Obituaries by LocationJuly 25, 1997
Mrs. Alma J. Fritz
Mrs. Alma J. Fritz, 88, of Tamaqua R.3, died Thursday morning in the Mahoning Valley Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Lehighton, where she was a resident. She was the widow of Alvin S. Fritz, who died on May 22.
Born in West Penn Township, she was a daughter of the late Amandus and Adilla (Balliet) Shellhamer.
She was a member of the United Church of Christ congregation of St. Peter Lutheran and U.C.C. Church, Tamaqua R.3.
Surviving are a sister, Mildred S., wife of Charles Miller of Andreas R.1; and several nieces and nephews.
She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Bernice Femyak, who died in 1995.
The Robert S. Nester Funeral Home, Rt. 309, Snyders, is in charge of the arrangements.
Ernest E. Smith
Ernest E. Smith, 82, formerly of West Catasauqua, died Thursday in Cedarbrook, South Whitehall Township. He was the husband of the late Hilda M. (Gimbel) Smith.
He was an assembler for the former Dent Hardware Company, Fullerton, for more than 30 years before retiring in 1970.
Born in West Catasauqua, he was a son of the late Edward B. and Anna S. (Dobler) Smith.
He was a member of St. John United Church of Christ, Whitehall Township.
Smith was an Army veteran of World War II and a member of the American Legion Post 367, Hellertown.
Surviving are a daughter, Patricia Ann, wife of Dale Stumpp of Whitehall; and two brothers, Harry F. of Christmans, Penn Forest Township, and Raymond G. of Hockessen, Del.
Michael Potash
Michael Potash, 92, of 27-1/2 Main St., Coxeville, Beaver Meadows, died Wednesday in Hazleton General Hospital. He was the husband of Victoria (Piasecki) Potash.
He was employed by York Avenue Foods, Philadelphia, until retiring in 1969.
Born in Hazleton, he was a son of the late Andrew and Ann (Fortuna) Potash.
He was a member of St. Gabriel Catholic Church, Hazleton.
Potash served in the Army during World War II.
Surviving in addition to his widow are nieces and nephews.
He was also preceded in death by two sisters, Helen Welky and Mary Tomasick; and a brother.
Mrs. Jean A. Gerhart
Mrs. Jean A. Gerhart, 76, formerly of 219 Fourth St., Weatherly, a guest at Weatherwood, Weatherly, died Wednesday in the nursing home.
Born in Delano, Schuylkill County, she was a daughter of the late Robert and Dora (Wetzel) Gasser.
She graduated from the former Delano High School in 1939 and was a member of Salem United Church of Christ, Weatherly.
She was a private first class in the Women's Army Corps during World War II, having been stationed at the Army Ground Forces Replacement Depot, Camp Adair, Ore. She received the Victory Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and the American Campaign Medal.
Surviving are a daughter, Linda Garber of Weatherly; two grandchildren and nieces and nephews.
She was also preceded in death by a sister, Fern Zapotocky; and two brothers, Russell and Harry.
Pocalyko services
A private memorial service for Peter N. Pocalyko, 77, of 730 Center Ave., Jim Thorpe, who died Thursday in Miners Memorial Medical Center, Coaldale, will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, in St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 21 Race St., Jim Thorpe., with the Rev. Kenneth S. Umbehocker officiating. A private interment
will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery , Jim Thorpe.
The Edward F. Melber Funeral Home, 524 Center St., Jim Thorpe, is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Margaret A. Allesch
Mrs. Margaret A. Allesch, 71, of 45 W. Howard Ave., Coaldale, died Thursday in the Hometown Nursing Center, Tamaqua R.2. She was the wife of the late John Allesch.
Born in Mahoning Township, she was a daughter of the late John and Bertha (Murphy) Ambrek.
Mrs. Allesch was a member of St. Jerome Roman Catholic Church, Tamaqua, and a 1943 graduate of Tamaqua High School.
She is survived by seven sons, John of White Bear, Edward E. of Stroudsburg, James of Lehighton, Thomas of Bakersfield, Cal., Matthew and Christopher, both of Coaldale, and Frank of Tamaqua; six daughters, Mrs. Kathy Woodward and Antoinette Allesch, both of Coaldale, Mrs. Jacqueline Fredericks of Barnesville, Mrs. Melinda Tuckey and Mrs. Margaret Barcasky, both of Hazleton, and Mrs. Dorothy Weicker of Tamaqua; a brother, Matthew Ambrek of New Ringgold; 28 grandchildren; and 11 great grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by a son, Robert Allesch; a brother, John Ambrek; and a sister, Mrs. Dorothy Sporch.
The E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home, 655 E. Broad St., Tamaqua, is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Norman Rimbey
Mrs. Grace Rimbey, of 224 Creekside Manor Drive, Lehighton, died early this morning in her home. She was the wife of Norman Rimbey.
The Andrew P. Ovsak Funeral Home, Fourth and Iron sts., Lehighton, is in charge of arrangements.
