Obituaries by LocationFebruary 12, 1997
Mrs. Edith K. Koch
Mrs. Edith K. Koch, 78, of New Ringgold R.2, died Monday in the Pottsville Hospital and Warne Clinic. She was the wife Marlin L. Koch. They would have celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary in June.
Born in Hecla, Schuylkill County, she was a daughter of the late Claude and Lenore (Eckroth) Walter.
She was a member of Frieden's Lutheran Church, New Ringgold.
Surviving in addition to her husband are two sons, Gary M. of Fresno, Calif., and Marlin M. of New Ringgold R.2; six grandchildren and nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by two brothers, the Rev. Paul F. and Curtis H. Walter.
The John H. Lundbye Funeral Home, 116 S. Liberty St., Orwigsburg, is in charge of the arrangements.
James B. Berk Jr.
James B. Berk Jr., 55, of 509 Old Philadelphia Pike, Kempton, died Tuesday in his home. He was the husband of Fay I. (Ardle) Berk. They observed their 30th wedding anniversary last month.
He was an inspector for the Caloric Corporation, formerly in Topton, for 17 years before retiring in 1989.
Born in Allentown, he was a son of Mrs. Bertha (Hartman) Berk, residence unknown, and the late James B. Berk Sr.
He was of the Protestant faith.
Surviving in addition to his widow and mother are his stepmother, Mrs. Irene M. (Oldt) Savidge of Hamburg, who raised him from his youth; a sister, Marie Bittner of New Tripoli; and a stepsister Nancy, wife of Glenn Grube of McKinney, Tex.
He was also preceded in death by a son, James E., who died in 1987.
Rev. Michael Romagno
The Rev. Michael Romagno, 90, of Holy Family Manor, Bethlehem, pastor emeritus of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church, Shenandoah, died Tuesday morning in the St. Luke Hospital, Fountain Hill, Bethlehem.
He was pastor of the church from June 21, 1943, until being named pastor emeritus on Nov. 12, 1986.
He attended elementary and high school in Italy and studied for the priesthood for two years in Italy and at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Philadelphia. He was ordained a priest in the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul, Philadelphia, on May 22, 1937, by the late Dennis Cardinal Dougherty.
He was an assistant pastor of Holy Saviour Church, Norristown, 1937-40; St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Philadelphia, 1940; and St. Bartholomew Church, Tresckow, 1940-43.
Born in Rutigliano, Italy, he was a son of the late Joseph and Donata (Santa) Romagno.
Surviving are a nephew and a niece.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday at 11 a.m. in SS. Simon and Jude Church, Bethlehem, with the Most Rev. Thomas J. Welsh, Bishop of Allentown, as the principal celebrant. Principal concelebrants will be the Rev. Charles S. Sperlak, Rev. Robert Potts, Rev. Joseph Rapczynski and Rev. Joseph Rock. Interment
will follow in the Bronx, N.Y.
Mrs. Anna B. Kaufman
Mrs. Anna B. Kaufman, 90, of 123 Pitt St., Tamaqua, died Tuesday in the home of her son, Edwin J., also of Tamaqua.
The deceased was the widow of Edward Kaufman.
She owned and operated Anna Kaufman's Corner Store, Tamaqua, since 1929.
Born in Shenandoah, she was a daughter of the late Simon and Petronea (Medziukerrich) Malishaucki.
She was a member of SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Tamaqua.
Surviving in addition to her son are another son, Larry E. of Woodbridge, Va.; a sister, Mrs. Ann Marie Mayer of Newton Square, Delaware County; 11 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by a son, Neal T.; two brothers, Dr. Thomas Malishaucki and Edward Urbansky; and a sister, Mrs. Victoria O'Donnell.
The E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home, 655 E. Broad St., Tamaqua, is in charge of the arrangements.
William J. Wills
William J. Wills, 58, of 10 Nader St., Ashland, died Monday in the Ashland Medical Center.
He was a sandblaster at the Bridesburg Foundry, Whitehall Township, until retiring.
Born in Tamaqua, he was a son of the late William H. and Helen L. (Betz) Wills.
Surviving are two sons, Thomas J. and William A., both of Hazleton; five daughters, Terry, wife of Scott Smith of Allentown, Mrs. Jessica M. Danko of Nesquehoning R.1, Mary T., wife of Anthony Kropp of Coaldale, Bobby Jo of Beaver Meadows and Amy Sue of Milnesville, Luzerne County; a brother Sam of Barnesville; three sisters, Ida, wife of Theodore Novy of Tamaqua, Gail, wife of Harry Esley of Tamaqua R.2, and Mrs. Sandra Reynolds of Auburn; and eight grandchildren.
The E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home, 655 E. Broad St., Tamaqua, is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. James Ziegenfus
Mrs. Joanne A. Ziegenfus, 61, of Brookmont Acres Nursing Center, Effort, died Tuesday in the Pocono Medical Center, East Stroudsburg. She was the wife of James W. Ziegenfus of Saylorsburg. They observed their 31st wedding anniversary in May.
A member of the International Ladies Garment Workers Union, she was a machine operator for Valerie Fashions, Wind Gap, for 10 years until 1966.
Born in Fountain Hill, she was a daughter of John and Olive (Shook) Ashman of Delabole, Northampton County.
She was a member of Mount Eaton Church, Saylorsburg, where she sang in the choir and was a member of the Pollyannas Club.
Surviving in addition to her husband and parents are a son Jesse of Saylorsburg; a brother John of Coopersburg; and nieces and nephews.
The Kresge Funeral Home, Rt. 209, Brodheadsville, is in charge of the arrangements.
Jacob Beers
Jacob "Jake" Beers, 61, of Kresgeville, died Monday in the Palmerton Hospital.
He was a mechanic for the Johnson Brothers John Deer and Farm Implements Dealership, Kresgeville, for over 45 years, and also had farmed in Kresgeville all of his life.
Born in Kresgeville, he was a son of the late Theoglass and Susan (Hausman) Beers.
He was a member of Jerusalem Lutheran Church, Kresgeville.
Surviving are two sisters, Emma, wife of David S. Serfass of Kresgeville, and Annabelle, wife of Ralph Gougher of Effort; three brothers, Walter of Kresgeville and Francis and Richard, with whom he resided.
The Donald N. Gower Funeral Home, Rt. 209, Gilbert, is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Lillian M. Borger
Mrs. Lillian M. Borger, 74, of Allentown, died Monday in the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township. She was the widow of Herman J. Borger.
She was a sewing machine operator for several garment companies for 40 years before retiring in 1992.
Born in Little Gap, she was a daughter of the late James A. and Beulah (Borger) Green.
She was a member of the Friendship Bible Class of Dubbs Memorial Church, Allentown.
Surviving are a daughter Lola, wife of Philip Sherman of Northampton; a son, Lamar J. of Allentown; three sisters, Mrs. Alverda Mackes of Palmerton, Kathryn, wife of Luther Smith of of Lehighton, and Mrs. Doris Heydt of Venice, Fla.; a brother Delbert of Allentown; and two grandsons.
The Thomas K. Thomas Funeral Home, 145 Delaware Ave., Palmerton, is in charge of the arrangements.
Elmer A. Peters
Elmer A. Peters, 87, of 4349 Second St., Treichlers, died Tuesday in the Allentown Osteopathic Medical Center. He was the husband of the late Bessie (Weaver) Peters.
A self-mployed automobile mechanic, he operated a garage on the Neffs-Laurys Road in North Whitehall Township for 20 years before retiring in 1972, and previously was a mechanic for area garages for many years.
Born in Coplay, he was a son of the late Elwood C. and Emma M. (Ringer) Peters.
He was a member of Hope Lutheran Church, Cherryville.
Peters was an Army veteran of World War II, attaining the rank pf corporal and earning the Purple Heart and European African Middle Eastern medals, the latter with five Bronze Stars.
Surviving are two brothers, Ernest S. of Slatington and Emory P. of Canisteo, N.Y.; and three sisters, Eva M. of Allentown and Erma C. Zader and Elsie V., wife of George V. Peters, both of Slatington.
February 13, 1997
Mrs. Theresa Filipitsch
Mrs. Theresa "Reza" Filipitsch, 103, of Weatherwood, Weatherly, formerly of 540 Sand Quarry Road, Ashfield, died Wednesday in the home. She was the widow of Peter Filipitsch.
Born in Austria-Hungary, she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Frances (Novak) Kovatch.
She was a member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Palmerton.
The oldest member of the Palmerton Hungarian Club, she was honored by the Bethlehem/Murska Sobota Sister Cities Association in Bethlehem's City Center Plaza in June.
Surviving are a grandson, Albert J. Holczman, with whom she resided; and nieces and nephews.
The Campton Funeral Home, 525 Delaware Ave., Palmerton, is in charge of the arrangements.
Joseph A. Dea
Joseph A. Dea, 58, of East Stroudsburg, died Monday in the Pocono Medical Center, East Stroudsburg.
She was a cook at the Arlington Diner, Stroud Township.
Born in Tamaqua, he was a son of Mrs. Josephine (LaBella) Willing of New Philadelphia and the late Frank C. Dea.
He was an Army veteran.
Surviving in addition to his mother are a companion, Martha Herman, with whom he resided; two daughters, Geraldine Worrell of Tamaqua and Jessica of Hazleton; three sons, Joseph of Philadelphia, Francis of Kansas City, Kan., and David of Hazleton; two sisters, Josephine Marmas of New Philadelphia and Angeline Blickley of Clearfield; and a granddaughter.
Thomas G.H. Gildner
Thomas George Henry Gildner, 81, of Kunkletown R.4, died Wednesday in the Palmerton Hospital. He was the husband of the late Dora E. (Lenhart) Gildner and the late Martha M. (Setzer) Gildner.
He was a self-employed painting and wallpaper contractor for more than 50 years before retiring in 1989.
Born in Kunkletown R.3, he was a son of the late Charles H. and Mary Elizabeth (Smith) Gildner.
He was a life member of Middle Creek Christian Church, Kresgeville, where he was a former Sunday school teacher and council member. He also served on the board of directors of the Middle Creek Cemetery .
An artist, he did a lot of work in area churches.
Surviving are nieces and nephews.
The Kresge Funeral Home, Rt. 209, Brodheadsville, is in charge of the arrangements.
Dr. R. Roy Ronemus
Dr. R. Roy Ronemus, 75, of 355 N. 11th St., Lehighton, died this morning at his home following a brief illness.
The Kenneth N. Phifer Funeral Home, Third and Alum streets, Lehighton, is in charge of arrangements.
Wilmer W. Welker
Wilmer W. Welker, 81, of 14 E. Elm St., Tamaqua, died Wednesday in his residence. He was the husband of Kathryn (Walters) Welker.
Prior to retiring in 1975, he had been employed by the Reading Railroad as a locomotive engineer.
Born in Helfenstein, Schuylkill County, he was a son of the late Charles F. and Lulu (Zimmerman) Welker.
A veteran of World War II, he served with the U.S. Army in the European Theater of operations.
Welker was a member of SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Tamaqua. He was also a member of the Tamaqua American Legion, C.H. Berry Post 173; Tamaqua Loyal Order of Moose; Six County Firemen's Assoc.; Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers; and a life member of the Tamaqua Citizen's Fire Company.
Surviving, in addition to his wife, are a daughter, Donna, wife of Robert Hollenbach of Tamaqua; a son, Richard L. of Drums; a sister, Jessie Dillon of San Diego, Cal.; a brother, Elton of Williamsport; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
He was also preceded in death by a grandson.
The Jon M. Zizelmann Funeral Home, 500 E. Broad St., Tamaqua, is in charge of arrangements.
