, Coaldale. She was the widow of John A. Hackash Sr.
The Skrabak-Parambo Funeral Home, 210 E. Bertsch St., Lansford, is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Joseph Yanochko
Mrs. Susan Yanochko, 70, of 311 Clark St., Tamauqa, died this morning in her home. She was the wife of Joseph Yanochko.
Prior to retiring, she had been employed by the Atlas Powder Company, Reynolds, for 45 years.
Born in Tamaqua, she was a daughter of the late Elick and Anna (Kuruk) Dilhomick.
She was a member of St. John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Church, Lansford.
Surviving, in addition to her husband, is a son, Joseph of Hazleton; a sister, Mary Hamilton of Tamaqua; and one grandchild.
She was also preceded in death by three brothers, John, Joseph and Stephen Dilhomick; and two sisters, Anna Germek and Helen Scheeler.
The Robert C. Reeser Funeral Home, 655 E. Broad St., Tamaqua, is in charge of arrangements.
