Obituaries by LocationOctober 22, 1996
John J. Yost
John J. Yost, 69, of Coplay, died Monday in the Sacred Heart Hospital,
Allentown. He was the husband of Frances A. (Stubits) Yost. They observed
their 49th wedding anniversary in June.
He was a machinist for the former Hellertown Manufacturing
Company for 30 years before retiring in 1982.
Born in Stiles, he was a son of Mrs. Bertha (Marx) Yost of Whitehall
Township and the late John Yost.
He was a member of St. Peter Catholic Church, Coplay, and the West
Coplay Mannerchor.
Yost was a Navy veteran of World War II.
Surviving in addition to his widow and mother are a son, Gerald N. of
Coplay; two daughters, Bonnie, wife of James Sipics of Catasauqua, and
Denise of Danielsville; three sisters, Theresa, wife of Frank Perl of
Stiles, Bertha, wife of Joseph Szoke of Lehighton, and Hilda, wife of
Charles Parsons of Emmaus; and three grandchildren.
David J. Sweeney
David J. Sweeney, 50, of 118 Second Ave., Walnutport, died Monday in
the Palmerton Hospital after being stricken at home. He was the husband
of Teresa (Feola) Sweeney. They observed their 22nd wedding anniversary
in June.
He was a draftsman for the Pennsylvania Power and LIght Company,
Allentown, for 25 years.
Born in Hazleton, he was a son of Mrs. Helene (Riley) Sweeney of
Hazleton and the late Donald Sweeney.
He was a member of St. Nicholas Catholic Church, Berlinsville,
where he was a Eucharistic Minister. He was also a member of the Knights
of Columbus and the Catholic Men of Good News.
Sweeney was an Air Force veteran of the Vietnam War.
Surviving in addition to his widow and mother are a son, Shawn D.,
and a daughter, Sabrina A., both at home; a brother, John T. of Camp Hill;
and two sisters, Judith, wife of Liborio Sabatini of Flushing, N.Y., and
Rosemary, wife of Ralph Montanio of Franklin Square, N.Y.
Mrs. Theda M. Saltzman
Mrs. Theda M. Saltzman, 77, of Schnecksville, died Monday in her
home. She was the widow of Raymond M. Saltzman.
She was a seamstress for the former Bishop and Company,
Weissport, for 25 years before retiring in 1973.
Born in Bowmanstown,she was a daughter of the late Clyde A. and
Sally E. (Schoch) Rehrig.
She was a member of Jordan Lutheran Church, Orefield.
Mrs. Saltzman was a member of Rebekah Lodge No. 222,
Schnecksville, and was a kitchen volunteer for the Community Fire
Company No. 1, also of Schnecksville.
Surviving are a son, Larry E. of Boulder, Colo.; two daughters, Janet
S., wife of Calvin G. Dorward of Valparaiso, Ind., and Linda M., wife of
Robert J. Merryman of Oviedo, Fla.; two sisters, Gladys E. Walck of
Lehighton and Bernadine O., wife of Willard Wolfe of North Weissport; five
grandchildren and two great-grandsons.
The Heintzelman Funeral Home, 4609 Rt. 309, Schnecksville, is in
charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Marion Irene Seltzer
Mrs. Marion Irene Seltzer, 79, of Virginia Beach, Va., formerly of
Slatington, died Saturday in the Hillhaven Nursing Home, Virginia Beach.
She was the widow of Elmer E. Seltzer.
She was a teacher's aide in the Northampton Area School District
before retiring.
Born in Slatington, she was a daughter of the late Stanley T. and
Minnie (Williams) Fritzinger.
Surviving are a daughter, Harriet Owens Wickizer of Virginia Beach;
a brother, Carl Williams Fritzinger; five grandchildren and eight great-
grandchildren.
Mrs. Donald P. Handwerk
Mrs. Penelope S. "Penny" Handwerk, 53, of 620 W. Franklin St.,
Slatington, died Monday in the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township,
of injuries received in a fall at home on Oct. 7, according to the Lehigh
County Coroner's office.
The deceased was the wife of Donald P. Handwerk. They observed
their first wedding anniversary this month.
She was self-employed in the crafts and stained glass windos
business, having recently opened Handwerk's Studio, Friedens. Previously,
she owned and operated the former Ariel Gallery and Gifts, Allentown, for
10 years.
Born in Anderson, Ind., she was a daughter of Mrs. Wilma (Alexander)
Robinson Eck of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and the late Robert L. Robinson.
Surviving in addition to her husband and mother are four sons, Duff
A. Douglas and Thomas Schilling, both of Emmaus, D. Todd Douglas of Fort
Lauderdale, and Jason Douglas of Catasauqua; two daughters, Danielle,
wife of Dennis Edelman Jr. of Wescosville, and LIsa D. Douglas of Ocala,
Fla.; a sister, Carol Pospiech of Fort Lauderdale; a brother, Robert
Robinson of Bath; two stepsons, Chad Handwerk of Parryville and Jarred
Handwerk, at home; and two grandchildren.
The Harding-Fox Funeral Home, 25-27 N. Second St., Slatington, is in
charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Emma M. Helfrich
Mrs. Emma M. Helfrich, 80, of 219-1/2 Lehigh Ave., Palmerton, died
Sunday in her home. She was the widow of Ervin C. Helfrich.
Born in Norristown, she was a daughter of the late Jacob and Matilda
M. (Mackening) Arnold.
Surviving are a son, Charles L. of Tamaqua; a daughter, Eleanor M. of
Orwigsburg; a brother, Herbert W. in California; nine grandchildren and 14
great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by a son Bennett.
The Campton Funeral Home, 525 Delaware Ave., Palmerton, is in
charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Stella M. Kistler
Mrs. Stella M. Kistler, 90, of Orwigsburg Manor, formerly of Andreas
R.1, died Monday evening in the Pottsville Hospital and Warne Clinic,
where she was a patient since Saturday. She was the widow of George C.
Kistler, who died in 1965.
Born in Lynn Township, she was a daughter of the late Samuel J. and
Louisa J. (Krause) Kistler.
She was a member of the Lutheran congregation of Zions Union Stone
Church, New Ringgold R.2, where she was a former member of the Sunday
school and the Ladies Quilters.
Surviving are two sons, Charles S. of Andreas R.1, with whom she
formerly resided, and Kermit M. of New Ringgold; seven grandchildren and
eight great-grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by a daughter Margaret, who died in
1986.
The Robert S. Nester Funeral Home, Rt. 309, Snyders, is in charge of
the arrangements.
Mrs. Mary Murphy
Mrs. Mary Murphy, 84, of Weatherly R.2, died Monday in the Hazleton
General Hospital. She was the widow of Robert E. Murphy, who died in
1976.
She was employed in the dietary department of the White Haven
Center. She operated a poultry fam and was an egg supplier.
Born in Hazleton, she was the daughter of the late Stephen Sr. and
Mary (Drevenak) Klynowsky.
She was a member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Weatherly,
and the L&L Fire Company Ladies' Auxiliary.
Survivng are a daughter, Catherine Nagel, and two brothers, Robert
and John, all of Weatherly R.2; and a grandson.
She was also preceded in death by a son, Arthur D., who died in 1995;
two brothers, Stephen Jr. and Edward Sr.; a sister, Margaret Waverka; and
a grandson.
The Philip J. Jeffries Funeral Home, First and Packer sts., Weatherly,
is in charge of the arrangements.
Briska services
Members of the Holy Name Society of SS. Cyril and Methodius
Catholic Church, Coaldale, will meet at 8 o'clock tonight at the August M.
Gulla Funeral Home, 130 E. Ridge St., Coaldale, where they will pay
respects to departed member Joseph Briska.
Dr. Paul H. Masoner
Dr. Paul H. Masoner, 88, of McCandless, 88, of McCandless, Pa., died
on Oct. 15. He was the husband of Lorraine (Carr) Masoner, a native of
Quakake, Rush Township.
He was dean emeritus at the University of Pittsburgh School of
Education and the president of the board of trustees at Robert Morris
College from 1970-89.
He was a teacher at Bellevue High School from 1932 until becoming
a counselor and vice principal in 1934 and principal in 1943.
Dr. Masoner was the administrative head of engineering, science and
management war training at the University of Pittsburgh from 1942-44.
During his more than 40 years of tenure at the university, he was a
psychology counselor and lecturer, an instructor, professor and dean, and
director of the office of special programs.
He was a member of the American Association of University
Professors, American Personnel and Guidance Association, American
Association of School Administrators, American Association for the
Advancement of Science and the Phi Delta Kappa educational fraternity.
Surviving in addition to his widow are a son Paul of Lexington, Mass.;
a daughter, Linda Smith of North Andover, Mass.; a stepson, Phillip Carr Jr.
in Vermont; a stepdaughter, Elisabeth Carr-Jones in Massachusetts; a
brother John of Franklin, Ohio; six grandchildren and three great-
grandchildren.
Funeral services were held in Pittsburgh, followed by the interment
in the White Church Cemetery , Rush Township.
Ruth Koons
Ruth (Hettig) Koons, 78, formerly of Lehighton, died Sunday evening
at the Piney Mountain Nursing Home, Chambersburg. She was the wife of
Ellsworth C. Koons. They were married 60 years.
Born in Lehighton, she was a daughter of the late Stephen and Ida
Mae Hettig.
She was of the Lutheran faith.
Surviving with her husband are two daughters, Amelia Parker of
Kerneysville, W. Va., and Kathryn Adams of Medina, Tenn; one sister, Mrs.
Doris Jacoby of Lehighton; seven grandchildren and six great-
grandchildren.
The Andrew P. Ovsak Funeral Home, Lehighton, is in charge of
arrangements.
