Obituaries by LocationJuly 28, 1997
Long-time area funeral director, Jane Fetter dies
Jane (Ritz) Fetter, 77, of 75 Main St., Mahanoy City, a licensed funeral director in that community for 55 years, died Friday evening in the Pottsville Hospital and Warne Clinic, following a brief illness. She was the widow of Dr. Donald E. Fetter, who died in 1979.
Born in Ashland, she was a life-long resident of Mahanoy City, and was the daughter of the late Frank L. and Martha (Clifford) Ritz.
She operated, along with her son, Franklin R. Fetter, the Jane Clifford Ritz Funeral Home, 19 E. Mahanoy Ave., Mahanoy City. The business is now in its fourth generation being operated by the same family.
She was a graduate of Mahanoy City High School in 1937, and attended Cedar Crest College in Allentown, and graduated from Eckels College in Philadelphia in 1939.
She was a member of St. Paul's United Church of Christ, Mahanoy City; the Dorcas Women's Ministry of the same church; the Puritan Chapter 126, Order of Eastern Star, Mahanoy City; the Mahanoy City Elks Ladies Auxiliary; the Mahanoy City Women's Club, and the Cedar Crest Women's College Alumni Association.
Surviving with her son, Franklin, of Barnesville, are three other brothers, Donald, also of Barnesville, Norman of Pottstown, and Jonathan of Palm Harbor, Fla.; a daughter, Sarah Jane Fetter of Barnesville; one sister, Virginia, wife of Robert Krause of Mahanoy City; nine grandchildren and nieces and nephews.
The Jane Clifford Ritz Funeral Home, 19 E. Mahanoy Ave., Mahanoy City, is in charge of arrangements.
Clair O. Gerber
Clair O. Gerber, 83, of 213 Spruce St., Tamaqua, died Friday at his home. He was the husband of Ella C. (Kolb) Gerber.
Born in West Penn Township, she was a son of Emory and Katherine Gerber.
He formerly worked for the Trojan Powder Co. of Allentown.
He was a member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Tamaqua; the South Ward Fire Company; the Tamaqua Moose Lodge, and when it closed he joined the Slatington Moose Lodge.
Surviving with his widow is a daughter, Marlene, wife of Barry McLaughlin of Tamaqua; a sister, Verna Stahler, of Summit Hill, and three grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a son, Carl L. Gerber, who died in 1964, a brother Arthur, and two sisters, Esther Vermillion and Stella Coombe.
The E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home, 655 E. Broad St., Tamaqua, is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Norman B. Rimbey
Grace E. Rimbey, 78, of 224 Creekside Manor Drive, Lehighton, died Friday in her home. She was the wife of Norman B. Rimbey. They celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary June 22.
She was a sewing machine operator at various sewing factories in the area prior to retiring.
Born in Lehighton, she was a daughter of the late Willard and Helen (Hoffman) Koons.
Surviving in addition to her husband are two sons, Norman L., of Browns Mill, N.J., and Willard E., of Lehighton; three daughters, Arlene, wife of James Lau, of York; and Joan, wife of John Ianniccari, and Robin, wife of Stanley Bukowski, both of Avoca, Luzerne County; 17 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
The Andrew P. Ovsak Funeral Home, Fourth and Iron Streets, Lehighton, is in charge of arrangements.
Pocalyko services
A public 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.
Atty. George Brinley Richards, noted Lansford counselor
and Carbon solicitor, is taken in death at the age of 82
George Brinley Richards, Esq., a longtime attorney and solicitor in Carbon County before retiring in 1984, died Friday in the Edgemont Personal Care Lodge, Lansford.
Formerly of 37 Center St., Lansford, he was 82.
Atty. Richards maintained his law practice in Lansford from 1946 until retiring. During that time, he was solicitor to the Carbon County Controller; Lansford School Board; Lansford Borough Council and Carbon County Recorder of Deeds. He was also administrator of the Carbon County magistrate courts.
The deceased was a director and solicitor for the former Dime Bank, Lansford. When the bank merged with the Pennsylvania National Bank and Trust Company, he continued to serve on the associate board.
He was a director and solicitor of the Carbon Telephone Company, Lansford, continuing to serve on the state corporate board when the company merger with Mid-Penn Telephone Company and later with Alltel Pennsylvania, Inc.
Richards was admitted to the Carbon County Bar in 1942. He served as its chancellor, 1973-74, and was a past president of the Carbon County Bar Association, past chairman of its board of governors and grievance committee and a former member of its House of Delegates.
He was honored in 1942 when he left for military service and again in 1992 when he completed his 50th year of Bar membership.
The lawyer was admitted to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in 1942 and the Superior Court in 1953. For more than 25 years, he was the Carbon County representative on the Pennsylvania Bar Association's committee on legal biography and history.
Born in Lansford, he was a son of the late David William and Hattie (Thomas) Richards.
He was a member of the English Congregational Church, Lansford, where he served as chairman of the board of deacons.
Richards was general secretary of the 100th anniversary celebration of the Welsh Congregational Church of Ashfield.
An Army veteran of World War II, he served as chief to the secretary of security and intelligence division and was chaplain of the Last Man's Club of World War I and II, Lansford.
Richards was a member of the J. Wesley Garland-Manak-Boyle-Zonca-Whitehead American Legion Post 123, Lansford, serving as its commander, 1950-51, and as chaplain and judge advocate. He was master of ceremonies of the community's United Veterans Services on Memorial and Veterans days.
He was a member of the Four-County Firemen's Association and American Fire Company No. 1, Lansford, and its Firemen's Relief Association.
A member and former president of the St. David's Society of Schuylkill and Carbon counties, he was master of ceremonies and song leader at many Gymanfa Ganu events in Lansford.
The deceased was a conductor of the annual Eistedfod, a festival of music and literature at the Welsh United Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, and a member and assistant secretary-treasurer of the Welsh Congregational Preservation Society.
Richards was a master mason with Panther Valley Lodge No. 677, Lansford, and a member of the National Sojourners, Philadelphia; the Heroes of '76, Valley Forge Camp; Royal Arch Chapter No. 181 and Packer Commandery, Knights Templar No. 23, both of Jim Thorpe; and the Lehigh Valley Scottish Rite.
He was a member of the Carbon County Republican Executive Committee, having served on many of its veterans' committees.
He was an Eagle Scout with Troop 137, Lansford.
Surviving is a niece.
The Holmes-Griffiths Funeral Home, 200 E. Bertsch St., Lansford, is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Pauline A. Klitsch
Mrs. Pauline A. Klitsch, 85, formerly of West Sixth Street, Jim Thorpe, died Sunday morning in the Mahoning Valley Nursing and Convalescent Center, 397 Hemlock Drive, Mahoning Township, Lehighton. She was the widow of Aloysius J. Klitsch, who died in 1989.
Born in East Mauch Chunk, she was a daughter of the late Peter and Wilhelmina (Hoehing) Marzen.
She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Jim Thorpe.
Surviving are two daughters, Sister Mary Aloysius Klitsch of Danville, Pa., and Helaine, wife of Robert Barclay of Lehighton; two sons, Thomas A. of Jim Thorpe and Aloysius P. of Lake Harmony; four sisters, Mrs. Ruth Guman, Mrs. Monica Repsher and Mrs. Helen Salasky, all of Bethlehem, and Mrs. Rita Gigliotti of Jim Thorpe; nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by two sisters, Mrs. Wilma Bott and Mrs. Marie Lienhard; and four brothers, Bernard, Thomas, Paul and Ambrose.
The Edward F. Melber Funeral Home, 524 Center St., Jim Thorpe, is in charge of the arrangements.
Stanley Diviaio
Stanley Diviaio, 85, of 601 Snowhill Road, Stockton, Md., formerly of Elkton, Md., and New Ringgold, died Saturday morning in the Peninsula Regional Hospital, Salisbury, Md., where he was a patient for five days. He was the husband of Louise E. (Hill) Diviaio.
He was the owned of the Stephen Diviaio Contracting Company, Princeton, N.J., for 25 years before retiring in 1974.
Born in Beverly, Mass., he was a son of the late Guy and Elizabeth Diviaio.
He was of the Protestant faith.
Surviving in addition to his widow are a son Donald of Schuylkill Haven; a daughter Lorna, wife of John Child of Dixfield, Me.; three brothers, Joseph and Gut, both of Princeton, and Pat of Belle Mead, N.J.; a sister, Mrs. Agnes Coleman of New Egypt, N.J.; 14 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, a great-granddaughter and many nieces and nephews.
The Robert S. Nester Funeral Home, Rt. 309, Snyders, is in charge of the arrangements.
Ellis M. Roth
Ellis M. Roth, 83, of Kempton, died Friday night in the Kutztown Manor Nursing Home, Kutztown, where he had been a resident since February. He was the husband of Mabel D.S. (Steigerwalt) Roth. They observed their 48th wedding anniversary in June.
He was a lifelong self-employed farmer n Lynn Township, retiring in 1987.
Born in Lynn Township, he was a son of the late Anson and Ida (Reinhart) Roth.
He was a member of Jacob's United Church of Christ, Jacksonville, New Tripoli.
Surviving in addition to his widow is a brother, Ernest L. of Kempton.
The Robert S. Nester Funeral Home, Rt. 143, Jacksonville, is in charge of the arrangements.
Edwin J. Kleintop
Edwin J. Kleintop, 90, formerly of Northampton, died Sunday in ManorCare Health Services I, Bethlehem.
A farmer most of his life, he also worked for Dent Manufacturing Company, Northampton, for 10 years before retiring in 1974.
Born in Lower Towamensing Township, he was a son of the late Tilden and Agnes (Wentz) Kleintop.
He was of the Protestant faith.
There are no immediate survivors.
Mrs. Mary Ann Porambo
Mrs. Mary Ann Porambo, 75, of 430 E. Bertsch St., Lansford, died Sunday in the Gnaden Huetten Memorial Hospital, Lehighton. She was the widow of John "Larry" Porambo, who died in 1995.
Born in Summit Hill, she was a daughter of the late James and Sophie (Janusc) Kozuch.
She was a member of SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Lansford.
Surviving are two sons, John J. of Lansford and Sylvester of Canton, Mich.; a daughter Sandra, wife of Carl Woodard of Meridianville, Ala.; two sisters, Stella, wife of Michael Kostelanski of Wilkes-Barre, and Jean Ziemianek of Manville, N.J.; a brother John of Wilkes-Barre; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by a brother Edward and a sister, Valerie Kruczek.
The Skrabak-Parambo Funeral Home, 210 E. Bertsch St., Lansford, is in charge of the arrangements.
Alexander W. Pocholski
Alexander W. Pocholski, 82, of 130 W. Bertsch St., Lansford, formerly of Connecticut, died Saturday in his home. He was the husband of Sophie (Bomba) Pocholski. They observed their 55th wedding anniversary last September.
He worked for the General Electric Company, Bridgeport, Conn., for 30 years before retiring.
Born in Shenandoah, he was a son of the late Vincent and Apolonia (Cwarz) Pocholski.
He was a member of SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Lansford.
Pocholski was an Army veteran of World War II, having fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans and American Legion, all in Stratford, Conn.
Surviving in addition to his widow are two half-brothers, Julius Smariga of Fort Myers, Fla., and Joseph Smariga of Coaldale; and a half-sister, Stella Kissner of Passaic, N.J.
Funeral services were held this morning from the Skrabak-Parambo Funeral Home, 210 E. Bertsch St., Lansford, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in the church and military graveside services in the Sky-View Memorial Park, Hometown, under the direction of the Panther Valley High School JROTC.
Mrs. Rose Mary Bologes
Mrs. Rose Mary Bologes, 69, formerly of 421 Atlantic St., Bethlehem, died Saturday in Gracedale, Upper Nazareth Township. She was the widow of Joseph Bologes.
She and her husband ran a distributing business for Banko Home Beverages.
Born in Bethlehem, she was a daughter of the late Samuel and Mary Cope.
She was of the Catholic faith.
Surviving are a daughter, Priscilla Decker of Walnutport; a son Paul of Bethlehem; two sisters, Arvilla Krosecz of New Ringgold and Lillian Holland of Bethlehem; three grandchildren and a great-granddaughter.
Edwin R. Diehl
Edwin R. Diehl, 88, of Allentown, died Saturday in the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township. He was the husband of the late Elsie C. (Trinkle) Diehl.
He was a self-employed wallpaper hanger and painter in the Allentown area for more than 50 years before retiring in 1974.
Born in Allentown, he was a son of the late Edwin D. and Emma (Werley) Diehl.
He was a member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, Allentown.
Diehl was an Army veteran of World War II, having served in the medical corps.
Surviving are two sons, Edwin R. of Allentown and William P. of Slatington; a daughter Marion, wife of William Fatzinger of Allentown; six grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
Russel J. Bradley
Russel J. "Usher" Bradley, 84, of Mountain Road, Slatington, died Saturday in his home. He was the husband of the late Ruth M. (Weiss) Bradley.
He owned and operated a truck rig for 50 years before retiring in 1980.
Born in Slatedale, he was a son of the late Mamie Blose and Thomas Bradley.
He was a member of the United Church of Christ congregation of Heidelberg Union Church, Slatington.
A 32nd degree mason, he belonged to F. & A.M. Lodge No. 440, Slatington, and was a shriner in the Rajah Temple, Reading.
The deceased was also a member of the Moose Lodge, Slatington.
Surviving are a son, William A., at home; a daughter, Elizabeth Glaze in Texas; a sister, Mrs. Elizabeth McCarroll of Bethlehem; and five grandchildren.
Mrs. Lillian T. Fritz
Mrs. Lillian T. Fritz, 85, of 6502 Blue Church Road South, Coopersburg, died Saturday in her home. She was the widow of Louis J. Fritz Sr.
She was a sewing machine operator for the former Fineburg & Sons and Matte Dress Factory, both in Allentown, for many years before retiring in 1979.
Born in Allentown, she was a daughter of the late John K. and Stella (Miller) Schaedel.
She was a member of the Countryside Garden Club, Upper Saucon Township.
Surviving are two sons, Louis J. Jr. of Coopersburg and Kenneth F. of Walnutport; three brothers, John and Douglas, both of Salisbury Township, and Curtis of Schnecksville; six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Dolores Acker, who died in February.
Mrs. Lillian I. Werley
Mrs. Lillian I. Werley, 79, formerly of Claussville, died Friday in the Lehigh Manor, Lower Macungie Township. She was the widow of Clayton B. Werley.
Born in Weisenberg Township, she was a daughter of the late Elmer and Elsie (Rabenold) Shoemaker.
She was a member of the Lutheran congregation of Morgenland Union Church, Orefield, and a former member of its Ladies Guild for many years.
Surviving are a daughter Elva, wife of Herbert Hausman of Orefield; a son, Ronald K. of Allentown; two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Daniel Wolfe
Mrs. Susan R. Wolfe, 83, of Melbourne, Fla., formerly of Allentown, died Wednesday in the Holmes Regional Medical Center, Melbourne. She was the wife of Daniel Wolfe.
Born in Allentown, she was a daughter of the late Walter Arnold and Blanche (Stephens) Roberts.
She was a member of Harbour City Baptist Church, Melbourne.
Surviving in addition to her husband are two brothers, John of Doylestown and James of Slatington; and three sisters, Louise Hrizuk of Whitehall Township, Julia Guttman of Rochester, N.Y., and Dr. Agatha of Cedar Falls, Iowa.
Helen C. Gerancher
Helen C. Gerancher, 71, of Allentown, died Friday in the St. Luke Hospital's Allentown Campus.
She was a hand presser for Greif Industries, Allentown, for more than 15 years before retiring in 1991, and previously was an assembler for the former Everson Electric, Allentown, for two years, and an examiner for the former General Cigar, Allentown, for more than 20 years.
Born in Allentown, she was a daughter of the late Charles and Mary (Domotor) Gerancher.
She was a member of St. Stephen of Hungary Catholic Church, Allentown.
Surviving are four sisters, Mary, wife of Walter Hollar, Elizabeth M., Margaret M. and Ethel M., all of Allentown; two brothers, Joseph of Jim Thorpe and Louis J. of Allentown; and a friend, Ethel E. Myers, with whom she resided.
William L. Doncsecz
William L. Doncsecz, 70, of 725 Hall St., Allentown, died Friday in his home. He was the husband of Gladys I. (Landis) Doncsecz. They observed their 49th wedding anniversary last week.
He was a buyer for the M.J. Earl Company, Reading, for 45 years before retiring in 1992.
Born in Bethlehem, he was a son of the late Charles and Anna (Czaszar) Doncsecz.
He was a member of St. Paul Catholic Church, Allentown.
Doncsecz was an Army veteran of World War II.
Surviving in addition to his widow are four sons, Michael W. and Steven W., both of Danielsville, and John T. and William R., both of Allentown; two daughters, Kathleen A., wife of David Fisher of Acworth, Ga., and Eileen M. of Easton; a brother, the Rev. Joseph of Vineland, N.J.; two sisters, Anne Powers of Bethlehem and Dorothy Shivley of Wooster, Ohio; seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
He was also preceded in death by a daughter Carol.
