Obituaries by LocationJuly 2, 1997
Willard L. Knepper
Willard Lewis Knepper, 77, of 103 Phillips St., Easley, S.C., died Sunday in the Baptist Medical Center, Easley. He was the husband of the late Jane (Payne) Easley.
He was a retired machinist and worked for the Tun-Sol company, Weatherly.
Born in Weatherly, he was a son of the late Lewis A. and Mary P. (Richle) Knepper.
He was a Navy veteran of World War II, having served in the South Pacific.
Knepper was a member of the American Legion and St. Mattias Lutheran Church.
Surviving are a sister, Ethel K. Pavone of Coopersburg; three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
He was also preceded in death by a son, Joseph W. Sr.; four brothers, Leland, Lawrence, Arden and Carl; and three sisters, Lillian K. Evans, Pearl K. Schmeer and Eleanor K. Ray.
Norman D. Arner Sr.
Norman D. Arner Sr. of 4426 Rosebay Court, Bethlehem, died Tuesday evening in the Easton Hospital. He was the husband of Alice E. (Buck) Arner.
The Andrew P. Ovsak Funeral Home, Fourth and Iron streets, Lehighton, is in charge of the arrangements.
Percy W. Flick
Percy W. Flick of 175 N. Seventh St., Apt. A-1, Lehighton, died Wednesday morning in the Burnt Tavern Convalescent Center, Brick, N.J.
The Andrew P. Ovsak Funeral Home, Fourth and Iron streets, Lehighton, is in charge of the arrangements.
July 3, 1997
Wolford services
Graveside services for Darryl R. Wolford, 57, formerly of Slatington, who died Sunday in the Tucson General Hospital, Tucson, Ariz., will be 11 a.m. Tuesday in the Towamensing Cemetery . There will be no calling hours.
The Thomas K. Thomas Funeral Home, 145 Delaware Ave., Palmerton, is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. David James
Mrs. Ruth S. James, 70, of 231 Stock St., Nesquehoning, died Wednesday morning in the Miners Memorial Medical Center, Coaldale. She was the wife of David James. They were married for 38 years.
She was a clerk for the state Department of Health and Welfare, Harrisburg, until retiring.
Born in Palmerton, she was a daughter of the late Edwin and Sarah (Weston) Snellman.
She was a member of First Baptist Church, Lansford, where she sang in the choir and was a member of the Fellowship Society. In addition, she was a former church trustee and deaconess.
She also was a member of the Lansford Senior Citizens Club, the Panther Valley Golden Age Club, and the Hauto Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary.
Surviving in addition to her husband are two sisters, Grace, wife of Edward Ternosky of Macungie, Lehigh County, and Anne Petrock of Nesquehoning; and several nieces and nephews.
The Joseph S. Blazosky Funeral Hone, 81 E. Catawissa St., Nesquehoning, is in charge of the arrangements.
Thaddeus Gorka
Thaddeus "Ted" Gorka, 74, of 119 Miner St. Coaldale, died Wednesday in the Miners Memorial Medical Center. He was the husband of Violet (Mogilsky) Gorka. They were married for 48 years.
Prior to retiring, he was an assembler for the Ford Motor Company in Edison, N.J.
Born in Lansford, he was the son of the late Vincent and Stella (Marscaleck) Gorka.
He was a member of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Polish National Catholic Church, Summit Hill, where he served as president of the church council.
Gorka was a staff sergeant in the U.S. Army during World War II, having served with the 236th General Hospital in the African-Middle East-European theaters of operation.
He was also a member of the Panther Valley Chapter No. 677, F. and A.M., and the American Legion Post, both of Lansford.
Survivors in addition to his widow are a son Thomas of Pittsburgh; five daughters, Arlene, wife of Richard Orsulak, and Corrine, wife of Robert Slivka, both of Summit Hill, Gail Pichler of Snohomish, Wash., Annette, wife of George Heffelfinger of Coaldale, and Noelle, at home; two brothers, Peter of Lansford and James of Levittown, Pa.; two sisters, Sophie, wife of John Modrick of Lansford, and Stella, wife of Gerald Williams of Bethlehem; and eight grandchildren.
He was also preceded in death by three brothers, Stanley, Joseph and Charles; a sister Ann; and a half brother, Peter Mikoajczyk.
The August M. Gulla Funeral Home, Coaldale, is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Eugene Hager
Mrs. Mary Jane Hager, 68, of 519 South St., Jim Thorpe, died Wednesday morning in the Gnaden Huetten Memorial Hospital, Lehighton. She was the wife of Eugene "Kelly" Hager. They observed their 46th wedding anniversary last Oct. 7.
She was a retired secretary, having worked for the former Prudential Insurance Company when it had an office in the Navigation Building in Jim Thorpe, and later worked as a secretary in the office of the Carbon County Board of Commissioners during the early 1950s.
Born in Mauch Chunk, she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Ann (Farrell) Dermott.
She was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Jim Thorpe.
Surviving in addition to her husband are three daughters, Rosemary, wife of Keith Yorks of Camp Hill, Cumberland County, Joan, wife of Joseph Herman Jr. of Whitehall, and Jane, wife of Todd Baier of Groton, Conn.; a son, Joseph V. of Jim Thorpe; and five granddaughters.
The Edward F. Melber Funeral Home, 524 Center St., Jim Thorpe, is in charge of the arrangements.
Victor E. Hoffman
Victor E. Hoffman, 78, of Allentown, died Wednesday in the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township. He was the husband of Hilda C. (Moyer) Hoffman. They observed their 50th wedding anniversary last December.
He was a machine operator for the Philadelphia, Bethlehem and New England Railroad at the Bethlehem Steel Corporation for 18 years before retiring in 1984.
Born in Penn Haven, Carbon County, he was a son of the late William E. and Alice A. (Knappenberger) Hoffman.
He was a member of St. John United Church of Christ, Laurys Station, where he belonged to the Keenagers senior citizens club.
Hoffman was an Army veteran of World War II, having served with the 7th Armored Division. He was a member of the 7th Armored Division Association, American Legion Post 353, Northampton, and the Community Fire Company No. 1, Schnecksville.
Surviving in addition to his widow are four sons, Robert C. of Slatington, Donald P. and James E., both of Northampton, and Jerry L. of New Ringgold; three daughters, Eleanor J., wife of James Swogger of Greensburg, Westmoreland County, Joyce I., wife of Charles L. Edgar of Allentown, and Nancy A., wife of Daniel R. McDonough of Audubon, Montgomery County; 16 grandchildren and a great-grandson.
Mrs. Delores L. Milito
Mrs. Delores L. (Landon) Milito, 72, of East Norriton Township, Montgomery County, died Wednesday in her home. She was the widow of Harry T. Milito.
Among her survivors is a son, Charles W. Hellings of Slatington.
Peter R. McKenney
Peter R. McKenney, 48, of 4597-3 Golden Key Road, New Tripoli, died Monday in his home.
A member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Union Local 126, Trevose, he was a tree surgeon for Asplundh Tree Trimmings Service, Allentown, for many years.
Born in Doylestown, he was a son of Col. Robert McKenney of New Tripoli and the late Aileen (Dolan) McKenney, and a stepson of Georgia McKenney, also of New Tripoli.
The deceased was an actor and singer in Cole Porter's musical comedy "Kiss Me Kate" at the Jacksonville Summer Theater in 1989. He was an artist member and soloist for the Allentown Music Club for 15 years, having studied opera with Martha Mack. McKenney was a choir singer at Union United Church of Christ, Neffs.
He was an Army veteran of the Vietnam War and a recipient of the Purple Heart and Bronze Star medals.
Surviving in addition to his father and stepmother are a brother, Robert D. Jr. of Northampton; and five sisters, Ann, wife of Michael Schnur of Lynnport, Patricia, wife of Jack Kime of Dunellen, N.J., Mary Louise, wife of Lt. Col. Charles Petrie of Woodbridge, Va., Jane, wife of David Kostenbader of Kutztown, and Constance, wife of Scott Dietrich of New Tripoli.
Percy W. Flick
Percy W. Flick, 79, of 175 N. Seventh St., Lehighton, died Wednesday in the Burnt Tavern Convalescent Center, Brick, N.J. He was the husband of the late Grace M. (Klinger) Flick, who died last year.
He was an engineer for the former Lehigh Valley Railroad, and later Conrail, before retiring in 1980.
Born in Lehighton, he was a son of the late Frank W. and Esther (Young) Flick.
Surviving are a son, Michael F. of Jackson, N.J.; two daughters, Carol, wife of Karl Dronke of Wantage, N.J., and Debra J. DiViccaro of Jackson; seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
The Andrew P. Ovsak Funeral Home, Fourth and Iron streets, Lehighton, is in charge of the arrangements.
Joan L. Grantham
Joan L. Grantham, 57, of Allentown, died Tuesday in the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township. She was the wife of John T. "Tom" Crocker.
She was a licensed practical nurse at the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Allentown, for 34 years before retiring several years ago because of illness.
Born in Allentown, she was a daughter of Mrs. Mable B. (Hite) Grantham of Allentown and the late David L. Grantham.
The deceased was a member of the Union Baptist Church, Allentown.
Surviving in addition to her husband and mother are a son, Barron D. Grantham of Joelton, Tenn.; two daughters, Freda L. Grantham of Barnesville and Bartricia L. Grantham of Allentown; two brothers, David L. Grantham of Schnecksville and Howard Wood of Philadelphia; and a grandson.
Norman D. Arner Sr.
Norman D. Arner Sr., 87, of 4426 Rosebay Court, Bethlehem, formerly of Lehighton, died Tuesday in the Easton Hospital. He was the husband of Alice E. (Buck) Arner. They observed their 57th wedding anniversary last December.
He was a plumber for Plumbers Union Local 690, Allentown and Philadelphia, working for various construction firms until retiring in 1975.
Born in Franklin Township, he was a son of the late Frank and Bella (Rothermel) Arner.
He was a member of Zion United Church of Christ, Lehighton, where he was a choir member for more than 50 years.
Arner also belonged to the Coal Crackers Chorus of the Mahanoy City Chapter of the Barbershop Singers.
Surviving in addition to his widow is a son, Norman II of Palmer Township.
The Andrew P. Ovsak Funeral Home, Fourth and Iron streets, Lehighton, is in charge of the arrangements.
Joseph J. Indrisek
Joseph J. Indrisek, 75, of 326 E. Fell St., Summit Hill, died Wednesday in the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township. He was the husband of Anna (Kuba) Indrisek. They observed their 50th wedding anniversary on Saturday.
He worked for the former Bundy Tubing Company, Hometown, for about 30 years before retiring in 1978.
Born in Lansford, he was a son of the late John and Anna (Prekopa) Indrisek.
He was a member of St. Michael Catholic Church, Lansford, the St. Ann Society of the church and American Legion Post 316, Summit Hill.
Indrisek was an Army Air Corps veteran of World War II, having been a prisoner of war in Yugoslavia.
Surviving in addition to his widow are a son Richard of Hometown; a daughter Sharon, wife of William Dale Jr. of Tamaqua; two brothers, Michael and John, both of Manville, N.J.; and two grandsons.
He was also preceded in death by a sister, Anna Doviak.
The Skrabak-Parambo Funeral Home, 210 E. Bertsch St., Lansford, is in charge of the arrangements.
Randall W. Longacre
Randall W. Longacre, 48, of Route 507, Tafton, Pike County, died Wednesday morning in the Mercy Hospital, Scranton. He was the husband of Dianne M. (Helfrich) Longacre. They observed their 14th wedding anniversary in June.
He was the co-owner and operator of the Pocono Pines Motor Inn, Lake Wallenpaupack, since 1995. Previously, he was a maintenance supervisor for The Newspaper Association of America, working at its plant in Reston, Va., from 1983-95, and at its Easton plant from 1979-83.
Born in Palmerton, he was a son of Stanford C. and Beatrice E. (Fritz) Longacre of Andreas R.1.
The deceased was an Air Force veteran of the Vietnam War and a member of American Legion Post 945, Wormleysburg, Cumberland County.
Surviving in addition to his widow and parents are a son, Brian Nederostek, at home; a brother Jeffrey of Bethlehem; and his paternal grandfather, Harold Fritz of New Tripoli.
The Robert S. Nester Funeral Home, Rt. 309, Snyders, is in charge of the arrangements.
Pasquale A. Alfieri
Pasquale A. Alfieri, 65, of 225 Third St., Weatherly, died Wednesday in the Hazleton General Hospital. He was the husband of Rosemarie (Dague) Alfieri.
Prior to retiring, he worked for Parts America, Hazleton.
Born in Hazleton, he was a son of the late Joseph Anthony and Rose (Delucca) Alfieri.
A 1950 graduate of Hazleton High School, he was a veteran of the Korean Conflict.
Surviving in addition to his widow are two sons, Joseph of Upper Lehigh and Anthony of Hazleton; three daughters, Rose Ann Doyle of Hazleton, Angela Roman of Richmond, Va., and Patricia Jareb of New York City, N.Y.; and nine grandchildren.
