Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Records, 1947-2010
Paula L. Smith
Paula L. Smith, 26, of Cresco, died Wednesday in her home.
She was a cook at the Amber Steakhouse, Swiftwater, and also had worked at restaurants in New York and Pittsburgh.
Born in Allentown, she was a daughter of Paul W. and Lucille J. (Schrantz) Smith of Effort.
The deceased was a psychiatry and pre-med student at Northampton Area Community College, Tannersville Campus.
An equestrian, she taught riding and received awards in competition.
Surviving in addition to her parents are a sister, Patricia Gosselin of Cusseta, Ga.; a stepsister, Rita Bean of Easton; and friends, Amy and David Fazzari, with whom she resided.
Mrs. Rudolph J. Peischler
Mrs. Olga Peischler, 74, of Slatington, died Wednesday in the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township. She was the wife of Rudolph J. Peischler. They observed their 53rd wedding anniversary in July.
She was the owner and operator of O. Peischler Co., a women's sportswear firm in Emerald, from 1964-84.
Born in Bath, she was a daughter of the late Wasyl and Kathryn (Chomka) Mutz.
She was a member of St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church, Northampton.
Surviving in addition to her husband are a son, Craig R. of Slatington; two daughters, Rosemarie A., wife of Dale Wertman of Slatington, and Suellen, wife of Ronald Schrei of Alexandria Bay, N.Y.; three brothers, Steven of Freemansburg, Edward of Melbourne, Fla., and Bohdan of St. Francisville, La.; three sisters, Mrs. Maria Kamonka of West Hollywood, Fla., Mrs. Annie Buyarsky of Melbourne and Mrs. Kathryn Lalo of Schnecksville; and four grandchildren.
Caroline R. Perry
Caroline R. Perry, 66, of 402 Gypsy Hill Apartments, Lehighton, died Wednesday in the Mahoning Valley Nursing Home, Lehighton.
She was employed at Scotty's Fashions, Lehighton, as a sewing machine operator until retiring last year.
Born in Mauch Chunk, she was a daughter of the late Ralph and Bertha (Williams) Perry.
Surviving are two sons, Joel and Anthony; a daughter, Josephine, wife of Greg Kuntz, all of Lehighton; and five grandchildren.
The Andrew P. Ovsak Funeral Home, Fourth and Iron sts., Lehighton, is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Joseph D. Bunzo
Mrs. Helen J. Bunzo, 58, of 17 E. Second St., Jim Thorpe, died Thursday evening in the emergency room at the Gnaden Huetten Memorial Hospital, Lehighton. She was the wife of Joseph D. Bunzo. They observed their 37th wedding anniversary on Nov. 21, 1996.
She had worked as an inspector at the former Zales Silk Mill in Jim Thorpe, and later at the former Jim Thorpe Sportswear Factory, North St., Jim Thorpe.
Born in Coaldale, she was a daughter of Audrey (Donovan) Romanisko and the late George Romanisko.
She was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Jim Thorpe; and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 8067, Auxiliary, Jim Thorpe.
Surviving with her mother and husband are a daughter, Veronica, wife of Robert Moser, and a son, Joseph, both of Jim Thorpe; five brothers, Thomas and David, both of Jim Thorpe, William of Lehighton, Richard of Lansford, and George of Hatfield, N.J.; four sisters, Mrs. Dennis (Mary Beth) Hager and Mrs. James (Kathy) Redline, both of Jim Thorpe, Karen Steer in North Carolina, and Lori in Clinton, N.J.; and three grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Mary Beth, who died in 1979.
The Edward F. Melber Funeral Home, 524 Center St., Jim Thorpe, is in charge of arrangements.
William R. Bower
William R. Bower, 79, of 239 Rowe St., Tamaqua, died Wednesday morning in MIners Memorial Medical Center, Coaldale. He was the husband of Marion D. (Delph) Bower.
He had been employed in the pump house of Lehigh Coal and Navgation Company, Tamaqua.
Born in Tamaqua, he was a son of the late William and Katherine (Zeird) Bower.
Bower was a member of Trinity United Church of Christ, Tamaqua, and the Tamaqua American Legion, C.H. Berry Post 173.
A veteran of World War II, he served in the U.S. Army Air Corps.
Surviving, in addition to his wife, are four sisters, Mrs. Betty Murphy and Mrs. Phylis Pruett, both of Tamaqua, Mrs. Ruth Shears of New Milford, Conn., and Mrs. Louise Leiby of Lehighton; two brothers, Larry and Kenneth Bower, both of Tamaqua; three grandchildren; and one great grandchild.
He was also preceeded in death by a son, David W. Bower, who died in 1986.
The Jon M. Zizelmann Funeral Home, 500 E. Broad St., Tamaqua, is in charge of arrangements.
Charles R. Shupp Jr.
Charles R. Shupp Jr., 48, of 522 Lafayette Ave., Palmerton, died Tuesday in the Palmerton Hospital. He was the husband of Colleen M. (Green) Shupp.
He was a third shift supervisor at American Mail-Well Envelope, Allentown.
Born in Palmerton, he was a son of Mrs. Dorothy E. (Krex) Shupp of Palmerton and the late Charles R. Shupp Sr.
The deceased was a member of First United Church of Christ, Palmerton.
A 1966 graduate of Palmerton High School, he was an Army veteran.
Surviving in addition to his widow and mother are a son, Ryan A., and a daughter, Stephanie M. Kunkle, both at home; three brothers, David J. and John R., both of Lehighton, and Jeffrey P. of Greentown, Pa.; and a sister, June E., wife of Rodney D. Hudock of Lehighton.
The Campton Funeral Home, 525 Delaware Ave., Palmerton, is in charge of the arrangements.
Kenneth B. Dotter
Kenneth B. Dotter, 61, of 34 Lilac Lane, Lehighton, died Wednesday in the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township, after falling from a ladder on Monday at the New Faith Alive United Methodist Church, Bowmanstown. He was the husband of Mary E. (Dunbar) Dotter. They observed their 41st wedding anniversary in February.
He was a pulpit operator for the Bethlehem Steel Corporation for 40 years before retiring in 1996.
Born in Howertown, he was a son of the late Oscar and Beulah (Green) Dotter.
He was a trustee and choir member at the church.
Surviving in addition to his widow are a daughter Lynn, wife of Roy Borger of Lehighton; three sons, Kevin K. and Darin D., both of Lehighton, and Mark B. of Palmerton; two brothers, Maurice of Saylorsburg and Wayne of Wilkes-Barre; six sisters, Frances, wife of Allen Frantz, and Donna, wife of Roy Weil, both of Kunkletown, Betty, wife of William Green, Mrs. Patricia Smith and Judith, wife of Robert Green, all of Palmerton, and Asteria, wife of Arthur Hosier of Andreas; seven grandchildren and a step-grandchild.
The Thomas K. Thomas Funeral Home, 145 Delaware Ave., Palmerton, is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Frederick R. Ellis
Mrs. Edith A. Ellis, 82, of the Luther Crest Retirement Community, South Whitehall Township, formerly of Norristown and Reading, died Wednesday in the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township. She was the wife of Frederick R. Ellis. They observed their 50th wedding anniversary last month.
Born in Lehighton, she was a daughter of the late Joseph J. and Amanda E. (Hill) Rodgers.
Surviving in addition to her husband are a son, Frederick R. Jr. of Burlington, Wis.; three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
John W. Kisthardt
John W. Kisthardt, 80, of Villa II, Mahoning Valley Nursing and Convalescent Center, Mahoning Township, formerly of Slatington, died Wednesday in the Palmerton Hospital. He was the husband of Beulah M. (Miller) Kisthardt. They would have observed their 57th wedding anniversary on Sunday.
He was a weaving superintendent for the former International Webbing, Fullerton, for 20 years before retiring in 1982, and previously was a laborer for Stanwood Mills, Slatington, 1954-62; a civilian airplane mechanic in Columbia, S.C., during World War II, 1942-43; and an employee of Fleetwings, Bristol, Bucks County, 1943-46, and MacGowen's Silk, Beaver Meadows, 1931-42.
Born in Beaver Meadows, he was a son of the late John N. and Stella (Wersinger) Kisthardt.
He was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, Slatington, where he was a former councilman and a former member of the King's Men.
Kisthardt also belonged to the Springside Fire Company, Slatington.
Surviving in addition to his widow are two sons, John N. of Slatington and James N. of Princeton, N.J.; a sister Jean, wife of Lester Peterson of Hazleton; and three granddaughters.
The Harding-Fox Funeral Home, 25-27 N. Second St., Slatington, is in charge of funeral arrangements.
Mrs. LeRoy P. Smith
Mrs. Gladys V. Smith, 53, of 4341 Spruce St., Whitehall Township, died Wednesday in her home. She was the wife of LeRoy P. Smith.
She was a cook for Werley's Restaurant, New Tripoli, for 13 years before retiring last year.
Born in Washington Township, Berks County, she was a daughter of the late Marlin and Mary (Weidner) Daniels.
She was a member of Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Whitehall.
Surviving in addition to her husband are a daughter Terri, wife of Raymond Kaczmar of Whitehall; seven sons, David Doyne of Bethlehem, Brian Smith of North Whitehall Township, Marlin Doyne of Hereford and John Doyne, Gregory Smith, LeRoy Smith Jr. and William Smith, all of Whitehall; four sisters, Elaine in Michigan, Jean Engleman and Pauline, wife of Richard Moyer, both of Emmaus, and Geraldine, wife of Duane Laubach of Bethlehem; and eight grandchildren.
Mrs. Frances M. Busaitis Kowalik
Mrs. Frances M. Busaitis Kowalik, 91, of Allentown, died Tuesday in the hospice of Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township. She was the widow of Bryan Kowalik and Pius Busaitis.
Born in South Fork, Cambria County, she was a daughter of the late Martin and Angela (Kessheta) Dumblesky.
She was a member of St. Paul Catholic Church, Allentown.
Surviving are a son, Peter J. Busaitis, and a daughter, Florence Busaitis, both with whom she resided; a sister, Anna Zalsky of Tamaqua; a grandson, five step-grandchildren and six step-great-grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by two sons, John and Edward Busaitis.
Armistice D. Faust
Armistice D. Faust, 72, of Andreas R.1, died Wednesday evening in the Gnaden Huetten Memorial Hospital, Lehighton, after being stricken in his residence. He was the husband of Olga (Otetka) Faust. They were married 44 years in September 1996.
He was employed as a die caster for Blue Ridge Pressure Casting Company, Lehighton, for 40 years, retiring in 1986.
Born in West Penn Township, he was a son of the late Irwin F. and Matilda (Henninger) Faust.
He was a member of the UCC congregation of St. Peters Lutheran and UCC Church, Tamaqua R.3, . where he served as former deacon and elder emeritus. He was a life member of Mahoning Valley Fire Company, New Mahoning; the Sportsmens Rod and Gun Club, and Hartung's Acres Hunting Club, both of Andreas R.1; and the Grumdsow Lodge No. 8 of Andreas.
Surviving with his wife are two sisters, Mrs. Margaret Gerber, New Ringgold R.1, and Marion, wife of Elwood Hartung, Andreas R.1; four brothers, Ethelbert, Robert, Francis and Donald, all of Andreas R.1.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Mary Wehr; and a brother, Edward.
The Robert S. Nester Funeral Home, Snyders (Route 309), is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Alma J. Fritz
Mrs. Alma J. Fritz, 88, Tamaqua R.3, died today in the Mahoning Valley Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Lehighton. She was the widow of Alvin S. Fritz, who died May 22.
The Robert S. Nester Funeral Home, Snyders (Route 309), is in charge of arrangements.
Peter N. Pocalyko
Peter N. Pocalyko, 77, of 730 Center Ave., Jim Thorpe, died this morning at the Miners Memorial Medical Center, Coaldale. He was the husband of Ruth (Norwood) Pocalyko. They observed their 52nd wedding anniversary on Sept. 2.
He retired as an electrical engineer in 1985 with 30 years of service with I.B.M. in Washington, D.C. Prior to that he worked as a geological engineer for the New Jersey Zinc Company, Palmerton, for 20 years.
Born in Winnipeg, Canada, a son of the late Nicholas and Dora (Bendera) Pocalyko.
He was a graduate of Palmerton High School Class of 1937 and attended Drexel Institute of Technology, Philadelphia.
He was a member of the Episcopal Parish of St. Mark and St. John Church, Jim Thorpe.
He was a veteran of World War II and served as a second lieutenant with the U.S. Army in the European Theatre as a infantry unit commander. He was active with the Switchback Restoration Committee and was a member of the Dolon-Jones-Martino America Legion, Jim Thorpe; the Lansford AMVETS; and the Jim Thorpe Historical Society.
Surviving his wife are two sons, Rev. Richard of Atlanta, Ga., and Barry of Ridgefield, Conn.; a sister, Tina Smith of Baltimore, Md.; four brothers, Michael of Clearwater, Fla., Andrew and Stanley of Toms River, N.J., and Walter of Bath; and four grandchildren.
The Edward F. Melber Funeral Home Inc., 524 Centre St., Jim Thorpe is in charge of arrangements.
