Obituaries by LocationJanuary 15, 1998
Warren C. Nester
Warren C. Nester, 76, of 5537 Route 873, Schnecksville, formerly of Tamaqua and Lynnport, died Wednesday morning in his home. He was the husband of Arlene M. (Hoppes) Nester. They observed their 46th wedding anniversary last February.
He was employed in the maintenance department of the former Kutztown Foundry, Kutztown, for 40 years before retiring in 1986.
Born in Albany Township, Berks County, he was a son of the late Robert and Bertha (Leibensberger) Nester.
He was a member of Salem Bible Fellowship Church, Lehighton, the Lynnport Fire Company, Walnutport Senior Citizens, Schnecksville Senior Citizens, Woodlawn Senior Citizens and the Keen Agers Senior Citizens, Laurys Station.
Surviving in addition to his widow are a son, Dennis W. of Tamaqua; a stepdaughter, Darlene G. Matthias of Allentown; a brother Russell of Kutztown; four grandchildren and two great-granddaughters.
The Robert S. Nester Funeral Home, Rt. 309, Snyders, is in charge of the arrangements.
Harry S.Wernett Sr.
Harry S. Wernett Sr., 77, of the Gnaden Huetten Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Lehighton, died Tuesday in the home. He was the husband of the late Phyllis M. (McFarland) Wernett.
He was a heavy equipment operator for over 20 years for Raymond J. Prezlock Excavating, Somerset, N.J.
Born in Albrightsville, he was a son of the late Paul Sr. and Anna H. (Metzger) Wernett.
He was an Army veteran of World War II.
Surviving are three sons, Harry S. Jr. of Lancaster, Mass., Carl L. of Union Beach, N.J., and Donald L. of Sayreville, N.J.; two daughters, Thelma H., wife of David Eickhoff, and Bonita D. Smith, both of Lehighton; three brothers, Paul Jr. of Lehighton, Ralph of Hillside, N.J., and Robert of Northampton; four sisters, Catherine DeHaven of Jim Thorpe, Janet, wife of Robert Smith of Kunkletown, Margaret, wife of Delbert Laury of Lehighton, and Shirley, wife of Charles Leinthall Sr. of Summit Hill; eight grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
Michael DeBias
Michael DeBias, of 79 Maple St., Tresckow, Carbon County, died Wednesday in the Hazleton General Hospital. He was the husband of Esther (Fellin) DeBias.
Before retiring, he was employed by the Honey Brook Coal Co.
Born in Tresckow, he was a son of the late Salvadore and Antionette (Mastrul) DeBias, and had lived in the Tresckow area all of his life.
He was a member of St. Bartholomew Catholic Church, Tresckow.
Surviving in addition to his widow are three daughters, Julie, wife of Joseph Clark, and Marie Lettiere, both of Tresckow, and Melanie, wife of David Brown of Mountaintop; a sister Ann of Hazleton; five grandchildren and nieces and nephews.
Rev. George P. Allen
The Rev. George Paul Allen, 67, of Warren, Mich., formerly of Cherryville, died Tuesday in his home. He was the husband of Marguerite "Margo" (Malko) Allen of Scranton.
A United Church of Christ minister for 40 years, he pastored Peace UCC, Detroit, Mich., before retiring, and previously had served in Buffalo, N.Y., Canton, Ohio, Ringtown, Schuylkill County, and at St. Paul UCC, Indianland, and Zion Stone UCC, Kreidersville.
He was a 1951 graduate of Catawba College, Salisbury, N.C., and received his bachelor of divinity degree from the Lancaster Theological Seminary in 1954.
Born in Scranton, he was a son of Martha Allen of Scranton and the late William Allen.
He was a chaplain in the Air Force Reserve at Willow Grove, McGuire and Delfridge Air Force bases for 26 years, attaining the rank of lieutenant colonel.
Rev. Allen was a senior chaplain of the Warren Police Department and regional chairman of the International Police Chaplains Association.
Active in scouting, he received the Silver Beaver and Service to Scouting awards from the Minsi Trails Council, where he was a former chairman.
The deceased was a former president of the Northampton Rotary Club, a volunteer for the Ringtown and Lehigh Township ambulance and fire corps, and was active in the Brotherhood of Masons.
Surviving in addition to his widow and mother are two sons, James of Waldorf, Md., and Daniel of Derry, N.H.; four daughters, Ginger, wife of Bob Hopkins of Sturgis, Mich., Laurel, wife of Steve Devino of Derry, and Georgia, wife of John Wrinkle, and Kristen, both of Warren; a brother Robert in Florida; six foster children and 13 grandchildren.
J. Madison Heppe
J. Madison Heppe, 94, of Bethlehem, formerly of Chalfont, Bucks County, died Tuesday in the Holy Family Manor, Bethlehem. He was the husband of the late Gerda (Avery) Heppe.
He was a custom builder for 43 years, specializing in churches for the last part of his career.
Born in Oreland, Montgomery County, he was a son of the late Herman W. and Elizabeth H. (Johnson) Heppe.
He was a member of the Chalfont Methodist Church, and previously was a Sunday school teacher and superintendent for many years at the Oreland Baptist Church, which was founded by his father.
An amateur musician, he played first trumpet for the Philadelphia Amateur Symphony Orchestra and the Philco Band from 1917-50.
He was a volunteer for the Salvation Army.
Surviving are two sons, Madison A. of Bethlehem and David L. of Brodheadsville; four grandchildren and a great-grandchild.
Alvin R. Snyder
Alvin R. Snyder, 79, of 117 E. Center St., Nesquehoning, died Wednesday in the Veterans Administration Medical Center, Wilkes-Barre.
A graduate of New York University, he was a special education teacher in the New York City public schools system for 20 years.
Before that, he served in the Army for 21 years, retiring with the rank of first sergeant. He served in Europe during World War II and also served during the Korean Conflict.
Born in Nesquehoning, he was a son of the late William and Mae (Steventon) Snyder.
He was a member of Meeds United Methodist Church, Nesquehoning.
Snyder was a member of American Legion Post 172 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8008, both of Nesquehoning, and the United Federation of Teachers.
Surviving are a brother Walter of Nesquehoning; two sisters, Jeanne, wife of Thomas Zuber, with whom he resided, and Doris, wife of Robert Schmidt of Quakertown; and nieces and nephews.
He was also preceded in death by a brother William.
The Bruce A. Nalesnik Funeral Home, 57 W. Center St., Nesquehoning, is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Dorothy M. Neff
Mrs. Dorothy M. Neff, 92, formerly of 101 S. First St., Lehighton, died Tuesday in the Gnaden Huetten Nursing and Convalescent Center, Lehighton. She was the widow of Norman H. Neff, who died in 1962.
A member and former chairwoman of the International Ladies Garment Workers Union, she was a machine operator for Scotty's Fashions, Inc., Lehighton, before retiring in 1968 after 18 years of service.
Born in Lehighton, she was a daughter of the late Charles H. and Eliza J. (Snell) Montz.
She was a Democratic committeewoman for the 3rd Ward in Lehighton for many years.
Surviving are a son, Ronald A. of Ashfield; a daughter Charlotte, wife of Millard Thomas of Macungie; 10 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and four step-great-grandchildren.
The Kenneth N. Phifer Funeral Home, Third and Alum streets, Lehighton, is in charge of the arrangements.
