Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Records, 1947-2010
John G. Sarge
John G. "Jack" Sarge, 71, of Pine Grove, died Sunday at York Hospital, York. He lived at ManorCare Health Services East, York, since January. He was the husband of the late Myrna Sarge.
Born in Pine Grove, he was a son of the late Homer D. and Naomi P. (Smith) Sarge. He was a 1943 graduate of Pine Grove High School and attended Rutgers University, New Brunswick, N.J.
He was a Navy veteran of World War II.
Prior to retiring, he worked all of his life in sales/purchasing, most recently for Hanh Motor Co., Hamburg.
He was a member of Pine Grove Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3432, Pine Grove American Legion Post 374, Rotary Club, Sodbusters and served on the Pine Grove Ambulance Association as a vlunteer driver.
In the 1980s, he was an announcer for Pine Grove High School football games and was a sports writer for the Pine Grove Press-Herald newspaper.
Surviving is a daughter, Jill Dietrich of York; a son, John M. Sarge of Andreas; a sister, Lucille Valibus, Pine Grove; two brothers, Richard, Spring Hill, Fla., and David, Pine Grove. Also five grandchildren.
A memorial service is scheduled at 1:30 p.m. today in St. John's Lutheran Church, Pine Grove.
Stocus survivors
Among the survivors of William Stocus, 67, of 103 Brentwood Road, Raritan, N.J., who died Wednesday in the Somerset Medical Center, Somerville, N.J., is a brother Joseph, and a sister, Theresa, wife of Frank Andruscavage, both of Mahanoy City.
Lewis Paules
Lewis L. Paules, 98, of 255 Fireline Road, Bowmanstown, died Friday in the lehigh Valley Hospital Center, Chew Street, Allentown. He was the husband of Verna V. (Long) Paules.
Born in Slatedale, he was a son of the late Amandus and Ellen (Walters) Paules.
He retired in 1961 after 25 years as a quarryman for several local slate quarries.
Surviving with his widow are two daughters, Mrs. Ann DeLong and Ellen Paules, both of Bowmanstown; four sons, Lewis R. of Ashfield, Dale D. of Bath, Roger D. and Kerry J., both of Palmerton. Also 16 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
The T.K. Thomas Funeral Home, Inc., 145 Delaware Ave., Palmerton, is in charge of arrangements.
Elva E. Simmons
Elva E. Simmons, 67, of Highstown, and a Tamaqua native, died Thursday in the Merwick Rehabilitation Unit at the Medical Center in Princeton, N.J. She was the wife of George R. Simmons Sr.
Born in Tamaqua, she resided in Highstown since 1962.
She was formerly employed with Jamesway, and also worked with the Peddie School and McGraw Hill, all of Hightstown.
She was a member of the Primitive Methodist Church of Tamaqua, and spent much of her time enjoying music.
Surviving with her husband are two sons, The Rev. George R. Simmons Jr. of Hightstown, and Gary L. of Cornell, Wisc.; a brother, Joseph C. Fero of Hightstown; five grandchildren, two great-grrandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
The Glacking/Saul Funeral Home, 136 Morrison Ave., Hightstown, N.J., is in charge of arrangements.
Barnisky services
Funeral services for Joseph P. Barnisky, 92, of 16 Mauch Chunk St., Tamaqua, who died suddenly Friday, Feb. 28, 1997 in the Miners Memorial Medical Center, Coaldale, will be Monday at 10:30 a.m. from the Roche Funeral Home, 237 E. Broad St., Tamaqua, followed by Mass of Christian Burial 11 a.m. from Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Tamaqua. Interment in the Parish Cemetery, Owl Creek, Tamaqua. Call Monday, 10 to 10:40 a.m. Memorials to Ss. Peter and Paul Church Memorial Fund, 307 Pine St., Tamaqua 18252.
Mr. Barnisky was the husband of the late Kathryn (Cunningham) Barnisky, who died in 1972.
Among family members not listed in Friday's TIMES NEWS Obituary were a sister, Mary Kuryloski of Narberth.
He was also preceded in death by three brothers, George Peter and Albin Barnisky and two sister, Anna Valesek and Helen Linn.
The Roche Funeral Home, Tamaqua, is in charge of arrangements.
Elizabeth E. "Betty" Fried
Elizabeth E. "Betty" Fried, 72, of 22 E. Oak St., Tresckow, the Spring House Personal Care Home, and formerly of Palmerton and Bowmanstown, died Thursday in Hazleton St. Joseph's Hospital.
Born in Palmerton, she was a daughter of the late Alfred E. Sr. and Agnes (Rehrig) Fried.
She worked as a cutter for the former Helmer Manufacturing Co.
She is survived by a brother, Alfred E. Fried, Jr., of Greeley, Co.
She was preceded in death by a sister, Ruth A. Fried.
The Campton Funeral Home, Inc., 525 Delaware Ave., Palmerton, is in charge of arrangements.
J. Ford Fritzinger
J. Ford Fritzinger, 95, of Allentown, died Friday, Jan. 31, in the Phoebe Home, Allentown. He was the husband of the late Elsie (Faga) Fritzinger.
He was employed by PP&L from 1922 to 1966 at various capacities from clerk at the Hauto Power Station to assistant superintendent of power and engineering at the time of his retirement.
He resided in Allentown since 1960. Prior to that he lived in Hazleton from 1931 to 1960.
Born in Jim Thorpe, he was a son of the late Edward E. and Elizabeth H. (Sinex) Fritzinger. He was member of Grace-St. Paul United Methodist Church, Jim Thorpe. He was the Past Master of Carbon Lodge 242 F.&A.M. A past high priest of Lilly Chapter No. 181 and Past Commander of Packer Commandery No. 23, Knights Templar all of Jim Thorpe. He was the oldest past officer of all those above bodies.
He was the oldest member of the Mauch Chunk Alumni Association.
The Stephen Funeral Home, 1335 Linden St., Allentown, is in charge of arrangements.
Leonard Alabovitz
Former Summit Hill Mayor Leonard Alabovitz, 76, of 347 W. White St., died Saturday in the Good Samaritan Hospital, Pottsville. He was the husband of Elizabeth (Zuber) McLaughlin and the late Katherine (Campbell) Alabovitz.
He served as mayor of the community from 1973-77 and was also a former zoning officer in the town. Alabovitz was the longtime president and a past treasurer of the Summit Hill Community Improvement Organization, which he helped found in 1973, and a former coordinator of the Summit Hill gypsy moth program.
He served for 22 years in the U.S. Air Force, retiring as a master sergeant in 1966. He served in World War II, the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War and was the recipient of many medals.
Following his military career, Alabovitz was a supervisor in the proof department of the Northeastern National Bank, Scranton; credit manager of Evans Delivery Company, Pottsville; supervisor of the shipping department of the J.E. Morgan Knitting Mills, Hometown; director of the Carbon County Tax Claims Bureau; auditor and field investigator with the State Bureau of Liquid Fuels; Carbon County recorder of deeds; and as an auditor in the Carbon County Controller's Office.
Born in Dickson City, Lackawanna County, he was a son of Mrs. Wanda (Lebicjesky) Alabovitz of Blakely, Lackawanna County, and the late John Alabovitz.
He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Summit Hill.
Alabovitz was a past president of the Jeffersonian Democratic Club, Summit Hill; chairman of the Summit Hill Bicentennial Committee; and a life member of Lehighton Fire Company.
He was a member of the Carbon-Monroe Blind Association; the former Polish-American and Rod and Gun clubs, both of Summit Hill; the Air Force Sergeants Association; Retired Enlisted Association; American Legion Post 316, Summit Hill; and AMVETS Post 83, Lansford.
Surviving in addition to his widow and mother are two sons, TIMES NEWS Productions Manager Leonard J. of Lansford and Lawrence of Summit Hill; two sisters, Ramona Violanti of Archbald and Joan Geroula of Peckville, both in Lackawanna County; a stepdaughter, Eloise K. Ahner of Summit Hill; three stepsons, Clem McLaughlin III of Lancaster, N.Y., Anthony McLaughlin of Summit Hill and Richard McLaughlin of Bethlehem; five grandchildren and several step-grandchildren.
He was also preceded in death by a brother Sanford.
The Thomas J. Parambo Funeral Home, 54 W. Fell St., Summit Hill, is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Mary Boyle
Mrs. Mary Boyle, 95, formerly of Tamaqua, died Sunday in the Engleside Care Center, Hockessan, Del. She was the widow of Leroy Boyle.
Prior to retiring in 1967, she worked for the Atlas Powder Company, Reynolds, for 41 years.
Born in Summit Hill, she was a daughter of the late Charles and Elmira (Betz) Rickert.
She was affiliated with Trinity United Church of Christ, Tamaqua.
Surviving are a son Wilbur and a daughter, Meurice Southam, both of Wilmington, Del.; six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
The Roche Funeral Home, 237 E. Broad St., Tamaqua, is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Evelyn V. Kelshaw
Mrs. Evelyn V. Kelshaw, 85, formerly of Hazleton and Weatherly, a guest at the Sunny Knoll Personal Care Home, Drums, Luzerne County, died Sunday in the emergency room of the Hazleton-St. Joseph Medical Center. She was the widow of Clayton Kelshaw, who died in 1963.
Prior to retiring, she had worked as a nurse's aide at the St. Joseph Hospital, Hazleton.
Born in Quakake, she was a daughter of the late Henry and Martha M. (Banks) Brobst.
She was a member of Salem United Church of Christ, Weatherly, and the Weatherly and Quakake Senior Citizens.
Surviving are a daughter Alberta, wife of Carmen Corch of Weatherly; a sister, Mrs. Robert (Alberta) Titus of Allentown; four grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by a brother Russell and a sister, Catherine Brobst.
Joseph J. York
Joseph J. York, 85, formerly of Lehighton, died Sunday in Gracedale, Upper Nazareth Township. He was the husband of the late Rose (Didonato) York, who died in December.
A self-employed contractor, he owned and operated York Roofing and Contracting, Lehighton and New York, for 50 years. He last worked for Carpenters Union, Allentown, retiring in 1976.
Born in Jim Thorpe, he was a son of the late Joseph and Ida (Leonard) York.
He was of the Protestant faith.
Surviving are a two sons, Jerry of Newark, Del., and Joseph of Bath; a daughter Connie, wife of Gary Rex of Northampton; two brothers, Bernard of Glenville, Neb., and Francis of Walnutport; three sisters, Ruth, wife of Louis Fortuni of Pittsburgh, Mrs. Margaret McLanghlan of Lakehurst, N.J., and Mrs. Evelyn Lithkousky of Tucson, Ariz.; six grandchildren and a great-grandchild.
Mrs. Joseph J. Rauscher
Mrs. Arline Mary Rauscher, 64, of 7985 Saw Mill Road, New Tripoli, died Sunday in her home. She was the wife of Joseph J. Rauscher. They observed their 36th wedding anniversary in July.
Born in Pringle, Luzerne County, she was a daughter of Mrs. Helen V. (Bush) Schnappauf of Mountain Top and the late Joseph G. Schnappauf.
She was a member of the Heritage Baptist Church, Orefield.
Surviving in addition to her husband and mother are two daughters, JoAnn M., wife of Randall A. Wise of Vicksburg, Miss., and Mary Ann F., at home; three sons, Joseph J. Jr. of Fleetwood, Karl F. of Naperville, Ill., and Frank L. of Tinton Falls, N.J.; two sisters, Charlotte H. Kapral of Edwardsville, Luzerne County, and Irene T., wife of Samuel G. Korey of Mountain Top; a brother, Richard J. of Dowell, Md.; and eight grandchildren.
Karl P. Bretney
Karl P. Bretney, 79, of Yarnell, Ariz., formerly of Lehighton, died Thursday in his home. He was the husband of the late Margie (Lower) Bretney.
Born in Lehighton, he was a son of the late Charles F. and Mary (Portz) Bretney.
Surviving are three sons, John of Yorba Linda, Calif., Kirk of Hawthorne, Calif., and Mark in Wisconsin; a sister Carolyn, wife of Lester Plank of Hollidaysburg, Blair County; and five grandchildren.
