Obituaries by LocationApril 29, 1997
Mrs. Sophie Anna Ewe
Mrs. Sophie Anna Ewe, 81, of West Chester, Chester County, formerly of McMichaels, Stroudsburg R.6, died Saturday in the Paoli Memorial Hospital. She was the widow of Robert A.H. Ewe Sr.
She owned and operated Ewe's Housekeeping Cottages, Stroudsburg R.6, for 40 years before retiring in 1993.
Born in Varrell, Germany, she was a daughter of the late Cord and Catharine (Butt) Ahnke.
She was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Tannersville, and formerly belonged to the German American Society.
Surviving are a son, Robert Jr. of Philadelphia; three daughters, Grete Beck of Codorus, York County, Adele Argot of Saylorsburg R.2 and Anita London of Chambersburg, Franklin County; four grandchildren; three sisters in Germany; and a brother in Toms River, N.J.
The Kresge Funeral Home, Rt. 209, Brodheadsville, is in charge of the arrangements.
Victor Paul Haas
Victor Paul Haas, 15, of Saylorsburg, died Sunday in a motorcycle accident in Ross Township.
Born in East Stroudsburg, he was a son of Timothy and Valerie (Riedmiller) Haas, with whom he resided.
He was a member of St. Luke Catholic Church, Stroudsburg, where he belonged to the youth group.
He was a freshman at Stroudsburg High School and attended Notre Dame Elementary School.
The deceased was a member of the Singing Boys of Pennsylvania for three years and played in the West End Little League.
Surviving in addition to his parents are a sister Stefanie, at home; maternal grandparents, Robert and Elizabeth (Lynch) Riedmiller of Saylorsburg; paternal grandparents, Claude and Minnie (Brown) Wolford of Neffs; and maternal great-grandfather, Robert Riedmiller Sr. of East Stroudsburg.
He was also preceded in death by his paternal grandfather and namesake, Victor Paul Haas.
The Kresge Funeral Home, Rt. 209, Brodheadsville, is in charge of the arrangements.
John C. Ruff
John C. Ruff, 69, of 248 N. Ninth St., Allentown, died Monday in Cedarbrook, South Whitehall Township.
He was a stocker at the Quaker Shoe Company, Allentown, for several years.
Born in Lehighton, he was a son of the late John C. Sr. and Mabel (Fisher) Ruff.
He was of the Lutheran faith.
Ruff was an Army veteran of World War II.
Surviving are a brother Harold of Allentown; and four sisters, Ardith Helman of Center Valley, Marjorie Kacsur and Shirley, wife of Franklin Hower, both of Allentown, and Dolores, wife of Phaon Trexler of Fulsom.
Mrs. Luella E. Eckhart
Mrs. Luella E. "Mem" Eckhart, 84, of 506 E. Church St., Slatington, died Monday in the home of her granddaughter, Denise Smith, with whom she resided.
The deceased was the widow of Kermit Eckhart.
She was a floor worker for the former Natalie Fashions, Palmerton, for 22 years before retiring in 1975.
Born in Palmerton, she was a daughter of the late Thomas and Annie (Kuehner) Green.
She was a member of Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, Slatington.
Surviving are two sons, Paul R. of Nashville, Tenn., and Ronald T. of Palmerton; a daughter Sandra, wife of William C. Smith of Slatington; a half-sister, Mrs. Doris Dotter of Palmerton; five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by a son, Sherwood A.
The Thomas K. Thomas Funeral Home, 145 Delaware Ave., Palmerton, is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Robert L. Phipps
Mrs. Christine O. Phipps, 83, of Mountain View Mobile Home Court, Walnutport, died Sunday in her home. She was the wife of Robert L. Phipps. They observed their 48th wedding anniversary last August.
She was a saleswoman at the former Lobell's Store, Queens, N.Y., for 20 years before retiring in 1983.
Born in Nesquehoning, she was a daughter of the late Martin and Susan (Brukel) Dubinok.
Surviving in addition to her husband are a son, William L. of Queens; two brothers, Paul of Lehighton and Ladislov of Evansville, Ind.; and a sister, Mrs. Mary Dimino of Queens.
The Harding-Fox Funeral Home, Inc., 25-27 N. Second St., Slatington, is in charge of arrangements.
Clayton R. Wagner
Clayton R. Wagner, 61, of Bath, died Sunday in the Jefferson Hospital, Philadelphia. He was the husband of Sandra L. (Riegel) Wagner.
They observed their 14th wedding anniversary in September.
A graduate of the Pennsylvania State University, he was a supervisor in the computer maintenance department of Lucent Technology, Allentown, for the past 37 years.
Born in Allentown, he was a son of the late Roy C. and Catherine (Tycholiz) Wagner.
He was a Navy veteran of the Korean Conflict and a member of the Howard Peter American Legion Post, Allentown.
Wagner was treasurer of the A.T. & T. Bowling League for many years and a member of the Telephone Pioneers.
He was a member of the Susquehanna Hunting Lodge in Potter County, Monocacy Field and Stream Association, Tri-Boro Sportsmen's Association and the North End Wanderers Athletic Association, Bethlehem.
Surviving in addition to his widow are two sons, David of Bethlehem and Clayton R. in Utah; two stepsons, Todd C. Hahn, at home, and Troy P. Hahn of Northampton; two stepdaughters, Tricia L., wife of Rick S. Hujcs of Danielsville, and Kim L., wife of Terry Dieter of Saylorsburg; two sisters, Margaret E. Herrity of Chamblee, Ga., and Diane F., wife of Ronald R. Steckel of Allentown; and six grandchildren.
Mrs. Mary R. Seng
Mrs. Mary R. Seng, 90, of North 12th Street, Allentown, died Monday in her home. She was the widow of Ralph L. Seng.
She was a ladies garment worker for the former Lisle Mills, Allentown, for 20 years before retiring in 1971.
Born in Hazleton, she was a daughter of the late Foster and Rose Datresi (Dadres) Alessandri.
She was a member of the Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena, Allentown, and a captain for the Catholic Charity Appeals, Allentown.
Mrs. Seng was a volunteer for the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association and the Phoebe Home, Allentown.
Surviving are six sons, James F., Thomas W. and Bernard F., all of Allentown, Ralph C. of Tampa, Fla., Edward J. of Bethlehem and William R. of Boyertown; six daughters, Rose M., wife of Myron L. Smith, and Mary J. Zaklukiewicz, both of Allentown, Catherine A., wife of Edward Peters of Lady Lake, Fla., Loretta J., wife of Ronald J. Piovesan of San Jose, Calif., Margie L., wife of Alan Engler of Whitehall Township, and Rita C., wife of Roy R. Bettenhausen of Tracy, Calif.; a brother, Frank Alexander of Tamaqua; 36 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by a son, Thomas R.
Ralph F.W. Southam
Ralph F.W. Southam, 69, of New Ringgold R.2, formerly of Sharon Hill, Delaware County, died Sunday in his home. He was the husband of Jane L. (Stump) Southam. They observed their 49th wedding anniversary in January.
He was a mechanic for auto dealerships in Delaware and the Philadelphia area from 1946 until retiring in 1990, and also, during that time, was the owner of a service station in Springfield, Montgomery County.
Born in West Penn Township, he was a son of the late William J. and Annie M. (Stemmler) Southam.
He was of the Lutheran faith.
Surviving in addition to his widow are three daughters, Ruth Ann, wife of Vincent Rodick of Tamaqua, Rose Marie, wife of Samuel Crispin of Ridley Park, Delaware County, and Jane L., wife of Joseph Redner of New Ringgold R.2; a son, Robert R. of Linwood, Delaware County; a stepbrother, Charles Rex of New Ringgold R.2; nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
He was also preceded in death by two infant children, Ralph F.W. Jr. and Barbara J.
The Robert S. Nester Funeral Home, Rt. 309, Snyders, is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. May A. Walk
Mrs. May A. Walk, 73, of 203 Main St., Parryville, died Monday in the St. Luke Hospital, Fountain Hill, Bethlehem. She was the widow of Samuel T. Walk.
She was a presser for Scotties Fashions, Little Gap, for 35 years before retiring in 1985.
Born in Kunkletown, she was a daughter of the late Albert and Maggie (Smith) Gower.
Surviving are a daughter Geraldine, wife of Lester Greenzweig of Parryville; two sons, Merle of McClure, Pa., and Jerry of Kunkletown; a sister Ida, wife of Charles Frankenfield of Easton; a brother Leon of Marshall's Creek; seven grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
The Thomas K. Thomas Funeral Home, 145 Delaware Ave., Palmerton, is in charge of the arrangements.
James Francis Alexander
James Francis Alexander, 60, of 3900 Freemansburg Ave., Bethlehem Township, died Sunday in the St. Luke Hospital, Fountain Hill, Bethlehem. He was the husband of Violet D. (Reeser) Alexander. They observed their 39th wedding anniversary last Oct. 19.
He worked in maintenance at the Pharmachem Corporation, Bethlehem, for 10 years, and previously was a truck driver for 30 years for trucking firms in the Pennsylvania and New York areas.
Born in Cortland, N.Y., he was a son of the late John F. and Beulah M. (Van Dermark) O'Brien.
He was an Air Force veteran of the Korean Conflict.
Surviving in addition to his widow are two sons, Dennis J. and Ricky J., both of Bethlehem; two daughters, Penny M. of Wescosville and Candy L. of Bethlehem; two brothers, Richard O'Brien of St. Petersburg, Fla., and Gary Alexander of Denver, Colo.; and eight grandchildren.
He was also preceded in death by a brother, Robert O'Brien.
Metro Mogish
Metro Mogish of Walnut Street, Delano, died Monday in the Hazleton-St. Joseph Medical Center. He was the husband of the late Nellie (Mikus) Mogish, who died July 4, 1993.
He worked for the former Lehigh Valley Railroad and was also self-employed in the coal and ice business.
Born in Delano, he was a son of the late John and Anna (Krivak) Mogish.
He was a member of St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church, Mahanoy City.
A Navy veteran of World War II, he was a member of the Freeland V.F.W. Post.
Surviving are a brother Thomas of Barnesville; three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
He was also preceded in death by a son, Metro "Mitch," who died Dec. 8, 1990; four brothers, Frank, Charles, John and Michael; and two sisters, Anna Kotch and Mary Beck.
The Lamar Christ Funeral Home, Hometown, is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Violet J. Hauser
Mrs. Violet J. Hauser, 87, of 707 Oak Grove Drive, Lehighton, died Monday in her home. She was the widow of William H. Hauser Sr., who died in 1974.
She was employed as a cook at the Bowmanstown Diner for many years before retiring.
Born in Palmerton, she was a daughter of the late Nathaniel and Maude (Heckman) Serfass.
She was a member of the Mahoning Valley and Lehighton Golden Age clubs.
Surviving are four sons, Charles L. of Weissport, Merrill B., with whom she resided, James C. of Lehighton and Lamarr T. of Parryville; 17 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by two sons, William H. Jr. and Robert.
The Andrew P. Ovsak Funeral Home, Fourth and Iron streets, Lehighton, is in charge of the arrangements.
Helen Prutzman
Helen Prutzman, 81, of White Haven, died Monday at Weatherwood Home for the Aged, Weatherly.
Born in Highland, she was the daughter of the late Michael and Mary (Jarrick) Gellish, and lived in White Haven most of her life.
She was a member of the St. Patrick's Church, White Haven, and the 60 Plus Club, White Haven Senior Citizens and Women's Guild, al of the church.
Surviving are three sons, Norman of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Stephen Drozic of Scotch Plains, N.J., and Michael Drozic of Amsterdam, N.Y.; a daughter, Paula Barney of Stroudsburg; a stepdaughter, Barbara Graaf of Weatherly; a sister, Ethel Ross of Northampton; nine grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Patricia G. Kellet
Patricia G. Kellet, 43, of Tamaqua R.2, Box 572, died this morning in her home following a lengthy illness. She was the wife of David A. Kellet. They were married in 1982.
Born in Coaldale, she was a daughter of the late Russell H. Shellhamer and Louise (Allison) Shellhamer of Tamaqua.
She was a member of St. Jerome Church, Tamaqua.
She was the business manager for the Schuylkill County Bar Association and also the librarian for the Schuylkill County Law Library of Pottsville.
Surviving with her husband and mother is a sister, Louise Shellhamer, and a brother, Russell H. Shellhamer, Jr., both of Tamaqua, and numerous nieces and a nephew.
The Roche Funeral home, 237 E. Broad St., Tamaqua, is in charge of arrangements.
Lester H. Behr
Lester H. Behr, 89, Tamaqua R.3, died Monday evening at his home. He was the husband of Mamie M. (Billman) Behr.
The Robert S. Nester Funeral Home, Snyders (Rt. 309) is in charge of arrangements.
William S. Houser
William S. Houser, 73, of Reynolds, Tamaqua R3, died this morning in the Lehigh Valley Hospital Center-Salisbury. he was the husband of Faye (Keich) Houser.
The Jon M. Zizelmann Funeral Home, 500 E. Broad St., Tamaqua, is in charge of arrangements.
