Skook News Obituaries: December 26th, 2020
Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
----------------------------------------------
Terry C. Ditzler, 74, of Oak Grove Rd., Pine Grove, passed away on Thursday, December 24, 2020 at the Hershey Medical Center.Born on June 15, 1946 in Pottsville, he was a son of the late Alvin and Elsie Schaeffer Ditzler.
He was a 1964 graduate of Pine Grove Area High School, where he was a 1000 point scorer on the Boys Basketball team. He was also a 1967 graduate of Williamson College.
Terry was a Seabee in the Navy serving in the Mobile Construction Battalion #53 and served 18 months in Vietnam during the war.
He was a member of St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Pine Grove, where he served on church council and the cemetery board.
Terry was a Superintendent for Keener, Inc. in Mechanicsburg, which constructed many malls, schools and businesses in the area. He won an award for the building of the Schuylkill Mall in Frackville and was honored as a 50 year member of the Local #5 Bricklayer and Allied Craftsman Union.
He was a member of the Pine Grove American Legion Post 374, Pine Grove VFW Post 3432, Brookside Hunting Club and was inducted in the Allen Rogowicz Hall of Fame. He enjoyed woodworking, hunting, fishing, the outdoors, taking care of his property, watching his grandchildren play sports and even attended games after they had graduated. He could be found sitting in the front row half court at any Pine Grove Area Basketball game. He was an avid sports fan and was very proud of his children and grandchildren.
Surviving are his wife of 53 years, Nancy Derfler Ditzler; a daughter, Tracey and husband David Bohn of Pine Grove; a son, Matthew Ditzler of Lancaster; one grandson, Jeremy and wife Grace Bohn; three granddaughters, Tessa Bohn, Emma Ditzler, and Claire Ditzler; a brother, Richard and wife Shirley Ditzler of Conestoga; two nieces, Carrie Kerr and Marcie Taylor; a nephew, Michael Ditzler.
All Services will be held at the convenience of the family with Rev. Brian Beissel officiating. Interment in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, Pa.
In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer contributions be made to the St. Peter's Lutheran Church Memorial Fund 312 S. Tulpehocken St. Pine Grove, PA 17963 in his memory.
The H. L. Snyder Funeral Home, Inc., Pine Grove is in charge of arrangements and you may send condolences online at www.hlsnyderfuneralhome.com
----------------------------------------------Betty J Otto, age 95, of Fountain, passed away Thursday, December 24, 2020 at Lehigh Valley Hospital - E Norwegian, Pottsville.
She was born on Wednesday, May 13, 1925, in Fountain, a daughter of the late of Burd Bressler and the late Annie (Shadle) Bressler.
She was a 1945 graduate of the former Hegins Twp High School.
Betty was a member of Christ United Church of Christ, Fountain; where she served as organist and pianist for seventy years and was also a member of the choir.
Betty was very active in her community and her church; she was always willing to offer a helping hand. She enjoyed cooking, gardening, and spending time with her family. She will be sadly missed by all who knew her.
Her husband Palmer K Otto passed away in 1991.
She was also preceded in death by her parents; and by a brother, Thomas Bressler.
She is survived by a son, Kerry P Otto of Fountain; a daughter, Ann C Scagliotta of Roseto; two granddaughters, Lori Honey and her husband Stephen of Roseto, and Amy Lilley and her husband Kevin of Hackettstown, NJ; two sisters, Joyce Runkle of Halifax, and Miriam Huntzinger of Mechanicsburg; and several nieces and nephews.
Private services will be held at Christ United Church of Christ, Fountain.
Burial will be made in Fountain Community Cemetery.
Memorial contributions can be made to Fountain Community Association, c/o Tom Shadle, 29 Deer View Road, Hegins PA 17938.
Buffington-Reed Funeral Home, Valley View, is in charge of arrangements.
Condolences can be left for the family at www.buffingtonreed.com.
----------------------------------------------
Susan M. Dunleavy, 68, of Minersville, passed away Thursday morning at the Lehigh Valley Hospital – Schuylkill.Born in Pottsville, she was the daughter of the late Alphonse and Margaret Slepetski Tracey.
Susan was a 1970 graduate of Nativity BVM High School, Pottsville and the Schuylkill Technical Center. She was retired LPN after many years from Tierra Pines Center, Fla. She was a member of Holy Family Parish, Minersville
She is survived by her husband Michael C. Dunleavy; a son Jared Dunleavy and his wife Hope, Elkins Park, Pa; a daughter Tracy Everdale and her companion Dan, Quakertown; 6 grandchildren, Brendan, Jackson and Wyatt Dunleavy and Erin, Brenna and Ryan Dunleavy; a brother Greg Tracey and his wife Yvonne, New Jersey; a nephew Robert Slepetski and his wife Pam and a niece Andrea Sekellick and her husband Dave, West West Terrace.
Susan loved her entire family dearly and was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She also loved her canine companions Dino and Frank and her Gray Parrott Peaches
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday morning at 10 AM in St Michael the Archangel Church, 539 Sunbury St. Minersville. Rev. Jason Stokes will officiate. Relatives and friends may call at the Donald J. Butler Funeral Home, 328 Sunbury St., Minersville on Wednesday morning from 7AM to 9:30AM. Visitors are expected to follow CDC guidelines on social distancing and masks. Interment will be in St Vincent’s #2 Cemetery, Llewellyn.
In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer contributions in memory of Susan to the Hillside SPCA Inc., P.O. Box 233, Pottsville, Pa. 17901. Contributions will also be accepted at the funeral home. To offer condolences to the family or to light a candle in Susan’s memory, visit us at www.donaldjbutlerfh.com
----------------------------------------------
Lester Ruhl, Jr., 71 of Pottsville, died Friday at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, Allentown.He was born August 27, 1949 in Manheim a son of the late Lester Sr., and Marie Firestone
He was employed by Craftex Mills, in Auburn, prior to retiring.
Lester was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Pottsville, a coach of various sporting actives his daughters were involved with, a member of the Pottsville Area High School Crimson Tide Football Chain Gang, and was a crossing guard at 21st and West Norwegian St., Pottsville.
He was preceded in death by a step-brother, Harold Firestone.
Surviving are his wife of 45 years Deborah Drummer Ruhl; 2 daughters, Kimberly Minor, Pottsville, Stacy Ruhl and her fiancée Daniel Nates, Pottsville; 5 grandchildren, Tray Hook, and his fiancée Molly Boran, Tyanna McLean, Tylee Ruhl, Justice Minor, Kayla Minor; 2 great-granddaughters, Hayden and Harlow Balthaser; a brother, Walter Ruhl; a sister, Irma Howe; a step-brother, Leslie Ruhl; nieces and nephews.
Services and interment will be at the convenience of the family. The family would prefer remembrances in the form of contribution be made to James E. Humphrey Funeral Home, 1112 W. Market St. Pottsville, PA 17901 to help defray some funeral cost.
Arrangements are under the care of James B. Humphrey, Funeral Director, James E. Humphrey Funeral Home, Pottsville.
Please share your memories and condolences with Lester's family by signing the guest book at www.jehumphreyfuneralhome.com
----------------------------------------------
Robert J. Lechleitner, 62 of Pottsville died Wednesday, Dec 23 at Lebanon VA Medical Center, Lebanon.
He was born March 18, 1958 in St. Clair a son of the late Robert J. Sr., and Marlene Culbert Lechleitner Seiger.
He was a veteran having served in the Navy.
He was employed by McNulty Flooring, Pottsville.
Bob was a member Locust Valley Gun Club and Center Pike Gun Club.
Throughout his life Bob enjoyed going hunting, fishing and the great outdoors.
Surviving are his wife, Michele Guyeski Lechleitner; children, Tracie Jobry and her husband Robert, Minersville; Kyle Lechleitner, Pottsville; Bryant Kemfort, Pottsville; Samantha Lechleitner, Pine Grove; 3 granddaughters, Rayven, Savanna, and Javelin.
Please check daily for service updates.
The family would prefer remembrances in the form of contributions be made to Hillside SPCA PO Box 233 Pottsville, PA 17901 of the American Heart Association, 212 E Broad St, Bethlehem, PA 18018
----------------------------------------------
Dennis G. Matter, 74, of Dalmatia, passed away on December 24, 2020, at his home.He was born in Pottsville on July 30, 1946, a son of the late Kathryn (Matter) and Kenneth Webber. He was an avid sportsman who had a deep faith in God and cherished spending time with his family.
Dennis is survived by his wife of 53 years, Phyllis (Lenker) Matter, son, Phillip Matter of Dalmatia; daughter, Jennifer Wynn of Salem, AL; two granddaughters, Brianna Nevarez, Cierra Wynn. He was preceded in death by a step-brother, Kenneth.
No services are planned at this time.
----------------------------------------------
Doris Gisele Oertner, 63, of Walker Township, PA died on Friday, December 25, 2020 at home. She was the wife of Conroy Oertner to whom she was married 44 years in August. Born in Ashland, PA on August 25, 1957, Doris was a daughter of the late Willard and Gisele (nee Fix) Fisher. A 1975 graduate of North Schuylkill High School, she earned an Associates Degree from the former Mahanoy City McCann’s School of Business. Doris was a dental assistant for Dr. Amir Ghali in Lehighton, PA and had been a personal care aid for Allied Services. She was a member of St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Tamaqua, PA. Doris enjoyed communing with nature and loved animals, frequently adopting pets from Hillside SPCA. Family was very important to her. She was a babysitter for her grandchildren as well as others’ children.
In addition to her husband, Conroy, Doris is survived by son, Eric Oertner and his wife Amanda of New Tripoli, PA; daughter, Alicia Dougherty and her husband Joseph, III of New Ringgold, PA; grandchildren, Fallyn, Peyton, Wyatt, Mason, Derek, Jeremiah, Joseph IV, Jace, Justin, and Mariah; sister, Genevieve Manbeck of Frackville, PA; brother, Daniel Fisher of Bath, PA; and many nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by a brother, James Fisher. Call 9:30 - 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 2, 2020 at the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home, 500 East Broad Street, Tamaqua.
A private memorial service will follow.
Memorials in Doris’s name may be made to Hillside SPCA, 51 SPCA Road, Pottsville, PA 17901. Attendees are reminded of the COVID-19 pandemic guidelines and are kindly asked to wear a mask and observe physical distancing.
Online condolences may be made at www.zgfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are being handled by the Zizelmann-Gulla Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., Tamaqua.
----------------------------------------------
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tLfOqKKnnaeoe6S7zGhpaWpgZH5ze9KkpqijXaOyuL%2BMqJmirKWWv6qx0mabnpuVoq%2Bmvoxrba2gXWd9c3yNoaumpA%3D%3D