Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Records, 1947-2010
Mrs. George C. Dorward
Mrs. Elizabeth C. "Betty" Dorward, 80, formerly of Slatington, died Friday in the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Allentown. She was the wife of George C. Dorward. They observed their 61st wedding anniversary in February.
She was an elementary school teacher in the Northern Lehigh School District from 1953-80, serving part of that time as head teacher at the Slatedale Elementary School. Previously, she taught in the Parkland School District, 1952-53.
Born in Egypt, she was a daughter of the late Roy E. and Lillian S. (Cope) Stewart.
She was a member of St. John United Church of Christ, Slatington, where she belonged to the Women's Guild and was a former Sunday school teacher.
Mrs. Dorward was a member of the Slatington Women's Club, the Lehigh County Teacher's Association and the Pennsylvania State Retired Educators Association.
She was a 1934 graduate of Kutztown University.
Surviving in addition to her husband are two sons, Clifford of Slatington and George of Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County; four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Rev. Ralph R. Hartzell
The Rev. Ralph R. Hartzell, 87, of 1251 Rusal Ave., Williamsport, a retired Lutheran minister and former Northampton County Council president, died Saturday in the Roseview Manor, Williamsport. Formerly of Bethlehem, he was the husband of Myrtle I. (Miltonberger) Hartzell. They were married for 60 years.
Prior to retiring in 1975, he served the Pleasant Valley Lutheran Parish, Gilbert; Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Northampton; St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Allentown; Messiah Lutheran Church, South Williamsport; and St. Paul Lutheran Church, Fountain.
After retiring, he was an associate pastor at St. John Windish Lutheran Church, Bethlehem, for 12 years.
The deceased was a member of the Northampton County Council for 12 years, from its inception until 1989. He served three years as president and two years as vice president.
He was the council's liaison to the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority for all 12 years, and also had served on the human services, personnel and legal and judicial committees and the ad hoc committee to study revisions to the county's home rule charter.
A graduate of Muhlenberg College and the Lutheran Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, he was ordained into the Lutheran ministry in 1936 at St. John Lutheran Church, Bath.
Rev. Hartzell formerly served as secretary of the Wilkes-Barre Lutheran Conference and the Lutheran Ministerium of Pennsylvania.
He was a member of the board of Lutheran Social Services of Central District of the Lutheran Synod of Central Pennsylvania, and a past chairman of the radio and television committee of the Lycoming County Council of Churches.
Born in Moore Township, he was a son of the late Howard E. and Polly (Smiyer) Hartzell.
He was a member of the board of the Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital, Allentown, since 1942, and a life member of its advisory board. He spoke at the groundbreaking ceremony for a three-story addition to the hospital in 1952.
As chairman of the steering committee for the construction of the Muhlenberg Hospital Center, he also spoke at its groundbreaking in 1959.
Active in establishing Lutheran Manor, Bethlehem, he was a director of Lutheran Manor; Lutheran Theological Seminary, Gettysburg; and Muhlenberg College, and a member of the Muhlenberg College board of trustees.
He was a past president of the Northampton Rotary Club.
Surviving in addition to his widow are a daughter, Carol Ann, wife of Roger Dieffenbach of Williamsport; a son, John C. of Lake Wales, Fla.; two grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Mildred L. Searfass
Mrs. Mildred L. Searfass, 80, of Whitehall Township, died Saturday in her home. She was the widow of Clyde E. Searfass.
Born in Catasauqua, she was a daughter of the late Clyde and Lizzie (Biery) Snyder.
She was a member of St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, Catasauqua.
Surviving are two sons, Edward C. of Northampton and Robert J. of Catasauqua; two daughters, Doris Schleicher of Walnutport and Dolores, wife of J. Patrick Allen of Bowmanstown; five grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, a great-great-grandchild and a step-great-grandchild.
Mrs. Irene W. Saxman
Mrs. Irene W. Saxman, 82, of Westminster Village, Allentown, died Saturday in the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township. She was the widow of Edwin F. Saxman.
Born in Somerset County, she was a daughter of the late Daniel Walker and Ada (Wegley) Walker Bowman.
She was a member of St. Francis in the Fields Episcopal Church, Somerset, Somerset County, and a former member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Surviving are three sons, Peter M. Sr. of Slatington, Edwin F. of Greensboro, N.C., and William W. of Sharpsburg, Md.; a daughter, Rene Munoz of Boulder, Colo.; a sister, Mildred B., wife of Col. Joseph R. Struby (Ret.) of Montgomery, Ala.; seven grandchildren and a great-granddaughter.
Louis Wittreich
Louis Wittreich, 61, of 310 E. 11th St., Northampton, died Sunday in his home. He was the husband of Wilma (Jaindl) Wittreich. They observed their 32nd wedding anniversary this month.
He worked for Mack Trucks, Inc., Allentown, for 22 years until 1991.
Born in Yugoslavia, he was a son of the late Rudolph and Christina (Poglien) Wittreich.
He was a member of Our Lady of Hungary Catholic Church, V.F.W. Post 4714 and the Alliance Fire Company, all of Northampton.
Surviving in addition to his widow are three sons, Louis J., at home, Joseph of Northampton and Michael of Danielsville; three brothers, John and Eric, both of New York City, N.Y., and Joseph of Brentwood, Long Island, N.Y.; three sisters, Marie, wife of Joseph Loschke, and Bertha, both of Northampton, and Erica, wife of Ben Daidone of New York City; and five grandchildren.
Foster H. Ladlee Sr.
Foster H. Ladlee Sr., 84, of East Stroudsburg, died Saturday in the Pocono Medical Center, East Stroudsburg. He was the husband of Viva L. (Fish) Ladlee. They were married for 65 years.
He was a welder for Line Material-McGraw Edison, East Stroudsburg, for 15 years and a construction worker and member of Laborers Union Local 1174, Allentown.
Born in Bushkill, Pike County, he was a son of the late Moses and Sarah (VanWhy) Ladlee.
Surviving in addition to his widow are two sons, Richard of Tannersville and Foster H. Jr. of East Stroudsburg; three daughters, Janet Hendricks of Tannersville, Lila Mae Tallada of Gilbert and Judy Whitmore of Canadensis; a brother Kenneth of Bushkill; a sister, Martha Rohner of East Stroudsburg; 16 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, three step-great-grandchildren and two step-great-great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Florence E. Youngcourt
Mrs. Florence E. Youngcourt, 97, of Hazle St., Hazleton, died early Sunday morning in her home following a brief illness. She was the widow of Peter Youngcourt, who died in 1955.
She spent many years working in the local garment industry, retiring from CarDan Sportswear.
Born in Quakake, she was a daughter of the late Jefferson and Margaret (Warg) Applegate, and spent most of her life in the Hazleton area.
She was the oldest member of Zion Evangelical Congregational Church, Hazleton, and a member of the International Ladies Garment Workers Union.
Surviving are two daughters, Ruth, wife of Henry Braski of Hollers Hill, and Joanne Youngcourt of Sugarloaf; three sons, Peter of St. Louis, Mo., Cleo of Hazle Village and Alan of Barnesville; a brother George of Audenreid; 29 grandchildren, 82 great-grandchildren, 18 great-great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
She was also preceded in death by two sons, Edward and Richard; two daughters, Bernice Cartwright and Thelma Lincalis; a granddaughter; five sisters, Edna Shepperly, Fern Heckrote, Cora Jones, Gertrude Faust and Emma O'Back; and two brothers, Herman and Robert.
Mrs. Marie Novotnak
Mrs. Marie Novotnak of 16 St. James Drive, Drifton, died Saturday morning in the Weinberg House, Hazleton. She was the widow of John J. Novotnak, who died in 1992.
Before retiring, she was a seamstress at the Blass Manufacturing Company, Freeland.
Born in McAdoo, she was a daughter of the late John and Barbara Repko.
She was a member of St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church, Freeland, where she was a former member of the choir.
She served as a committeewoman for the Democratic party for Congressman Daniel J. Flood, and was a past member of Freeland Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies' Auxiliary Post 5010.
Surviving are two sons, John F. of Weatherly and Edward of Elizabeth, N.J.; a daughter Theresa, wife of Lestel McElfresh of Fairfield, Calif.; two brothers, Emil and Michael, both in Connecticut; six grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Edward R. Razes
Edward R. Razes, of 525 Ryan Ave., Hometown, Tamaqua R.2, died Saturday afternoon in his home. He was the husband of the late Rose (Tamashefsky) Razes.
Before retiring, he was employed for 32 years by Lever Brothers as a superintendent.
Born in McAdoo, he was a son of the late Joseph and Nellie (Paulovich) Razes.
He was an Army veteran, having been a sergeant major in World War II.
He was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church, McAdoo, the McAdoo Fire Company, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6708, McAdoo.
Surviving are three sisters, Helen Havrilko of Hometown, Tamaqua R.2, Mrs. Frank (Alberta) Zoba Sr. of McAdoo, and Ann in New Jersey; and nieces and nephews.
Nellie I. Wollyung
Nellie I. Wollyung, 74, of East Stroudsburg, died Friday in the Pocono Medical Center, East Stroudsburg.
She was employed by the J.C. Penny Department Store for 25 years before retiring, and previously had worked for the A.C. Miller Furniture Company.
Born in Swiftwater, she was a daughter of the late Charles T. and Mary (Buritt) Ehrgood.
She was a member of the Swiftwater Methodist Church.
Surviving are two sons, Lamonte of Clayton, N.J., and the Rev. Christopher C. of Ringtown; a sister, Mary E. Roth of Kunkletown; a brother, Charles B. of East Stroudsburg; five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Mrs. George R. Kacik
Mrs. Catherine R. Kacik, 77, of 60 Fifth St., Coaldale, died Sunday in the Geriatric Center of Miners Memorial Medical Center, Coaldale. She was the wife of George R. Kacik and the late Stephen Terry, who died in 1995.
Born in Delano, she was a daughter of the late Russell and Catherine (Schaeffer) Bintliff.
A 1938 graduate of Mahanoy City High School, she was a former president of the Coaldale American Legion Auxiliary.
Surviving with her husband are a son, Steve Terry of Coaldale; a daughter, Dorothy Ann Chapaska of Maizeville; seven grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by a son, Russell Terry, who died in 1996.
The August M. Gulla Funeral Home, 130 E. Ridge St., Coaldale, is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Mary Eames
Mrs. Mary Eames, formerly of Lansford, died this morning in Weatherwood, Weatherly. She was the wife of the late Wesley Eames.
The John Puschak Funeral Home, 208 First St., Coaldale, is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Leona E. Kulhavy
Mrs. Leona E. Kulhavy, 83, of 318 W. Snyder Ave., Lansford, died Tuesday in the Miners Memorial Medical Center, Coaldale. She was the widow of Frank V. Kulhavy.
Prior to retiring, she had been employed by the former Purling Mills, Tamaqua.
Born in the Germantown section of East Mauch Chunk, she was a daughter of the late Michael and Mary (Mirvaj) Pastor.
She was a member of St. Michael Catholic Church, Lansford.
A 1931 graduate of the former East Mauch Chunk Catholic High School, she also graduated from business school.
Surviving are a son Luke of Lansford; two daughters, Barbara A., wife of Thomas M. Williams Sr. of Coaldale, and Jeanie, wife of Kenny Hill of Tamaqua R.2; two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by a brother John; three stepbrothers, Joseph, Michael and Franklin Pastor; a sister, Mrs. Margaret Loefflad; and three stepsisters, Mrs. Julie Leisiko, Kathryn Pastor and Mrs. Sophie Resetar.
The Holmes-Griffiths Funeral Home, 200 E. Bertsch St., Lansford, is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Sadie Clemson
Mrs. Sadie Clemson, formerly of Tamaqua, died Monday in the Hill Haven Nursing Home, Webster, N.Y. She was the widow of Henry Clemson.
She was a daughter of the late Thomas and Minnie Hughes.
Surviving are a daughter, Nira Hagadish of Rochester, N.Y.; a son Ted of Tamaqua; a sister, Elmira Gordon of Schuylkill Haven; seven grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Clemson survivor: Among the survivors of Mrs. Sadie Clemson, formerly of Tamaqua, who died Sept. 22 in Webster, N.Y., is a son, Marlin Clemson of Rochester, N.Y.
