Obituaries by LocationJune 30, 1997
Louis A. Zmarzley
Louis A. Zmarzley, 77, died Friday in the Mahoning Valley Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Mahoning Township. He was a son of the late Joseph and Caroline (Ference) Zmarzley.
Born in Palmerton, he was a former resident of 4241 Wood Drive, Walnutport.
He was of the Catholic religion.
He worked as a carpenter many years, employed by the former C. Perroto & Co. Builders until he retired in 1983.
Surviving are three brothers, Walter and Victor M. Sr. of Northampton, and Joseph Zmarzley of Walnutport, a sister, Stella, wife of George Babich of Northampton, and nieces and nephews.
Frank Jay Moyer Jr
Frank Jay Moyer Jr., 42, of 166 Market St., Cumbola, died Thursday morning at his residence of natural causes. He wsa the husband of Judy (Hetler) Moyer.
Born in Pottsville, he was a son of Frank Jay Moyer Sr. of Schuylkill Haven R.1, and the late Ruth (Urban) Stonebeck.
He graduated from Northern Lehigh High School, and was employed as a weaver for Stanwood Mills, Slatington, having last worked in 1985.
Surviving with his widow and father is a son, Frank III of New Tripoli; two brothers, Frank Joel Moyer of Schuylkill Haven R.1 and Jesse Moyer, serving with the US Navy in Great Lakes, Ill; three sisters, Irma Marie Polami of Blackstone, Va., deborah Coombe of Lehighton, and Cheryl Stoneback of Walnutport. Also a stepfather, John Stoneback of Walnutport, and a half-brother, Keith Fitzgerald of Schuylkill Haven.
Mary K. Mathews
Mary K. Mathews, 88, of Effort, and formerly of Newark, N.J., died Thursday in the Pocono Medical Center, East Stroudsburg. She was the widow of Anthony A. Mathews.
Born in Marion Heights, she was a daughter of hte late John and Eva (Macenczara) Kushwara.
She had lived in Newark 50 years before moving to Effort in 1996. She had been a factory worker for Westinghouse in Newark, N.J., for more than 10 years, retiring in 1955.
She was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church in Newark.
Surviving are two sons, Anthony J. Mathews in Texas, and John J. Mathews of Effort; a daughter, Marie L. Pulley of Willingboro, N.J.; four brothers, John, Michael, Henry, and Al; four sisters, Pearl, Evelyn, Helen and Julie; seven grandchildren and a great granddaughter.
The Kresge Funeral Home, Rt. 209, Brodheadsville, is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Anne B. Kennedy
Mrs. Anne B. Kennedy, 94, of 305 W. Bertsch St., Lansford, died Sunday morning in her home. She was the widow of Hugh J. Kennedy, who died Nov. 22, 1991.
She was a hairdresser in her home for over 50 years.
Born in Lansford, she was a daughter of the late Patrick and Margaret (McMonigle) Knowles.
She was a member of St. Ann Catholic Church, Lansford.
The last member of her immediate family, she is survived by numerous nieces and nephews, some of which she helped to raise.
The Roche Funeral Home-McNamara Chapel, 3 E. Bertsch St., Lansford, is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Frances Blew
Mrs. Frances Blew, 74, of Hometown, died Saturday in the home of her daughter, Mary Teresa Schlauch, with whom she resided.
The deceased was the widow of Russell L. Blew Sr., who died Feb. 6, 1995.
Born in Lansford, she was a daughter of the late John and Madge (O'Brien) McLaughlin.
She was a member of St. Jerome Catholic Church, Tamaqua.
Surviving in addition to her daughter are a son, Russell H. Jr. of Tamaqua; another daughter, Rose Mary, wife of Rick Kaufman of Fleetwood, Berks County; a brother Harry of Coaldale; three sisters, Theresa and Mary, both of Coaldale, and Kathleen Bankes of Still Creek; five grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by a grandson, Michael Russell Miklos; and two brothers, John and Edward.
The Lamar Christ Funeral Home, Hometown, is in charge of the arrangements.
Ernest W. Freeby
Ernest W. Freeby, 76, of 408 Ore St., Bowmanstown, died Sunday in the St. Luke Hospital, Fountain Hill, Bethlehem. He was the husband of Kathleen V. (Everett) Freeby. They observed their 58th wedding anniversary last September.
He retired in 1980 after 37 years of service with the former New Jersey Zinc Company, Palmerton.
Born in Bowmanstown, he was a son of the late Clyden T. and Lucy (Serfass) Freeby.
He was a member of the Bowmanstown Volunteer Fire Company, East Penn Sporting Club and the Bowmanstown Rod and Gun Club.
Surviving in addition to his widow are a daughter Donna, wife of Frank Freda of Slatington; a son, Ernest D. of Bowmanstown; five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
The Thomas K. Thomas Funeral Home, 145 Delaware Ave., Palmerton, is in charge of the arrangements.
Frank Cihylik
Frank Cihylik, 80, of 1437 Main St., North Catasauqua, died Saturday in the Sacred Heart Hospital, Allentown. He was the husband of Theresa (Carfara) Cihylik. They observed their 52nd wedding anniversary last July.
He was a maintenance engineer for A-Treat Bottling Company, Allentown, before retiring.
Born in Northampton, he was a son of the late Nicholas and Julia (Yarka) Cihylik.
He was a member of St. Lawrence the Martyr Catholic Church, North Catasauqua, the Knights of Columbus, Council No. 528, Allentown, and the Men of Malvern Retreat.
Cihylik was a Marine Corps veteran of World War II, having served in the Pacific Theater of Operations. He belonged to V.F.W. Post 13, Allentown.
Surviving in addition to his widow are two daughters, State Rep. Julie Harhart, wife of Frank Harhart, and Louise, wife of Michael Seng, both of North Catasauqua; three brothers, Stephen of Allentown, John of Palmerton and Nicholas of Northampton; a sister Catherine, wife of William Best of Allentown; and three grandchildren.
Geza J. Kovacs
Geza J. Kovacs, 67, of 1325 Deerpath Drive, Walnutport, died Saturday in the Sacred Heart Hospital, Allentown.
A graduate of the Great Lakes Naval School of Electronics, Illinois, he was a service technician for General Electric, formerly in Allentown, for 15 years before retiring in 1989. Previously, he worked in the same capacity for Kleckner & Sons, Whitehall Township, for several years.
Born in Bethlehem, he was a son of the late Steven J. and Matilda L. Kovacs.
He was of the Protestant faith.
Kovacs was a Navy veteran of the Korean Conflict and a member of American Legion Post 16 and the Moose Lodge, both of Slatington; and the Roosevelt Democratic Club, Danielsville.
Surviving are nieces and nephews.
Willis Fred Knaake
Willis Fred Knaake, 74, of Walnutport, died Saturday in his home. He was the husband of the late Hilda (Mizur) Knaake.
A member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, he was a crew leader for the Pennsylvania Power and Light Company for 37 years before retiring in 1983.
Born in Jim Thorpe, he was a son of the late Robert and Vera Dessie (Shafer) Knaake.
He was an Army veteran of World War II.
Surviving are two daughters, Barbara Strunk of Laurys Station and Linda of Whitehall Township; a son Larry of Slatington; a sister, Helene McPherson of Brownsville, Tex.; and four grandchildren.
Darren B. Staples
Darren B. Staples, 33, of Bushkill, Pike County, died Friday in the Pocono Medical Center, East Stroudsburg.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., he was a son of Edward and Rose (Riddick) Lewis, with whom he resided.
Surviving in addition to his parents are two brothers, Ray of Stroudsburg and James of Jersey City, N.J.; four sisters, Valerie Johnson of Mableton, Ga., Michelle Richardson of Slatington, Cheryl of Hawley, Wayne County, and Naderia Lewis of Bushkill; and nieces and nephews.
Delbert F. Gerber
Delbert F. Gerber, 86, formerly of 962 Jackson St., Allentown, died Sunday in the St. Luke Hospital, Allentown campus. He was the husband of the late Arlene Gerber, who died in 1992.
Prior to retiring, he was a janitor.
Born in Friedens, he was a son of the late Jacob and Ann (Wagner) Gerber.
There are no immediate survivors.
Raymond S. Gerhard
Raymond S. Gerhard, 84, of 1221 Quakake Road, Packer Township, Weatherly R.1, died Saturday in the Hazleton General Hospital. He was the husband of Verna (Heiney) Gerhard. They were married for 63 years.
He was a retired farmer and also had worked for the Asplundh Tree Service, Allentown; Hoffman Tree Service, Weatherly; and the Lehigh Valley Railroad Coal Storage, Hudsondale, Carbon County, for many years.
Born in Packer Township, he was a son of the late Samuel and Hattie (Smith) Gerhard.
He was a member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Weatherly R.1.
Gerhard served on the Carbon County Conservation District board for many years before resigning in 1987. He was a former secretary-treasurer of the board and a farm director.
In 1987, he was inducted into the Pennsylvania Voter Hall of Fame for voting in every November election for 50 consecutive years.
The deceased was a member of the Friendship Senior Citizens Club, Weatherly.
Surviving in addition to his widow are two daughters, Nancy, wife of Dennis Hinkle of Weatherly R.1, and Millie, wife of Arnold Selert of Weatherly; a son Grover and a brother Gene, both of Weatherly R.1; seven grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.
He was also preceded in death by two sons, Donald Sr. and Jerome A.; and a daughter Ellen.
Carrie Alice Temblin
Carrie Alice Temblin, 77, of Warren Haven, Mansfield Township, N.J., died Saturday in the home.
She was a garment worker for the Friedman Pants Factory, Easton, before retiring.
Born in Kunkletown, she was a daughter of the late Milton Henry and Eva Elizabeth (George) Greene.
She was of the Protestant faith.
Surviving is a son, Donald J. Edinger of Allentown.
Mrs. Joan F. Morana
Mrs. Joan F. Morana, 63, of 104 W. Ludlow St., Summit Hill, died Saturday in the Miners Memorial Medical Center, Coaldale. She was the widow of John H. Morana, who died Aug. 11, 1993.
She worker for the Kaijay Pants Factory, Nesquehoning, until retiring last year.
Born in Lehighton, she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Jennie (Huntz) Furst.
She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of the Panther Valley, Summit Hill.
Surviving are two sons, John Jr. of Roanoke, Va., and Howard of Hauto Valley, Nesquehoning R.1; two daughters, Cynthia of McAdoo and Joan, at home; a brother, Willard Andrews of Allentown; a sister, Gloria Bauer in New Jersey; and two grandsons.
She was also preceded in death by two brothers, Joseph Andrews and John Furst.
The Thomas J. Parambo Funeral Home, 54 W. Fell St., Summit Hill, is in charge of the arrangements.
John H. Sensinger
John H. Sensinger, 57, of 110-B Mountain View Mobile Home Park, Walnutport, died Saturday in his home. He was the husband of Sheila (Max) Sensinger. They observed their 20th wedding anniversary last year.
A member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Union Local 1972, he worked for Piller Electrical Company, Bethlehem, and previously had been employed by the former Cutler-Hammer Company, Allentown, 1965-94.
Born in Mahoning Valley, he was a son of the late Herman and Blanche Sensinger.
Surviving in addition to his widow are two sons, Fred of Jacksonville, Fla., and Donald of Walnutport; two daughters, Lisa Lynne of Bethlehem and Marcy Uher of Coaldale; a brother Phillip of Corpus Christi, Tex.; and seven grandchildren.
Ellsworth C. Koons
Ellsworth C. Koons, 80, of 6375 Chambersburg Road, Fayetteville, Adams County, formerly of Lehighton, died Friday in the Piney Mountain Nursing Center, Fayetteville. He was the husband of the late Ruth (Hettig) Koons, who died in 1996.
A member of the Carpenters Union, Local 1010, Washington, D.C., he worked for various contractors for 56 years before retiring.
Born in Packerton, he was a son of the late Charles and Amelia (Sandherr) Koons.
He was of the Lutheran faith.
Koons was a Navy veteran of World War II a d a member of the West Gate Lodge No. 220, F. & A.M., Mount Rainer, Md.
Surviving are two daughters, Amelia Parker of Kearneysville, W. Va., and Kathryn Adams of Medina, Tenn.; two sisters, Mrs. Pauline Hunsicker and Mrs. Naomi Armbruster, both of Lehighton; seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
The Andrew P. Ovsak Funeral Home, Fourth and Iron streets, Lehighton, is in charge of the arrangements.
Carl P. Fenstermaker
Carl P. Fenstermaker, 67, of Coplay, formerly of Northampton and Slatedale, died Saturday in the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township.
He was a self-employed painter in the Lehigh Valley for 47 years before retiring in 1992. For the past six years, he was a security guard for Horwith Trucks, Northampton.
Born in Slatedale, he was a son of Charles P. and Lillian V. (Metzger) Fenstermaker of Slatedale.
The deceased was an Army veteran of the Korean Conflict.
Surviving in addition to his parents are four sisters, Mrs. Sylvia D. Dieter of Kempton, Geraldine M., wife of Frank Horwith, and Shirley S., wife of Larry J. McFarland, both of Coplay, and Elinore J., wife of Harold Dorshimer of Winter Haven, Fla.
Harry T. Frey
Harry T. Frey, 63, of 78 Lewis St., Phillipsburg, N.J., died Saturday in his home. He was the husband of Mary Ann (Tarpey) Frey.
He was a jitney driver for the Cameron Division of the Ingersoll-Rand Company, Phillipsburg, for 30 years before retiring in 1994.
Born in Phillipsburg, he was a son of the late Harry and Dorothy (Markle) Frey.
He was a life member of the Order of Fleas, Easton, and the Young Mens Italian Association, Phillipsburg.
Surviving in addition to his widow are a son, T.J., at home; and three sisters, Lillian Howard of Allentown, Darlene Schreck of Walnutport and Dolores in Pennsylvania.
Dorward infant
Jordan Dorward, 4-month-old son of Shawn M. and Jennifer M. (Downs) Dorward of Allentown, died Thursday in the Sacred Heart Hospital, Allentown.
The infant was born in Allentown.
Surviving in addition to his parents are a brother, Joshua A., at home; paternal grandparents, Thomas J. Dorward Jr. of Lehighton and Suzan, wife of John Gruber of Slatington; and maternal grandparents, Charles and Judy Downs of Emmaus.
Adam H. Mummey
Adam H. Mummey, 69, of 311 S. Franklin St., Allentown, died Friday in the Sacred Heart Hospital, Allentown. He was the husband of Rosemarie (Onuskonysh) Mummey.
He was a security guard at Mack Trucks, Inc., Allentown, for many years before retiring.
Born in Allentown, he was a son of the late Hank and Edna (Klingman) Mummey.
He was an Army veteran of the Korean Conflict and the recipient of the Purple Heart and other medals.
Surviving in addition to his widow are a son, Chris Cross of Allentown; a daughter Rosemarie, wife of Richard Goetzke of Palmerton; five sisters, Myrtle Wagner of Allentown, Hett, wife of John Coker of Cleveland, Ohio, Dini in California, Teddy, wife of Frank Geho of Orefield, and Elmira, wife of Joseph Gellino of Whitehall Township; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
He was also preceded in death by a daughter Bonnie.
Reid R. Rahn
Reid R. Rahn, 91, of the Fritzingertown Senior Living Community, Drums, a Weatherly resident for 68 years, died early Sunday in the Hazleton General Hospital. He was the husband of Eva (Snyder) Rahn. They were married for 64 years.
He taught in the Weatherly schools for 38 years at the junior and senior high levels and coached sports. He was a guidance teacher, and pioneered the Weatherly High School driver's education program. He also directed school theatrical productions and was principal at Weatherly High for 15 years before retiring in 1967.
Born in West Leesport, Berks County, he was the son of the late Wirt and Sallie (Stoudt) Rahn.
He was a member of St. John's Gernants United Church of Christ, Leesport.
He graduated from Ontelaunee Vocational School; attended Penn State University; received his bachelor's degree in teaching from Kutztown State Teachers' College; and earned a master's degree from New York University.
He was active in civic projects and was the founder of the Weatherly Area Community Ambulance Association; chaired the Weatherly-area March of Dimes campaigns from 1939-55; and organized Weatherly's World War II parade in 1942.
He was also involved in home defense efforts during World War II.
Rahn was a Boy Scout leader and was the first Rotarian seated after the chartering of the Weatherly Rotary Club. He served as the club president and District 741 International Student Exchange chairman, and received Rotary International's highest honor, the Paul Harris Award.
He was the last surviving member of his immediate family.
Surviving is his wife.
Francis A. Jais
Francis A. Jais, 75, of 668 Grant St., Hazleton, died Sunday morning in his home. He was the husband of Beatrice (Derr) Jais. They were married for 49 years.
He operated Jais Paint Center, West Hazleton, from 1966-84, and then worked as a paint and wallpaper specialist at Conyngham Builders Supply before retiring in 1993.
Born in Easton, he was the son of the late John and Atheana (Sgouraki) Jais.
He was a Army veteran of World War II, having participated in D-Day invasion of France and the Battle of the Bulge. He received the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with five bronze stars.
Jais was a member of Christ Lutheran Church and the Elks Lodge and cub master of Pack 15 and scout master of Troop 15, both sponsored by the church, all of Hazleton. He received the Boy Scouts American District Award of Merit for his many years of service.
Surviving in addition to his widow are three sons, Jon F. and Barry L., both of Drums, and Robert of Weatherly; two grandchildren, a niece and several nephews.
He was also preceded in death by a brother Louis.
William S. Howton
William S. Howton, 41, of 42 Carbon St., Weatherly, died Saturday in the Hazleton General Hospital.
Before becoming ill, he was a salesman for Ciccioni Radiator Company, Hazleton.
Born in Riverhead, Long Island, N.Y., he was a son of the late Archie W. and Dorothy (Javick) Howton.
He served in the Marine Corps.
Howton was a member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Weatherly, and was a graduate of Crestwood High School, Mountaintop.
He was active in off-road motorcycle racing and was a member of the M.M.J.P. Race Team support crew.
The deceased was a member of the Citizens Fire Company, Weatherly, and was an emergency medical technician for the Weatherly Ambulance Corps. He also belonged to the West Hazleton ambulance corps.
Surviving are two sons, Brad and Steven, both of Weatherly; a brother Matthew of Mountaintop; his ex-wife, Cynthia (Hinkle) Howton; and a niece.
Alfred Folland
Alfred Folland, 76, of Cedarbrook, South Whitehall Township, formerly of Catasauqua, died Friday in the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township.
He was a steward at American Legion Post 215, Catasauqua, for 20 years before retiring in 1985, and previously had worked for 18 years for the former Eagle Brewery Company, Catasauqua.
Born in Catasauqua, he was a son of the late Thomas and Beatrice M. (Schuler) Folland.
He was an Army veteran of World War II.
Surviving are a son, Frederick C. of Germansville; three brothers, William of Northampton, Edward of Emmaus and Orandus of Bethlehem; and four sisters, Virginia Leibenguth of Catasauqua, Catherine, wife of Erwin Hanssen, and Dorothy, wife of Ariel Schaup, both of Whitehall Township, and Beatrice Baatz of Weaversville.
