Obituaries by LocationNovember 15, 1996
Mrs. Laura Thomas, Jim Thorpe tourism and community leader, dies at residence
Mrs. Laura F. Thomas, a longtime and prominent promoter of Jim Thorpe tourism and cultural activities, died Thursday in her home at 72 Broadway, Jim Thorpe.
She was the widow of Dr. George P. Thomas, M.D., who died on July 25, 1992. The couple came to Mauch Chunk in 1948 and maintained a practice in family medicine there for many years.
Mrs. Thomas served as vice president and manager of the Mauch Chunk Museum and Cultural Center, Jim Thorpe, and was instrumental in its fundraising activities, membership drives, open house programs and the general day-to-day activities. Only last week, it was announced the center had been singled out as the best cultural enrichment program in a seven-county region of Northeastern Pennsylvania, as it was presented a first place 'PO-NE' Award for 'The Story of Mauch Chunk' during the 18th Annual Pocono Northeast Community Awards Recognition Dinner held by the Pocono Northeast Development Fund.
The deceased supervised educational programs at the museum and was the producer of two Broadway musicals, 'Carousel' and 'The Music Man,' as fundraisers for the museum. She also served as the museum's representative to the Delaware and Lehigh Heritage Corridor.
An active member of the Jim Thorpe Chamber of Commerce, she was chairman of its Beautification Committee and co-chairman of the Turnpike and Highland Building signs projects. She coordinated trash receptacles for town merchants; was events co-chairman, including the Presidents' Day Ice Sculpture and Enchantment weekends and the Jim Thorpe Christmas House Tour event; served as supervisor for chamber office employees and volunteers; organized the Town Van Tour; and was chairman of the chamber's fundraising dinners.
Mrs. Thomas was a member and public relations chairman of the Jim Thorpe Rotary Club; a member of the Bach and Handel Chorale, where she sang as a soprano, was chairman of its annual major fundraiser, and held receptions in her home for the benefit of the Chorale.
She was a member of the committee for the Laurel Festival of the Arts and also belonged to the Mauch Chunk Historical Society, the Community Council, Bi-Annual Art Walk committee, Jim Thorpe Mausoleum Committee, Joe Boyle Plaza Committee, Friends of Asa Packer Mansion, the committee for the Preservation of the Civil War Monument, and the Linen Drive for the Ronald McDonald House.
Born in Crafton, Allegheny County, she was a daughter of the late Charles and Laura (Schuhay) Frain.
Surviving are four daughters, Laura Jean, wife of Robert Stevenson of Lehighton, Janet, wife of Elliot Jaspin of Woodbridge, Va., Gwen of Jim Thorpe, and Nancy, wife of Curtis Pratt of Collingswood, N.J.; a son, Robert G. of Baltimore, Md.; two sisters, Kathleen, wife of Sid Folk of Encinitas, Calif., and June, wife of Frank Buzbee of Cantonment, Fla.; two brothers, James and Charles Frain, both of Arlington, Va.; and eight grandchildren.
The Edward F. Melber Funeral Home, 524 Center St., Jim Thorpe, is in charge of the arrangements.
Charles A. Gorka
Charles A. Gorka, 66, of 620 E. Bertsch St., Lansford, died Monday in the Emergency Ward of Miners Memorial Medical Center, Coaldale, after being stricken in front of his home.
He was a certified public accountant with Eastman Kodak Co., Rochester, N.Y., until he retired.
Born in Lansford, he was a son of the late Vincent and Stella (Marsoleck) Gorka.
He was a technical sergeant in the Army during the Korean Conflict.
He was a graduate of the former Lansford High School and the Pennsylvania State University.
He was a member of the Basketball Club, Alumni Club, Volleyball Club, Sportsman Club and Football Club, all of Penn State; the Penn State Club of Carbon County; the No. 9 Coal Miners Museum, Lansford; and the Lansford Historical Society.
Surviving are two brothers, Thaddeus and Peter, both of Lansford; two sisters, Sophie, wife of John Modric of Lansford, and Stella, wife of Gerald Williams of Bethlehem; a half-brother, James Gorka of Levittown; two stepsisters, Frances Ristetter of Coaldale and Bertha Blassmyer of Port Carbon.
He was also preceded in death by a sister Anna; and two brothers, Joseph and Stanley.
Funeral services were held Wednesday from the August M. Gulla Funeral Home, 130 E. Ridge St., Coaldale.
Mary Herbert
Mary Herbert, 69, of 221 W. Patterson St., Lansford, died Thursday in the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township.
She worked in the cafeteria of the Panther Valley Middle School, Lansford, for many years before retiring in 1992.
Born in Lansford, she was a daughter of the late John and Helen (Goyda) Herbert.
She was a member of St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church, Nesquehoning.
Surviving are two brothers, John, with whom she resided, and the Very Rev. Paul, pastor of St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, Homestead, Pa.; and nieces and nephews.
She was also preceded in death by a brother George, who was killed in the European Theater of Operations during the Battle of the Bulge.
The John Puschak Funeral Home, 208 First St., Coaldale, is in charge of the arrangements, with services to be held from the Roche Funeral Home-McNamara Chapel, 3 E. Bertsch St., Lansford.
Mrs. Sarah McGolrick
Mrs. Sarah McGolrick, 91, formerly of Lansford, died Monday evening in ManorCare Health Services, Pottsville, where she was a resident since 1998. She was the widow of Philip F. McGolrick.
She was formerly employed as a housekeeper and factory worker in the Lansford area.
Born in Coaldale, she was a daughter of the late Manus and Catharine (Malarkey) Breslin.
She was a former member of St. Mary Catholic Church, Coaldale, and a member of St. Ann Catholic Church, Lansford.
Surviving are nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was also preceded in death by two brothers, Daniel and Joseph; and four sisters, Margaret 'Peg' Cantwell, Catherine, Anna and Mary Kelly.
The Schlitzer-Allen-Pugh Funeral Home, Sixth and West Market streets, Pottsville, is in charge of the arrangements.
William E. Helman
William E. Helman, 77, of Easton, died Thursday in the Easton Hospital. He was the husband of Eldred (Hoffert) Miller Helman and the late Rosalie (Cuvo) Helman. He and his second wife observed their 19th wedding anniversary in July.
He worked for the Bethlehem Steel Corporation for 41 years before retiring in 1981.
Born in Allentown, he was a son of the late Claude W. and Emma (Knapp) Helman.
Surviving in addition to his widow are a son Larry of Palmer Township; two daughters, Diane Kelley of Meredith, N.H., and Debra Hargis of San Antonio, Tex.; two brothers, John of Lakeside, Fla., and James of Philadelphia; three sisters, Claudine Herbert of Allentown, Marylou Rockel of Catasauqua and Sally Jane Hunter of Tamaqua; four stepsons, Herbert, Jerel and Thomas Miller, all of Allentown, and Douglas Miller of Bethlehem; four grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and two step-grandchildren.
Mrs. Anna W. Hrapsky
Mrs. Anna W. Hrapsky, 79, of 120 Coal St., Nesquehoning, died Thursday in her home. She was the widow of John Hrapsky, who died in 1966.
Prior to retiring, she worked in the garment industry for 33 years.
Born in Nesquehoning, she was a daughter of the late John and Esther (Veranka) Watto, and was a lifelong resident of the community.
She was a member of St. John the Baptist Russian Orthodox Church, Nesquehoning.
Surviving are two sons, Ronald of Austin, Tex., and John of Salisbury Township; two brothers, Andrew of Lehigh Acres, Fla., and George in California; and two grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by a son, Dennis and three brothers, John, Paul and Peter.
The Joseph S. Blazosky Funeral Home, 81 E. Catawissa St., Nesquehoning, is in charge of the arrangements.
November 16, 1996
Kathryn L. Zern
Kathryn L. Zern, 78, of 303 Princeton Ave., Palmerton, died Friday in Sacred Heart Hospital, Allentown. She was the wife of Guy F. Zern. They were married for 56 years.
Born in Palmerton, she was a daughter of the late Clarence R. Jr. and Mary (Teter) Adams.
She was a member of First United Church of Christ, Palmerton.
Surviving in addition to her husband are a daughter, Patricia Solt, of Kailua, Hawaii; two sons, Gregory of West Chester and Guy F. of Lehighton; two sisters, Mrs. Harriet Werkheiser and Mrs. Howard Bossard, both of Palmerton; and six grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a son, Neil F. Zern.
The T.K. Thomas Funeral Home, 145 Delaware Ave., Palmerton, is in charge of arrangements.
Wayne K. Sensinger
Wayne K. Sensinger, 54, of 5406 Mountain Road, Germansville, died Friday in Allentown Osteopathic Hospital. He was the husband of late Joanne (Smith) Sensinger.
He was sewing machine operator and supervisor at Paris Accessories, Walnutport.
Born in Palmerton, he was a son of the late Edward M. and Erma M. (Kline) Sensinger.
He was a member of St. John's United Church of Christ, Palmerton.
Surviving are a son, Wayne K. Jr. of Germansville; two daughters, Wanda A., wife of Joseph A. Reda of Germansville, and Lisa M., at home; two brothers, Robert E. of Cornelia, Ga., and George A. of Germansville; a sister, Arlene E., of Shoemakersville; and five grandchildren.
The Campton Funeral Home, 525 Delaware Ave., Palmerton, is in charge of arrangements.
Fern M. Boyer
Fern M. Boyer, 80, of 519 North Eighth St., Lehighton, died Friday in her residence. She was the wife of the late Alden 'Sparky' Boyer, who died in 1985.
She was a secretary for the former Hamm Chevrolet-Cadillac dealership in Lehighton until her retirement. Prior to that, she was a sales clerk at the former Cohen's Department Store in Lehighton.
Born in Lehighton, she was a daughter of the late John and Mary (Long) Snyder.
She was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Lehighton.
Surviving are nephews and nieces.
The Andrew P. Ovsak Funeral Home, Fourth & Iron Streets, Lehighton, is in charge of arrangements.
Leonard A. Sicenavage
Leonard A. Sicenavage, 75, of 213 W. High St., Coaldale, died Friday in the Gnaden Huetten Nursing and Convalescent Center, Lehighton. He was the husband of the late Rose (Derzock) Sicenavage, who died in 1992.
A butcher by trade, he co-owned and helped operate the former Sicenavage Meat Market, a popular Coaldale business that closed in 1986.
Born in Coaldale, he was a son of the late Enoch and Anna (Garmus) Sicenavage.
A 1939 graduate of the former Coaldale High School, he was a member of St. John the Baptist Lithuanian Catholic Church, Coaldale, and played an active role in church maintenance duties.
He also served in the United States Navy, and was a veteran of World War II.
Surviving are two daughters, Carol McCallum and Annette Sicenavage, both of Reading; a son, Leonard J., of Kansas; two brothers, Vincent and Joseph, both of Coaldale; and one grandson.
He was preceded in death by three brothers, Albert, Edward, and Ignatz.
The August M. Gulla Funeral Home, 130 E. Ridge St., Coaldale, is in charge of arrangements.
Martha (Pohlod) Morgan
Martha (Pohlod) Morgan, 70, of 12 W. Abbott Street, Lansford, died Friday in Miners Memorial Medical Center, Coaldale.
She was last employed as a clerk for the Lansford-Coaldale Joint Water Authority. Prior to that, she worked as a clerk at the former Havel Drug Store, Lansford.
Born in Lansford, she was a daughter of the late Michael and Elizabeth (Marton) Pohlod.
She was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Summit Hill, and a member of the Lansford American Legion Ladies Auxiliary.
A 1944 graduate of the former Lansford High School, she also served as secretary of the school's alumni association.
Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Cathy Domerecki of Summit Hill, and Mrs. Margaret Fernandez of Chattanooga, Tenn.; three sisters, Mrs. Margaret Rausch, Mrs. Mildred Schook, and Mrs. Irene Whitehead, all of Lansford; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by six brothers, Michael, George, John, Andrew, Joseph, and Robert; and five sisters, Miss Elizabeth Pohlod, Mrs. Lena Pohlod, Mrs. Mary Balaska, Mrs. Anna Hawes, and Mrs. Julia Turzak.
The Holmes-Griffith Funeral Home, 200 E. Bertsch St., Lansford, is in charge of arrangements.
Eugene McCarroll
Eugene McCarroll, 42, of 3024 Elm Road, Reading, and formerly of Summit Hill, died Friday in the Reading Hospital. He was the husband of Amy (Whitenight) McCarroll.
Due notice of funeral arrangements; Thomas J. Parambo Funeral Home, 54 W. Fell St., Summit Hill.
