Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Records, 1947-2010
Mrs. Rita L. Dever
Mrs. Rita L. Dever, 79, formerly of Center Avenue, Jim Thorpe, died Sunday morning in the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Rita and John Engler, 2 Pletcher Place, Morristown, N.J., with whom she resided.
The deceased was the widow of John "Jack" Dever, who died Oct. 22, 1979.
She and her husband owned and operated the former Dever's Bar and Grill on Center Avenue in Jim Thorpe, where she was well-known for her culinary expertise.
Born in Upper Mauch Chunk, she was a daughter of the late John and Mary (Farrell) Love.
She was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Jim Thorpe.
Surviving in addition to her daughter are another daughter Jane, wife of Charles McHugh of Andreas; a son John of Jim Thorpe; a sister, Mrs. Eleanor Stoneback of Cincinnati, Ohio; seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by a grandson, John H. Dever, who died in 1980.
The Edward F. Melber Funeral Home, 524 Center St., Jim Thorpe, is in charge of the arrangements.
J. Scott Brill Sr.
J. Scott Brill Sr., 52, of Quakake, died Saturday in the Miners Memorial Medical Center, Coaldale. He was the husband of Lorraine "Sissy" (Argust) Brill.
He worked in maintenance for Fabri-Kal at the Valmont Park, Hazleton, and was also a well-known musician, playing keyboards in area bands, starting with the Falcons in 1960 and continuing up to the present with other bands and also playing solo.
Born in Shenandoah, he was a son of the late John W. and Ella (Butkus) Brill.
He was a member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Weatherly R.1.
Brill was president of the Quakake Fire Company and also served as emergency management coordinator for Rush Township.
He was a social member of the Citizens Fire Company, Weatherly, and a former scoutmaster of the Quakake Boy Scouts.
Surviving in addition to his widow are a son, J. Scott Jr. of Quakake; a sister, Mrs. Geraldine Leighty of Galeton, Pa.; and two grandchildren.
The Lamar Christ Funeral Home, Hometown, is in charge of the arrangements.
Joseph Chelak
Joseph "Barney" Chelak, 66, of 102 Park Place, Mahanoy City, died Sunday morning in the Reading Hospital, West Reading. He was the husband of Elizabeth (Zukus) Chelak.
Before retiring, he was employed by Robinson and Clay of Pottstown.
Born in Park Place, Mahanoy Township, he was a son of the late Wassil and Pearl (Falatovich) Chelak.
A 1948 graduate of the former Mahanoy Township High School, he was a member of St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church, and the American Legion Post 74, both of Mahanoy City.
Chelak was an Army veteran of the Korean Conflict.
Surviving in addition to his widow are a son Joseph of New Boston, Mahanoy Township; a daughter, Jacqueline Lord of Frackville; four brothers, Stephen of Buck Run, Mahanoy Township, Michael of Jersey City, N.J., John of Mahanoy City and Wassil of Pottstown; three sisters, Anna Homa of Middletown, Peal Donchak of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Nancy Hill of Harrisburg; and nieces and nephews.
He was also preceded in death by two brothers, Frank Kabilko and Gregory Chelak; and a sister, Mary Maietti.
Mrs. John A. Sweeney Jr.
Mrs. Kathleen K. "Kay" Sweeney, 71, of Stroudsburg, formerly of Hazleton, died Thursday in the Pocono Medical Center, East Stroudsburg. She was the wife of Dr. John A. Sweeney Jr. They were married for 49 years.
Born in Hazleton, she was a daughter of the late George and Nora (McHugh) Kellner.
She was a member of St. Matthew Catholic Church, East Stroudsburg, and its Altar and Rosary Society, and was a missionary with the Lay Missionaries of Charity.
Mrs. Sweeney was a member of the Pocono Irish-American Club. In 1977, she received its Tommy Cullen Shamrock Award, which recognized her many years of community service.
Surviving in addition to her husband are seven daughters, Margaret M. Pugh, Joan M. and Susan M. Taylor, all of Stroudsburg, Noreen M. of East Stroudsburg, Anne S., wife of Lawrence O'Donnell of Summit Hill, Mary C. of Delaware Water Gap and Kathleen M. Warner of Canadensis; four sons, John A. III of Stroudsburg, Timothy T. of Coopersburg, Bernard R. of York and Paul R. of Stroud Township; two brothers, George of Lansdale and Robert of Dundalk, Md.; a sister, Elnora Tyson of Freeland; 12 grandchildren and nieces and nephews.
Edward S. Lehrman Sr.
Edward S. Lehrman Sr., 70, of Coplay, died Friday in the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township. He was the husband of Janet E. (Andrews) Lehrman.
He was a mechanic for Mack Trucks, Inc., Allentown and Macungie, for many years before retiring in 1986.
Born in Allentown, he was a son of the late Charles E. and Tillie (Sinclair) Lehrman.
An Army veteran of the Korean Conflict, he was a member of American Legion Post 16, Allentown, Post 899, Lehigh Township, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7293, Egypt, and Post 4714, Northampton.
Surviving in addition to his widow are two sons, Edward S. Jr. and Thomas M., both of Allentown; four daughters, Robyn L., wife of Brian D. Simmons of Catasauqua, Leane M., wife of Jay Miller of Bowie, Md., Michele L., wife of Bernard Krajcir of Allentown, and Debra L., wife of John M. Kraus of Walnutport; a brother, Charles Jr., and three sisters, Lois, wife of Phillip Majerich, Mary Strauss and June Vogel, all of Allentown; 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Paul H. Ruth
Paul H. Ruth, 64, of 3120 W. Scenic Dr., Danielsville, died Wednesday in his home.
He was a welder for Albright Metal.
Born in Easton, he was a son of the late Howard and Irene (Ritter) Ruth.
Surviving are two sons, Charles R. in California and Karl of Luzerne; a daughter, Pamela Wawryk of Mertztown; a brother Melvin of Danielsville; a sister, Marian Hilbert, with whom she resided; four grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.
Michael E. Kravelick Sr.
Michael E. Kravelick Sr., 86, of ManorCare Health Services, Salisbury Township, died Friday in the home. He was the husband of the late Esther (Flood) Kravelick.
He was a construction finisher for the Seilcote Company in New Jersey for 15 years before retiring in 1981.
Born in Nesquehoning, he was a son of the late Metro and Anna Kravelick.
Surviving are a son, Robert Hertzog of Allentown; a brother Metro of Nesquehoning; two sisters, Tessie Kortvely and Anna Carl, both of Allentown; eight grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.
He was also preceded in death by two sons, Richard and Michael E. Jr.
Leon F. Smith
Leon F. Smith, 95, of 5713 Route 873, Neffs, died Thursday in the Phoebe Nursing Home, Allentown. He was the husband of the late Catherine G. (Gilbert) Smith.
He was a shipping and loading supervisor for the former Universal Atlas Cement, Northampton, for 43 years before retiring in 1966.
Born in Northampton, he was a son of the late Peter A. and Rosa A. (Moyer) Smith.
He was a member of Grace United Church of Christ, Northampton.
Smith was a member of various Masonic lodges, including Chapman Lodge No. 637, Northampton. He was a former member of the Northampton Rotary Club.
Surviving is a companion, Mabel S. Semmel, with whom he resided.
Mrs. Gisella Karol
Mrs. Gisella "Stella" Karol, 85, formerly of 630 N. Fourth St., Allentown, died Thursday in Cedarbrook's Fountain Hill Annex, Bethlehem. She was the widow of Michael Karol.
She worked in the maintenance department of the former Quaker Shoe Company, Allentown.
Born in Rabafurzest, Hungary, she was a daughter of the late John and Rozina (Schmidt) Frisch.
She was a member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, Allentown.
Surviving are four sisters, Mary Deutsch of Bethlehem, Christine Smith of Lackawanna, N.Y., Elsie, wife of Adam Kohler of Walnutport, and Hilda McFadden of Waterloo, Iowa; and nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Elizabeth A. Blum
Mrs. Elizabeth A. "Betty" Blum, 82, of Hendersonville, N.C., formerly of Mahanoy City and Park Crest, died Friday in the Life Care Center of Hendersonville. She was the widow of Nathan Blum.
Born in Allentown, she was a daughter of the late Andrew and Elizabeth (Leshko) Sofranko.
Surviving are a daughter, Patricia A., wife of Dr. John Y. Modarress, with whom she resided; two sisters, Gertrude Gift in Hawaii and Marie Mickel of Allentown; two brothers, Thomas of Bethlehem and Andrew of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; two grandchildren and nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Helen R. Whetstone
Mrs. Helen R. "Nellie" Whetstone, 91, formerly of Tamaqua and Hometown, died Sunday in the Geriatric Center of Miners Memorial Medical Center, Coaldale. She was the widow of Thomas W. Whetstone, who died in 1975.
Born in Lost Creek, Schuylkill County, she was a daughter of the late Michael and Anna M. (Coyle) McAndrew.
Mrs. Whetstone was a member of St. Jerome's Catholic Church, Tamaqua.
She is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Anna Marie Cardillo and Mrs. Rita Breslin, both of Hometown, Tamaqua R.2; a son, Thomas J. of Bristol; five grandchildren; and four great grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by five sisters, Mary Gallagher, Catherine McAndrew, Margaret Mims, Anna McAndrew and Bridget McAndrew; and a brother, Michael McAndrew.
The Jon M. Zizelmann Funeral Home, 500 E. Broad St., Tamaqua, is in charge of arrangements.
Howard A. Ehrich
Howard Allen "Rick" Ehrich, 80, of 520 Morrison Campground Rd., Rome, Ga., died Friday in Rome. He was the husband of Imogene Whaley Hall Emerich.
Prior to retiring, he had been employed by the Georgia Power Company as senior garage superintendent. Following retirement, he served as a consultant. Former Georgia Gov. George Busbee named Ehrich as his Lt. Col. Aide de Camp in 1975 and 1980.
Born in Lansford, he was a son of the late Lloyd E. and Myra O. (Wittig) Ehrich.
A veteran of World War II, he served with the U.S. Army in the European and Pacific Campaigns.
Surviving, in addition to his wife, are several step-children, step-grandchildren, step great grandchildren and step nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Lucy Holt
Mrs. Lucy "Betty" Holt, 75, of 10 W. Center St., Mahanoy City, and formerly of Locust Valley, Barnesville, died Saturday in the Pottsville Hospital and Warne Clinic, Pottsville. She was the widow of Thomas "Tucker" Holt, who died in 1978.
Born in Mahanoy City, she was a daughter of the late Elmer G. and Mae F. (Shirey) Cope.
Mrs. Holt was a member of St. Peter United Church of Christ, Barnesville, and the Mahanoy Area Senior Citizens. She graduated from the former Mahanoy City High School.
She is survived by two sons, Thomas and Robert Holt, both of Barnesville; two daughters, Carolyn Koback and Judy Hutera, both of Barnesville; two brothers, Edward "Ted" Cope of Florida and George Cope of Tamaqua; two sisters, Evelyn Lukash of Florida and Lois Dombrowski of Breiningsville; nine grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
The Jane Clifford Ritz Funeral Home, 19 E. Mahanoy Ave., Mahanoy City, is in charge of arrangements.
