Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Records, 1947-2010
Madeline Potocnie
Madeline Potocnie, 76, of 611 Franklin Ave., Palmerton, died Wednesday in the Palmerton Hospital.
She was a presser for the former Natalie Fashions, Palmerton, for 43 years before retiring in 1987.
Born in Palmerton, she was a daughter of the late Calvin Frantz and Lizzie S. (Strohl) Frantz Wolfe.
She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Sokol Hall and the Hungarian Club, all of Palmerton.
Surviving are a daughter, Barbara A. Emmert of Palmerton; seven sisters, Debbie, wife of Elwood Muffley, Shirley, wife of Leroy Snyder, Josephine, wife of Lew Marianni, and Mrs. Arlene Beltz, all of Lehighton, Mrs. Pauline Christman of Walnutport, Carol, wife of Donald Affelder in Florida, and Grace, wife of Karl Auchter of Macungie; five brothers, John Wolfe Jr. and James Wolfe, both of Lehighton, Wayne Wolfe of New Ringgold, Kenneth Frantz of Weatherly and Clair Frantz of Palmerton; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by a brother, Donald Frantz.
Mrs. Elsie P. Mehrkam
Mrs. Elsie P. Mehrkam, 84, of 3156 Golden Key Road, New Tripoli, formerly of Schnecksville, died Tuesday in the Phoebe Home, Allentown. She was the widow of Edwin F. Mehrkam.
She was a sewing machine operator for apparel companies in the Lehigh Valley for 20 years before retiring in 1975.
Born in North Whitehall Township, she was a daughter of the late Senator and Lillie (Hoffman) Schneck.
She was a member of Union Evangelical Church, Neffs.
Surviving are three daughters, Irene E., wife of Roderick D. Kemmerer of Whitehall, Loretta M., wife of Albert J. Miller Jr. of Northampton, and Carol A., wife of Ray C. Peters of New Tripoli; two brothers, Carl D. of Walnutport and Willis E. of Emerald; 14 grandchildren, including Robert J. Sowell of Rineyville, Ky., whom she raised; and 25 great-grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Helen E. Sowell.
Mrs. Barbara Mary Lafferty
Mrs. Barbara Mary Lafferty, 67, of 1604 Shenandoah Court, Allentown, died Wednesday in her home. She was the widow of James C. Lafferty.
She was a receptionist at Lehigh Manor, Lower Macungie Township, for the past two years, and previously had worked in the telecommunications department of the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township.
Born in Lehighton, she was a daughter of the late George L. and Mary A. (Levan) Miller.
She was a member of Faith Evangelical Free Church, Trexlertown.
Mrs. Lafferty attended Moravian College, where she majored in music.
Surviving are a son, Jay Mayes of Quakertown; a daughter, Jayne C., wife of A.J. Imbach of Allentown; two brothers, George E. of Lehighton and Dr. Joseph A. of Allentown; and a sister, Erma Begel of New Bedford, Mass.
Mrs. Verna V. Roberts
Mrs. Verna V. Roberts, 87, of Whitehall Township, died Wednesday in the Sacred Heart Hospital, Allentown. She was the widow of Russel Roberts.
Prior to retiring, she was a weaver for the former Lehigh Spinning Mills, Northampton.
Born in Kresgeville, she was a daughter of the late Alfred and Amelia Meckes.
Surviving are three sons, Donald H. of Allentown, Elwood R. of Bethlehem and Carl of Danielsville; two daughters, Dorothy Sodl and Miriam Mayerchak, both of Northampton; 14 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by two daughters, Fern and Marjorie; and a son Dale.
William J. Schmidt
William J. "Reds" Schmidt, 84, of the Hometown Nursing Center, Tamaqua R.2, formerly of 50 W. Fourth St., Jim Thorpe, died Wednesday in the emergency room of the St. Joseph Hospital, Hazleton. He was the husband of Alice (Herman) Schmidt, also a guest at the home. They observed their 56th wedding anniversary on May 17.
He was a loom fixer for the former Zales Silk Mill, East Mauch Chunk, before retiring.
Born in East Mauch Chunk, he was a son of the late Joseph and Rose (Grob) Schmidt.
He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Jim Thorpe, where he was an usher for many years.
Schmidt was the faithful navigator of the former Lafayette Assembly No. 971, now the Monsignor Agnello Angelini Assembly, from July 1978 until June 30, 1980. At the time of his death, he was serving as faithful admiral.
He was also a faithful member of the Damien Council No. 598, Knights of Columbus, Jim Thorpe, serving as grand knight from July 1983 until June 1985. He was the council's current recording secretary.
He was a deputy of District 26 from July 1980 to June 1982.
Schmidt was a staff sergeant in the Army Air Corps during World War II, having served in the Philippines. He was a member of the Dolon-Jones-Martino American Legion Post 304, Jim Thorpe.
Surviving in addition to his widow are a sister Mary of Jim Thorpe; three brothers, Conrad and Hubert, both of Jim Thorpe, and Frank of Lodi, Calif.; and nieces and nephews.
He was also preceded in death by a brother Lawrence.
The Edward F. Melber Funeral Home, 524 Center St., Jim Thorpe, is in charge of the arrangements.
Schmidt honor guard
All members of the Damien Council-Msgr. Agnello J. Angelini Assembly, 4th Degree Knights of Columbus, are requested to meet Saturday at 9:15 a.m. at the Edward F. Melber Funeral Home, 524 Center St., Jim Thorpe, to serve as honor guard for William J. "Reds" Schmidt.
Schmidt, 84, of Tamaqua R.2, formerly of Jim Thorpe, died Wednesday in Hazleton.
Violet N. Kehl
Violet N. Kehl, 73, of 26 Market St., Tamaqua, died Wednesday evening at her residence. She was the widow of Richard C. Kehl, who died in 1995.
Born in Lincolnton, N.C., she was a daughter of the late Clyde and Netty (Lutz) Seagle.
She was a member of St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Tamaqua.
Surviving are four daughters, Diane G., wife of Ted Matrician, Barnesville, Sandra A., wife of Curtis Link Jr., of Arlington, Tx, Debra J., wife of Edward Johnson Jr. of Tamaqua, and Melissa J., wife of Jeffrey Martin of Tuscarora; six sons, Richard C. Jr., George D., and Gary M., all of Tamaqua; Robert B. of Lansford, Ronald T. of Coaldale, and Thomas W. of Mahanoy City.
Also, 33 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; two brothers, Dwight and James Seagle, both of Lincolnton, N.C.
She was preceded in death by a sister, Gladys Inez, who died in 1993.
The Zizelmann Funeral Home, Tamaqua, is in charge of arrangements.
Raymond E. Zanders
Raymond E. Zanders, 68, of 417 W. Third St., Lehighton, died early this morning in his home. He was the husband of rita M. (Cossman) Zanders. They celebrated their 46th anniverary on Feb. 3.
Born in Mauch Chunk, she was a son of the late Elmer and Mayme (Mertz) Zanders. He was last employed as a custodian for the Lehighton School District in the East Penn School. Previously he was a partner in the former Cossman Block Co., Lehighton.
He was a member Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Lehighton, and was the treasurer and past president of the Orioles Club in Lehighton.
Surviving with his widow are four sons, Raymond Jr., of Tamaqua R.3, and Edward, Michael and John, all of Lehighton; three daughters, Edith, at home, Jill, wife of Bruce Smith of Lehighton, and Millie of Mahanoy City; also a sister, Ruth, wife of James Redline of Walnutport and seven grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Harold and Norman.
The Andrew P. Ovsak Funeral Home, Fourth and Iron Streets, Lehighton, is in charge of arrangements.
Allen Keniston
Allen Roderick "Rod" Keniston, 78, of Howard Siding, died Monday (Feb. 27, 2006) at his residence, following a lengthy illness.
Born Oct. 29, 1927 in Oil City, he was a son of Ralph C. and Bernice Whitesell Keniston. On Oct. 10, 1955, in Winchester, Va., he married Joan Fletcher, who survives.
Mr. Keniston had been a resident of Cameron County since 1962. He graduated from Cranberry High School, Oil City, and from Penn State University and was the Cameron County Extension Agent/Director for 35 years. His Extension career began in Bedford County. He received the rank of associate county agent in 1956 and in 1962 was promoted to Cameron County Agent. In 1974 he was named County Extension Director for Cameron County. He was discharged with the rank of Sergeant after two years active service in the U.S. Marine Corps, from 1946 to 1948, and five years in the U.S. Marine Reserves, Altoona.
Mr. Keniston was a member of the Pennsylvania and National County Agents' Associations, Epsilon Sigma Phi, Rotary Club, Bucktail Rod and Gun Club, Sylvania Rifle Club, Marine Corps League, Ridgway Rifle Club, and the Cameron County Fair Association.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Kymberly Keniston of St. Petersburg, Flordia; three sons, Mark Allen Keniston of Camden, N.Y., Zane Roderick Keniston of Cuba, N.Y., and Allen Roderick Keniston II of St. Marys; four grandchildren, Emily Wallis and Jovanna Morales, both of Rome, N.Y., Gage Michael Keniston and Jazlin Rose Keniston, both of St. Marys; and two sisters, Barbara Schilk and Winifred Pleger, both of Oil City.
He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, and two sisters.
There will be no visitation. A funeral service, conducted by Mr. Gary Haskins, will be Saturday (today) at 2 p.m. in the Edward M. Barnett Funeral Home, PC.
Memorials may be made to the Elk-County Community Nurses Hospice, Cameron County Ambulance Service, or the Bucktail Rod and Gun Club.
John Overturf
John W. ”Jack” Overturf Sr., 67, of Grant, died Sunday (Feb. 19, 2006) in UPMC Presbyterian Hospital, Pittsburgh.
Born March 16, 1938 on Winslow Hill, Benezette, he was a son of Clair Finley and Harriet Sexton Overturf. On Sept. 12, 1964, he married Patricia Marshall, who survives.
He served with the U.S. Army, post Korea, stationed in Greenland.
Mr. Overturf was a lifelong resident of Benezette and Grant.
He attended Benezette schools and two years at Johnstown Rehab. Center training for Dental Technician. He was employed as a truck driver with Butler Trucking, Eagle Express & Ingram Trucking, for most of his life, and in the Maintenance Department of Motor Coils in Emporium.
He was a member of the Sinnemahoning Sportsmen’s Club.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by three daughters, Eileen Lucinda Beal (Larry), Wooddale, Pvt. Teresa Beck (Ricky, Ft. Jackson, SC, Jackie Stahlman (Jamie Paul), Punxsutawney; two sons, John W. Overturf (Robin) of Emporium and Kenneth E. Overturf of St. Marys; 11 grandchildren; PV2 Robert Chuck Penvose III, Joseph Stahlman, Jared Stahlman, Jason Stahlman, Jordan Beal, John Beal, Andrew Beal, Levi Overturf, Cody Overturf, SPC Aaron Beck, and Crystal Beck; three great grandchildren, three sisters, Mary Radmanich, Sacramento, CA, Dorothy Hauber, Murrysville, Ruth Ann Fye, Grant; two brothers, Clair F. Overturf Jr., Mill Hall, and William O. Overturf, Weedville; and by a constant canine companion, Genny Lynn.
He was predeceased by his parents, a daughter, Angel, and a brother, James.
Funeral services were held Friday (Feb. 24) in the Ralph M. Geer Funeral Home, Penfield, with Ginger Gardner officiating. Burial was in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Winslow Hill, Benezette.
Memorials may be made to Bennetts Valley Ambulance or St. Jude’s.
Frances Richner
Frances B. Richner, 84, of 12 1/2 East Fourth Street, Emporium, died Saturday (Feb. 25, 2006) at her residence after a brief illness.
Born April 3, 1921 in Smethport, she was the daughter of Frank and Mildred Barbour. She graduated from Smethport High School.
Mrs. Richner lived in Emporium for 41 years and was employed at the Warner Hotel.
She is survived by one daughter, Rebecca VanSickles of Roulette; one son, James Richner of South Dakota; three grandchildren and one sister, Pearl Lantz of Mt. Jewett..
She was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters.
There will be no visitation. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Burial will be at the convenience of the family.
Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Edward M. Barnett Funeral Home.
Edward Gardner
Edward A. Gardner, 84, died Tuesday (Feb. 21, 2006) in the Guy & Mary Felt Manor, Emporium, where he had been a resident for the past 10 years.
He was born Sept. 22, 1921, the son of Lee and Alma Sheddy Gardner. In 1935 he was taken in by his Aunt Laura Sheddy after his mother passed away.
For 15 years Mr. Gardner was employed as a laborer by Gibson Township. He was also employed for many years as a caretaker for Williamson’s buffalo herd on Mason Hill.
Mr. Gardner was a member of Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Emporium.
In addition to his parents and his Aunt Laura, he was predeceased by one brother, Walter R. Sheddy in 1938.
A Memorial Service for Mr. Gardner was held Friday (Feb. 24) in the Guy & Mary Felt Manor with the Rev. Dwight Simpson, pastor of Faith Baptist Church of Emporium, officiating. Burial was in Newton Cemetery, Emporium.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Coppersmith Condon Funeral Home, Emporium.
