Obituaries by LocationFebruary 17, 1997
Marie V. Howell
Marie V. Howell, 90, of Easton, died Saturday in the Eastwood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Wilson. She was the widow of Earl M. Howell.
She wormed for the A & P Tea Co., and before that the former S.S. Kresge Co., both of Easton, before retiring.
Born in Palmerton, she was a daughter of the late Harry and Susan (Green) Ziegenfus.
Surviving are a son, Walter E. Evans of Nazareth; a sister, Mildred Kromer of Coopersburg; and nieces and nephews.
Robert F. Grube Sr.
Robert F. Grube Sr., 63, of 3204 W. Scenic Drive, Moore Township, died Saturday in the Muhlenberg Hospital Center, Bethlehem. He was the husband of Shirley I. (Werner) Grube. They observed their 44th wedding anniversary in October.
He was the owner and operator of Grube's Paving, Moore Township, for 27 years.
Born in Freemansburg, he was a son of the late Walter and Helen (Grube) Grube.
He was a member of Zion Wesleyan Church, Point Phillips.
Surviving in addition to his widow are three daughters, Jackie, wife of Rickie Kostenbader of Danielsville, and Sandy, wife of Wayne Eberly, and Cindy, both of Bath; a son, Robert Jr. of Danielsville; six sisters, Eva Buddock of Hellertown, Beatrice Cabrere, Rose Daniel and Terri Lasko, all of Bethlehem, Beverly Smith in Ohio and Annabel Daniel of Easton; three brothers, William Lasko and John, both of Bethlehem, and Henery in Delaware; 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Brandon M. Pfrom
Brandon M. Pfrom, 8, of 306 E. Church St., Slatington, died Friday in the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia after being stricken at home.
He was a fourth grade student at the Slatington Elementary School.
Born in Allentown, he was a son of Roxanne Pfrom, with whom he resided.
Surviving in addition to his mother is a sister, Desiree I.
Paul H. Simmons Sr.
Paul H. Simmons Sr., 70, of 49 W. Front St., Jim Thorpe, died Saturday in the Muhlenberg Hospital Center, Bethlehem. He was the husband of the late Rita A. (Lajack) Simmons.
He was a melter for the Bethlehem Steel Corporation for 35 years before retiring.
Born in Lehighton, he was a son of the late James and Abigail (Brewster) Simmons.
He was a Navy veteran of World War II, having served in the Pacific Theater of Operations.
Simmons was a life member of the Fairview Hose Company, Jim Thorpe, and the Lehigh Fire Company No. 1, Lehighton.
He belonged to the Jim Thorpe American Legion Post, the Beaver Run Rod and Gun Club, Andreas Sporting Club, Unionville Ridge Runner Gun Club and the Tammy Democratic Association.
Surviving are a son, Paul H. Jr., a daughter, Ann Louise, and four sisters, Betty Schuck, Lorraine Moser, Doris, wife of Richard Wehr, and Leona, wife of Michael Hoherchak, all of Jim Thorpe; and a grandson.
He was also preceded in death by a sister Orpha and a brother James.
The Andrew P. Ovsak Funeral Home, Fourth and Iron streets, Lehighton, is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Thomas C. Geshel
Mrs. Laris G. Geshel, 66, of 4638 Long Run Road, Lehighton, died Saturday in the Sacred Heart Hospital, Allentown. She was the wife of Thomas C. Geshel. They observed their 44th wedding anniversary in October.
Born in Bernillo, N.M., she was a daughter of the late Charles and Oma Hopgood.
She was a member of All Saints Episcopal Church, Lehighton.
Surviving in addition to her husband are a son Thomas of Alburtis; a daughter Wanda, wife of Charles Murphy of Fresno, Calif.; a sister, Pearl Price of Sacramento, Calif.; four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
The Andrew P. Ovsak Funeral Home, Fourth and Iron streets, Lehighton, is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Mary Broutin
Mrs. Mary Broutin, 83, of 811 Georgetown Road, Upper Nazareth Township, died Saturday in the Easton Hospital. She was the widow of Homer Broutin.
Born in Nazareth, she was a daughter of the late George and Mary (Pritash) Bruder.
Surviving are two sons, Dennis, at home, and Homer of Slatington; a brother George of Northampton; and five grandchildren.
Mrs. Henry V. Ruth
Mrs. Dolores J. Ruth, 67, of Allentown, died Saturday in the St. Luke Hospital, Fountain Hill, Bethlehem. She was the wife of Henry V. Ruth. They observed their 47th wedding anniversary in September.
A 1950 graduate of the Allentown Hospital School of Nursing with a registered nurse degree, she worked for Dr. Barry Rosen and Dr. Earl Gabriel, both of Allentown, for 20 years before retiring in 1980. Previously, she was employed by what is now Lehigh Valley Hospital, Allentown, and the Sacred Heart Hospital, Allentown, for six years.
Born in Northampton, she was a daughter of the late Ralph G. and Irene (Farber) Wenner.
She was a member of Faith United Church of Christ and the Order of Eastern Star, both of Allentown; the Rajah Caravaners, Reading; and the National Campers and Travelers Chapter No. 12, Pennsylvania.
Surviving in addition to her husband are a son, Henry V. Jr. of Walnutport; three daughters, Bonnie L., wife of William Bennett of Little Rock, Ark., Barbara R., wife of Roger Furrow of Fredericksburg, Va., and Judith A. Hudson of Upper Macungie Township; a brother David of Palm; and six grandchildren.
James F. Houck
James F. Houck, 49, of Kunkletown R.2, died Friday in his home. He was the former husband of Roberta (Trumbar) Houck.
He was a construction worker for Tree Line Homes, Nazareth, for six years, and previously had owned and operated Houck Construction, Kunkletown, for eight years.
Born in East Stroudsburg, he was a son of the late Charles F. and Dorothy F. (Green) Houck.
He was of the Protestant faith.
Surviving in addition to his former wife are a son, David Anthony of Tannersville; a daughter, Diana Cox of Easton; a brother Harry of Stroudsburg; five sisters, Betty Ace of Stroudsburg, Janet Boyer of Pen Argyl, Nancy Millman of Orlando, Fla., Peggy Ehrgood of East Stroudsburg and Bertie Lou Heller of Saylorsburg; and five grandchildren.
The Kresge Funeral Home, Rt. 209, Brodheadsville, is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Emma Young
Mrs. Emma Young, 84, of Gilbert, died Saturday in her home. She was the widow of Mark Young Sr.
Born in Coplay, she was a daughter of the late Stephen and Therisa (Wexler) Heissam.
She was a member of Salem-St. Paul Lutheran Church, the Patriotic Order of the Americans and the Polk Township Volunteer Fire Company, all of Kresgeville, and the West End Ambulance Auxiliary, Effort.
Surviving are four sons, Willard of Laveen, Ariz., Albert of Gilbert, Robert of Elizabethtown, Ky., and Mark Jr., at home; a brother Elmer of Gilbert; 12 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandson.
The Kresge Funeral Home, Rt. 209, Gilbert, is in charge of the arrangements.
Clarence W. Weaver
Clarence W. "Charlie" Weaver, 70, of Jim Thorpe, died Friday in the Palmerton Hospital. He was the husband of Betty J. (Walck) Weaver. They observed their 16th wedding anniversary in June.
He was a heavy equipment operator for the former New Jersey Zinc Company, Palmerton, before retiring several years ago.
Born in Coaldale, he was a son of Mrs. Ethel (Schultz) Weaver of Mahoning Valley and the late Clarence Weaver.
He was a member of American Legion Post 314 Home Association, Lehighton, and a life member of the Lehigh Fire Company No. 1, Lehighton, the Fairview Hose Company, Jim Thorpe, and the Penn Forest Fire Company.
Surviving in addition to his widow and mother are two sons, Donald of Nesquehoning and David of Coaldale; a daughter Barbara, wife of Ronald DeNardis of Toms River, N.J.; and five grandchildren.
The Andrew P. Ovsak Funeral Home, Fourth and Iron streets, Lehighton, is in charge of the arrangements.
Brooke G. Shoemaker
Brooke G. Shoemaker, 77, of Allentown, formerly of Cementon, died Saturday in the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township. He was the husband of Nancy L. (Lentz) Shoemaker. They observed their 51st wedding anniversary in December.
A 1941 graduate of Muhlenberg College, Allentown, he was an elementary school teacher and principal in the Lehighton Area School District for 20 years before retiring in 1979.
Born in Cementon, he was a son of the late Lawrence C. and Joyce F. (Gruver) Shoemaker.
He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Allentown.
Shoemaker was an Army veteran of World War II.
Surviving in addition to his widow are a daughter, Susan G., wife of Nick Dectis of Bethlehem; a son, Rickey K. of Macungie; a sister Shirley, wife of Roy Bybee of Lamont, Miss.; and three grandchildren.
Mrs. Arthur A. Acker Sr.
Mrs. Dolores M. "Susie" Acker, 63, of North Catasauqua, died Saturday in the Muhlenberg Hospital Center, Bethlehem. She was the wife of Arthur A. Acker Sr. They observed their 45th wedding anniversary in October.
She was a sewing machine operator for a number of years for the former Fuller Sportswear, Whitehall Township; the former Dorel Sportswear, Northampton; and the former C & F Fabrics, Catasauqua.
Born in Allentown, she was a daughter of Mrs. Lillian (Schaedel) Fritz of Coopersburg and the late Louis Fritz Sr.
The deceased was a member of Grace United Methodist Church, Catasauqua.
Surviving in addition to her husband and mother are two sons, Arthur A. Jr. of Breinigsville and Larry T., at home; two brothers, Louis Jr. of Coopersburg and Kenneth of Walnutport; and two granddaughters.
Mrs. Sophie Renga
Mrs. Sophie Renga of 107 S. Pine Tree Road, Hazleton, died Saturday in her home. She was the widow of Michael Renga.
Before retiring, she was the owner and operator of the Victory Pet Shop, East Orange, N.J., and was also employed by Lionel Train Corp., Hillside, N.J.
Born in Wood-Ridge, N.J., she was the daughter of the late Anthony and Stella Pisacreta, and had lived in the Hazleton area for the past five years, moving there from Howell, N.J.
She was a member of Osborneville Baptist Church, Brick, N.J.
Surviving are a son Salvatore of Cartaret, N.J.; a daughter, Catherine Cook of Albrightsville; four grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.
She was also preceded in death by a brother, Anthony; and three sisters, Eleanor, Lydia and Theresa.
The Fierro Funeral Home Inc., 26 W. Second St., Hazleton, is in charge of arrangements.
Joseph T. Whitaker
Joseph T. Whitaker of 113 E. Mahanoy Ave., Mahanoy City, former postmaster for Mahanoy City and Ringtown, died Saturday afternoon in the Pottsville Hospital. He was the husband of Mary (Strause) Whitaker.
Before retiring, he was a postal employee for 41 years.
Born in Mahanoy City, he was a son of the late Joseph and Mary (Burke) Whitaker.
He was a 1936 graduate of the former Mahanoy Township High School and also graduated from the McCann School of Business, Mahanoy City.
Whitaker was a freelance writer and had articles published in national magazines on hunting and fishing.
He was a member of St. Canicus Catholic Church, a 50-year member of the Humane Fire Company, the Traveler's Protective Association and Mahanoy City Schola Club. He also served as a director for the Mahanoy Area Joint Industrial Committee and maintained a membership in the National Association of Post Masters.
The last member of his immediate family, in addition to his widow, he is survived by a son Joseph of Scranton; two daughters, Kathy Daniels of Barnesville and Ashie Park of Glen Allen, Va.
Dolores F. Slivka
Dolores F. Slivka, 52, of 516 W. Spruce St., Mahanoy City, died Saturday afternoon in the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township.
Born in Lehighton, she was a 1962 graduate of Lehighton High School and lived most of her life in Lehighton, moving to Mahanoy City in 1987.
She was a member of Christ Lutheran Church, Mahanoy City.
Surviving are her stepparents, Harold and Shirley Nothstein of Lehighton; a daughter Melinda, wife of Edward "Ted" Kadel of Gilberton; two brothers, Robert and Curtis Snyder, both of Lehighton; two half-brothers, Harold Nothstein of Lehighton and Gerald Nothstein of Jim Thorpe; two half-sisters, Cheryl Lloyd of Manheim and Sherry Waselos of Jim Thorpe; and nieces and nephews.
Frank P. Brodoski
Frank P. Brodoski, 85, of 812 Seybert St., Hazleton, died Friday in the Hazleton-St. Joseph Medical Center. He was the husband of Mary (Poluka) Brodoski.
He was employed in the Lehigh Valley coal industry before retiring.
Born in Hazleton, he was a son of the late Peter and Mary (Duda) Brodoski.
He was a member of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, Hazleton.
Surviving in addition to his widow are two sons, Ronald of Walnutport and Florian of Harleigh Terrace; a daughter Patricia, wife of David Adams of Hazleton; five sisters, Helen Serosky and Mary Soika, both of Harleigh Terrace, Adeline Tarapchak and Loretta Lachack, both of Hazleton, and Clara Evancho of Chicago, Ill.; six grandchildren and nieces and nephews.
Elmer J. Moyer Jr.
Elmer J. Moyer Jr., 73, of Cedarbrook, South Whitehall Township, formerly of 700 Union St., Allentown, died Friday in the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township. He was the husband of Mildred (Fenner) Moyer.
He was a truck driver for the former Matlack Trucking Company, Northampton, for 15 years.
Born in Allentown, he was a son of the late Elmer J. Sr. and Estella (Ruppert) Moyer.
He was an Army veteran of World War II and a member of the American Legion Post 29, Allentown. He received the 50-year Veteran Medal in 1995.
Surviving in addition to his widow are three sons, Robert W. of New Tripoli and Craig and Donald, both of Allentown; four daughters, Sheryl, wife of Ernest Cressman of East Greenville, Joann, wife of Richard Kressley, and Nancy, both of Slatington, and Brenda Elcock of Ossipee, N.H.; three brothers, William of Allentown and Paul and Wayne, both of Northampton; three sisters, Thelma Luksa of Germansville, Lillian Wolf of Coopersburg and Elaine Fatzinger of Allentown; 19 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
