Obituaries by LocationJanuary 23, 1997
Mrs. Roberta Opresko
Mrs. Roberta Opresko, 72, of 238 W. Patterson St., Lansford, died Tuesday in the Hometown Nursing Center, Tamaqua R.2. She was the widow of Stephen Opresko, who died in 1994.
She worked for the former Kiddie Kloes, Lansford, for 37 years before retiring. During World War II, she was an aircraft machinist in Harrisburg.
Born in Swoyersville, Luzerne County, she was a daughter of the late Lawrence and Sophie (Kalis) Gajewski.
She was a member of St. John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Church, Lansford, and was a former member of the Council of Catholic Women of St. Ann Catholic Church, Lansford, where she had also been active.
Surviving are two sons, Stephen of Lancaster and Gerard of Treichlers; a brother Walter of Lansford; four sisters, Victoria Porambo, Frances Hifko and Irene Polkendo, all of Lansford, and Gretta, wife of Emil Laskowski of Tamaqua; and five grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by two brothers, Joseph and Martin; and five sisters, Stella, Mary, Stephanie Porambo, Veronica and Genevieve.
The Skrabak-Parambo Funeral Home, 210 E. Bertsch St., Lansford, is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. John D. Miller
Mrs. Diane B. Miller, 47, of Allentown, died Wednesday in her home. She was the wife of John D. "Jack" Miller. They observed their 15th wedding anniversary in October.
She was a rental agent for Evergreen Realty Co., Allentown, from 1983-85, and previously had owned and operated the former Helping Hands Cleaning Co., Allentown, for two years.
A 1968 nursing graduate of Lehigh County Community College, she was a licensed practical nurse in the Lehigh Valley, including at the Good Shepherd Home, Allentown, from 1968-78.
Born in St. Louis, Mo., she was a daughter of Charles B. Bean of St. Louis and Mrs. Gloria M. (Mayers) Bean Forte of Danielsville, and a stepdaughter of Gloria Bean of St. Louis and the late Robert N.A. Forte Jr.
She was a member of Trinity Wesleyan Church, Allentown, where she was a former member of the Women's Missionary Society and a past director of the summer youth program. She was also a member of the Crossroads Baptist Church, Allentown.
Mrs. Miller was instrumental in organizing diabetic support groups in the Lehigh Valley and, most recently, was a freelance writer for numerous Christian magazines.
She was a member of the Pennsylvania chapter of the Sons of God Christian Motorcycle Club and Calvary Chapel, both of Philadelphia, and the first graduating class of the Swain School, Allentown.
Surviving in addition to her husband, parents and stepmother are a son, Adam J. of Allentown; three stepdaughters, Michele L. Shellenberger of Allentown, Tamara A. Miller of Northampton and Tanya L. Ford in Florida; two brothers, Michael E. Forte of Tampa, Fla., and the Rev. Robert J. Forte III of Allentown; a sister, Mary M., wife of Glenn Becker of Palmerton; and three grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Gina Marie Millets.
Charles G. LaBadie Jr.
Charles G. LaBadie Jr., 48, of Saylorsburg R.4, died Tuesday in the Pocono Medical Center, East Stroudsburg. He was the husband of Joy (Hoffner) LaBadie. They observed their sixth wedding anniversary in September.
He was employed by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board for the past 14 years, having worked the past year as a clerk at the liquor distribution center in Jay Park, Marshall's Creek.
Born in Stroudsburg, he was a son of Mrs. Anna Mae (Marsh) LaBadie of Anchorage, Alaska, and the late Charles G. LaBadie Sr.
He was a member of Zion United Lutheran Church, Brodheadsville.
LaBadie was an Air Force veteran of the Vietnam War.
Surviving in addition to his widow and mother are three sons, Sean C. of Swiftwater, Brandon G. of Allentown and Jamey Ryan Frederick of East Stroudsburg; three daughters, Ginny LaBadie of Stroudsburg, Regina, at home, and Kimberly of Reeders; a brother Larry of Anchorage; two sisters, Cindy Frailey of Stroudsburg and Evelyn Koerner of Reeders; and three grandchildren.
The Kresge Funeral Home, Rt. 209, Brodheadsville, is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Anna Zangari
Mrs. Anna "Sue" Zangari, 70, of 3208 Walnut Drive, Danielsville, died Wednesday in the Muhlenberg Hospital Center, Bethlehem. She was the widow of Anthony Zangari, who died in 1995.
Born in Northampton, she was a daughter of the late Paul and Mary (Grohotolsky) Gasper.
She was a member of St. Nicholas Catholic Church, Berlinsville.
Surviving are a son Anthony of Whitehall Township; a daughter Ann, wife of Joseph Vargoof Danielsville; three brothers, John and Paul, both of Allentown, and Edward in Georgia; three sisters, Catherine, wife of James Fair of Bethlehem, Helen Bukovits of Northampton and Caroline Orvitz in New Jersey; and five grandchildren.
Dr. James E. Mullen
Dr. James E. Mullen, 76, of Macoby Street, Pennsburg, Montgomery County, mayor of the community for the past 27 years, died Wednesday in the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township, Lehigh County, following a lengthy bout with cancer. He was the husband of the late Alma (Christman) Mullen, who died in 1993.
Mullen was well-known throughout the Upper Perkiomen Valley for his tireless dedication to the residents of Montgomery County, especially in Pennsburg. He became the town's mayor in 1969.
He was assistant superintendent of the Upper Perkiomen School District from 1967 until retiring in 1981, ending a lengthy career in education.
He began his professional career in 1948 as a social studies teacher at Pennsburg High School, where he remained until 1953, when he joined the North Penn School District as a guidance counselor. He later became director of pupil services, serving in that capacity until assuming his Upper Perkiomen assistant superintendent post.
Born in Tamaqua, he was a son of the late Sylvester and Sarah (Mundy) Mullen.
He was a member of St. Philip Neri Catholic Church, Pennsburg.
Mullen was an Army Air Corps veteran of World War II.
He graduated from St. Joseph University, Philadelphia, in 1943, receiving a bachelor's degree, and in 1951 earned his master's degree from Lehigh University. In 1992, he received his doctorate degree from Gwynedd Mercy College.
Mullen was a member of the Montgomery County Community College Board of Directors since 1967, serving as its chairman since 1983. He was an ex-officio member of the college's Foundation board and the advisory board of the college's Pennsburg office.
In 1973, he joined the board of trustees of Kutztown University.
The deceased served as campaign chairman of the Upper Perkiomen Valley Community Chest in 1974.
Last year, the Upper Perkiomen Valley Ambulance Association dedicated its newest ambulance to him, and, in 1992, the Pottstown-Upper Perkiomen Valley YMCA named its outstanding volunteer person of the year awards the James E. Mullen Award.
The Upper Perkiomen High School auditorium is also named after him.
Mullen received the "Outstanding Citizen Award" in 1992 from the Upper Perkiomen Valley; American Community College Trustee Northeast Region Award for Distinguished Service in 1986; Freedoms Foundation of Valley Forge Schoolmen's Medal in 1978; Chapel of the Four Chaplains Award in 1975; and Distinguished Service Award from the Upper Perkiomen Valley Jaycees in 1974-75.
He was a co-founder of the Dr. Frank Buchman Centennial Committee; past president of the Montgomery County Mayors Association, 1973-74; former president of the Pennsburg Borough Council; president of the Pennsylvania Federation of Community College Trustees, 1983; and a past vice president of the borad of directors of the Quakertown Hospital.
Surviving are a sister Mary, wife of John Barilla of Emmaus; and nieces and nephews.
He was also preceded in death by a sister Margaret.
The Falk Funeral Home, 163 Main St., Pennsburg, is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Freda R. Mader
Mrs. Freda R. Mader, 97, of 317 Market St., Tamaqua, died Wednesday in her home. She was the widow of John L. Mader, who died in 1959.
Prior to retiring, she was a sewing machine operator for the former Sue Frocks, Tamaqua.
Born in Tamaqua, she was a daughter of the late Henry and Sara (Schaeffer) Zeplin.
She was a member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Tamaqua.
The last immediate member of her family, she is survived by two grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by a son, John C. "Jack," who died in 1981; two sisters, Ethel Stein and Mildred McHugh; and a brother Harold.
The Jon M. Zizelmann Funeral Home, 500 E. Broad St., Tamaqua, is in charge of the arrangements.
Helen Holubek
Mrs. Helen Holubek 81, of 120 E. Phillips St. Coaldale, died today at Miners Memorial Medical Center where she was a patient 11 days. She was the widow of Joseph Holubek who died in 1958.
She was born in New York City.
The deceased was a member of Ss. Cyril and Methodius Church Coaldale, where she was a member of the church choir. She was also active in church events before becoming ill.
She was a former member of the Panther Valley Golden Age Club and the Senior Citizens of Lansford.
Surviving are three sons, Joseph of Hummelstown; Michael of Allentown; Gerald of Saganaw, Texas.; a daughter JoEllen at home; six grandchildren and one great- grandchildren.
She was the last member of her immediate family.
The August M. Gulla Funeral Home, 130 E. Ridge St., Coaldale, is in charge of arrangements.
