Hazleton PA Online Obituary Service

Rita Mary Marino

Rita Mary Marino, of Weatherly, Pennsylvania, went home to the Lord on Thursday, April 17th, 2008, with her family by her side at the Hazleton General Hospital.

Born in Weatherly, she was the daughter of the late George and Mary (Rashko) Fadden.

She was the wife of Joseph Marino and they recently celebrated their 37th wedding anniversary.

Rita was a member of St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Church in Weatherly.

She attended St. Nicholas school and graduated from Weatherly High School.

Rita worked a number of years at Tung-Sol in Weatherly and at Pollock Paper in Hazleton. Along with her husband Joe, she was owner of Reflections Restaurant & Catering in Hazleton.

Rita loved meeting the public and took pride in serving her many customers homemade cakes and pies. Through her years at Reflections, she made many friends near and far.

Always with a joke to tell, she and her husband Joe entertained family and friends at parties and cookouts.

Rita will be missed by her husband Joe, children, grandchildren, and sister, along with many family members and friends whom she loved dearly.

Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother George Fadden Jr.

Rita is survived by her husband Joseph; sons Neil Cusate Jr. of Nescopeck and Frank Cusate of Hazleton; sister Dolores "Dodie" Fadden of Hazleton; and grandchildren Frank Cusate III, Joshua Schott, and Nicolette Cusate.

Services will be from the Philip J. Jeffries Funeral Home, 211 First Street, Weatherly, on Monday, April 21st, at 9:00 AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Nicholas R.C. Church at 10:00 AM. Rev. Floyd Caesar will officiate.

Interment will be in the parish cemetery.

Friends may call at the funeral home from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM on Sunday and on Monday from 9:00 AM to 9:30 AM. Rev. Floyd Caesar will conduct a Wake Service during the Sunday visitation.

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Funeral arrangements entrusted to: Philip J. Jeffries Funeral Home, 211 First Street, Weatherly, PA, 18255. Telephone: (570) 427-4231.

Judith C. Hensel

Judith C. "Judy" Hensel, 58, of Weatherly, Pennsylvania, passed away at the Hazleton General Hospital on Thursday, April 17th, 2008.

Born in Hazleton on September 24th, 1949, she was the daughter of the late John Petuch Sr. and Grace (Hagenbach) Petuch.

Judy was a member of Salem United Church of Christ in Weatherly.

She was employed at Weatherwood in Weatherly where she was active in AFSCME Local 2483. She served the Union Local as Secretary, Treasurer, and Steward. She was past President of the Non State Locals Association of AFSCME.

Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Wayne P. Hensel in 1995.
Judy is survived by her daughter Michelle and her husband William Deremer of Weatherly, PA; brother John Petuch of Beaver Meadows, PA; sister Sonia Ehrenfried of Conyngham, PA; sisters-in-law RoseMary and her husband Mike Stritz of Palmerton, PA and Myra Ryalls of Chesapeake, VA; brother-in-law Arthur Hensel of East Petersburg, PA; and grandson William Wayne Deremer. Aunts, cousins, nieces, and nephews also survive.

Friends may call at the Philip J. Jeffries Funeral Home, 211 First Street, Weatherly, PA, on Saturday, April 19th, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Services will be held during the visitation on Saturday. Rev. Donald J. Stump Sr. will officiate.

Interment in Union Cemetery in Weatherly will be private at the convenience of the family.

Donations in Judy's memory may be directed to her family.

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Funeral arrangements entrusted to: Philip J. Jeffries Funeral Home, 211 First Street, Weatherly, PA, 18255. Telephone: (570) 427-4231.

Frank Stetchak

Frank Stetchak, 62,  of Hazleton, died Sunday, April 13th, 2008, at Mountain City Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Hazleton, Pennsylvania.

Born in Hazleton on April 6th, 1946, he was the son of the late Theodore Stetchak and Anna (Screenock) Salata of Hazleton.

Frank was a member of the Byzantine faith.

He worked at the Blue Comet Diner and the Space Restaurant in Hazleton.

Along with his father, he was preceded in death by a brother Robert.

Frank is survived by his brother William; sisters Rose and her husband Joseph Chinni, Anna Mae Evancho, Priscilla Kapes, and Shirley and her husband John Fisher, all of Hazleton. Several nieces and nephews also survive.

Rev. Carmen Scuderi, pastor of St. John's Byzantine Church in Hazleton will conduct a private graveside service in the parish cemetery at the convenience of the family.

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Funeral arrangements entrusted to: Philip J. Jeffries Funeral Home, 211 First Street, Weatherly, PA, 18255. Telephone: (570) 427-4231.

Alan L. Lovett

Alan Lee Lovett, 50, of Weatherly, Pennsylvania, died at the Hazleton General Hospital on Friday, April 11th, 2008.

Born in Trenton, New Jersey on November 4th, 1957, he was the son of the late Allan Sylvia and Dona Lee (Larmon) Mudge of Hudson, Florida.

Alan served in the Army Military Police and was a police officer for Bristol Township, Pennsylvania.

Along with his mother Dona Lee, Alan is survived by his wife Suzanne M. (Laird) Lovett; sons Christopher Sylvia of Mary Esther, FL, Justin and Jonathan Lovett of Tomhicken, PA, and Andrew and Ryan at home; daughter Courtney at home; brothers Dale Sylvia of Pensacola, FL and Allan Sylvia Jr. of California; sisters Lisa Conklin of Raleigh, NC and Patricia Quinn of Las Vegas, NV; and stepfather Floyd "Walter" Mudge of Hudso, FL. 2 grandchildren also survive.

Services will be private at the convenience of the family.

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Funeral arrangements entrusted to: Philip J. Jeffries Funeral Home, 211 First Street, Weatherly, PA, 18255. Telephone: (570) 427-4231.

George E. Miller Sr.

George E. Miller Sr., 82, formerly of 6th Street in Weatherly, Pennsylvania, passed away on Tuesday, March 25th, 2008, at the home of his daughter.

Born in Weatherly on July 7th, 1925, he was the son of the late Robert and Edna (Leininger) Miller.

He was a member of Zions Evangelical Lutheran Church in Weatherly.

Before retiring, George was a Regional Toll Supervisor for the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission. He also worked at the former Atlas Plant in White Haven.

A World War II veteran, he served as a Lt. Navigator in the Army Air Corps. He was a 50 year member of American Legion Post 360 in Weatherly.

George graduated from Weatherly High in 1943 where he played basketball. He was a member of the WHS Alumni Association.

George enjoyed outdoor activities and was a member of the former Weatherly Archery Club and Evans Gun Club of Coxeville. He loved golf and riding his motorcycle.

Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers William and Victor and his sister Grace Miller.

George is survived by his wife of 59 years, Anna L. (Smell) Miller; son George Miller Jr. and his wife Marion; daughter Debra Jean and her husband Richard Kashi, all of Weatherly; brother John Miller of Pottsville; grandchildren Nicole Groblewski, Heather Miller, Kevin and Christopher Kashi; and great-grandsons Leonard and Murphy Groblewski.

Services will be at the Philip J. Jeffries Funeral Home, 211 First Street, Weatherly, PA, on Friday, March 28th, 2008, at 11:00 AM. Rev. Walter Breiner will officiate.

Interment will be in Union Cemetery in Weatherly.

Friends may call at the funeral home on Thursday from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM and on Friday from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM.

Donations in George's memory are requested to: Citizens' Fire Company # 1, 107 Spring Street, Weatherly, PA, 18255 OR Weatherly Ambulance Association, PO Box 98, Weatherly, PA, 18255 OR Weatherly Community Library, 20 Carbon Street, Weatherly, PA, 18255 OR American Legion Post 360, PO Box 146, Weatherly, PA, 18255.

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Funeral arrangements entrusted to: Philip J. Jeffries Funeral Home, 211 First Street, Weatherly, PA, 18255. Telephone: (570) 427-4231.

Esther M. (Romig) Koehler

Esther M. (Romig) Koehler, 78, daughter of the late James and Margaret (Woodring) Romig, passed away at home on Monday, March 17th, 2008, among her family after a courageous four year battle with breast cancer.

She was born May 1st, 1929, in Weatherly, Pennsylvania. She married John S. "Jack" Koehler of Weatherly and they would have celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary on June 18th.

Prior to retirement, she was employed as a secretary for A & H Refrigeration in Weatherly; a clerk for 8 years in Kathryn Koehler's Drug Store in Weatherly; and as a teller in Hazleton National Bank, Weatherly Branch, for 18 years.

She marked the 8th generation of Benjamin Romig, founder of Weatherly in 1825. Her love for the town and its activities grew from there. She enjoyed volunteering in the community, serving as organist for the First Presbyterian Church of Weatherly for over 20 years; a member of the Weatherly Borough Events Committee; the Weatherly Area High School Alumni Association; the Audobon Lehigh; as well as former director of Weatherly's Community Combined Choir. Esther also belonged to the Card Club, the Weatherly All Girl's Chorus, the Hazleton Choralaires, and she served as a Den Mother for the Cub Scouts.

Her passions in life were music, baking, knitting, and decorating.

Esther is survived by her loving husband Jack; sisters Alverna (Romig) and her husband Herman Reimold of Weatherly, and Shirley (Romig), wife of the late George Roberts of Camp Hill, Pennsylvania.

She is also survived by her children: Kathryn and her husband Wayne Coblentz of Middletown, MD; John B. Koehler and his companion Coreen Truskey of Tamaqua, PA; and Patricia and her husband Irvin J. Richie of Weatherly, PA. Esther's grandchildren are Brian Coblentz and his wife Suzanne (Kline) of Bowie, MD; Greta (Richie) and her husband Robert Yoka of Stroudsburg, PA; Alicia (Richie) and her husband Matthew Quinn of Penn Lake Park, PA; Kimberly Richie of Weatherly; Jennifer (Koehler) and her husband Christopher Jones of Nesquehoning, PA; and John C. Koehler of Nesquehoning, PA. Great-grandchildren Robert, Isaac, Timothy and Daniel Yoka, Samantha Coblentz and Brady Jones also survive.

Esther's pastor, Rev. Glen R. Hueholt, will conduct services at the First Presbyterian Church in Weatherly on Saturday, March 22nd, 2008, at 11:00 AM.

Interment will be in Union Cemetery, Weatherly.

Friends may call at the Philip J. Jeffries Funeral Home, 211 First Street, Weatherly, PA, on Friday, March 21st, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM and on Saturday at the church from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM.

Donations are requested to: First Presbyterian Church, Spring and East Main Streets, Weatherly, PA, 18255.

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Funeral arrangements entrusted to: Philip J. Jeffries Funeral Home, 211 First Street, Weatherly, PA, 18255. Telephone: (570) 427-4231.

Brad J. Dammeyer

Brad J. Dammeyer, 24, of White Haven, Pennsylvania, died in Weatherly RD # 2 on Sunday evening, March 9th, 2008.

Born in Hazleton on October 13th, 1983, he was the son of John and Annette (Dolinsky) Dammeyer of White Haven.

Brad was an electrical engineer for Urania Engineering in Hazleton.

He was a 2002 graduate of Weatherly Area High School and graduated from the Pennsylvania College of Technology, Williamsport, in 2004.

He was a member of Citizen's Fire Company # 1 in Weatherly.

Along with his parents John and Annette Dammeyer, he is survived by his paternal grandparents George and Alma Dammeyer, and his maternal grandmother Catherine Dolinsky, all of Weatherly, PA and a sister Tricia and her husband Larry Marburger of Middletown, PA. Many aunts, uncles, and cousins also survive.

Services will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, March 13th, 2008, at the Philip J. Jeffries Funeral Home, 211 First Street, Weatherly, PA. Rev. Dawn Richie will officiate.

Interment will be in Union Cemetery in Weatherly.

Friends may call at the funeral home on Wednesday evening from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

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Funeral arrangements entrusted to: Philip J. Jeffries Funeral Home, 211 First Street, Weatherly, PA, 18255. Telephone: (570) 427-4231.

Frank LaForgia

Frank LaForgia, 66, of Weatherly, Pennsylvania, died on Saturday, March 8th, 2008, at the Hazleton General Hospital.

Born in Manhattan, New York, on April 16th, 1941, he was the son of the late Thomas LaForgia and Frances Tumio of Hazleton, PA.

He was a member of the Catholic faith.

Before retiring, Frank worked as an Italian baker in New York and New Jersey.

He was preceded in death by his father and a brother Richard LaForgia.

Frank is survived by his wife of 36 years, Donna (Thompkins) LaForgia; his mother Frances Tumio; son Keith LaForgia of Clifton, NJ; daughters Yvette and her husband John Tripicchio of Hawthorne, NJ, and Doreen and her husband Louis Tammaro of West Hazleton, PA; stepdaughters Raelynn Timoldi of Clifton, NJ, and Gail Dykstra of Brick, NJ; and brothers and sisters Thomas and Louis LaForgia, and Madelyn, Christina and Cynthia LaForgia, all of New York, NY. 10 grandchildren also survive.

A Vigil Service will be held at the Philip J. Jeffries Funeral Home, 211 First Street, Weatherly, PA, on Tuesday, March 11th, 2008, at 7:00 PM. Rev. Floyd Caesar, pastor of St. Nicholas R.C. Church in Weatherly will officiate.

Friends may call at the funeral home from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Tuesday.

Donations to Frank's widow are optional.

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Funeral arrangements entrusted to: Philip J. Jeffries Funeral Home, 211 First Street, Weatherly, PA, 18255. Telephone: (570) 427-4231.

Sherman A. Richie

Sherman A. Richie, 86, passed away Wednesday, February 27th, 2008, at Heritage Hill Senior Community in Weatherly, Pennsylvania.

Born in Weatherly, RD # 2, on February 8th, 1922, he was the son of the late Ernest and Ruth (McAuliff) Richie.

Sherman was of the Protestant faith.

A World War II Army veteran, he served in Normandy, France, and Rhineland, and at the Battle of The Bulge. Sherman was awarded the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart for wounds received in action, and the Sharpshooter Badge.

Sherman retired in 1985 after driving truck for Schewrmann Trucking in Nazareth for 30 years.

Sherman enjoyed reading, watching baseball, hunting, and being outdoors.

Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers Joseph, Elmer, Ivan, Norman, Benjamin Sr., and Ernest Richie Jr.; sisters Lillian Richie, Mae Becker, and Mildred Gregory.
Sherman is survived by his wife of 33 years, Betty J. (Owens) Richie, who is also a guest at Heritage Hill; daughters Mrs. Charles (Jacqueline) Klucsarits of Wind Gap, PA, and Mrs. Joseph (Linda) Reilly of Harleysville, PA; sisters Viola Fitzpatrick and Dorothy Ackerson, both of Weatherly, PA, Pearl Young of Coudersport, PA, and Mrs. Philip (Miriam) Herhard of Henderson, NE; grandchildren Teresa Brady-Hind and Thomas Brady Jr. 4 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews also survive.

Services will be held on Tuesday, March 4th, 2008, at 11:00 AM, from the Philip J. Jeffries Funeral Home, 211 First Street, Weatherly, PA. Rev. Donald J. Stump will officiate.

Interment will be in Union Cemetery in Weatherly.

Friends may call at the funeral home on Tuesday from 10:00 AM until the time of the services.

Donations are requested to: Weatherly Ambulance Association, PO Box 98, Weatherly, PA, 18255.

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Funeral arrangements entrusted to: Philip J. Jeffries Funeral Home, 211 First Street, Weatherly, PA, 18255. Telephone: (570) 427-4231.

Earl Francis Kresge

Earl Francis Kresge, 73, a life long resident of East Side Boro, passed away there on Wednesday, February 27th, 2008.

Born in Kidder Township, Carbon County, Pennsylvania, on February 6th, 1935, he was the son of the late Charles H. Kresge Sr. and Elfrieda Hines Kresge Arnold.

He was a member of the United Methodist Church of White Haven where he served on the Board of Trustees.

He served in the Army Reserves from 1957 to 1963.

Earl retired from Barrett Haentjens in 1993 after nearly 30 years, prior to that he worked for Foster Wheeler, Bethlehem Steel, and Worthington Mowers.

He was a founding member of the White Haven Ambulance Association and member since 1952, and an honorary member of the White Haven Fire Company.

He served as Mayor of East Side Borough for several terms and on Borough Council. He was Deputy Coroner for Carbon County.

An avid collector of cars and antiques, Earl was also a member of the following organizations: Antique Automobile Club of America, North East PA Region of AACA, National Antique Oldsmobile Club, member of the 34, 35, 36 Oldsmobile Registry Club, National Antique Studebaker Club, National Audubon Society, Carbon County Action Committee, and the White Haven Historical Society.

Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother Charles H. Kresge Jr., and sisters Emily Knies, Mildred Repcher, and Dorothy DeHaven.

Earl is survived by his wife of 42 years Miriam (Meneeley) Kresge; daughter Etta S. Hoegg and her husband Bruce of Weatherly; sisters Nina Jones and her husband Jerry Sr. of East Side Boro, Charlotte Dymond and her husband Frank of Bartonsville, and Mae Decker of Stroudsburg; and sister-in-law Gloria Kresge. Also surviving are grandchildren Alyson and Matthew and many nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at White Haven Methodist Church at 11:00 AM on Monday, March 3rd, 2008. Rev. Dawn Taylor-Storm will officiate.

Interment will be in Laurel Cemetery in White Haven.

Friends may call at the Philip J. Jeffries Funeral Home, 211 First Street, Weatherly, PA, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM on Sunday, and on Monday at the church from 10:00 AM until the time of the services.

Donations are requested to: White Haven United Methodist Church, PO Box 331, White Haven, PA, 18661.

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Funeral arrangements entrusted to: Philip J. Jeffries Funeral Home, 211 First Street, Weatherly, PA, 18255. Telephone: (570) 427-4231.