Obituaries by LocationDecember 10, 1996
Earl E. Furry
Earl E. Furry, 64, of 425 Kuntz St., Slatington, died Sunday in the Hometown Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Tamaqua R.2.
He was employed as a custodian for the Private Industry Council of the Lehigh Valley, Inc., Allentown, for 11 years before retiring in 1994.
Born in Carbon County, he was a son of the late Casmus Sr. and Lucretia (Anthony) Furry.
He was a member of Hope Lutheran Church, Cherryville.
Furry was an Army veteran of the Korean Conflict.
Surviving are two sisters, Eva M. Waylen and Nellie M. Krock, both of Slatington; and nieces and nephews.
He was also preceded in death by seven brothers, Penrose, Lester, Archie, Foster, Clarence, Casmus Jr. and LeRoy.
Dr. Charles L. Benson
Dr. Charles L. Benson, 78, of 501 S. Grand Ave., Cherokee, Okla., formerly of Tamaqua, died Sunday in the Presbyterian Hospital, Oklahoma City, Okla. He was the husband of Marjorie (Duffy) Benson. They observed their 52nd wedding anniversary in January.
He was a general surgeon and owner of the Benson Clinic, Cherokee, for 48 years.
Born in Coaldale, he was a son of the late John and Mary (Green) Bengtsson.
He was a member of the Methodist Church, Cherokee.
A Navy veteran of the Korean Conflict, he graduated from Duke University and the Duke Medical School, Durham, N.C., and completed his internship and residency at the Reading and Palmerton hospitals, respectively.
Surviving in addition to his widow are two daughters, Kathleen, wife of Charles Blew of Ponca City, Okla., and Mary Todd of Tempe, Ariz.; a son, L. Lee of Ponca City; a sister, Hazel Jenkins of Allentown; a brother, Dr. Walter of Chapel Hill, N.C.; and three grandchildren.
Niehoff services
Funeral services for Mrs. Hedwig O. Fasching Niehoff, 93, of Weatherwood, Weatherly, formerly of 143 Alum St., Lehighton, who died Sunday in the home, will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday from the Andrew P. Ovsak Funeral Home, Fourth and Iron streets, Lehighton, followed by interment
in the Lehighton Cemetery . A calling hour will precede the services.
William H. Lockard
William H. Lockard, 74, of 1940 Hahn's Dairy Road, Palmerton, died Monday in his home. He was the husband of Gloria Iris (Cadmus) Lockard. They observed their 26th wedding anniversary last April 11.
Prior to retiring, he was a truck driver for West End Trucking, Effort.
Born in Pen Argyl, he was a son of the late Harrison and Fannie (DeHaven) Ross Bonser Lockard.
He was an Army and Marine Corps veteran.
Surviving in addition to his widow are two sons, Kenneth G. of Wind Gap and Ronnie L. of Albrightsville; three daughters, Wanda, wife of Ernest Phillips of Bangor, Elizabeth J., wife of Walt Radvon of Henryville, and Kathie, wife of William Knibbs of Saylorsburg; a brother, Donald G. of Bowmanstown; a sister Loraine, wife of Merrit Moyer of Berlinsville; four stepsons, Jay Cadmus of Pompano Beach, Fla., David Cadmus of Houston, Tex., Terry Cadmus of Owinct, Md., and William Scholenberger, residence unknown; a stepsister, Lillie Bicket of Pen Argyl; 14 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and nine step-grandchildren.
The Campton Funeral Home, 525 Delaware Ave., Palmerton, is in charge of the arrangements.
Raymond Lempa Jr.
Raymond Lempa Jr., 75, of Andreas, formerly of Holland, Pa., died Saturday in his home. He was the husband of Mildred A. (Yerkes) Lempa. They were married for 50 years.
He was physical plant manager and groundskeeper for the Middle Bucks Vocational-Technical School, Jamison, Pa., from 1969-84.
He was also a farmer for most of his life, farming in Holland, Churchville and other areas of Northampton Township before retiring in 1969.
Born in Churchville, he was a son of the late Raymond Sr. and Julia (Kumiega) Lempa.
He was a member of the North and Southampton Reformed Church, Churchville.
Surviving in addition to his widow are two daughters, Julia A. 'Judy' Barwis of Churchville and B. Christine Diekman of Andreas; a son, Ronald C. of Philadelphia; two brothers, Edward F. of Churchville and Fred S. of Holland; and seven grandchildren.
The Joseph A. Fluehr III Funeral Home, 800 Newtown-Richboro Road, Richboro, Pa., is in charge of the arrangements.
Charles J. McAvoy
Charles J. McAvoy, 67, of 150 W. Diaz Ave., Nesquehoning, died Tuesday morning in the Gnaden Huetten Memorial Hospital, Lehighton. He was the husband of Ursula (Cusanelli) McAvoy.
The Bruce A. Nalesnik Funeral Home, 57 W. Center St., Nesquehoning, is in charge of the arrangements.
Michael Mellay
Michael Mellay, 82, of 46 E. Ruddle St., Coaldale, died Monday at Miners Memorial Medical Center, Coaldale. He was the husband of Anna (Rendish) Mellay.
He was employed as a maintenance man at the American Cyanide Co. in Bound Brook, N.J., until he retired.
Born in Pittsburgh, he was a son of the late Michael and Mary (Hall) Mellay.
Surviving with his widow is a son Joseph of Tamarac, Fla.; two sisters, Helen Davies of Coaldale and Lucille DeJohn of Easton; one brother, Frank of Neshanic, N.J., and one grandchild.
The August M. Gulla Funeral Home, 130 E. Ridge St., Coaldale, is in charge of arrangements.
December 11, 1996
Mrs. Donald T. Metzgar
Mrs. Sharyn A. Metzgar, 49, of Stroudsburg, died Tuesday in her home. She was the wife of Donald T. Metzgar.
She worked for Instrument Specialties, Delaware Water Gap, for 12 years before retiring last December due to illness.
Born in East Stroudsburg, she was a daughter of the late Howard and Mary (Jones) Bush.
She was a member of the Wesleyan Church, Stroudsburg, where she was a Sunday school teacher.
Surviving in addition to her husband are three daughters, Rhonda Middleton of Effort, Lynda Brodhead of East Stroudsburg and Connie, at home; a sister Joyce of East Stroudsburg; and four grandchildren.
Joseph Zidiack
Joseph Zidiak, 80, of 3714 Little Gap Road, Palmerton, died Tuesday in the home of his nephew, Kevin N. Barrett of Northampton.
He worked in the ingot mold foundry of the Bethlehem Steel Corporation before retiring.
Born in Northampton, he was a son of the late Nicholas and Catherine (Steneck) Zidiack.
He was an Army veteran of World War II, having served in Pearl Harbor. He was a Bronze Star recipient.
Zidiack was active with the Fish and Game Commission in the Palmerton area.
Surviving in addition to his nephew are a sister, Mrs. Helen Barrett of Allentown; nieces and nephews.
The Campton Funeral Home, 525 Delaware Ave., Palmerton, is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Anna R. Valentine
Mrs. Anna R. Valentine, 79, of 324 Orwigsburg St., Tamaqua, died Tuesday in the Gnaden Huetten Memorial Hospital, Lehighton. She was the widow of John T. Valentine.
Born in Mahanoy City, she was a daughter of the late Elias C. and Elizabeth A. (Schaeffer) Moyer.
She was a member of the Salvation Army and the South Ward Fire Company, both of Tamaqua.
Surviving are three sons, Paul D. and John T., both of Tamaqua, and Robert W. of Bristol, Bucks County; a daughter, Ruth A. of Tamaqua; a sister, Catherine R. of Shillington, Berks County; 10 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by two brothers, John and Warren; and two sisters, Elizabeth Joy and Mrs. Wanda Schietrumpf.
The E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home, 655 E. Broad St., Tamaqua, is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Alice M. Fritz Breiner
Mrs. Alice M. Fritz Breiner, 89, formerly of Tamaqua R.3, died Tuesday in the Mahoning Valley Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Mahoning Township, where she was a patient since 1993. She was the widow of Claude M. Breiner, who died in 1988, and Wellace C. Fritz, who died in 1947.
She was a seamstress for the former Peerless Mills, Lehighton, for seven years before retiring in 1959.
Born in West Penn Township, she was a daughter of the late Edgar C. and Mary (Henninger) Steigerwalt.
She was a member of the Lutheran congregation of St. Peter Lutheran and United Church of Christ, Tamaqua R.3, where she was a member of the Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Association.
Surviving are a son, Fayne R. Fritz of Reading; two daughters, Ferne A., wife of Howard E. Steigerwalt Jr. of Andreas, and Barbara A., wife of Robert L. Kershner of Lehighton; two daughters, Mrs. Lydia Gerber of Hometown and Ida, wife of Henry Nester of New Ringgold R.2; a stepdaughter, Helen E., wife of Alfred R. Hillegass of Tamaqua R.3; 12 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandson.
She was also preceded in death by a son, Wellace W. Fritz, who died last December.
The Robert S. Nester Funeral Home, Rt. 309, Snyders, is in charge of the arrangements.
Clifford G. Bickert
Clifford G. Bickert, 81, of Catasauqua, died Tuesday in Cedarbrook's Fountain Hill Annex. He was the husband of Viola E. (Williams) Bickert. They observed their 59th wedding anniversary in May.
He was a drop forge operator for the Bonney Forge Co., Allentown, for more than 20 years before retiring in 1981, and was a member of the Bonney Forge Retirees Club.
Born in Fullerton, he was a son of the late Raymond G. and Cora (Meyers) Bickert.
He was a member of St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, Catasauqua.
Bickert was a Navy veteran of World War II.
Surviving in addition to his widow are a daughter, Susan J. Yankanin of Suffern, N.Y.; three sons, Raymond G. of Annandale, Va., Gerald L. of Germansville and Thomas W. of Lewistown, Mifflin County; eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Roscoe R. Heard Jr.
Roscoe R. Heard Jr., 77, of 5049 Green Pines, Berlin, Md., formerly of Easton and Malvern, Chester County, died Monday in the Berlin Nursing Home. He was the husband of Marjorie H. (Baker) Heard. They observed their 54th wedding anniversary on Friday.
He was the owner of the Uni-Rep Company, Malvern, for 23 years before retiring, and previously was employed by the A.O. Smith Company of Easton and Malvern and a salesman for the Fuller Company, Palmer Township plant.
Born in Easton, he was a son of the late Roscoe R. Sr. and Rose (LaBarre) Heard.
He was a former member and trustee of the Olivet Presbyterian Church, Easton.
Heard was a Republican committeeman in Malvern for many years.
Surviving in addition to his widow are a daughter, Donna Downes of New Britain, Conn.; a son, Thomas R. of Kunkletown; and two grandchildren.
Charles J. McAvoy
Charles J. McAvoy, 67, of 150 W. Diaz Ave., Nesquehoning, formerly of Lansford, died Tuesday in the Gnaden Huetten Memorial Hospital, Lehighton. He was the husband of Ursula (Cusanelli) McAvoy.
He was a machinist for Mack Trucks, Inc., Allentown, for 25 years before retiring in 1982.
Born in Philadelphia, he was a son of the late Charles and Isabel (Bonner) Kearney.
He was a member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church, Nesquehoning.
McAvoy was a Navy veteran of World War II and a member of American Legion Post 172, Nesquehoning.
Surviving in addition to his widow are two sons, Charles Jr. of Nesquehoning and Samuel of Jim Thorpe; two daughters, Isabel, wife of Alan German of Effort, and Josephine, wife of Steven Yuricheck of Nesquehoning; six grandchildren and a great-grandchild.
The Bruce A. Nalesnik Funeral Home, 57 W. Center St., Nesquehoning, is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Doris M. Roeschke
Mrs. Doris M. Roeschke, 67, of Whitehall Township, died Tuesday in her home. She was the widow of Norman Roeschke.
She was a dressmaker for the former R & F Dress Company, Emmaus, until retiring in 1980, and was a meter maid in Allentown in the 1960s.
Born in Catasauqua, she was a daughter of the late Robert F. and Margaret V. (Jones) Guth.
Surviving are a son, Michael H. Neff of Allentown; five brothers, William J. and Ronald R., both of Bethlehem, Dale R. of Rayham, Mass., Robert Jr. of Northampton and Thomas E. of Allentown; four sisters, Evelyn, wife of Charles Frantz, Carol H., wife of Raymond Kohler, and Mrs. Roberta M. Ehret, all of Allentown, and Mrs. Jean L. Fetchko of Slatington; a companion, Edward Ambrose, with whom she resided; and a grandson.
Elwood J. Kemmerer
Elwood J. Kemmerer, 73, of New Tripoli, died Monday in his home.
He was a foreman at Greystone Upholstery Corporation, Allentown, for 41 years before retiring in April.
Born in Allentown, he was a son of the late Webster and Bertha Kemmerer.
He was an Army veteran of World War II, having served in the South Pacific Theater of Operations. He was a Purple Heart recipient.
Surviving are a son, Bruce E. of Kutztown; four brothers, Warren of Northampton, Clifford of Emmaus and Wayne and Ted, both of Allentown; and three sisters, June, wife of Allen Zimmerman of Cetronia, Joyce, wife of Clare Shellhammer of Orefield, and Shirley, wife of Robert Daubenspeck of South Whitehall Township.
Mrs. Beatrice E. Denker
Mrs. Beatrice E. Denker, 87, of the Heath House, Morris County, N.J., formerly of Cherryville and Lake Hopatcong, N.J., died Sunday in the home. She was the widow of Walter H. Denker.
Born in Alpha, N.J., she was a daughter of the late Morris and Ida (Oswald) Fegley.
She was a member of Hope Lutheran Church, Cherryville, and the Friendly Senior Citizens, Walnutport.
Surviving are a daughter, Ruth D. Campopiano of Chester, N.J.; and nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Pauline M. Nardozzi
Mrs. Pauline M. Nardozzi, 82, of Phoenixville, Chester County, died Sunday in the Phoenixville Hospital. She was the widow of Joseph J. Nardozzi.
She was a manager at the former Robbie's Dress Shop until retiring, and previously had worked at Straub's Dress Shop, Phoenixville.
Born in Summit Hill, she was a daughter of the late Guido and Pauline (Vaiana) Lisella.
A resident of Phoenixville since 1954, she was a member of St. Ann Catholic Church, Phoenixville.
She was a graduate of the former Summit Hill High School.
Surviving is a daughter Philomena of Williston Park, N.Y.
Jennie E. Frederickson
Jennie E. Frederickson, 83, of Hometown, died this morning in Miners Memorial Medical Center in Coaldale. She was the wife of Charles A. Frederickson.
The Lamar Christ Funeral Home, Hometown, is in charge of arrangements.
William N. Dennison
William N. Dennison 75, of 3108 Gateway Manor apts., Edwardsville, and formerly of the Pottsville and MaryD area, died Sunday at the Veterans Hospital in Wilkes Barre. He was the husband of Helen (Zalusky) Dennison, who is a guest at the Holy Family Personal Care Center in Orwigsburg.
He was a career service man and disabled veteran and served with the United States Army in World War II. He was a Purple Heart recipient. He was a member of the American Disabled Veterans.
Born in Maisville, Vt., he was the son of the late William and Grace Dennison.
Surviving with his wife is a son William Leo.
Private funeral services were held from the August M. Gulla Funeral Home, Coaldale, with internment in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery , Annville.
