Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Records, 1947-2010
John V. Roncek
John V. Roncek, 77, of 13 W. Lehigh St., Coaldale, died Tuesday in his home. He was the husband of Elizabeth (Zak) Roncek. They were married 54 years.
He was employed as a miner in the former No. 8 Colliery of the Coaldale Mining Company until it ceased operation, and later at the Fegley Gas Station in Tamaqua.
Born in Coaldale, he was the son of the late Paul and Anna (Kucharek) Roncek.
He was a member of St. John Slovak Lutheran Church, Lansford.
He was a 1936 graduate of the former Coaldale High School.
He was the last member of his immediate family.
Surviving with his wife is a son Robert of Barnesville; and three grandchildren.
He also was preceded in death by two sisters, Susan and Anna, and a daughter Beverly..
The August M. Gulla Funeral Home, 130 E. Ridge St., Coaldale, is in charge of arrangements.
Irvin A. Stevens
Irvin A. Stevens, 49, of Kunkletown R.1, died Wednesday in the Pocono Medical Center, East Stroudsburg. He was the husband of Teresa M. (Ambrose) Stevens. They observed their 22nd wedding anniversary in November.
He was a self-employed roofing contractor for the past 22 years.
Born in Abington, Montgomery County, he was a son of the late George B. and Eleanor (Winfree) Stevens.
He was a coach in the West End Little League for the past 14 years, and also coached basketball in the Western Pocono Jaycees and Western Pocono Lioness Club sponsored basketball programs in the Pleasant Valley School District for six years.
He played softball in the West End Men's Softball League for 10 years.
He received an associate degree from Manatee College in Braden, Fla.
Surviving in addition to his widow are three sons, Scott, Eric and Curtis, all at home; a brother George of Glenside, Montgomery County; and two sisters, Lee Kunc of Westerly, R.I., and Georgianna Farley of Glenside.
The Kresge Funeral Home, Rt. 209, Brodheadsville, is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. James V. Spaanstra
Mrs. Thelma T. Spaanstra, 60, of Saylorsburg, died Thursday in the New York University Medical Center. She was the wife of James V. Spaanstra. They observed their 43rd wedding anniversary in February.
Born in Passaic, N.J., she was a daughter of the late Anthony and Elsie (Geib) Triolo.
Surviving in addition to her husband are four sons, James of New Brunswick, N.J., Robert in North Carolina and Eric and Mark, both in Florida; a brother Micky of West Milford, N.J.; seven sisters, Tina, Josie, Caroline and Laura, all in Florida, Margaret of Columbia, N.J., Dorothy of Clifton, N.J., and Eleanor of Passaic; eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
The Kresge Funeral Home, Rt. 209, Brodheadsville, is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Evelyn Smith
Mrs. Evelyn Smith, 84, of Quakake, died Thursday in the Hazleton General Hospital. She was the widow of James E. Smith.
Born in Ringtown, she was a daughter of the late Morris and Ida (Membeck) Horn Houser.
She was a member of St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Tamaqua.
Surviving are three daughters, Olive, wife of Russell Smith of Casper, Wyo., Mrs. Margaret Deitzel of Pottsville and Diane, wife of Paul Boris of St. Clair; a sister, Rebecca Derr of Shenandoah; seven grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by a son William; a grandson Thomas; and two brothers, Edward and Adam.
The Lamar Christ Funeral Home, Hometown, is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Marguerite Emma Smith
Mrs. Marguerite Emma Smith, 80, of 595 Grouse Drive, Bath, formerly of Whitehall Township, died Thursday in the St. Luke Hospital, Fountain Hill, Bethlehem. She was the widow of Jeremiah L.E. Smith Sr.
She was a sewing machine operator for the Fuller Sportswear Company, Fullerton, for 40 years before retiring in 1979.
Born in Allentown, she was a daughter of the late Alfonso and Mary (Leiber) Wassmer.
She was of the Catholic faith.
Surviving are a son, Donald W. Sr. of Colorado Springs, Colo.; four daughters, Jacqueline L. Schlosser of Slatington, Loretta M., wife of Stanley Tibensky of Hellertown, Sherry S. Snyder of Walnutport and Brenda L., with whom she resided; a sister, Marie Gonzalez of Allentown; 19 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by two sons, Jeremiah L.E. Jr. and Timothy A.
Harold V. Tyson Sr.
Harold V. Tyson Sr., 81, of 4230 Dorney Park Road, Allentown, died Thursday in his home. He was the husband of Dorothy W. (Applegate) Tyson.
He was a self-employed contractor in the Lehigh Valley for many years before retiring in 1972.
Born in Upper Macungie Township, he was a son of the late Henry and Sarah (Sell) Tyson.
He was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, Fogelsville, where he served on the council for many years.
Surviving in addition to his widow are a son, Harold V. Jr. of Kempton; six daughters, Patricia A. Posch of Orlando, Fla., Cindy L. Decking of Palermo, N.J., Harriet S., wife of Ronald Morh of Sterline, Va., Sarah L., wife of Clifford Romig, and Rebecca J., wife of Robert Neumoyer, both of New Tripoli, and Mary Ellen, wife of Wayne Knerr of Pittsgrove, N.J.; 13 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
He was also preceded in death by a daughter, Judy D.
Anthony DeMatteo
Anthony DeMatteo, 66, of 54 Hollow Ave., MaryD, died Thursday in St. Joseph Hospital in Reading, where he was hospitalized intermitently. He was the husband of Rosemarie (Kopena) DeMatteo. They were married 39 years.
He was last employed as a fabrics cutter at Target Sportswear in New Philadelphia.
Born in Palo Alto, he was a son of the late Dominic and Assunta (LaSelda) DeMatteo.
He was a member of St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church in Brockton, a member of the Holy Name Society of the church, a trustee, and was active around the church.
He was also a member of the Middleport American Legion and the MaryD Fire Company.
He was a 1949 graduate of Pottsville High School, and was a veteran of the United States Air Force having served during the Korean Conflict.
Surviving with his widow is a daughter Christine DeMatteo of Willow Grove; two brothers, Gustino of Clearfield; Morris of Freehold, N.J.; and one sister Dominica, wife of Edward LaSelda of Palo Alto.
The August M. Gulla Funeral Home, 130 E. Ridge St., Coaldale, is in charge of arrangements.
Rose King
Rose King, of 207 E. High St., Coaldale, died this morning in Miners Memorial Medical Center, Coaldale.
The August M. Gulla Funeral Home, 130 E. Ridge St., Coaldale, is in charge of arrangements.
Peter Toth
Peter Toth, 76, of 125 James Lane, Towamensing Township, Lehighton, died Sunday in his home. He was the husband of Karla (Stahn) Toth. They observed their 51st wedding anniversary last May.
He was a spot welder for the former Peerless Steel Company, Philadelphia, for 25 years before retiring in 1980.
Born in Novi Itebej, Yugoslavia, he was a son of the late Stephan and Juliana (Pal) Toth.
He was a member of Jerusalem Lutheran Church, Trachsville.
Surviving in addition to his widow are a son Steven of Philadelphia; a sister, Eva Deckert of Munich, Germany; and two grandchildren.
He was also preceded in death by a daughter Gisela.
John C. Ahner
John C. Ahner, 92, of Mrs. Bush's Personal Care Home, Kunkletown, died Friday in the home. He was the husband of the late Ellen I. (Blose) Ahner.
He was an engineer in the power house of the former New Jersey Zinc Company, Palmerton, where he worked for 45 years before retiring in 1966.
Born in Lower Nazareth Township, he was a son of the late Edwin and Anna (Shupp) Ahner.
He was a member of Jerusalem Lutheran Church, Trachsville.
Surviving are two sons, Milford C. of Slatington and Dale W. of Whitehall; a daughter, Fern G., wife of Marlin Horn of Slatington; 14 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and a great-great-granddaughter.
He was also preceded in death by a son, Vincent A., and daughter Ethel.
The Campton Funeral Home, 525 Delaware Ave., Palmerton, is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Viola C. Repp
Mrs. Viola C. Repp, 79, of Allentown, died Sunday in the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Allentown. She was the widow of Charles E. Repp.
She was an assembly worker for the former General Cigar Company, Allentown, for several years before retiring.
Born in Lehigh Township, she was a daughter of the late William Henry and Mary (Fritz) Schaffer.
She was a member of Emmanuel United Church of Christ, Allentown.
Surviving are nieces and nephews.
Marvin E. Hassler
Marvin E. Hassler, 74, of Middle Smithfield Township, died Saturday in the Pocono Medical Center, East Stroudsburg. He was the husband of Ruth (Hallowell) Hassler.
He was a plastics molder for Shaw Plastics, Stroudsburg, until retiring at the age of 62, and previously had been a truck driver for Graver Trucking and other companies for many years.
Born in Coopersburg, he was a son of the late Francis and Emma (Snyder) Hassler.
He was an Army veteran of World War II, having served as a sergeant with the 82nd Airborne Division troops in Europe.
A breeder of show and commercial rabbits for the past 12 years, he was a member of the Northeast Pennsylvania Rabbit and Cavy Breeders Association; Broome County Rabbit Breeders Association, Broome County, N.Y.; the Holland Lop Rabbit Specialty Club Association; American Rabbit Breeders Association; and the New York State Rabbit and Cavy Breeders Hall of Fame. He also belonged to the Monroe Beagle Club, Stroud Township.
Surviving in addition to his widow are a son James of Cresco; a brother Ray of Lehighton; a sister, Arlene Ritter of Coopersburg; three grandchildren and nieces and nephews.
