Obituaries by LocationNovember 5, 1996
Robert A. Berger
Robert A. Berger, 68, of Towamensing Township, Kunkletown, died Monday in his home. He was the husband of the late Lois (Rudelitch) Berger, who died in 1993.
He was a carpenter for Curtis E. Schneck Building Contractors, Inc., Schnecksville, for over 20 years before retiring in 1991.
Born in Trachsville, he was a son of the late Paul C. and Pearl (Kreger) Berger.
He was a member of Jerusalem United Church of Christ, Trachsville.
Berger was an Army veteran of the Korean Conflict and a member of American Legion Post 927, Gilbert.
He also belonged to the Indian Mountain and Kunkletown Rod and Gun clubs, the Pocono Old Tyme Farm Equipment Association, Kempton Antique Tractor and Toy Club and Grundsow Lodge No. 6 and the Towamensing Volunteer Fire Company, both of Trachsville.
Surviving are three sons, Collin of Kunkletown R.4, Glenn of Kunkletown R.5 and John, at home; two daughters, Barbara Kreger of Kunkletown R.3 and Lora Sterner of Palmerton R.2; a brother Elbert of Swiftwater; three sisters, Marion Smith of Gilbert, Marjorie Beltz of Allentown and Maryjane Jackson of Pittsburgh; and five grandchildren.
The Donald N. Gower Funeral Home, Rt. 209, Gilbert, is in charge of the arrangements.
Gerald W. Kuhns
Gerald William "Gerry" Kuhns, 48, of Allentown, died Sunday in the Sacred Heart Hospital, Allentown. He was the husband of Arlene M. (DeMichele) Kuhns. They observed their 29th wedding anniversary last December.
He worked in sales, service, engineering, heating, air conditioning and refrigeration for Allied Mechanical Co., Allentown, and previously had worked in heating and ventilation for various companies.
Born in Allentown, he was a son of Mrs. Betty (Ruch) Kuhns of Allentown and the late Harold Kuhns.
He was a graduate of the Milton Hershey School, Hershey.
Surviving in addition to his widow and mother are three sons, Todd M. of Bowmanstown and Keith E. and Ryan William, both of Allentown; a brother Gary in California; two sisters, Judy, wife of William Clark, and Kathy Orth, both of Allentown; and three grandchildren.
Joseph A. Kassak
Joseph A. "Sporty" Kassak, 82, of 312 W. Patterson St., Lansford, died Monday in the Veterans Administration Medical Center, Wilkes-Barre. He was the husband of Josephine (Harvanchik) Kassak. They would have observed their 49th wedding anniversary this month.
He was a self-employed Fuller Brush Co. dealer for 46 years before retiring in 1990.
Born in Lansford, he was a son of the late Mathod and Anna (Pavlik) Kassak.
He was a member of St. Michael Catholic Church, Lansford, the First Catholic Sokols and the St. Ann Society of the church.
Kassak was a Navy veteran of World War II, having served in the Pacific Theater of Operations.
He was an organizer and officer of the former Lansford Ski Club and a member of the AMVETS and American Legion posts, both of Lansford.
Surviving in addition to his widow are two sons, James of Lansford and Joseph of Allentown; two daughters, Roseann, wife of John Bocherer of Coplay, and Marie, wife of Karl Hude of Slatington; a sister Celeste, wife of Joseph Hajcak of Ellenton, Fla.; and 10 grandchildren.
He was also preceded in death by a brother Frank.
The Skrabak-Parambo Funeral Home, 210 E. Bertsch St., Lansford, is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Verna Platas
Mrs. Verna Platas, 87, of 4743 W. Main St., Whitehall Township, died Sunday in the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township. She was the widow of Rogelio Platas.
Born in West Coplay, she was a daughter of the late William and Elizabeth (Smith) Lorey.
She was a member of Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, Northampton.
Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Linda R. Haas, a son, Frederick Singley, and a sister, Mrs. Mildred Marsh, all of Slatington; five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Joann M. Neff
Mrs. Joann M. Neff, 53, of 771 Edgemont Ave., Palmerton, died Monday in her home. She was the widow of Charles C.F. Neff.
She was a machine operator for Paris Neckwear, Walnutport.
Born in Palmerton, she was a daughter of Mrs. Nellie (Wytychak) Zelinsky of Palmerton and the late John F. Zelinsky.
She was a member of St. John Episcopal Church, Palmerton.
Surviving in addition to her mother are a daughter, Brenda L., wife of Paul Tyahla of Malvern, Chester County; three sons, Charles J. of Summit Hill, Chris J. of Palmerton and Gregory C. of Malvern; two sisters, Barbara A., wife of William A. Parsons III of Bowmanstown, and Nancy J. George of Palmerton; two brothers, John J. and Frank J., both of Palmerton; seven grandchildren and a great-grandchild.
The Campton Funeral Home, 525 Delaware Ave., Palmerton, is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Stella Hebda
Mrs. Stella Hebda, 85, of 22 Midway, Jim Thorpe, formerly of Lansford, died Sunday in the St. Mary Hospital, Amsterdam, N.Y. She was the widow of John Hebda.
She worked at the former Ridge Garment Factory, Lansford.
Born in Summit Hill, she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Teta (Petrich) Laskos.
She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Jim Thorpe.
Surviving are a son John, with whom she resided; a daughter Maryann, wife of Martin Chuckran of Nutley, N.J.; six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Joan Frendak; and a sister, Helen Monkevich.
The Skrabak-Parambo Funeral Home, 210 E. Bertsch St., Lansford, is in charge of the arrangements.
David R. Wright
David R. Wright, 78, of Allentown, died Monday in the Sacred Heart Hospital, Allentown. He was the husband of the late Edna M. (Blose) Wright.
He was a security guard for Hess's and Bon Ton's, and previously had worked in the maintenance department of Sears, Whitehall Township, and the former New Jersey Zinc Company, Palmerton, for 43 years before retiring in 1978.
Born in Palmerton, he was a son of the late Albert and Maud (Harp) Wright.
He was a member of Salem United Methodist Church, Allentown, where he was a former custodian.
Surviving are a daughter, Suzanne M., wife of Donald G. Rice Jr. of Allentown; two sisters, Miriam, wife of Charles Ravert in Texas, and Doris, wife of Charles Harris of Palmerton; and five grandchildren.
He was also preceded in death by a daughter, Connie E.
Reber E. Richenderfer
Reber E. Richenderfer, 76, of 262 10th Ave., Bethlehem, died Monday in the St. Luke Hospital, Fountain Hill, Bethlehem. He was the husband of Eleanor J. (Siegfried) Stahl Richenderfer, whom he married last month, and the late Jane O. (Hoch) Richenderfer, who died last year.
He was a draftsman for the Fuller Company, Bethlehem plant, for several years before retiring in 1982, and previously had worked in the same capacity for the former Lehigh Structural Steel, Allentown, for over 20 years.
Born in Lime Ridge, Columbis County, he was a son of the late Lloyd and Catherine (Brenner) Richenderfer.
He was a member of Olivet Congregational Church, Bethlehem, where he was a former Sunday school teacher, choir member, lay delegate to the general conference, treasurer and president of the official board.
Richenderfer was an Army veteran of World War II and the Korean Conflict, attaining the rank of master sergeant.
He was a driver for Meals on Wheels of Lehigh Valley.
The deceased was a member of Washington Masonic Lodge No. 265, Bloomsburg; the Lehigh Valley Joshua Association; Bethlehem Council No. 36, Royal and Select Masters; Bethlehem Commandery No. 90, Knights Templar; and Ezra Royal Arch Chapter No. 216 of Pennsylvania.
Among his survivors is a stepson, Richard J. Stahl of Germansville.
Lester T. Getz Sr.
Lester T. Getz Sr., 61, of 2347 Washington Ave., Northampton, died Monday in the Easton Hospital. He was the husband of Jean (Weiss) Getz.
He was a plant supervisor for Keystone Foods, Easton, for 25 years before retiring.
Born in Bushkill Township, he was a son of the late John and Mae (Garren) Getz.
He was a life member of the Nazareth Jacksonian Club, the American Legion of Wind Gap and the Petersville Rod and Gun Club.
Surviving in addition to his widow are three sons, Cindy, wife of Robert Maikits of Northampton, and Janice, wife of Ken Dotter, and Cheri, wife of Matt Solt, both of Bath; a son, John M. of Bangor; a stepson, Edward Altemose of Kunkletown; three sisters, Shirley, wife of Neil Groller of Nazareth, Arlene, wife of John Best of Mars Hill, N.C., and Kathy, wife of Thomas Savage of Allentown; two brothers, Lawrence of Belvidere, N.J., and Norman of Nazareth; and 11 grandchildren.
He was also preceded in death by a son, Lester Jr., who died in 1994.
Mrs. Marian Dobosh
Mrs. Marian Alice Dobosh, 80, of 1 E. Catawissa St., Nesquehoning, died suddenly early Tuesday morning in her home. She was the widow of Gabriel E. Dobosh, DDS, who died June 14, 1993.
She was a registered nurse working with her husband in his dentist practice in Nesquehoning from 1936-93.
Born in New York City, N.Y., she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Alice Weldon, and was a lifelong resident of the community.
She was treasurer of the Shingle Mill Hunt Club, Lake Harmony.
Surviving are two sons, Richard C. of Port Tobacco, Md., and Robert W. of Albrightsville.
She was also preceded in death by a brother Richard.
The Joseph S. Blazosky Funeral Home, 81 E. Catawissa St., Nesquehoning, is in charge of the arrangements.
Neil T. Greco
Neil T. Greco of 44 Bent Pine Road, West Hazleton, died Monday afternoon in the Hazleton General Hospital. He was the husband of Helen (Boran) Greco. They were married for 17 years.
Prior to retirement, he was a shovel operator with Pagnotti Coal Company.
Born in Hazleton, he was the son of the late Angelo and Anna (Cabell) Greco.
He was an Army veteran of World War II and a member of the West Hazleton Veterans of Foreign Wars Post.
Surviving in addition to his widow are three daughters, Angela, at home, Sandra, wife of Angelo Pecile of Pardeesville, Luzerne County, and Roseann Andreuzzi Greco in California; three sons, John in Escondito, Calif., Neil Jr. of Drums and Bernard F. Sweeney of West Hazleton; two brothers, Frank in California and Angelo Jr. of Hazleton; a sister, Mrs. David (Rita) Gerhard of Weatherly; and five grandchildren.
Mary Goida
Mary (Goyda) Goida, formerly of 105 Berwick St., Beaver Meadows, and a guest at the Davis Nursing Home, Mountaintop, died early Monday morning at that facility.
Prior to retiring, she was employed at the Weatherly Silk Mill.
Born in Beaver Meadows, she was the daughter of the late Roman and Helen (Andrejco) Goida, and lived in Beaver Meadows all of her life.
She was a member of SS. Peter and Paul Byzantine Catholic Church, Beaver Meadows.
Surviving are two brothers, George of Beaver Meadows and Raymond of Weatherly; two sisters, Mrs. Helen Kacmar of Hazleton and Mrs. Joseph (Martha) Hametz of Mount Pocono; and nieces and nephews.
She was also preceded in death by two brothers, John and Michael; and a sister Teresa.
Leonard Clyde Shafer
Leonard Clyde Shafer, 81, of Locust Valley, Barnesville R.1, died Monday in his home. He was the husband of the late Fern C. (Kraus) Shafer, who died in 1992.
He was farmer for all of his life and an insurance agent for the Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance Company, Orwigsburg, where he served on the board of directors, including holding its presidency for five years.
Born in Grier City, he was a son of the late Samuel and Klida (Correll) Shafer.
He was a member of Christ Lutheran Church, Rush Township, where he formerly served on the council.
Educated in Rush Township schools, he graduated in 1933 from the former Delano High School.
He was a charter member of the Schuylkill County Farmers Association.
Shafer served two terms as a member of the Mahanoy Area School District Board of Education.
He belonged to the Warren Masonic Lodge, Phillipsburg, N.J., and Lakeside Grange No. 1418, Barnesville.
Surviving are two sons, John of Barnesville and Leonard of Newport, Pa.; a daughter, Linda Shafer Colson of Devon, Pa.; a brother Ronald of Barnesville; nine grandchildren and teo great-grandchildren.
The Lamar Christ Funeral Home, Hometown, is in charge of the arrangements.
John W. Armstrong
John W. Armstrong, 78, of Kunkletown, died Monday in the Palmerton Hospital. He was the husband of Barbara (Iooss) Armstrong.
He was a maintenance manager for the Braidburn Country Club, Florham Park, New Jersey, for 25 years, and later was a self-employed construction contractor before retiring in 1993.
Born in Morris Plains, N.J., he was a son of the late John W. and Gertrude Armstrong.
He was an Army veteran of World War II, having served in the Pacific Theater of Operations. He was a member of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Club.
An avid golfer, he was a member of the Indian Mountain Golf Course, Kresgeville.
Surviving in addition to his widow are a daughter Kim of Ojai, Calif.; a son, John R. of Johnsonburg, N.J.; a stepson, Walter Iooss Jr. of New York City, N.Y.; five grandchildren, two step-grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
The Donald N. Gower Funeral Home, Rt. 209, Gilibert, is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Wilda M. Keller
Mrs. Wilda M. Keller, 86, formerly of 201 E. Broad St., Tamaqua, died Monday in the Schuylkill Manor, Pottsville. She was the widow of Herber F. Keller, who died in 1984.
Born in Tamaqua, she was a daughter of the late Calvin and Catherine (Hunsicker) Maeder.
She was a member of St. John United Church of Christ, Tamauqa, and the Women of the Moose.
Surviving are a son, Gary F. of Tamaqua; a brother, C. Curtis of Hometown, Tamaqua R.2; and a grandchild.
She was also preceded in death by a sister Marguerite.
The Robert C. Reeser Funeral Home, 655 E. Broad St., Tamaqua, is in charge of the arrangements.
Garfield S. Slingwine
Garfield S. Slingwine, 86, of Lewes, Del., died Saturday at the Lewes Convalescence Center. He was the husband of Grace E. (Reinoeal) Slingwine. They were married for 65 years.
He was retired from the Dupont Co., Greenville, Del.
Born in Tower City, Schuylkill County, he was a son of the late John and Ellen (Houtz) Slingwine.
He was of the Protestant faith.
Surviving with his wife are three sons, Donald L. in Florida, Delton L. and Stewart G., both of Delaware; a brother, Stewart of Somerset; a sister, Marie Swinburn of Tamaqua; six grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild.
