Obituaries by LocationApril 15, 1997
James O. Fredericksen
James O. Fredericksen, 83, of Saylorsburg, died Monday in the Pocono Medical Center, East Stroudsburg. He was the husband of Elinor (Hjorth) Fredericksen. They observed their 55th wedding anniversary in February.
He was treasurer of a steamship company in New York City for 30 years before retiring in 1976.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., he was a son of the late Johanne (Nelson) Fredericksen.
He was a member of Christ Hamilton United Lutheran Church, Hamilton Square, and the Masonic Lodge, Bay Ridge, N.Y.
Surviving in addition to his widow are a son, James E. of Tully, N.Y.; a daughter, Ellin Wilson of Austin, Tex.; and two grandchildren.
The Kresge Funeral Home, Rt. 209, Brodheadsville, is in charge of the arrangements.
James F. Tague
James F. Tague, 64, of Effort, died Monday in his home. He was the husband of Jeanella (Greene) Tague. They observed their 35th wedding anniversary in October.
He was a laborer for the City of Kearny, N.J., for 25 years before retiring in 1990.
Born in Jersey City, N.J., he was a son of the late Michael and Sarah (Connolly) Tague.
He was a member of St. Cecilia Catholic Church, Kearny.
Tague was a 3rd degree Knight of Columbus with Council No. 6928, Kearny, and a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, East Newark, N.J.
Surviving in addition to his widow are three brothers, John of Belleville, N.J., and Michael and Hugh, both of Kearny; a sister, Rosena Monaghan, and a stepdaughter, Kathleen Sierra, both of Kearny; four grandchildren and a great-granddaughter.
The Kresge Funeral Home, Rt. 209, Brodheadsville, is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Ann Christine Vrablic
Mrs. Ann Christine Vrablic, 62, of 714 Circle Drive, Catasauqua, died Monday in the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township. She was the widow of Paul V. Vrablic.
She and her husband owned and operated Paul's Atlantic Service Station in Catasauqua from 1966-83.
Born in Coaldale, she was a daughter of Mrs. Margaret (Rickard) Kleppinger of Catasauqua and the late Thomas Kleppinger.
She was a member of St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church and the Jessie K. Berlin Memorial Chapter No. 492, Order of Eastern, where he was a past matron.
Surviving in addition to his mother are a son, Paul V. II of Northampton; a daughter Susan, at home; a brother, Bishop Thomas J. of Quakertown; and a granddaughter.
Elvin H. Vernon
Elvin H. Vernon, 79, of 300 Kent St., Phillipsburg, N.J., died Monday in the Warren Hospital. He was the husband of the late Nina M. (Walters) Vernon, who died in 1993.
A member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, he was an engineer for the Pennsylvania, Penn Central and Conrail railroads, Phillipsburg, for 44 years before retiring in 1982.
Born in Phillipsburg, he was a son of the late Clarence and Mary (Graham) Vernon.
He was of the Catholic faith.
Vernon was a Navy veteran of World War II.
He was a member of V.F.W. Post 7857, Milford, N.J., and a founding member of the Phillipsburg Railroad Historians.
Surviving are three sons, Elvin H. Jr. of Easton, Thomas R. of Kunkletown and Clarence D. of Palmer Township; six daughters, Dorothy Kiefer, Alice Christian and Mary E., all of Easton, Sandra L. Foster of Saylorsburg, Nina K. Jacobs of Allentown and Linda S. McCormick of Deer Park, Tex.; two brothers, David of Finesville, N.J., and Lewis in Pennsylvania; 24 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.
Mrs. John C. Correll
Mrs. Marie A. Correll, 57, of 230 New Philadelphia Road, Kaska, Schuylkill County, died Monday morning in her home. She was the wife of John C. Correll. They were married for 37 years.
She was last employed by the former State Manufacturing Company, New Philadelphia.
Born in Tuscarora, she was a daughter of the late Robert and Julia (Zuber) Morris.
She was a member Holy Family Catholic Church, New Philadelphia, and had attended Tamaqua area schools.
Surviving in addition to her husband are two sons, John of Kaska and Michael of Friedensburg; three daughters, Michelle McDonald of Pottsville, Marie 'Petesy' Vukmanovich of Drums, Luzerne County, and Karen Correll of Kaska; two brothers, Robert of New Philadelphia and Frank of Tamaqua; two sisters, Anna Seladones and Julia Morris, both of Tamaqua; five grandchildren and nieces and nephews.
She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Judith Correll; and a brother Edward.
The Thomas J. Bartashus Funeral Home, Water and Kimber streets, New Philadelphia, is in charge of the arrangements.
April 17, 1997
Joseph S. Kish
Joseph S. Kish, 82, of 2204 Hokendauqua Ave., Northampton, died Wednesday in his home. He was the husband of Mary (Zsigovits) Kish. They were married for 57 years.
He worked in the machine shop and ingot mould foundry of the Bethlehem Steel Corporation for 40 years before retiring in 1981.
Born in Northampton, he was a son of the late Joseph and Linda (Farkas) Kish.
He was a member of Our Lady of Hungary Catholic Church, Northampton, and its Holy Name Society.
Active in Boy Scouts, he was a scoutmaster for Troop 99, Northampton, for 10 years, a committeeman for 10 years, a merit badge counselor and a vigil honor member of the Order of the Arrow. He was also a member of the Mineralogical Society.
Surviving in addition to his widow are three sons, Joseph F. of Walnutport, Ron of Northampton and Eugene of Kempton; a sister, Katherine Falman of Northampton; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
William C. Wilson
William C. "Bill" Wilson, 63, of 144 Reber St., Franklin Township, died Wednesday in his home. He was the husband of Dolores (Brunner) Wilson. They observed their 40th wedding anniversary last month.
He worked for the Franklin Township Police Department for 20 years before retiring in 1994, and also had worked for Bell Telephone for 33 years before retiring as a cable splicer in 1989. He also worked for the Pennsylvania Game Commission from 1961-74.
Born in Easton, he was a son of Mrs. Bella M. (Roberts) Wilson of Marshalls Creek and the late Robert C. Wilson.
He was a member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Weissport.
An Air Force veteran of the Korean Conflict, he was a member of American Legion Post 314, Lehighton, its Korean Last Man's Club, and the Elwood Miller AMVETS Post, Lehighton.
A 32nd degree mason, he was a member of F. and A.M. Lodge No. 621, Lehighton; the Carbon-Schuylkill Fraternal Order of Police Lodge; and the Beaver Run Rod and Gun Club. He was a past Carbon County instructor for the National Rifle Association.
He was also a certified scuba diver, and was a member of the Lehighton Area Athletic Booster Club from 1971 to 1990 where he was a former coach.
Surviving in addition to his widow and mother are two sons, Daniel R. and Edward A., both of Lehighton; two daughters, Patricia M. of Palmerton and Suzanne of Lehighton; two brothers, Thomas of Alpha, N.J., and Dale of Riegelsville, Pa.; a sister Ann, wife of Joseph Koches of Riegelsville, N.J.; and four grandchildren.
The Kenneth N. Phifer Funeral Home, Third and Alum streets, Lehighton, is in charge of the arrangements.
Robert Allen Keeney
Robert Allen Keeney, 74, of New Tripoli, died Saturday in the Fountain Valley Regional Hospital, California. He was the husband of Margaret (Phillips) Keeney.
He was a driver for the Yellow Cab Company, Philadelphia, before retiring, and previously had worked for Whiteman Chocolates and Proctor Electric Company, both in Philadelphia.
Born in Allentown, he was a son of the late Edgar W. and Katie J. (Hetrick) Keeney.
A sergeant in the Army during World War II, he was a Bronze Star recipient.
Surviving in addition to his widow are two daughters, Kathryn J., wife of David Boalton of Fleetwood, and Barbara A., wife of Michael Openshaw of Fountain Hill; a son, Robert Allen Jr. of Philadelphia; two sisters, Helen Savery in Oregon and Ruth Snyder of Springville, N.Y.; a brother Dewey of Summerville, S.C.; and three grandchildren.
Edward Pammer
Edward "Tex" Pammer, 87, of Coplay, died Tuesday in ManorCare Health Services, Bethlehem. He was the husband of Matilda "Hilda" (Kuder) Pammer. They observed their 62nd wedding anniversary last May.
He was a painter for the former Frank Lutterschmidt Painting Contractor, Whitehall Township, for 24 years before retiring in 1974, and previously had been a flesher for the former Coplay Tannery for 18 years.
Born in Stiles, he was a son of the late John and Augustina (Wilt) Pammer.
He was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Stiles, and its Holy Name Society, and was an honorary member of the West Coplay Maennerchor.
Surviving in addition to his widow are a son, Alfred J. of Coplay; three brothers, Adolph of Coplay, Alfred Palmer of Palmerton and Frank of Sherman Oaks, Calif.; a sister, Augustine LaBarbera of Long Island, N.Y.; six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
William O. Bachman
William O. "Bill" Bachman, 81, formerly of Second Street, Slatington, died Wednesday in Cedarbrook, South Whitehall Township. He was the husband of the late Pauline (Hollenbach) Bachman.
He was a shipping supervisor for Paris Neckwear, Inc., Walnutport, for 30 years before retiring in 1984.
Born in Slatington, he was a son of the late Maude Bachman and William Milheim.
He was a member of St. John United Church of Christ, Slatington, and a former member of the Slatington Lions Club.
Bachman was a Navy veteran of World War II and a past commander of the Allen O. Delke American Legion Post 16, Slatington.
Surviving are a son, Robert B., and a half-brother, Howard Hunt, both of Walnutport; two grandchildren and a great-granddaughter.
He was also preceded in death by a daughter Janice.
Mrs. Mary Ellen Sauer
Mrs. Mary Ellen Sauer, 90, of 1893 Leithsville Road, Hellertown, died Wednesday in the Muhlenberg Hospital Center, Bethlehem. She was the widow of Harold C. Sauer.
She and her husband were the founders and co-owners of the Mary Ellen Convalescent Home, Hellertown, operating it since 1954.
Born in Weatherly, she was a daughter of the late George W. and Mary Ellen (Houser) Stetler.
She was a member of Grace Moravian Church, Center Valley, and the Order of Eastern Star, Calypso Lodge, Bethlehem.
Surviving are a daughter, Nancy J., wife of Harold M. Keck of Hellertown; a sister, Ruth A. Miller of Reading; three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Margaret Kokinda
Mrs. Margaret Kokinda, 77, of 80 New St., Beaver Meadows, died Wednesday in the Mercy Hospital, Wilkes-Barre. She was the widow of Michael "Waa" Kokinda.
She and her husband operated Waa's Tavern in Beaver Meadows and he formerly worked for Tung Sol, Weatherly.
Born in Tresckow, she was a daughter of the late Michael and Mary (Raynock) Mehalko.
She was a member of SS. Peter and Paul Byzantine Catholic Church, Beaver Meadows.
Surviving are two sons, Michael of Hazleton and Robert of Derry, N.H.; and two daughters, Rosemary, wife of Lester Kerr of Audenried, and Shirley, wife of Cyril Ciculya of Beaver Meadows.
She was also preceded in death by three brothers, John, Steven and Joseph; and a sister, Anna Rusnock.
Anna Marie Poreda
Anna Marie Poreda, 88, of 200 Broadway, Jim Thorpe, formerly of Middlesex, N.J., died Wednesday evening in the Gnaden Huetten Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Jim Thorpe.
She was the widow of Anthony F. Poreda.
She was a 1926 graduate of Mauch Chunk High School and a 1929 graduate of the Jersey City Hospital School of Nursing.
She retired at age 70 after working as a nurse at the Roosevelt Hospital in Middlesex.
Born in Mauch Chunk, she was a daughter of the late Thomas Francis and Anna (Henry) McGinley.
She was a member of Immaculate Conception Church.
Surviving are several nieces and nephews.
The Edward F. Melber Funeral Home, 524 Center St., Jim Thorpe, is in charge of funeral arrangements.
Roland O. Shupp
Roland O. Shupp, 71, of Wasser Road, Pennsburg, died Tuesday at home. He was the husband of Marie (Badman) Shupp. They observed their 48th wedding anniversary in December.
He was a laborer for the former C & D Power Systems, East Greenville, for 10 years before retiring in 1987, and previously had worked for the Bethlehem Steel Corporation, formerly of Pottstown, for 25 years until 1978.
Born in Palmerton, he was a son of the late Jerry and Lizzie (Blose) Shupp.
He was a member of Pennsburg United Church of Christ.
Shupp was a Marine Corps veteran of World War II, receiving the Purple Heart medal at Iwo Jima.
He was a member of the Mader-Gaydos American Legion Post 269, Palmerton, and V.F.W. Post 5964, Red Hill.
Surviving in addition to his widow are two brothers, Oscar of Topton and Herbert of Philadelphia; and three sisters, Mrs. Alice Arner, Katherine, wife of Sigfried Katzel, and Marguerite, wife of Gordon Heydt, all of Palmerton.
William H. Roberts
William H. Roberts, 59, of Allentown, died Tuesday in the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Allentown.
He was an insurance agent for American General Insurance Agency, Allentown, for 27 years.
Born in New York City, N.Y., he was a son of the late Hull and Eva (Souders) Roberts.
He was a volunteer for AIDS Outreach, Allentown, and an active member of the Allentown Boys Club.
Surviving are two sons, Todd A. of New Tripoli and Shawn J. of Jim Thorpe; a brother Jack of Creekside, Indiana County; a sister, Barbara Ann, wife of Dan Tenney of Madison, Conn.; and two grandsons.
Mrs. Helen Mae Mundy
Mrs. Helen Mae Mundy, 78, of Philadelphia, formerly of Tamaqua, died Saturday in the Roxborough Memorial Hospital, Philadelphia. She was the widow of Michael A. Mundy.
She was a medical receptionist for the Medical College of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, before retiring.
Born in Tamaqua, she was a daughter of the late Otto J. and Mary E. (Woodward) Reese.
She was a volunteer at the Roxborough hospital and Interact, and a member of the American Association of Retired Persons, all of Philadelphia.
Surviving are three daughters, Mary Jane Duffy of Roxborough, Nancy Rothberg of Princeton, N.J., and Jean Montgomery of Bensalem; a son, Michael A. of Elgin, S.C.; eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by a daughter Christine.
Bernadine L. Pitt
Bernadine L. Pitt, 81, of 1358 Stewart St., Northampton, died Monday in the Allentown Osteopathic Medical Center.
She worked for the former Pharo Garden Center, Bethlehem, for seven years before retiring in 1969, and previously was a saleswoman for the former Two Guys from Harrison, Allentown, for 6-1/2 years.
Born in Walnutport, she was a daughter of the late John A. and Charlotte M. (Reph) Hess.
She was a member of Our Lady of Hungary Catholic Church, Northampton.
Surviving are two sisters, Mrs. Charlotte B. Ducey of Walnutport and Ann, wife of Andrew Tilli of Bethlehem.
She was also preceded in death by a son, Joseph T.
Mrs. Herman G. Smith
Mrs. Virginia M. Smith, 65, of 809 Fifth St., Palmerton, died Tuesday in her home. She was the wife of Herman G. Smith. They observed their 46th wedding anniversary on April 6.
She was a floor lady for the former Winmar Fashions, Danielsville, before retiring in 1979.
Born in Pine Swamp, Penn Forest Township, she was a daughter of the late Leonard and Carrie (Zeigler) Heffelfinger.
She was a member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Palmerton.
Surviving in addition to her husband are two daughters, Gail A., wife of Donald B. Evans of Slatington, and Penny M., wife of Dennis W. Merkel of Palmerton; and two grandchildren.
Michael T. Evans
Michael T. Evans of 1117 Cunnius St., Freeland, died Monday in the Hazleton-St. Joseph Medical Center. He was the husband of Helen (Stegena) Evans.
He worked for the Jeddo Highland Coal Company before retiring.
He was a member of St. Ann Catholic Church, and the St. Michael's bowling team, both of Freeland.
Surviving in addition to his widow are a son, Thomas M. of Walnutport; a daughter Barbara, wife of Gerald Gortva of Freeland; a sister, Anna Evans of Freeland; three grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Miss Nancy M. Griffith RN
Miss Nancy M. Griffith RN, 68, of 36 Tower View Circle, The Meadows at Maria Joseph Manor, Danville, died Tuesday in the Geisinger Medical Center, Danville.
Prior to retiring, she had been supervisor of the Geisinger Medical Center Operating Room. She had previously served as supervisor of the Fort Howard Veterans Hospital Operating Room in Baltimore, Md.
Born in Tamaqua, she was a daughter of the late William J. and Anna A. (Tennant) Griffith.
She was a member of First United Methodist Church, Tamaqua. Miss Griffith was a 1947 graduate of Tamaqua High School and a graduate of the Hazleton Hospital School of Nursing.
The last immediate member of her family, she is survived by aunts and cousins.
She was also preceded in death by a sister, Mary Ellen.
The E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home, 655 E. Broad St., Tamaqua, is in charge of arrangements.
John V. Roncek
John V. Roncek, 77, of 13 W. Lehigh St., Coaldale, died Tuesday in his home. He was the husband of Elizabeth (Zak) Roncek. They were married 54 years.
He was employed as a miner in the former No. 8 Colliery of the Coaldale Mining Company until it ceased operation, and later at the Fegley Gas Station in Tamaqua.
Born in Coaldale, he was the son of the late Paul and Anna (Kucharek) Roncek.
He was a member of St. John Slovak Lutheran Church, Lansford.
He was a 1936 graduate of the former Coaldale High School.
He was the last member of his immediate family.
Surviving with his wife is a son Robert of Barnesville; and three grandchildren.
He also was preceded in death by two sisters, Susan and Anna, and a daughter Beverly..
The August M. Gulla Funeral Home, 130 E. Ridge St., Coaldale, is in charge of arrangements.
