Obituaries by LocationNovember 23, 1996
Kathryn M. Walter
Kathryn M. Walter, 47, of 2817 Ithaca St., Allentown, died Thursday in the Lehigh Valley Hospital Center, Allentown. She was the wife of Louis E. Walter. They were married 19 years.
Born in Allentown, she was a daughter of the late Marvin and Clara (Reigel) Haas.
She was employed at J.E. Morgan Knitting Mills Inc. of Hometown from 1967-77, and also at the former Creative Learning Center of Allentown. She was last employed at Good Shepherd Industrial services, Allentown.
She was a member of Christ UCC Church, Rush Township.
Surviving with her husband is a sister, Bonnie, wife of John Livinghouse of Allentown, and a brother, Russell in New Jersey.
The Lamar Christ Funeral Home, Hometown, is in charge of arrangements.
Wash Rusinko
Wash Rusinkoa, of 6013 37th Ave., Hyattsville, Md., and formerly of Coaldale, died Wednesday in Shady Grove Nursing Home, Md. He was the husband of the late Anastasia (Gournsky) Rusinko.
He worked as a miner at the former Coaldale Mining Company until it ceased operation and later worked as a postal clerk in Washington, D.C.
Born in Coaldale, he was a son of the late Wasil and Julia (Lehotsky) Rusinko.
He was a member of St. Gregory Byzantine Catholic Church in Hyattsville.
Surviving is a daughter, Elaine Rothenberg of Potomac, Md.; one son, William T. Rusinko of Columbia, Md.; two sisters, Mary Gildea of Coaldale; Helen Frailer of DeLand, Fla.; and four grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Nicholas and John.
The August M. Gulla Funeral Home, 130 E. Ridge St., Coaldale, is in charge of arrangements.
Anna Risko
Anna Risko, 91, of 102 Allen St., Nesquehoning, died Friday. She was the daughter of John Risko.
Born in Nesquehoning, she was a daughter of the late John and Suzanna (Kalkahus) Mermon.
She lived most of her life in Yonkers, N.Y., before moving back to Nesquehoning eight years ago.
She was a member of St. John the Baptist Russian Orthodox Church, Nesquehoning.
Surviving is a son, John, of Mantzville; two sisters, Suzanne, wife of Richard Gable of Harrisburg, and Helen Wasilowsky, with whom she resided. Also a grandchild and one great-grandchild.
She was preceded in death by a brother John.
The Bruce A. Nalesnik Funeral Home, 57 W. Center St., Nesquehoning, is in charge of arrangements.
John Duda
John Duda, 73, of Allentown, died Friday in Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township. He was the husband of Ella (Solak) Duda. They were married 43 years.
Born in Dupont, Luzerne County, he was a son of the late Joseph and Anna (Pello) Duda.
He retired in 1990 from the Spirax-Sarco Circle, Allentown.
He was a medic in the U.S. Army during World War II, serving in the European Theater.
He was a member of St. Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church, Allentown. He also belonged to the V.F.W. in Macungie and was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV).
Surviving with his widow is a son, David, New Ringgold; a daughter, Barbara, of Palmerton; one sister, Mary Porzucek of Dupont.
He was preceded in death by a brother Michael and a sister, Anna Ferdyn.
The Bruce A. Nalesnik Funeral Home, 57 W. Center St., Nesquehoning, is in charge of arrangements.
November 25, 1996
Rev. Harper L. Schneck
The Rev. Harper L. Schneck, 83, of Schnecksville, died Sunday in the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township. He was the husband of the late Catherine R. (Shoemaker) Schneck.
He was a retired Reformed and United Church of Christ minister, having served the Union United Church of Christ, Neffs, from 1981 until retiring as a minister of visitation in 1988, at which time he retained church membership and was appointed honored pastor.
He previously served at the Church of the Good Shepherd, Alburtis; Faith United Church of Christ, Allentown, retiring as pastor emeritus; Church of the Good Shepherd, Boyertown; Lenhartsville Charge, including Zions Evangelical and Reformed Church, Windsor Castle, St. Paul Church, Hamburg, and Frieden's Church, Lenhartsville; and the Dallastown Charge, York County, including St. Paul Evangelical and Reformed Church, Dallastown, and St. John Church, Blymires.
He was a past vice president of the Reading Synod, also formerly serving as chairman of Kingdom Service and the World Service adoption programs; editor of the Reading Synod News, and a Cowboy in the 1956 Heifer Project, distributing heifers to refugee farmers in West Germany.
He was the first president of the East Berks Association of the United Church of Christ when it was organized in 1963. He was also a past president of the Allentown Area Ministerial Association.
Rev. Schneck was the first moderator of the East Penn Association of the Penn Southeast Conference.
He was a 1936 graduate of Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, and in 1939 received a bachelor's degree from Lancaster Theological Seminary, where he was president of his class. He was ordained the same year as a Reformed minister.
Born in Palmerton, he was a son of the late Roy and Ann (Parry) Schneck.
He was a chaplain for the Upper Lehigh Lions Club and a board member of the Upper Lehigh Historical Society.
Surviving are two sons, Robert J. of Wakefield, R.I., and Philip R. of Kutztown; two daughters, Barbara A., wife of Richard I. Scaife of Tiffin, Ohio, and Mary A., wife of Bruce C. Weber of Kutztown; a sister, Betty E., wife of Wilbur J. Haines of Schnecksville; 17 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
He was also preceded in death by a daughter, Caroline A. Gisser.
Leonard Hoben II
Leonard Hoben II, 69, of 112 W. Ridge St., Lansford, died Saturday in the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township. He was the husband of the late Catherine (O'Donnell) Hoben, who died in 1995.
He was a manager at Mack Trucks, Inc., Allentown, until retiring, and previously was a purchasing agent for the Lehigh Navigation and Coal Company. After retiring, he worked for Jet-Data, Lansford.
Born in Coaldale, he was a son of Mrs. Florence Hoben of Coaldale and the late Leonard Hoben.
He was a member of St. Ann Catholic Church, Lansford.
Hoben was a graduate of the former St. Mary High School, Coaldale, and had served in the Navy during World War II.
He also belonged to the Lansford American Legion; Coaldale Russian Club; St. Gabriel Club, Summit Hill; and the Mack Management Club, Bridgewater, N.J.
Surviving in addition to his mother are four sons, Leonard III of Bethlehem, Terrence of Bound Brook, N.J., Shawn of Summit Hill and Timothy of Coaldale; a daughter Patricia, wife of David Langton of Middlesex, N.J.; and seven grandchildren.
The last member of his immediate family, he was preceded in death by a brother Robert.
The August M. Gulla Funeral Home, 130 E. Ridge St., Coaldale, is in charge of the arrangements.
Carl J. Schoener
Carl J. "Kaier" Schoener, 69, of 202 Center St., Tamaqua, died Saturday in the Hometown Nursing Home, Tamaqua R.2, where he was a guest since April. He was the husband of the late Margaret (Fenstermacher) Schoener, who died in 1973.
Born in Tuscarora, he was a son of the late Carl J. and Wilda (Koch) Schoener.
A 1945 graduate of Tamaqua High School, he served in the Army and was a member of the Nesquehoning American Legion Post.
Surviving are a son Edward, a sister Ann, wife of Thomas Starry, and a granddaughter, all of Tamaqua; and a niece and a nephews.
The Roche Funeral Home, 237 E. Broad St., Tamaqua, is in charge of the arrangements.
William H. Stump
William H. Stump, 85, of 260 Washington St., Hamburg, formerly of Hellertown, died Saturday in the Reading Hospital and Medical Center. He was the husband of the late Almarine (Bogue) Stump, who died in 1992.
He was a caretaker at St. John Cemetery , Hamburg, for 15 years before retiring in 1993.
Born in West Penn Township, he was a son of the late Edwin J. and Tillie E. (Hettler) Stump.
A graduate of Tamaqua High School, he was an Army veteran of World War II.
Surviving are a daughter, Carolyn C. Bliler of New Ringgold R.2; two sisters, Mrs. Wilda Heffner of Fleetwood and Mrs. Mabel M. Hill of New Ringgold R.2; two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
The Robert S. Nester Funeral Home, Rt. 309, Snyders, is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Florence C. Ruch
Mrs. Florence C. Ruch, 81, of New Ringgold R.2, died Saturday in the Miners Memorial Medical Center, Coaldale, where she was a patient since Nov. 15. She was the widow of Elmer J. Ruch, who died in 1976.
Born in West Penn Township, she was a daughter of the late Calvin and Cora (Long) Koenig.
She was a member of the Lutheran congregation of Zions Union Stone Church, New Ringgold R.2.
Mrs. Ruch also belonged to the Pocahontas Council No. 8, Ladies Association to the Order of Independent Americans, Clamtown.
Surviving are two daughters, Eleanor C., wife of Donald Benner of Whitehall Township, and Mrs. LaRue M. Strouse of Orwigsburg R.1; two sons, Donald E. of New Ringgold R.2 and Carl K. of New Ringgold R.1; two sisters, Mildred, wife of Blase Assalita of Tamaqua R.3, and Mrs. Dorothy Hermany of New Tripoli R.1; a brother Willard of New Ringgold R.1; 13 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by two sisters, Helen Leibensperger and Mrs. Anna Melovich; three brothers, Charles, Bernard and George; and a granddaughter, Janel Ruch.
The Robert S. Nester Funeral Home, Rt. 309, Snyders, is in charge of the arrangements.
John R. Donald
John R. Donald, 70, of 346 E. Center St., Nesquehoning, died Friday in the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Wilkes-Barre. He was the husband of Ruth "Margie" (Schaffer) Donald.
He was a machine operator for the Ametek Corporation, Nesquehoning, before retiring in 1991.
Born in Nesquehoning, he was a son of the late William and Ruth Ida (Swartz) Donald.
He was a member of Meeds Memorial United Methodist Church, Nesquehoning.
Donald was a Navy veteran of World War II, having served in the Asian Theater.
He was a former commander of V.F.W. Post 8008 and a member of American Legion Post 172, both of Nesquehoning.
Surviving in addition to his widow are a brother, Howard of Tamaqua; a sister, Doris Snyder of Nesquehoning; and nieces and nephews.
He was also preceded in death by a companion, Mildred Dominick of Jim Thorpe, with whom he resided; a brother, William Sr.; and two sisters, Ruth Kishbaugh and Elizabeth Wildoner.
Funeral services were held this afternoon from the Bruce A. Nalesnik Funeral Home, 57 W. Center St., Nesquehoning, followed by military graveside services at the Sky-View Memorial Park, Hometown, under the direction of the Nesquehoning United Veterans Organization.
Mrs. Florence L. Sechler
Mrs. Florence L. Sechler, 80, of Schnecksville, died Friday in the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township. She was the widow of Nevin J. Sechler.
She was employed in the maintenance department of Mayo Motors, Trexlertown, for six years before retiring in 1979.
Born in Heidelberg Township, she was a daughter of the late Victor S. and Emma T. (Beltz) Zellner.
Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Doris Billig of Schnecksville; a sister, Mrs. Helen Phillips of New Tripoli; a brother Ernest of Coplay; four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by a son Kermit.
Anthony Antinozzi
Anthony "Tony" Antinozzi, head basketball coach at Weatherly Area High School, died unexpectedly Sunday afternoon in the emergency room of the Hazleton General Hospital, after apparently suffering a heart attack at his home.
Antinozzi, who was once head basketball coach at Panther Valley High School, was to begin his 24th season of coaching on Friday evening, including his 21st at Weatherly Area High School.
He was a social studies teacher at Weatherly and taught American history, government and Pennsylvania studies.
He was a graduate of Hazleton High School and King's College.
As a basketball coach, he compiled a record of 281-250 while guiding Weatherly High. In three years at Panther Valley, he had a record of 40-32, winning a Schuylkill League Division III title. His career mark was 321-282 in 23 seasons.
Antinozzi coached Weatherly to District XI championships in 1974-75, Œ75-76, and 1985-86. His 1975-76 team advanced to the state Eastern Finals and the 1978-79 squad captured the Anthracite A Division League championship.
Arrangements are incomplete.
Dr. John P. Slovak Sr.
Dr. John P. Slovak Sr., 79, of Conyngham, Luzerne County, died Sunday in the Lancaster General Hospital, Lancaster. He was the husband of Jane (McGuire) Slovak.
His medical career spanned 47 years with his family practice office in Hudsondale, Weatherly R.D. He was a member of the medical staff at the Hazleton-St. Joseph Medical Center and the Hazleton General Hospital. He also served as medical director at Weatherwood, Weatherly.
He retired in 1987.
Born in Olyphant, Lackawanna County, he was a son of the late Paul J. and Anna (Marko) Slovak.
He was a graduate of the University of Alabama and Kansas City College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery, Kansas, Mo. He received a degree in public health from the University of Kansas Medical School and completed his internship at Kings' Daughters Hospital in Norfolk, Va.
Slovak was a lifelong member of the BPOE, Hazleton, the State Police Fraternal Order of Police, and the Valley Country Club, Conyngham.
Surviving in addition to his widow are two sons, Dr. James P. of Scranton and Dr. John P. Jr. of Lancaster; two daughters, Mrs. Paul (Janine) Pendyck of Lancaster and Joyce, wife of Judge Correale Stevens of the Court of Common Pleas, Luzerne County, of Hazleton; a brother, Dr. Michael of White Haven; and 10 grandchildren.
The Philip J. Jeffries Funeral Home, First and Packer streets, Weatherly, is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Anna Risko
Mrs. Anna Risko, 91, of 102 Allen St., Nesquehoning, died Friday. She was the widow of John Risko.
Born in Nesquehoning, she was a daughter of the late John and Suzanna (Kalkahus) Mermon, and had lived most of her life in Yonkers, N.Y., moving back to Nesquehoning eight years ago.
She was a member of St. John the Baptist Russian Orthodox Church, Nesquehoning.
Surviving are a son John of Mantzville; two sisters, Suzanne, wife of Richard Gable of Harrisburg, and Helen Wasilowsky, with whom she resided; a grandchild and a great-grandchild.
She was also preceded in death by a brother John.
Funeral services were held this morning from the Bruce A. Nalesnik Funeral Home, 57 W. Center St., Nesquehoning, followed by Divine Liturgy in St. John the Baptist Russian Orthodox Church, Nesquehoning, and interment
in the Sky-View Memorial Park, Hometown.
Cheryl W. Ault
Cheryl W. Ault, 50, of 215 S. First St., Lehighton, died Sunday at her home.
She was employee window instructor for the U.S. Postal Services working at the Lehighton Post Office for the past 10 years, prior to her illness.
Born in Coaldale she was a daughter of Albert and Anne (Bender) Wilk of Lehighton.
She was affiliated with All Saints Episcopal Church, Lehighton.
She was a member of the Beaver Run Rod & Gun Club; Bowmanstown Rod & Gun Club; East Penn Sporting Club; Shoemaker-Heydt American Legion Home Association, and the Orioles Club, both of Lehighton.
Surviving with her parents are her fiance, Kenneth R. Fegley, with whom she resided; a daughter, Kimberly, wife of Michael Kemp of Whitehall; a son, David Ault of Washington, D.C.; a brother, Albert of Alpine, Calif.; two sisters, Maxine, wife of William Stroch of Lebanon, and Nancy Wilk of Lehighton; and one grandson.
The Mayes-Melber Funeral Home, 200 Franklin St., Weissport, is in charge of arrangements.
