Obituaries by LocationDecember 30, 1996
Mrs. Henry R. Rice
Mrs. Helen A. Rice, 72, of 305 Hill Road, Palmerton, died Saturday in the Palmerton Hospital. She was the wife of Henry R. Rice. They observed their 38th wedding anniversary in July.
Born in Bethlehem, she was a daughter of the late Fred and Lavona (McCarthy) Christman.
Surviving in addition to her husband are two sons, Bruce A. Ehly of Slatington and Robert Rice of Palmerton; two daughters, Kathleen Sopko of Cody, Wyo., and Rita L. Peters of Northampton; three sisters, Mrs. Betty Matinuzzi of Wescosville, Amanda Rowe of Bath and Mabel Sickles of Bethlehem; and a grandchild.
Dorothea M. Diehl
Dorothea M. Diehl, 90, of 700 Union St., Allentown, died Sunday in her home.
She was a seamstress at various garment manufacturing companies until retiring in 1971.
Born in Weissport, she was a daughter of the late Charles A. and Mamie Greene.
She was a member of St. Luke Lutheran Church, Allentown, and was a past secretary of the North End Republican Club, Allentown.
Surviving are six grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by two sons, Ollin C. Greene and Robert A. Greene.
Lamar B. Fertig
Lamar B. Fertig, 73, of Green Lane, formerly of Perkasie and Shamokin, Northumberland County, died Sunday in his home. He was the husband of the late Marie A. (Schlegel) Fertig, who died in 1993.
A commercial and residential painter, he worked for several painting contractors in the Souderton and Telford areas for many years before retiring in the late 1980s. In 1989, he became a supervisor in the maintenance department of the Pine Run Community, Doylestown.
He was a member of the Bethel Baptist Church, Sellersville, and was a Marine Corps veteran of World War II.
Surviving are three daughters, Rebekah Y. Lowrey, wife of Dr. Sergio Castillo of Clifton Park, N.Y., Sandra Barndt of Palmerton and Mary L. of Portales, N.M.; a son, Paul T. of Green Lane; two sisters, Eleanor Bailey and Edith, and two brothers, David and Calvin, all of Shamokin; seven grandchildren and a great-granddaughter.
He was also preceded in death by a son, Lamar Jr.
Thomas P. Maurer
Thomas P. Maurer, 62, formerly of Nesquehoning, died Sunday morning in Weatherwood, Weatherly.
He was retired from the Carbon Training Center, Beaver Meadows.
Born in Nesquehoning, he was a son of the late John and Mary (York) Maurer.
He resided in Carbon County for most of his life and was a resident of Weatherwood for the past few years.
Surviving are three sisters, Mrs. Helen Bliss of Nesquehoning, Mrs. Rosemary Puksar of Lansford and Mrs. Joan Knapp of Ponte Vedre Beach, Fla.; and nieces and nephews.
He was also preceded in death by three brothers, John, James and Francis; and three sisters, Mary, Mrs. Anna Albeck and Regina.
The Edward F. Melber Funeral Home, 524 Center St., Jim Thorpe, is in charge of the arrangements.
Allen R. Christman
Allen R. Christman, 83, formerly of Palmerton, died Saturday in the Blough Nursing Home, Bethlehem. He was the husband of Louise M. (Nothstein) Christman. They observed their 61st wedding anniversary last August.
He retired in 1976 after 41 years of service at the former New Jersey Zinc Company, Palmerton.
Born in Kunkletown, he was a son of the late Raymond and Arsula (Kleintop) Christman.
He was a member of First United Church of Christ, Palmerton, the Blue Ridge Country Club, Palmerton, and the Lehighton Elks Lodge.
Christman was an active bowler for many years in the Palmerton Bowling Association and the Palmerton American Legion Bowling Association.
Surviving in addition to his widow are three sons, Ronald A. and Thomas R.J., both of Pottstown, and Robert L. of DeKalp, Ill.; a daughter, Sandra L. of Whitehall; 11 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
He was also preceded in death by a sister, Florence E. of Little Gap.
The Thomas K. Thomas Funeral Home, 145 Delaware Ave., Palmerton, is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Ruth M. Gilly
Mrs. Ruth M. Gilly, 86, formerly of Walnutport, died Saturday in the Palmerton Hospital. She was the widow of Frank Gilly.
Born in Bangor, she was a daughter of the late Charles D. and Florence (Johnson) McCammon.
She was a member of Salem United Methodist Church, Aquashicola.
Surviving is a brother John of Hershey.
The Thomas K. Thomas Funeral Home, 145 Delaware Ave., Palmerton, is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Carl G. Schmick
Mrs. Daisy Schmick, 86, formerly of 10154 Fawn Grove Lane, Breinigsville, died Sunday in Cedarbrook, South Whitehall Township. She was the wife of Carl G. Schmick of Allentown. They observed their 50th wedding anniversary in July.
She was a waitress for the former Leh's and McCrory's department stores, Allentown, for more than 20 years before retiring in 1977.
Born in Tamaqua, she was a daughter of the late Edward J. and Cora (Fry) Krell.
Surviving in addition to her husband are a daughter, Jean L., wife of Donald C. Ripper of Allentown; a granddaughter and two great-grandchildren.
Chester L. Zazo
Chester L. Zazo, 26, of Coopersburg, formerly of Emmaus, died Friday in the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township.
He was a project officer for the Environmental Protection Cleanup Program at the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Conshohocken, Montgomery County.
Born in Allentown, he was a son of Francis T. and Patricia A. (Stryer) Zazo of Emmaus.
The deceased was a member of the Emmaus Moravian Church.
He was a 1988 graduate of Emmaus High School and a graduate of Kutztown University.
Surviving in addition to his parents are two brothers, Thomas F. of Germansville and Zachary S., at home.
Mrs. Thelma D. Malkin
Mrs. Thelma D. Malkin, 87, of 18 W. White St., Summit Hill, died Saturday in the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Maxine M. and Dr. Louis Vermillion, 47 E. Holland St., Summit Hill.
The deceased was the widow of Thomas J. Malkin.
A 1926 graduate of Summit Hill High School, she was a librarian in the Jim Thorpe School District from 1954 until retiring in 1971. During World War II, she taught third grade at the former Summit Hill Elementary School, and, from 1929-39, was the first librarian in the former Summit Hill School District.
A 1928 graduate of East Stroudsburg University, she received her library certification from Temple University.
Born in Summit Hill, she was a daughter of the late Maxwell Sr. and Margaret (Lill) Derby.
She was a life member of the First Presbyterian Church of the Panther Valley, Summit Hill, where she was an elder choir member and Sunday school teacher.
Surviving in addition to her daughter are another daughter, Gretel A., also of Summit Hill; a brother, Maxwell Jr. of Wilmington, Del.; and three grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by two brothers, Robert and Wilbur Derby, and two sisters, Margaret Gardiner and Mary Forrest.
The Thomas J. Parambo Funeral Home, 54 W. Fell St., Summit Hill, is in charge of the arrangements.
Edward A. Mink
Edward J. Mink, 67, of Whitehall Township, died Saturday in the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township. He was the husband of Catherine A. (Shimsky) Lorenz Mink.
He was a tower man for the Central New Jersey and Lehigh Valley railroads, later combined as Conrail, for 41 years before retiring.
Born in Nesquehoning, he was a son of the late John and Helen (Hlavaty) Mink.
He was a member of St. Lawrence the Martyr Catholic Church, North Catasauqua.
Mink was an Army veteran of World War II.
Surviving in addition to his widow are a son, Edward A. of Whitehall; three daughters, Susan Lorenz of North Catasauqua and Ann Lorenz and Jean, wife of Louis Wrabel, both of Bethlehem; two brothers, John in Hawaii and James in California; and two sisters, Mary Louise Ganley and Anne Quinn, both in New Mexico.
Mrs. Eva H. Moran
Mrs. Eva H. Moran, 85, of 650 E. Broad St., Tamaqua, died Friday in her home. She was the widow of John Moran.
Born in Tamaqua, she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Eva (Abromitis) Cutcavage.
She was a member of SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Tamaqua.
Surviving are a sister, Nellie Kubilus of Tamaqua, and nieces and nephews.
She was also preceded in death by a brother Joseph.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held this morning in the church, followed by interment
in the parish Cemetery , Owl Creek, Tamaqua. The E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home, 655 E. Broad St., Tamaqua, was in charge of the arrangements.
John Lazar
John Lazar, 66, of 506 E. Kline Ave., Lansford, died Saturday in the Miners Memorial medical Center, Coaldale. He was the husband of Agnes (Krajcirovic) Lazar. They observed their 23rd wedding anniversary last month.
He was a foreman for the Borough of Lansford for 22 years, and previously had been employed by John Manville Co. in New Jersey.
Born in Lansford, he was a son of the late John and Anna (Misar) Lazar.
He was a member of St. Michael Catholic Church, the Italian Club, American Legion Post and AMVETS Post, all of Lansford.
Lazar was an Army veteran of the Korean Conflict.
Surviving in addition to his widow are three sisters, Mary Papay of Palmerton, Eleanor E., wife of John Brunda of Lansford, and Anna, wife of Bernard Serina of Hamburg; and nieces and nephews.
He was also preceded in death by two brothers, Michael and Andrew Lazar.
The Skrabak-Parambo Funeral Home, 210 E. Bertsch St., Lansford, is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Nelson M. Fuentes
Mrs. Carmen M. Fuentes, 43, of 448 N. Sixth St., Allentown, died Friday in The Rainbow Home, Wernersville, Berks County. She was the wife of Nelson Fuentes of California for 20 years.
Born in San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico, she was a daughter of Gregoria Castro of Allentown and the late Baltazar Castro.
The deceased was of the Christian faith.
Surviving in addition to her husband and mother are two sons, Orlando in Puerto Rico and Euliogio Santiago of Allentown; four brothers, Hipolito of Coplay, Gilberto of Cherryville, Juan of New York City, N.Y., and Victor of Allentown; and three sisters, Maria Delgado of Whitehall Township and Dalila Cruz and Eusedia Castro, both of Allentown.
She was also preceded in death by a son, David Santiago.
Mrs. Rudolph Faustner
Mrs. Paula Faustner, 82, of 128 Washington St., Bath, died Saturday in the Muhlenberg Hospital Center, Bethlehem. She was the wife of Rudolph Faustner. They were married for 59 years.
She was a sleeve setter for the former Mary Fashions, Bath, for 20 years before retiring in 1976.
Born in Eberau, Austria, she was a daughter of the late Steven and Katharina (Groller) Rosner.
She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Bath.
Surviving in addition to her husband are two sons, Rudolph F. of Moore Township and Robert S. of Catasauqua; four daughters, Lillian, wife of Clifford Brearman of Walnutport, Dorothy, wife of James Kay of Newtown Square, Delaware County, Carol A. DeSante of Bethlehem, and Deborah, wife of William Mast of Royersford, Montgomery County; a sister Rosa, wife of Joseph Paukovits in Austria; 10 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Robert J. Behler
Robert J. Behler, 62, of 2825 Northampton St., Bethlehem, died Friday in the St. Luke Hospital, Fountain Hill, Bethlehem. He was the husband of Shirley E. (Getter) Behler. They observed their 39th wedding anniversary in November.
He was a printer at the Christmas Club C Corporation, Forks Township, for 40 years before retiring in 1991.
He was a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Bethlehem.
Behler was an Army veteran.
Surviving in addition to his widow are a son, Kerry R. of Tresckow, Banks Township; a daughter, Karen S., wife of David A. Christman of Palmerton; a brother Richard of Kunkletown; a sister, Janice Miller of Bethlehem; and two grandchildren.
Ernest L. Fricke
Ernest L. Fricke, 84, of Whitehall Township, died Thursday in his home. He was the husband of Elizabeth (Hartman) Fricke. They observed their 59th wedding anniversary last April.
He worked for Mack Trucks, Inc., Allentown, for 42 years before retiring in 1970.
Born in Allentown, he was a son of the late Henry and Wilhelmina (Kling) Fricke.
He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Hokendauqua, where he was an usher for many years.
Fricke was a National Guard veteran of World War II and played the clarinet in its band.
He was a member of the Community Services of Mack Truck Retirees AFL-CIO 677; the Jones Quigg American Legion Post 739, Hokendauqua; the Hokendauqua ad West Catasauqua Fire companies; and the Coplay Saengerbund.
Surviving in addition to his widow are a daughter Carole, wife of LaMar Steigerwalt of Lehighton; three granddaughters and two great-grandchildren.
Donald Reed Decker Sr.
Donald Reed Decker Sr., 63, of 66 N. Broad St., Upper Mount Bethel Township, died Friday in the Pocono Medical Center, East Stroudsburg. He was the husband of Anna (Heller) Decker. They observed their 42nd wedding anniversary in October.
He was a truck driver for Penn-Jersey Paving Materials, Mount Bethel, until retiring in 1993 due to disability.
Born in Asbury, N.J., he was a son of the late Lewis Reed Sr. and Margaret (Hess) Decker.
He was a member of East Bangor United Methodist Church, the Quakertown Moose Lodge and the Monroe County Bowling Association.
Surviving in addition to his widow are a son, Donald R. Jr. of Pen Argyl; three daughters, Bonnie Hoffner of Brodheadsville, Donna Rissmiller of Bangor and Debra Futchko of Mount Bethel; two sisters, Lorraine Everitt of Eastobn and Eleanor Kise of Bath; a half-sister, Mae Decker of Upper Nazareth Township; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Alice M. Walsh
Alice M. Walsh, 84, formerly of 337 W. Center St., Mahanoy City, died Saturday morning in the Shenandoah Manor Nursing Center.
For many years, she was employed by the former F. W. Woolworth Company, Mahanoy City.
Born in Mahanoy City, she was a daughter of the late Walter and Charlotte (Elliott) Walsh, and was a lifelong resident of the community.
She was a member of St. Canicus Catholic Church, Mahanoy City, and was a 1930 graduate of Mahanoy City High School.
Surviving are two sisters, Margaret Sheeler of Mahanoy City and Mary Dillon of Tamaqua; and nieces and nephews.
She was also preceded in death by a brother William, who died in 1992.
Charles Milbut
Charles Milbut, 82, of 626 E. Broad St., Tamaqua, formerly of Edison, N.J., died Sunday in the Miners Memorial Medical Center, Coaldale.
He was employed in the maintenance department of Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products in New Jersey before retiring.
Born in Tamaqua, he was a son of the late Michael W. and Margaret (Navickas) Milbut.
He was a member of Knights of Lithuania, Amber Anthracite Chapter, Schuylkill County.
Milbut was a 1934 graduate of Tamaqua High School. He attended Kutztown University and Columbia University and was an Army veteran of World War II.
Surviving are two sisters, Mrs. Anna M. Nardini of Tamaqua and Ida D. of New York City, N.Y.
The E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home, 655 E. Broad St., Tamaqua, is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. George Stefanisko
Mrs. Mary L. Stefanisko, of 113 Grove St., McAdoo, died Sunday afternoon in the Hazleton General Hospital. She was the wife of George Stefanisko, a Kline Township supervisor. They were married for 40 years.
Prior to retiring, she was a garment worker, having been last employed at the Rival Dress Company, McAdoo.
Born in Lansford, she was a daughter of the late Evan and Katherine (Kiripolsky) Koscica.
She was a member of St. Michael Byzantine Catholic Church, McAdoo, and the International Ladies Garment Workers Union.
Surviving in addition to her husband are three brothers, George, Robert and Albert, all of Lansford; five sisters, Catherine Beers and Antoinette, both of Lansford, Agatha Nahaj and Ann Yasson, both of Nesquehoning, and Pauline Dinardo of Yardley; and nieces and nephews.
She was also preceded in death by a sister, Lucille Montoro, and three brothers, Evan Jr., Joseph and Alfred.
The Damiano Funeral Home, Blaine and Cleveland streets, McAdoo, is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Anna Kovich
Mrs. Anna Kovich of 103 E. High St., Coaldale, died Sunday in the Miners Memorial Medical Center, Coaldale. She was the widow of Stephen Kovich, who died in 1980.
Born in Coaldale, she was a daughter of the late George and Mary (Kurec) Harvilla.
She was a member of SS. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church, Coaldale.
Surviving are two grandchildren and a great-grandchild.
She was also preceded in death by a son Bernard and a brother Joseph.
The August M. Gulla Funeral Home, 130 E. Ridge St., Coaldale, is in charge of the arrangements.
Robert Almeida Sr.
Robert Almeida Sr., of 287 Fireline Road, Parryville, died suddenly on Sunday in the Gnaden Huetten Memorial Hospital, Lehighton.
He was a heavy equipment operator and truck driver.
Born in Norristown, he was a son of Anthony Almeida Sr. in Florida and the late Carmella (Carfagno) Almeida.
The deceased attended Abundant Life Assembly of God Church, Lehighton.
He was a Marine Corps veteran of the Vietnam War.
Surviving in addition to his father are a son, Robert Jr. of Lansford; a sister Beatrice, wife of Edward Bink of Port Charlotte, Fla.; four brothers, Daniel in Florida, Samuel of Philadelphia, Manuel of Las Vegas, Nev., and Felix n Kentucky; and three grandchildren.
He was also preceded in death by a son, Thomas Robert.
The Roche Funeral Home-McNamara Chapel, 3 E. Bertsch St., Lansford, is in charge of the arrangements.
Hahn survivors
Among the survivors of Mrs. Janice L. Hahn, 58, of 639 Iron St., Lehighton, who died Friday in the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Allentown, are three daughters, Sharo, wife of Eugene Bowers, and Lisa, wife of Neil Salomon, both of Lehighton, and Jayne, wife of Gregory Bayer of Allentown.
Mrs. Hahn is not survived by a son as had been indicated in Saturday's obituary.
Gerald Liberto
Gerald Liberto, 87, of 4425 Forest St., Lehighton, died Sunday, in the Gnaden Huetten Memorial Hospital, Lehighton.
He was the husband of the late Evelyn N. Fleck Liberto.
Born in Naples, Italy, he was a member of Zion United Church of Christ, Lehighton
He was a founding member of the Philadelphia String Band.
He was employed in the garment business for 40 years, retiring in 1976. He was a past steward and lifelong member of the I.L.W.G.
He is survived by a son, John Dora of Lehighton and two grandchildren.
Services will be held at the convenience of the family.
