Obituaries by LocationJanuary 11, 1997
Keiser address
Clarence W. Keiser, 87, of Lehighton, who died Thursday in the Gnaden Huetten Memorial Hospital, Lehighton, resided at 2245 Deer Lane, Lehighton, and not 74 Walnut St., as was previously noted.
Herman L. Reihman
Herman L. Reihman, a resident of Scranton's Green Ridge section, and formerly of Jim Thorpe, died Friday in Mercy Hospital, Scranton. He was the husband of Mildred (McGuire) Reihman of Wilkes-Barre.
Born in Mauch Chunk, he was a son of the late Charles A. and Carrie M. Huber Reihman.
A Scranton resident for more than 40 years, he was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II
Educated in the Mauch Chunk school district, he was employed as a supervisor and manager for Acme Markets until his retirement.
He had been a member and past commander of the Dolan-Jones-Martin American Legion Post No. 304, Jim Thorpe, and St. Peter's Cathedral, Scranton, Pa.
Surviving with his widow are two sisters, Mrs. Harriet Hydro of Jim Thorpe and Mrs. Wilma Arnold of Scranton; a brother, Gerald Reihman of Jim Thorpe, and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by three brothers, Charles, Edmund and John.
The Snowdon Funeral Home, 1810 Sanderson Ave., Scranton, is in charge of arrangements.
January 13, 1997
Carlo J. Collevechio Sr.
The longtime president of the Summit Hill Borough Council, Carlo J. Collevechio Sr., died Sunday morning in the Miners Memorial Medical Center, Coaldale, after being stricken at home. He was 72.
He and his wife, the former Bertha Valent, resided at 210 W. White St. They observed their 46th wedding anniversary in October.
Collevechio served on the council for the past 17-plus years. He was appointed to an unexpired term of office in 1979 and was subsequently elected in the 1981 election and re-elected in 1985, 1989 and 1993. During his entire career, he held the presidency of the seven-person board.
Collevechio was a former borough representative to the Switchback Railroad Restoration Committee. He was also a former member of the Carbon County Action Committee for Human Services having been appointed to that board in 1984 by the Carbon County Board of Commissioners.
Prior to retiring in 1981, he worked for the former Bundy Tubing Company, Hometown, for 30 years.
Born in Summit Hill, he was a son of the late Amelio and Susan (Peruccio) Collevechio.
He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Summit Hill.
Collevechio was a 1942 graduate of the former Summit Hill High School. He served as a paratrooper in the Army during World War II, having served with the 17th Airborne Division. He participated in the Battle of the Bulge and was a Bronze Star and Purple Heart recipient. A member of the U.S. Airborne Division Association, he attended the group's annual reunions held at various sites across the country.
He was also a member of the Lehigh Valley Chapter of the Disabled American Veterans.
The deceased was a longtime member of the St. Gabriel's Lodge No. 43, Summit Hill, serving as its financial secretary for the past 39 years. He was a life member of American Legion Post 316, Summit Hill, and a member of the Summit Hill Social Club and the Italian Sons and Daughters of America.
Surviving in addition to his widow are four sons, Carlo Jr. of Tresckow, Kevin of Lansford, Bruce of Flemington, N.J., and Robert of Summit Hill; two daughters, Michele, wife of Dr. Vincent Zuwiala of Reading, and Suzanne, wife of James Haggar of Horsham, Montgomery County; two brothers, James of Glen Olden, Delaware County, and Alfred of Summit Hill; two sisters, Mary Gatzak of Newington, Conn., and Josephine, wife of William Peroncik of Edison, N.J.; 15 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
He was also preceded in death by a brother, Francis J.
The Thomas J. Parambo Funeral Home, 54 W. Fell St., Summit Hill, is in charge of the arrangements.
Lynn A. Moyer
Lynn A. Moyer, 54, of 6294 Memorial Road, Germansville, formerly of New Ringgold R.1, died Sunday in the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township, where he was admitted earlier that day.
He was a laborer for West Penn Township from 1989 to 1991, and previously was a self-employed farmer in West Penn Township since the 1960s.
Born in West Penn Township, he was a son of Mrs. M. Lorraine (Fegley) Moyer of Milton R.1, Northumberland County, and the late James A. Moyer.
Surviving in addition to his mother are his fiancee, Eileen K. Reiss, with whom he resided; two daughters, Kim A. Morgans of Tamaqua R.1 and Denise of New Ringgold R.1; three sons, Troy of Tamaqua R.3 and Shawn and Paul, both of New Ringgold R.1; four sisters, LaRue, wife of Bruce Hayne of East Oreland, Me., Rose, wife of James Springfield of Mountlake Terrace, Wash., Beth, wife of George Smith of San Jose, Calif., and Crystal, wife of Wendall Sweigard of Milton R.1; a brother Jeffrey of New Ringgold R.1; and three grandchildren.
The Robert S. Nester Funeral Home, Rt. 309, Snyders, is in charge of the arrangements.
James S. Koch
James S. Koch, 78, of Second Avenue, Hellertown, died Sunday in his home. He was the husband of the late Evelyn L. (Lessig) Koch.
He was a general foreman in the Saucon shipping division of the Bethlehem Steel Corporation before retiring in 1977 after 30 years of service.
Born in Hellertown, he was a son of the late Robert Koch and Katie (Newhard) Koch Christ.
He was a member of Lower Saucon United Church of Christ, Hellertown, where he was a former consistory chairman and a past chairman of the building committee.
Koch was an Army veteran of the Korean Conflict and also served in the National Guard.
He was a member of Prosperity Masonic Lodge No. 567, Riegelsville, and the Forks of the Delaware Shrine Club.
Among his survivors is a son, James H. of Effort.
Lawrence F. Powers
Lawrence F. Powers, 54, of Effort, died Sunday in his home. He was the husband of the late Frances (Wolyniec) Powers.
He owned and operated Sun Valley Collectibles of Antiques and Curios, Effort, for seven years, and previously was a security guard for Jersey City, N.J., for five years before retiring in 1985, and a truck driver in Jersey City for 15 years.
Born in Jersey City, he was a son of the late Joseph and Mildred Powers.
He was of the Catholic faith.
Surviving are a daughter, Jennifer M. Breen of Effort; two brothers, Alvin of Toms River, N.J., and Leonard of Beach Haven, N.J.; a sister, Joyce Lucas of Beach Haven; and a grandson.
The Kresge Funeral Home, Brodheadsville, is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Anna M. Chuckran
Mrs. Anna M. Chuckran, 88, of 17 E. Water St., Lansford, died Saturday in the Hometown Nursing Center, Tamaqua R.2. She was the widow of Frank Chuckran.
Born in Reading, she was a daughter of the late John and Anna (Posta) Slaskowski.
She was a member of St. Michael Catholic Church, Lansford, and the First Ladies Slovak Union.
Surviving are two sons, Martin of Nutley, N.J., and Thomas of Bethpage, Long Island, N.Y.; a daughter, Gloria Zollier of Hollywood, Fla.; a sister Olga of Reading; and 12 grandchildren.
The Skrabak-Parambo Funeral Home, 210 E. Bertsch St., Lansford, is in charge of the arrangements.
Walter J. Henry
Walter J. "Rafter" Henry, 89, of Nazareth, died Saturday in the Muhlenberg Hospital Center, Bethlehem.
He was a first helper in the No. 1 open hearth of the Bethlehem Steel Corporation before retiring in 1964, and previously had been a weaver for the former Zales Silk Mill, East Mauch Chunk.
Born in East Mauch Chunk, he was a son of the late John and Adulgunda (Binder) Henry.
He was known locally for his horticultural expertise and had won several prizes over the years. He was an avid bird hunter and fisherman, having tied his own flies and flies for several sporting goods stores.
The last member of his immediate family, he was preceded in death by three sisters, Margaret Kocsis, Ann Bechtel and Catherine Burns; and four brothers, Carl, John, Frank and Thomas.
The Edward F. Melber Funeral Home, 524 Center St., Jim Thorpe, is in charge of the arrangements.
Russell W. Wieand
Russell W. Wieand, 45, of 3110 Little Gap Road, Palmerton, died Friday in the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township.
He owned and operated William Russell Cleaning, Palmerton, for the last seven years, and previously had worked for Kraft Foods, Fogelsville, for three years.
Born in Allentown, he was a son of Clayton R. and Mary E. (Ruch) Wieand of Walnutport.
The deceased was a member of St. Paul United Church of Christ of Indianland, Cherryville.
He was a graduate of Allentown Business College with an associate degree in accounting.
Wieand served in the Air Force.
Surviving in addition to his parents are two sisters, Wanda A., wife of William Buss Jr. of Northampton, and Audrey, wife of Donald D. Troxell of Coudersport, Pa.; two nieces and a nephew.
He was also preceded in death by a brother Mark, who died in 1988.
Thomas Petri
Thomas Franklin "Pete" Petri, 63, of Keller, Tex., died Friday in North Richland Hills, Tex. He was the husband of Betty Petri.
Before retiring, he was employed as a mechanic with American Airlines for 30 years.
He was born in Hazleton and was an Air Force veteran of the Korean Conflict.
Among his survivors is a sister, Rachael V. Gilbert of Barnesville.
John R. Beecroft Sr.
John R. Beecroft Sr., 68, of 153 N. Second St., Frackville, died unexpectedly on Friday in his home.
He was employed as a roofer for Matsell Roofing, Frackville, and as a bartender at the former Gurkas Tavern, Frackville.
Born in Frackville, he was a son of the late Robert and Ethel (Temple) Beecroft.
He was a member of the Frackville Elks and Friendship Fire Company of Englewood, Frackville.
Surviving are three sons, Gary of Coal Township, John of Danville and Jeffrey of Lehighton; three daughters, Stephanie Brobst of Lehighton, Mary Weiss of Center Valley and Roberta Cierlitsky of Winslow, Ariz.; three brothers, Harry and Joseph, both of Frackville, and James of Duncannon; five grandchildren and nieces and nephews.
William M. Eade
William M. Eade, 76, of East Penn Plaza, 2643 Broad St., Emmaus, died Saturday in ManorCare Health Services, Salisbury Township. He was the husband of the late Joan (Henderson) Eade.
He was a sales representative for Bob's Distributor, Malco Automotive Chemical, Emmaus, for many years before retiring in 1983, and was formerly a printer for the National Advertising Manufacturing Company, Allentown, until retiring in 1975.
Born in Lansford, he was a son of the late Joseph J. and Mattie H. (Brower) Eade.
He was a former Sunday school superintendent at St. Jude and Nativity Episcopal Church, Lafayette Hills, Montgomery County, and St. Margaret Episcopal Church, Emmaus.
Eade was an Army veteran of World War II.
Surviving are two sons, William J. of Emmaus and Robert G. of Macungie; two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Mark T. Bowers
Mrs. Edith P. Wolfe Bowers, 70, of Allentown, died Friday in the Allentown Osteopathic Medical Center. She was the wife of Mark T. Bowers and the widow of Frank J. Wolfe Sr. She and her second husband observed their 27th wedding anniversary in October.
Born in Polk Township, she was a daughter of the late John E. and Cornelia L. (Heiney) Hawk.
She was a member of Emmaus Moravian Church.
Surviving in addition to her husband are two sons, David L. Wolfe of Fleetwood and William R. Wolfe, residence unknown; a daughter, Violet M., wife of Rick L. Yeager of Kempton; three sisters, Mrs. Eva Beitler of Schnecksville, Mabel, wife of Theodore German of Allentown, and Irene, wife of Charles J. Bendekovits of Coplay; and four grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by a son, Cpl. Frank J. Jr.
Mrs. Antonio M. Picos
Mrs. Elinor M. Picos, 63, of 117 N. Sixth St., Coplay, died Friday in her home. She was the wife of Antonio M. Picos. They observed their 41st wedding anniversary last April.
She managed a nutrition center for the Lehigh County Area Agency on Aging for five years before retiring in 1995, and previously had worked for the former D & D Shirt Company, Northampton, for 20 years.
Born in Northampton, she was a daughter of the late William G. and Leila B. (Keller) Lerch.
She was a member of Trinity United Church of Christ, Coplay.
Among her survivors is a daughter, Ann M., wife of Donald Reader of New Tripoli.
George A. Lackner Sr.
George A. Lackner Sr., 78, of Whitehall Township, died Friday in the Sacred Heart Hospital, Allentown. He was the husband of Irene A. (Leabold) Lackner. They observed their 58th wedding anniversary in November.
He was a welder for the Fuller Company, Catasauqua, before retiring in 1983 after 30 years of service.
Born in Coopersburg, he was a son of the late John and Leopoldine (Wissenetta) Lackner.
He was a life member of the Grouse Hall Fish and Game Association, Ironton.
Among his survivors is a daughter Marlene, wife of Scott Boeman of Gilbert.
Bruce A. Whetstone
Bruce A. Whetstone, 49, of Northridge, Calif., died Friday in the Northridge Memorial Hospital.
He was self-employed as a telephone installation and service repairman.
Born in Coaldale, he was a son of the late Elvin and Sadie (Wagner) Whetstone, and a stepson of Eleanor Whetstone of Tamaqua.
He was a former member of St. John United Church of Christ, Tamaqua.
A 1965 graduate of Tamaqua Area High School, he was a Navy veteran and also served in the Navy Reserves for 27 years, retiring in 1995 with the rank of RMI, USNR. Upon retiring, he received the Navy Achievement Medal.
He was a member of the American Legion Post, Reseda, Calif.
Surviving in addition to his stepmother are his fiancee, Monica Zepeda, with whom he resided; a son, Bruce A. Jr., and a daughter Megan, both of Mountaintop, Luzerne County; a brother, David E. of Connersville, Ind.; a sister Gladys, wife of Pat Morgans, a half-brother, Elvin "Bud" Whetstone, and a stepsister, Kathleen Nothstein, all of Tamaqua; a stepbrother, John Bachert of Lehighton; and a grandson.
Funeral services will be held this week in Reseda.
Frederick P. Weiser
Frederick P. Weiser, 60, of 403 S. Baltimore St., Dillsburg, York County, died Saturday in Newark, Del. He was the husband of the late Dorothy (Bruszo) Weiser, formerly of Nesquehoning.
He was employed by the Pennsylvania Department of State Museums, Harrisburg, working there in various capacities.
Born in Lebanon, he was a son of Mrs. Viola June (Hinkel) Weiser of Cleona, Pa., and the late Frederick P. Weiser.
Surviving in addition to his mother are four brothers, Gerald of Hummelstown, Eugene of West Lebanon, David of Lebanon and Donald of Fredericksburg, Lebanon County; two sisters, Sandra, wife of Nicholas Gardner, and Joan, wife of Frederick Diamond, both of Lebanon; and nieces and nephews.
He was also preceded in death by a sister, Patricia Meyer.
The Bruce A. Nalesnik Funeral Home, 57 W. Center St., Nesquehoning, is in charge of the arrangements.
Francis Rajkowski
Francis Rajkowski, 72, of 257 Whitewater Road, New Ringgold, died Sunday in the Southeast Pennsylvania Veterans Center, Spring City, Montgomery County.
Prior to his retirement, he was an inhalation therapist at St. Christopher's Hospital, Philadelphia.
Born in Mahanoy City, he was the son of the late Frank and Anna (Katarsky) Rajkowski.
He was a veteran of World War II, serving with the Army.
He was a member of SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Tamaqua.
He is survived by a daughter, Alexandra, wife of Nelson Reyes of Philadelphia.
The Roche Funeral Home, 237 E. Broad St., Tamaqua, is in charge of arrangements.
Frank J. Brunner Jr.
Frank J. Brunner Jr., 75, of Lema Road, Rio Rancho, New Mexico, died Sunday at Presbyterian Hospital, Albuquerque, N.M. He and his wife, the former Ruth Williams, lived in Lehighton for many years before moving to Allentown, and then to New Mexico three years ago.
He was employed for many years as manager of the former Bright's Department Store in Lehighton. After retiring from that capacity, he opened the former Frank's Fashions in Lehighton. While semi-retired, he opened a gourmet shop in Lehighton. He also was at one time employed as a manager at Bear's Department store in York.
Born in Bloomsburg, he was a son of the late Frank J. and Eva (Eastman) Brunner.
He served in the U.S. Air Force During World War II.
Brunner was a member of the Presbyterian Church in Rio Rancho.
He was also a long-time member of Mahoning Valley Country Club, Lehighton Elks Lodge, Lehighton Lions, and was at one time active as an officer in the Lehighton Area Chamber of Commerce.
Surviving in addition to his wife are a daughter, Diane, wife of James Knappenberger of Mount Wolf; a son, Frank J. III of Lehighton; a sister, Frances, wife of Ralph Wood of Idaho; four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
Funeral arrangements are being conducted in New Mexico.
Dr. H. James Moyer
Dr. H. James Moyer, 85, of Richboro Care Center, Richboro, Bucks County, died Sunday in the care center. Formerly of Tamaqua, he was the husband of the late Kathryn (Kit) Moyer, who died in 1970.
A dentist, he opened an office in Tamaqua in 1937, retiring in 1970.
Born in Tamaqua, he was a son of the late Roy and Marie (Hower) Moyer.
A veteran of World War II, he served with the U.S. Army Air Corps.
Dr. Moyer was a member of Trinity United Church of Christ, Tamaqua. A 1929 graduate of Tamaqua High School, he attended Penn State University and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Dental School in 1935.
He was a former president of the Tamaqua School Board of Education; director of the former Miners National Bank; former member of the Tamaqua Industrial Development Enterprise; and a member of the Tamaqua Lions Club, the Tamaqua American Legion, Tamaqua Lodge 237 F. and A.M. and the Bloomsburg Consistory.
He is survived by a daughter, Kay, wife of Jack Williams of Doylestown; a son, James D. of Wilson, N.C.; six grandchildren; and three great grandchildren.
He was also preceded in death by a sister, Mrs. Mary Lachno.
The Jon M. Zizelmann Funeral Home, 500 E. Broad St., Tamaqua, is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. William Moyer
Mrs. Elizabeth Mary Moyer, 79, of Harrisburg, died Thursday, Jan. 9, in the Polyclinic Hospital, Harrisburg. She was the wife of Rev. William O. Moyer.
Prior to retirement she had been the museum curator at the College of Physicians of Philadelphia.
Born in Lehighton, she was the daughter of the late Attorney and Mrs. Ira E. Seidle of Lehighton.
She was a graduate of Lehighton High School and Ursinus College, Collegeville.
She was a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Our Savior, Harrisburg; the Harrisburg Civic and Garden Club; Golden Age Club of Susquehanna Township; and the Historical Society of Dauphin County.
Surviving with her husband is a nephew.
