Obituaries by LocationMay 19, 1997
Kenneth S. Nelson
Kenneth S. Nelson, two day old son of Kenneth R. and Sheryl A. (Huegel) Nelson, of 17 N. Emerick St., Shenandoah, died Friday in the Lehigh Valley Hospital Center, Allentown.
He is also survived by paternal grandparents, Virgel Nelson of Ranger, W. Va., and Mrs. Jeffrey (Barbara) Dunlow of Capon Bridge, W. Va.; and maternal grandparents, Eugene Huegel of Tamaqua and Mrs. Timothy (Mary) Hayes of Tamaqua R.1.
The E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home, 655 E. Broad St., Tamaqua, is in charge of arrangements.
Louise B. Rhodes
Louise B. Rhodes, 87, of 1356 Windsor Drive, Clearwater, Fla., died Friday in the Morton Plant Hospital in Florida.
Born in Wernersville, she was a daughter of the late Edward N. and Jennie A. (Matlack) Rhodes.
Miss Rhodes was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving as a finance department supervisor.
She was the last immediate member of her family.
The E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home, 655 E. Broad St., Tamaqua, is in charge of arrangements.
She was a member of St. Cecilia Roman Catholic Church in Clearwater.
Emma Z. Scott
Emma Z. Scott, 82, formerly of 125 W. Ridge St., Lansford, died Friday in the Luther Crest Home, Allentown.
Prior to retiring in 1978, she had been employed by the former Lansford High School and the Panther Valley High School as an English and Latin teacher.
Born in Lansford, she was a daughter of the late William C. Scott DDS and the late Mellie Z. (Zimmerman) Scott.
A member of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lansford, Miss Scott graduated from the National Cathedral School in Washington, D.C., in 1933, and earned a bachelor of arts degree in English Literature from Bryn Mawr College in 1937.
The last immediate member of her family, she is survived by a nephew and a niece.
She was also preceded in death by a brother, former Pa. Senator William Z. Scott.
The Holmes-Griffiths Funeral Home, 655 E. Broad St., Tamaqua, is in chareg of arrangements.
May 20, 1997
Edward F. Gillespie
Edward F. Gillespie, 70, of 218 W. Hazard St., Summit Hill, died Monday morning in the emergency room of the Miners Memorial Medical Center, Coaldale, after being stricken in Tamaqua. He was the husband of the late Catherine P. (Valent) Gillespie.
Prior to retiring in 1987, he was a signalman for the Consolidated Rail Corporation for many years, last working out of White Haven and Pittston.
Born in Mauch Chunk, he was a son of the late Michael A. and Mildred K. (Duffy) Gillespie.
He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Summit Hill.
Gillespie was a 1945 graduate of the former Mauch Chunk High School.
He was an Army veteran of World War II, having served in the Philippines and Japan during the European Theater of Operations.
The deceased was a member of Damien Council No. 598, Knights of Columbus, and American Legion Post 304, both of Jim Thorpe; the Men of Marian; and the Jeffersonian Democratic Club, Summit Hill. He was a former member of the Marian Quarterback Club.
Surviving are two sons, James G. of Hazleton and Joseph M., a student at National Chiropractic College, Chicago, Ill.; a brother Michael and a sister Mildred, wife of Stephen Snisky, both of Jim Thorpe; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was also preceded in death by two brothers, John and Joseph.
The Thomas J. Parambo Funeral Home, 54 W. Fell St., Summit Hill, is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Christos Patelis
Mrs. M. Margaret C. Patelis, 78, of Boynton Beach, Fla., died Nov. 5, 1996, in the Bathesda Memorial Hospital, Boynton Beach. She was the wife of Christos Patelis. They were married for 43 years.
She was a teacher in the Bethlehem Area School District for 32 years before retiring in 1977.
Born in Jim Thorpe, she was a daughter of the late Thomas and Naomi Curry.
She was a graduate of the former Nesquehoning High School and West Chester Teachers College and attended Kutztown University.
She was involved with the Animal Rescue League, West Palm Beach, Fla.
The deceased was a Navy veteran of World War II.
The David J. Stianche Funeral Home, 123 Center St., Jim Thorpe, is in charge of the arrangements.
David O. Bell
David O. "Dave" Bell, 65, of Andreas R.1, formerly of Philadelphia, died Sunday morning in the Gnaden Huetten Memorial Hospital, Lehighton, after being stricken in his home. He was the husband of Margaret A. (Clewell) Bell. They observed their second anniversary in March.
He was a fire boat operator for the City of Philadelphia Fire Department for 24 years before retiring in 1983.
Born in Philadelphia, he was a son of the late John H. and Mary (Oliver) Bell.
He was a Navy veteran, having served in Korea.
He retired in July, 1991, from the Philadelphia Naval Reserve after 22 years of service.
Bell was a member of the Andreas Sporting Club.
Surviving in addition to his widow are a daughter Diane, wife of Michael Williams, and a son James, both of Philadelphia; two sisters, Violet, wife of Walter Crowder of Lakeland, Fla., and Winifred, wife of Thomas Lason of Philadelphia; a brother Walter of Jim Thorpe; and five grandchildren.
He was also preceded in death by a son David; a daughter Janet; and a brother Thomas.
The Robert S. Nester Funeral Home, Rt. 309, Snyders, is in charge of the arrangements.
Robert L. Bielawne
Robert L. Bielawne, 43, of 17 W. Bertsch St., Lansford, died accidentally at the Mauch Chunk Lake. He disappeared Friday when the boat he was fishing in capsized. His body was located Sunday night in the lake.
The deceased the husband of Deborah (Swetz) Bielawne.
He was a truck driver until being disabled in an accident.
Born in West New York, N.J., he was a son of Robert G. and Dolores (Jouas) Bielawne of Passaic, N.J.
The deceased was a member of St. Ann Catholic Church, Lansford.
He was an Army veteran.
Surviving in addition to his widow and parents are two daughters, Leslie Ann and Amanda Lee, both at home; and two brothers, Keith of Patterson, N.J., and Brian of Forked River, N.J.
The Roche Funeral Home-McNamara Chapel, 3 E. Bertsch St., Lansford, is in charge of the arrangements.
John I. Vasarab
John Ignacio Vasarab, 83, of Waynesville, Mo., died May 12 in the home of his daughter and son-in-law, Rosemarie and Clinton Rupert of Waynesville.
The deceased was the husband of Ann (Lazorick) Vasarab, who died in 1967.
Prior to retiring in 1975, he worked for the Bethlehem Steel Corporation for over 27 years.
Born in Tlmace, Slovakia, he was a son of the late Titus and Ann (Sebechlopsky) Vasarab.
He was reared and attended schools in Tlmace and graduated from high school in Levice, Slovakia.
He immigrated to the U.S. on Jan. 3, 1930, and was naturalized 12 years later.
Vasarab was an Army Air Corps veteran of World War II, serving from 1942-45 and attaining the rank of corporal.
He was of the Catholic faith and was an avid fisherman and hunter.
Surviving in addition to his daughter are another daughter, Jo Ann, wife of Alex Glass of Walnutport; a brother Stephan of Vasarab; five grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
He was also preceded in death by a son John and a brother Louis.
Funeral services were held in Waynesville.
Walter C. Schleicher
Walter C. Schleicher, 81, died Monday in the home of his sister, Betty Zancofsky of 4023 W. Grant St., Slatedale, with whom he resided.
He was a painter for the Allentown State Hospital for many years before retiring.
Born in Washington Township, he was a son of the late Francis and Minnie (Schlosser) Schleicher.
Surviving in addition to his sister are three other sisters, Ethel, wife of Donald Reifinger Sr. of Neffs, and Bertha, wife of Howard Green, and Luella, wife of Eugene Miller, both of Slatington; and a brother Wallace of Slatington.
Everett services
Funeral services for Mrs. Myrtle A. Everett, 84, of 191 Evergreen Road, Franklin Township, who died Sunday in the Gnaden Huetten Memorial Hospital, Lehighton, will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday in the St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 222 Church St., Lehighton, followed by interment
in the St. Matthew's Lutheran Church Cemetery .. A calling hour will precede the services in the church.
She was preceded in death by a daughter, Anna Everett, who died in 1941 at age 3.
Arrangements are being handled by the Mayes-Melber Funeral Home, 200 Franklin St., Weissport.
Carl F. Flowers
Carl F. Flowers, 52, of Gouldsboro, Wayne County, formerly of Jackson Township, died Monday in the Pocono Medical Center, East Stroudsburg. He was the husband of Christine (Metzger) Flowers.
He worked in the stone crushing plant of Besecker Excavating, Snydersville.
Born in Lansford, he was a son of the late Harold and Myrtle (Singer) Flowers.
Surviving in addition to his widow are a son, Carl F. Jr. of Gouldsboro; three daughters, Donna Reaigh of Dayton, Carla Merkitch of Ocala, Fla., and Edna of Gouldsboro; three brothers, Reginald and Dean, both of Reeders, and Robert of Stroudsburg; three sisters, Joan Schick of East Stroudsburg, Eleanor Meckes of Reeders and Lorrie Young of Brodheadsville; seven grandchildren, two step-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Raymond H. Ulmer
Mrs. Catharine "Kitty" Ulmer, 86, of 816 Route 57, Stewartsville, N.J., died May 19 in the Warren Hospital in New Jersey. She was the wife of Raymond H. "Bud" Ulmer. They observed their 64th wedding anniversary in January.
She was a saleswoman for Lehr's Furniture, Easton, until retiring, and previously was a waitress for the former Pelican Restaurant, later the Peke Inn, Phillipsburg, N.J., and an employee of the former Old Standard Silk Mill, Phillipsburg.
Born in Phillipsburg, she was a daughter of the late Timothy and Veronica (Boyle) Sullivan.
She was a member of St. Philip and St. James Catholic Church, Phillipsburg.
Mrs. Ulmer was a member of the Harmony Seniors; an area league bowler; volunteer for the March of Dimes' and a former member of the PTA, Stewartsville, the Stewartsville Grange and the Stewartsville Fire Company Auxiliary.
Surviving in addition to her husband are a son, Raymond E. of Easton; a daughter, Suzanne B. Reppert of Slatington; a brother Thomas of Nazareth; three sisters, Mary Stamets of Easton and Renee Klega and Veronica Klega, both of Phillipsburg; seven grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Helen M. Aurigemma
Mrs. Helen M. Aurigemma, 70, of 755 W. Market St., Orwigsburg, died Saturday in her home. She was the widow of Mario P. Aurigemma, who died in 1989.
She was a clerical worker for Turning Point, Pottsville, for three years before retiring in 1995. She and her husband owned and operated the New Ringgold Hotel from 1975-89.
Born in Newark, N.J., she was a daughter of Mrs. Helen L. (Muzzio) Rorrer of Orwigsburg and the late Robert Rorrer.
She was a member of St. Ambrose Catholic Church, Schuylkill Haven.
Surviving in addition to his mother are two sons, Noel of Orwigsburg and Kenneth of San Macos, Calif., a daughter Judy, wife of Leonard Hoch of Old Zionsville; and eight grandchildren.
James M. Hoffman
James M. Hoffman, 72, of Andreas, died Saturday evening at the Palmerton Hospital. He was the husband of Constance M. (Clements) Hoffman. They celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary in February.
He had been employed at the Andreas Stone and Sand Company for more than 40 years until his retirement.
Born in Andreas, he was a son of the late Silas and Irene (Rex) Hoffman.
He served with the Army during World War II, serving with Patton's Third Army, Fourth Armored Division in Europe and was the recipient of several Purple Hearts and commendations.
Surviving with his wife is a son, James A. of Lehighton; two daughters, Peggy, wife of Robert F. Marasiak Sr. of Parryville, and Janice A. Hoffman, with whom he resided; three brothers, John and Paul, both of Andreas, and Jacob of Palatka, Fla.; two sisters, Bertha Hoffman of Andreas, and Mrs. Helen Beck of Lehighton; three grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; four step-grandchildren and five step great-great-grandchildren.
The Andrew P. Ovsak Funeral Home, Fourth and Iron sts., Lehighton, is in charge of arrangements.
Barry E. Breiner
Barry E. Breiner, 51, of 172 Spruce St., Tamaqua, died unexpectedly Monday in his home.
He was employed by Hartz Metals, Tamaqua.
Born in Pottsville, he was a son of Ethel (Ferryman) Willing of Tamaqua and the late Kenneth F. Breiner.
A veteran of the U.S. Navy, he served during the Vietnam War.
Breiner was a member of St. Jerome Roman Catholic Church, Tamaqua, and graduated from Tamaqua Area High School in 1963.
He is survived by a son, Kenneth J. and a daughter, Kimberly A., both of Tamaqua; three brothers, Bruce F. and Michael D., both of Tamaqua, and Kenneth F. of Orland Hills, Ill.
The E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home, 655 E. Broad St., Tamaqua, is in charge of arrangements.
Nelson addition
Kenneth S. Nelson, infant son of Kenneth R. and Cheryl A. (Huegel) Nelson, of 17 N. Emerick St., Shenandoah, is also survived by a paternal grandmother, Mrs. Calvin J. (Barbara) Dunlow of Capon Bridge, West Va.
