Obituaries by LocationMay 1, 1997
Frank M. Franolich
Frank O. Franolich, 69, of 45 W. Phillips St., Coaldale, died Wednesday in the Miners Memorial Medical Center, Coaldale.
He was an assembly worker for General Motors.
Born in Seattle, Wash., he was a son of the late Frank and Amelia (Galandak) Franolich.
He was a member of St. John Slovak Lutheran Church, Lansford.
Franolich was an Army veteran of World War II.
Surviving are nephews.
The E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home, 655 E. Broad St., Tamaqua, is in charge of the arrangements.
Harold M. Follweiler
Harold M. 'Hank' Follweiler, 86, of Allentown, died Wednesday in the Lehigh Manor, Lower Macungie Township.
He worked in the maintenance department of the former Freeman's Dairy, Allentown, for many years.
Born in Allentown, he was a son of the late Jacob and Estella (Fried) Follweiler.
He was a Navy veteran of World War II.
Surviving are nephews.
Stanley R. Rumfield Sr.
Stanley R. Rumfield Sr., 67, of 1317 N. Cottonwood Road, Danielsville, died Wednesday in the Allentown Osteopathic Medical Center. He was the husband of Hattie H. (Hummel) Rumfield. They observed their 49th wedding anniversary last September.
He was an assembler for the former Cuttler Hammer Corporation, a division of the Eaton Corporation, Bethlehem, for 22 years before retiring in 1988.
Born in Laurys Station, he was a son of the late Sherman L. and Amy E. (Oswald) Rumfield.
He was a member of St. John United Church of Christ, Laurys Station.
Surviving in addition to his widow are three sons, Stanley R. Jr. of Schnecksville, Allen R. of Laurys Station and Scott B. of Danielsville; two daughters, Beverly A., wife of Thomas C. Snyder of New Smyrna Beach, Fla., and Bonita L., wife of Vance Murray of Saylorsburg; two sisters, Betty I. Peters of Whitehall Township and Shirley A., wife of Warren W. Knappenberger of Coplay; 18 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Stephen E. Wilk
Stephen E. Wilk, 82, of Bush's Personal Care Home, Kunkletown, formerly of West Bowmans, died Tuesday in the home. He was the husband of the late Marguerite (Frey) Wilk.
He was the owner and operator of Wilk's Garage, West Bowmans, from 1945-93, and a shift foreman for the former New Jersey Zinc Company, Palmerton, for 20 years before retiring in 1978.
Born in Lehighton, he was a son of the late Martin and Mary (Fulier) Wilk.
He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Palmerton.
Wilk also belonged to the East Penn Sporting Club and the Bowmanstown and East Penn Fire companies.
Surviving are two sons, David of Charlottesville, Va., and John of Palmerton; four daughters, Mrs. Constance V. Petrich of Mount Gretna, Lebanon County, Kathleen M., wife of Robert Frey, and Susan K., wife of Richard Muffley, both of Lehighton, and Stephanie J., wife of Steve Saas of Palmerton; two brothers, Albert and George W., both of Lehighton; four sisters, Elizabeth, wife of James Kinsella of Philadelphia, Martha of Ocean City, Md., Irene, wife of Andrew Homyak of Lehighton, and Agnes Ruzicka of Palmerton; 15 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
He was also preceded in death by two sisters, Helen Frey and Ethel Kocher; and a brother Joseph.
The Campton Funeral Home, 525 Delaware Ave., Palmerton, is in charge of the arrangements.
Scott M. Smith
Scott M. Smith, 20, of Youngstown, N.Y., formerly of Germansville, died Monday in Youngstown.
He was a warehouse worker for the Anderson Electric Company, Niagara Falls, N.Y.
Born in Allentown, he was a son of Richard C. and Judy (Barrons) Smith of Germansville.
The deceased was a 1994 graduate of Northwestern Lehigh High School, New Tripoli.
He was a member of Asbury United Methodist Church, South Whitehall Township.
Surviving in addition to his parents are two brothers, Richard J. of Krumsville and Jason of Germansville; a sister Denise of King of Prussia, Montgomery County; maternal grandmother, Helen Barrons of Niagara Falls; and paternal grandparents, Dudley and Lillian Smith of Quakertown.
Ernest P. Herb
Ernest P. Herb, 75, of Germansville, died Wednesday in the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township. He was the husband of Grace L. (Bennighoff) Herb. They were married for 44 years.
He was the former owner of the Ruchsville Auto Service and also was a truck driver for most of his life, having worked for the Matlock Trucking Company, Inc., Northampton, and the former Herman and Hertz trucking companies. He retired in 1992.
Born in Egypt, he was a son of the late Edward and Anna (Laubach) Herb.
He was a member of New Life Evangelical Lutheran Church, New Tripoli.
Herb was a technical sergeant in the Army during World War II, having served with the 428th First Quartermaster Service Battalion. He was a recipient of the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal.
The deceased was a life member of Teamsters Local 777.
Surviving in addition to his widow are two sons, Brian V. of Germansville and Blaine E. of Fogelsville; two sisters, Faustina Pfeiffer of Bethlehem and Mildred, wife of Charles Rutman of Whitehall Township; a brother Edward of Slatington; and three grandchildren.
Mrs. Elizabeth Rose Sofka
Mrs. Elizabeth Rose Sofka, 84, formerly of Bethlehem R.5, died Wednesday in the Mary Ellen Convalescent Home, Hellertown. She was the widow of John M. Sofka.
Born in Palmerton, she was a daughter of the late Karl and Rosa Segesdy.
She was a member of Lower Saucon United Church of Christ, Hellertown.
Surviving are two sons, John J. of Bath and Joseph C. of Lower Saucon Township; a daughter, Betty R., wife of Robert J. Tarquin of Hellertown; a brother Julius in Florida; three sisters, Grace, wife of Roy Whetstone in Florida, Helen Soloi of Bethlehem and Ethel, wife of Steven Duma of Lower Saucon Township; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Richard J. Novak
Richard J. 'Scrubby' Novak, 48, of 3744 Orefield Road, South Whitehall Township, died Tuesday in the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township.
He was a heavy equipment operator for the former Novak Landfill, South Whitehall Township, for more than 20 years before 1988.
Born in Allentown, he was a son of Mrs. Hilda I. (Eichner) Novak of South Whitehall Township and the late Louis J. Novak.
Surviving in addition to his mother are two brothers, Robert L. of Slatington and Louis C. of South Whitehall Township; two sisters, Dolores, wife of Arthur Heleva of Coplay, and Barbara A. Heffelfinger of South Whitehall Township; and a companion, Dorothea A. Moser, with whom he resided.
Mrs. Robert J. Brensinger
Mrs. Betty E. Brensinger, 72, of 4336 Levans Road, Schnecksville, died Tuesday in the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township. She was the wife of Robert J. Brensinger. They would have observed their 51st wedding anniversary this month.
She was a sewing machine operator for 46 years, having last worked for the former Holiday Fashions, Slatedale, before retiring in 1987. Previously, she was employed by the former Palumbo Manufacturing Company and the former Miller Sportswear, both in Allentown.
Born in Allentown, she was a daughter of the late Thomas S. and Mamie M. Hertzog.
She was a member of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, Schoenersville, and a former Sunday school teacher at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Allentown.
Surviving in addition to her husband are a daughter Darlene, wife of Michael F. Conroy of Schnecksville; a son, Robert J. II of Bethlehem; four sisters, Bertha Ohl of Allentown, Lillian, wife of John Hunsberger of Venice, Fla., Katherine, wife of Charles May of Saylorsburg, and Blanche, wife of Elmer Bergstresser of Quakertown; and five grandchildren.
Mrs. Sarah Davidson
Mrs. Sarah Davidson, 89, formerly of East Front Street, Lansford, died Dec. 31 in the Harrison Memorial Hospital, Bremerton, Wash. She was the widow of George Davidson.
Prior to retiring, she was employed by the former Jonathan Logan Clothing Manufacturing Company, Lansford.
Born in Summit Hill, she was a daughter of the late James Clark and Bertha (Gangaware) Ross.
She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Summit Hill, the Auxiliary of Railroad Trainmen and the Golden Agers.
Surviving are a son Robert of Bremerton; a brother Emanuel of Newport, N.C.; six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Ellamae Derzock; a sister, Ella Snyder; and a brother David.
Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 3, at Sky-View Memorial Park, Hometown, Tamaqua R.2, with the Rev. Wilson Scott officiating.
Grace H. Beidleman
Grace H. Beidleman, 76, of 36 Passaic Road, Goose Creek, S.C., died Saturday in the Columbia Trident Medical Center, Charleston, S.C.
She was a registered nurse before retiring.
Born in Bowmanstown, she was a daughter of the late Marvin H. and Rita (Frantz) Beidleman.
She was a member of the United Methodist Church, Lehighton.
Surviving are a daughter Carol, wife of Ron Brobst, with whom she resided; three sisters, Joyce, wife of Marion Wilbur in Florida, Barbara, wife of Harry Mullen of Morgantown, Berks County, and June, wife of Frank Rinker of Savannah, Ga.; five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Edna D. Geary
Mrs. Edna D. Geary of Ambler and Plymouth Meeting, both in Montgomery County, died Tuesday in Stapeley in Germantown, Philadelphia. She was the widow of Clifford K. Geary, formerly of Slatington.
An elementary teacher, she taught in Montgomery County schools before retiring.
Brittany M. Samuels
Brittany M. Samuels of 132 Avenue A, Palmerton, one-year-old daughter of Gregg K. Samuels of Allentown and Michelle M. (Allen) Samuels, with whom she resided, died Wednesday in the Children's Hospital, Philadelphia.
She was born in Allentown.
Surviving in addition to her parents are maternal grandmother, Kathleen M. Paxton of Whippany, N.J.; maternal grandparents, William J. and Elizabeth Allen of Gig Harbor, Wash.; paternal grandparents, Ronald E. and Carol J. Samuels of Walnutport; maternal great-grandmother, Eleanor M. Sosville of Point Pleasant, N.J.; and paternal great-grandmother, Rachel Decker of Duncansville, Blair County.
Richard D. Berger
Richard D. Berger, 72, formerly of Albrightsville and Jim Thorpe, died Tuesday afternoon in Weatherwood, Weatherly.
Prior to retiring, he was a laborer for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, having worked out of the Lehighton depot.
Born in Albrightsville, he was a son of the late Freeman and Ella (Getz) Berger.
He was a Marine Corps veteran of World War II, having served in the Pacific Islands.
Surviving are a brother, Horace 'Chubby' of Albrightsville; three sisters, Mrs. Eva Miller of Mahoning Township, Josephine, wife of Russell Barry of Lehighton, and Marguerite 'Dolly,' wife of Herbert Green of Star Route Jim Thorpe; and several nieces and nephews.
He was also preceded in death by five brothers, Lewis, Wallace, Horace, George and Thomas; and a sister, Mrs. Beatrice Knappenberger.
The Edward F. Melber Funeral Home, 524 Center St., Jim Thorpe, is in charge of the arrangements.
Gladys D. Fritz Barthel
Gladys D. Fritz Barthel, 85, of 215 Green St., Brockton, died today in the Pottsville Hospital and Warne Clinic, Pottsville. She was the widow of Vincent P. Barthel, who died in 1974.
Prior to retiring in 1977, she had been employed by State Manufacturing, New Philadelphia. She had previously been employed by the former Mantzville Telephone Company, Mantzville.
Born in Norman Square, Mahoning Valley, she was a daughter of the late Ira and Elsa (Sittler) Fritz Sr.
Mrs. Barthel was a member of St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, Middleport, where she served on the congregational council. She was also a member of the Daughters of the Americas; Order of the Eastern Star, Pilgrim Chapter 137; Brockton Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary; Schuylkill Township Senior Citizens; Local 136A Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America; and American Legion Post 144, Middleport.
She is survived by a son, Jay O. Barthel of Lehighton; two sisters, Naomi A. Steigerwalt of Mahoning Valley and Minnie A. Kershner of Snyders; five brothers, Thomas M. Fritz of Andreas, Charles W. of Mahoning Valley, Ira Fritz Jr. of West Penn Township, Milo J. of Hazleton and Neal W. of New Tripoli; and two grandsons.
The Jon M. Zizelmann Funeral Home, 500 E. Broad St., Tamaqua, is in charge of arrangements.
Rev. James E. York
Rev. James E. York, 86, of Villa St. Joseph, Darby, died Tuesday at the villa.
Born in Lansford, he was a son of the late Joseph and Adaline (Hurder) York.
Ordained in 1940 by Cardinal Dougherty, Father York spent the next 30 years as a teacher at the Roman Catholic High School in Philadelphia. Following his teaching career, Rev. York served as pastor of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Kennett Square, and assistant pastor at St. John The Fisher Catholic Church in Boothwyn. He retired in 1988 and took up residence in Tamaqua with his sister, the late Regina Johnson. He moved to Villa St. Joseph in 1991.
He is survived by four brothers, Joseph in Virginia, Cletus and Bernard, both of Tamaqua, and Leonard of Falls Church, Va.,; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was also preceded in death by a brother, Edward.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, 1 p.m., in St. Francis Country Home, with Cardinal Bevelaqua officiating. Interment
will be in Holy Cross Cemetery .
Mrs. Eleanor G. deQuevedo
Mrs. Eleanor G. deQuevedo, 90, of Abington Manor Nursing Facility, Clarks Summit, and formerly of Tamaqua, died this morning in the Scranton Community Medical Center. She was the widow of Francisco Garcia deQuevedo, who died in 1946.
Prior to retiring, she had been employed as manager of the former Sears Roebuck Mail Order Office, Tamaqua. She also taught junior high school in Northampton, from 1945 to 1952, and in Tamaqua, from 1952 to 1953.
Born in Tamaqua, she was a daughter of the late Clarence E. and Rebecca (Keich) Whetstone.
Mrs, deQuevedo was a member of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Tamaqua, where she had taught Sunday School for more than 30 years. She was also a former church council member and a member of St. John's Adult Class.
A 1923 graduate of Tamaqua High School, she was also a 1925 graduate of the former Kutztown Normal School.
She is survived by a son, Dr. Donald G. deQuevedo of Clark's Summit; a sister, Gladys W. Giltner of Norwich, Conn.; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
The Jon M. Zizelmann Funeral Home, 500 E. Broad St., Tamaqua, is in charge of arrangements.
