Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Records, 1947-2010
John S. Yanacek
John S. Yanacek, 72, of 227 Green St., Brockton, died Friday in the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township. He was the husband of Alice (Blasko) Yanacek.
Born in Lansford, he was a son of the late Michael and Elizabeth (Krycirik) Yanacek.
He worked for Tewney Engineering, Union, N.J., as a sheet metalist.
He was a World War II Coast Guard veteran.
He was also a foster parent, caring for more than 40 children during his lifetime.
He was a member of St. Bartholomew Catholic Church, Brockton.
Surviving with his widow are two sons, John R. of Woodbridge, N.J., and David L. of South Tamaqua; two daughters, Mrs. Sheila Wirth and Nancy Ann Yanacek, both of Brockton; two brothers, Martin of Lansford and Paul of Phoenix, Az.; and one sister, Mrs. Ethel Breslin of Staten Island, N.Y.
He was preceded in death by five brothers, Joseph, Louis, Andrew, Michael and Valentino.
The E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home, 655 E. Broad St., Tamaqua, is in charge of arrangements.
John A. McConnell
John A McConnell, 78, formerly of Jim Thorpe, died Friday at his home in Levittown, Pa. where he resided 35 years. He was the husband of Dorothy (Lakata) McConnell.
He formerly worked as a steelworker for Fairless Hills Steel Co., and was a member of the VFW and American Legion Posts where he lived.
Surviving are four sons, Jack and Tom, both of Levittown, James of Jim Thorpe and Robert of Lehighton; a daughter, Patricia Taylor of Levittown; five sisters, Marion Henry of Jim thorpe, Dorothy Yale of Lehighton, Evelyn Trout of Lehighton, Ann Lloyd of Ft. Pierce, Fla., and Mary Huber of Jim Thorpe. Also 10 grandchildren.
The Beck-Givnish Funeral Home, Inc. 7400 New Falls Road, Levittown, is in charge of arrangements.
Dr. Metro "Duke" Yurchak, Jr.
Dr. Metro "Duke" Yurchak, Jr., 68, of 2605 Mill Road, Quakertown, died Friday at St. Luke's Quakertown Hospital. He was the husband of Gail Ann (Arner) Yurchak. They were married 40 years last August.
Born in Nesquehoning, he was a son of the late Metro and Anna (Thear) Yurchak Sr.
He was an educator in the Bucks County Intermediate Unit, retiring in 1985.
He was a Navy veteran, serving aboard the USS Providence in the European Theater of Operations.
He was an all-state end in football for Nesquehoning High School, and later was football captain of the team at Lock Haven State Teachers College.
He lived in Quakertown 30 years, and was a member of St. John the Baptist Russian Orthodox Church, Nesquehoning.
He graduated from Nesquehoning in 1946, and received his bachelor's degree in education from lock Haven, his master's degree in guidance from Penn State University, and his doctor of education, also from Penn State.
He coached basketball and football at Lehighton for three years, and later coached at Pennridge High School in Perkasie for seven years.
Surviving with his widow are two sons, Gregory of West Chester, Ohio, and Jonathan of Quakertown; three daughters, Carole, wife of Bruce W. Door of Kutztown, Heather, wife of John Harrison of Pittsburgh, and Susan, wife of Patrick G. Cooke of Quakerton; a brother, Stephen of Sellersville, two sisters, Anna Rosario, Rockville, Md., and Betty Hall of California. Also 13 grandchildren.
The Joseph S. Blazosky Funeral Home, Nesquehoning, is in charge of arrangements.
Willard L. Knepper
Willard Lewis Knepper, 77, of 103 Phillips St., Easley, S.C., died Sunday in the Baptist Medical Center, Easley. He was the husband of the late Jane (Payne) Easley.
He was a retired machinist and worked for the Tun-Sol company, Weatherly.
Born in Weatherly, he was a son of the late Lewis A. and Mary P. (Richle) Knepper.
He was a Navy veteran of World War II, having served in the South Pacific.
Knepper was a member of the American Legion and St. Mattias Lutheran Church.
Surviving are a sister, Ethel K. Pavone of Coopersburg; three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
He was also preceded in death by a son, Joseph W. Sr.; four brothers, Leland, Lawrence, Arden and Carl; and three sisters, Lillian K. Evans, Pearl K. Schmeer and Eleanor K. Ray.
Dolores A. Hoppes
Dolorers Anna Hoppes, 66, of Hagerman, N.M., died April 28 in the Eastern New Mexico Medical Center. She was the widow of Walter Alfred Hoppes.
Born in Coaldale, she was a daughter of the late William and Helen (Wychulis) Bozavage.
She is survived by three sons, Walter, Jr., of San Diego, Cal., Richard of Orwigsburg and Michael of Hagerman, N.M.; four daughters, Mrs. Valerie, wife of John Fenstermacher of Orwigsburg and Sonya, wife of Glen Dunnahoo, Susan, wife of Michael Smith and Pam, wife of Lupe Carrasco, all of Hagerman, N.M.; two brothers, Anthony Boza of lake City, Fla., and Richard Boza of Orlando, Fla.; two sisters, Nellie Wald and Martha Palmaise, both of Long Island, N.Y; and 15 grandchildren.
Victor E. Hoffman
Victor E. Hoffman, 78, of Allentown, died Wednesday in Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township. He was the husband of Hilda C. (Moyer) Hoffman. they were married 50 years in December.
He was a machine operator for the Philadelphia, Bethlehem and New England Railroad at Bethlehem steeol Corp. 18 years before retiring in 1984.
Born in Penn Haven, Carbon County, he was a son of William E. and Alice A. (Knappenberger) Hoffman.
he was a member of St. John's United church of Christ, Laurys Station, and its keenagers.
He was an Army veteran of World War II, having served with the 7th Armored Division.
He was a member of the 7th Armored Division Association, American Legion Post 353, Northampton, and Community Fire Company No. 1 Schnecksville.
Surviving with his widow are four sons, Robert C. of Slatington, Donald P. and James E., both of Northampton, and Jerry L. of New Ringgold; three daughters, Eleanor J., wife of James Swogger of Greensburg, Westmoreland County, Joyce I., wife of Charles L. Edgar of Allentown, and Nancy A., wife of Daniel R. Mcdonaough of Audubon, Montgomery County; 16 grandchildren and a great-grandson.
John A. Jacobs Sr.
John A. Jacobs Sr., 63, of Allentown, died Thursday in his home. He was the husband of Barbara A. (Devaney) Jacobs. They were married 29 years last November.
He was millwright at Bethlehem Steel Corp. for 30 years before retiring 1985.
Born in Allentown, he was ason of the late Herbert A. Sr., and Laura (Schaeffer) Jacobs.
He was a member of St. Paul's Catholic Church, Allentown.
He was an Army veteran of the Korean War.
Surviving with his widow are two sons, John A. Jr. of Fogelsville, and Edward J. of Bethlehem; three daughters, Laura G. Gill and Christine M., both of Allentown, and Jennifer L., at home; two brothers, Herbert of Slatington and his twin, James of Allentown; a sister, Helen Mocik of Brick, N.J., and five grandchildren.
Norman H. Fritz
Norman H. Fritz, 86, of Alexander Manor, Allentown, formerly of Walnutport, died Thursday in Northeastern Pennsylvania Veterans Administration Center, Scranton. He was the husband of Ruth A. (Hedrick) Fritz, who died last year.
He was an Army veteran for 20 years until retiring as a master sergeant in 1962. He was a veteran of World War II and the Korean War and ws instrumental in training troops.
He later was a custodian for Spirax-Sarco Inc., Emmaus, for 12 years, retiring in 1977.
Born in Kresgeville, he was a son of the late William and Ellamanda (Kresge) Fritz.
He was a member of Hope Lutheran Church, Cherryville.
Surviving is a son, Larry of Rush, N.Y.; two daughters, Norann, wife of Gary Klump of Wind Gap, and Eileen, wife of Lawrence Righi of Bethlehem, and six grandchildren.
Russell S. Kline
Russell S. Kline, 74, 338 Riverview Drive, Walnutport, died Thursday in the Palmerton Hospital. He was the husband of Helen M. (Furry) Kline.
Born in Walnutport, he was a son of the late Mahlon and Margie (Kemp) Kline.
He worked as a farmer for 20 years, being self-employed.
Before that he worked for the Bethlehem Steel Corp. for 8 years.
Surviving with his widow is a son, Rodney R. Kline of Northampton, a daughter, susan, wife of David Kern of Palmerton, and two grandchildren.
Mamie E. Christman
Mamie E. Christman, 90, died Thursday in the Gnaden Huetten Nursing and Convalescent Center. She was the widow of Adam H. Christman, Sr.
Born in Towamensing Township, she was a daughter of the late Stewart P. and Elizabeth (Levis) Smith.
She was the owner/operator of the family poulty farm in the Big Creek area, after retiring in the mid 1960s with more than 20 years of service from Scotty's Fashions, Lehighton, where she worked as a sewing machine operator.
She was of the Protestant faith.
Surviving is a son, Adam H. Christman, Jr. of Parryville; also three grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a brother, Allen Smith.
The Miller Funeral Home, 137 Fairview St., Lehighton, is in charge of arrangements.
John T. Mesaros
John T. Mesaros, 75, of 132 South St., Jim Thorpe, died Wednesday, at Margarets Victorian Manor, 10 E. Second St., Jim Thorpe.
He was retired and had worked at the former Zales Silk Mill, East Mauch Chunk, and the former Jim Thorpe Sportswear, Jim thorpe, and during World War II he worked with the Voice of America Radio Station in Washington, D.C.
Born in East Mauch Chunk, he was a son of the late Frank and Anna *Sechny) Mesaros.
He was an active member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Jim Thorpe, where he belonged to St. Joseph's prayer group, and he sang with the Resurrection Choir.
He is survivived by several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by three sisters, Mrs. Veronica M. Conroy, Mrs. Mary M. Otto, and Mrs. Sophie E. Saile, and one brother, Joseph Masaros.
The Edward F. Melber Funeral Home, 524 Center St., Jim Thorpe, is in charge of arrangements.
Thomas J. Dillon
Thomas J. Dillon, 81, of 212 Market St., Tamaqua, died suddenly Friday at his home. He was the husband of Cecilia (O'Gorman) Dillon. They were married 56 years on June 19.
Born in Tamaqua, he was a son of the late Thomas and Jeanette (tonkin) Dillon.
He was a member of St. Jerome Catholic Church, Tamaqua. Prior to his retirement he worked at the Bethlehem Mines. He was a member of the Father Henry W. Baker Knights of Columbus No. 2711 of Tamaqua where he served 23 years as Financial Secretary and three years as Grand Knight. He was also Past District Deputy for five years.
He was also a member of the Schuylkill Assembly of the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus and served as Faithful Navigator from 1991-92.
Surviving with his widow are two sons, Thomas of Walnutport and Joseph of Tamaqua R.2; a daughter, Anne, wife of Louis Bragassa of Miami, Fl.; one brother, Michael Dillon, a sister, Jenna Zucuskie, both of Tamaqua; also nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
The Roche Funeral Home, 237 E. Broad St., Tamaqua, is in charge of arrangements.
Marguerite Callan
Marguerite (Callen) Kittle, 94, formerly of 120 Mill Street, Nesquehoning, died Monday, June 16, at her home in San Diego, Cal. She was the widow of Frank "Ginger" Kittle, who died September 10, 1963.
Born in Nesquehoning, she was a daughter of the late John and Ellen (Riley) Callen.
She attended the former Nesquehoning High School.
Surviving are three daughters, Kathleen Schulman, of San Diego, Cal.; Sarah Foray, of New York City, N.Y.; and Margaret, wife of Scott Hall, of Plainview, N.Y.; two sons, George Kittle of Reeders, Monroe County; and Edward Kittle, of Mineola, N.Y.; and 19 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.
A memorial service in her honor was held at St. Catherine Laboure Catholic Church in San Diego on Saturday, June 28.
Family members plan to hold a memorial mass in her honor at 9:45 a.m. Thursday at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Mineola, N.Y.
