Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Records, 1947-2010
Margaret J. Forman
Margaret J. Forman, 64, of 308 E. Snyder Ave., Lansford, died Thursday in the Gnaden Huetten Hospital, Lehighton. She was the widow of Royce R. Forman, who died in 1994.
Born in Riegelsville, Bucks County, she wsa a daughter of the late William and Lovella (Heft) Reichard.
She worked as a sales clerk in various book stores.
Surviving are two sons, Malcom Reichard of Lansford, and Matthew Reichard of New York State; four daughters, Sherri, wife of Kevin Gwynn of Lansford, Heather Leee Watkins of Athens, Bradford County, Kathy Reichard of Bethlehem and Peggy Reichard of Steele City, Pa. Also two sisters, Erma and Cora Feist, both of Allentown, 11 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.
The Andrew P. Ovsak Funeral Home, Fourth and Iron Streets, Lehighton, is in charge of arrangements.
Lt. Col. Gloria E. Hoffman
Mrs. Gloria E. Hoffman (USAF Ret.), 78, of Kaup Farm, Hometown, Tamaqua R.2, died Wednesday in her residence. She was the widow of Nicholas Lavrero and Carlton E. Hoffman.
Prior to retiring, she was on active duty with the U.S. Air Force, attaining the rank of lieutenant colonel.
Born at Kaup's Farm, she was a daughter of the late William H. and Elizabeth (Kaup) Miller.
She graduated from Smith College in Massachusettes in 1940 and attended Temple Law School. She entered the U.S. Army Air Corps and graduated from Officers Candidate School at the rank of second lieutenant. In 1943 she was transferred to the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., earning promotions to first lieutenant and then captain. She authored a manual on protocol, earning an Army Recommendation Medal and promotion to major. In 1947, she went to Shanghai and Nanking as a member of the Joint U.S. Military Advisory Committee to China's Chiang Kai-Shek.
Her military decorations include a Bronze Star, two Oak Leaf Clusters and a Korean Presidential Unit Citation. While in Japan, she operated the public information office at the Negoya Air Force Base in Tokyo. Her military service during World War II and the Korean Conflict was featured in several national magazines, including Red Book, Life and The Saturday Evening Post.
She was a member of Christ Church, Barnesville. The 1936 graduate of Tamaqua High School was also a member of the Mahantongo Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, serving as conservation chairman for several years.
An avid gardner, she was founder, past president and an officer of the Hometown Garden Club. She was a member of numerous regional and national conservation and animal protection organizations, as well as several fraternal associations.
The last immediate member of her family, she is survived by several cousins.
The Jon M. Zizelmann Funeral Home, 500 E. Broad St., Tamaqua, is in charge of funeral arrangements.
Robert N. Behler
Robert N. Behler, 67, of 221 Pine St., Tamaqua, died Thursday in the Miners Memorial Medical Center, Coaldale. He was the husband of Edna J. (Brisiel) Behler. They were married for 40 years.
He worked for the J.E. Morgan Knitting Mills, Inc., Hometown, and as a bus driver for the Tamaqua Area School District before retiring.
Born in Palmerton, he was a son of the late George and Carrie (Ohl) Behler.
He was a member of Trinity United Church of Christ, Tamaqua.
Behler was the Tamaqua Chamber of Commerce Santa Claus for many years and a former member and officer of the Tamaqua Community Ambulance Association.
Surviving in addition to his widow are a son, Robert G. of Tamaqua R.4; two daughters, Karen L., wife of Bruce Miller of Clamtown, and Carolanne, wife of William Garber of Tamaqua; two sisters, Arlene, wife of Paul Breiner of Andreas, and Eleanor of Tamaqua; a brother Bruce of Tamaqua; and seven grandchildren.
The Lamar Christ Funeral Home, Hometown, is in charge of the arrangements.
Clair T. Metzger
Clair T. Metzger, 78, of Wyomissing, Berks County, formerly of Allentown, died Wednesday in the Wyomissing Nursing Home. He was the husband of Lois E. (Fullmer) Metzger. They would have observed their 52nd wedding anniversary on Tuesday.
He was a dispatcher for the American Oil Company, Allentown and Sinking Spring, Berks County, for 45 years before retiring in 1980.
Born in Allentown, he was a son of the late Edward and Lizzie (Oswald) Metzger.
He was a member of St. Peter United Church of Christ, West Lawn, Berks County.
Metzger was an Army veteran of World War II and a member of the 45th Ordnance Division.
Surviving in addition to his widow are two daughters, Louise J., wife of Raymond J. DeMaio of South Windsor, Conn., and Janice C., wife of Glenn K. Bechtel of Kutztown; four sisters, Mildred Repp, Evelyn Courtright and Arlene Lehrman, all of Allentown, and Gladys Kuhns of Slatington; and four grandchildren.
Cleo S. Haydt
Cleo S. Haydt, 73, of 129 State Road, Weissport, died Thursday in the Palmerton Hospital. He was the husband of Irene L. (Fritzinger) Haydt. They observed their 51st wedding anniversary on March 9.
Prior to retiring in 1989, he was a forklift operator for Corsons Lime Quarry, Plymouth Meeting, for over 30 years.
Born in Towamensing Township, he was a son of the late Reuben and Frances (Eckhard) Haydt.
He was a member of the Long Run Church of the Brethern, Lehighton, and a social member of the Franklin Township Fire Company.
Surviving in addition to his widow are two sons, Roger C. of Slatington and Carl L. of Lehighton; three daughters, Linda M., wife of James Henning, Donna E. Schleicher and Cynthia I., wife of William Solt, all of Lehighton; three brothers, Herman of Parryville, Melvin of Walnutport and Elwood of Lehighton; a sister Gladys, wife of Clark Beers of Kunkletown; nine grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, eight step-grandchildren and three step-great-grandchildren.
The Richard M. Miller Funeral Home, 137 Fairview St., Union Hill, Lehighton, is in charge of the arrangements.
Kenneth L. Jacobs
Kenneth L. Jacobs, 37, was found dead Saturday in the 300 block of Basin Street in Lehighton.
Born in Bethlehem, he was a son of Arnold Jacobs of Whitehall Township and Jean M. (Heft) Jacobs of South Whitehall Township.
Surviving in addition to his parents are a brother, Arnold N. of Berlinsville; and three sisters, Paula M., wife of Patrick Moore of Allentown, Jean C. of Whitehall and Bernice in Florida.
Gertrude Betz
Gertrude Betz, 79, of 201 E. Broad St., Tamaqua, died Thursday in the Pottsville Hospital and Warne Clinic, Pottsville.
She worked for the Atlas Powder Company, Reynolds, before retiring in 1979.
Born in Tamaqua, she was a daughter of the late John Elsworth and Charlotte (Johns) Betz.
She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Tamaqua.
Surviving are four sisters, Mrs. Lois Sinton and Mrs. Dorothy Martin, both of Tamaqua, Mrs. Jean B. Walter of Worcester, Ohio, and Mrs. Caroline Sinton of Pottsville; a brother Robert of Tamaqua; and nieces and nephews.
She was also preceded in death by four brothers, John, Richard, William and Elsworth; and three sisters, Emma Evans, Charlotte Bell and Ruth Gerber.
The Jon M. Zizelmann Funeral Home, 500 E. Broad St., Tamaqua, is in charge of the arrangements.
Norbert Muhitch
Norbert E. Muhitch, 87, of 472 Sizerville Road, died Monday, (March 13, 2006) in Elk Regional Health Center, St. Marys, following a short illness.
Born June 6, 1918 in Emporium, he was a son of Joseph and Anna Muhitch. He was a lifelong resident of Emporium and graduated from Emporium High School. He retired from the Cameron County School District where he was employed as custodian.
He was awarded the Purple Heart for his service with the United States Marine Corps in the Pacific Theater during World War II from 1942 to 1945. He was a member of Miller-Raffaele VFW Post #6221 and Loyal Order of Moose #368. Mr. Muhitch was an avid hunter and fisheman.
Surviving are a son, Michael Muhitch of Oxford, Michigan; two grandchildren, Benjamin Muhitch and Matthew Muhitch, both of Oxford; and a brother, Fred Muhitch of DuBois.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters.
Funeral services were held at the Edward M. Barnett Funeral Home, PC on Thursday, (March 16, 2006) with the Rev. Paul Siebert, pastor of St. Mark Catholic Church, as celebrant. Burial was in St. Mark Cemetery. Full Military Honors were accorded by the Cameron County Memorial Detail.
Memorials may be made to Guy and Mary Felt Manor Auxiliary.
Patricia Olivett
Patricia Olivett of Olean, died Saturday, March 11, 2006, in the Cleveland Clinic following a brief illness.
She was born February 5, 1939 in Brookville the daughter of the late John and Sophia Mays Mitchell.
Mrs. Olivett was a graduate of Brookville High School Class of 1957 and Clarion University, Class of 1961 with a BS degree in Elementary Education. She did her graduate work at Indiana University. Her first job teaching was at Woodland Elementary School in Emporium, from 1961-1969. She then taught Elementary Education for the Olean School System, retiring from Ivers J. Norton School in 1999.
She was a member, secretary, and school council representative for the Olean Teachers Association until her retirement. She was a life member of the National Education Association of New York, a member of the Board of Directors and Secretary of the Olean Teachers and Postal Federal Credit Union, a member of the Board of Directors and Secretary of the Olean Food Pantry, a volunteer for Emporium Bucktail Regiment Junior Drum & Bugle Corps. Following her retirement, she loved traveling with her husband and family.
Besides her husband, she is survived by a daughter, Robin L. Olivett, Erie, PA; two sons; T. Shane Olivett, Fairlawn, OH and Kevin P. Olivett, Atlanta, GA; a brother John C. (Mary Anne) Mitchell III, Sorrento, FL; five nieces and four nephews; sister-in-law, RuthAnn (Randy) Metcalf and brother-in-law, William (Ellen) Olivett, all of Emporium, PA.
Funeral services were held at the Guenther Funeral Home, Inc. 1303 East State Street, Olean, NY Thursday, (March 16, 2006). Rev. Dr. Ronald Isaman, District Superintendent, Mountain View District, United Methodist Church officiated. Burial was in Newton Cemetery, Emporium.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Cleveland Clinic, Unit H81 Memorial Fund, 9500 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44195 or to the Olean Food Pantry, Inc. 1010 Wayne St. Suite 350 Olean, NY 14760.
Emma LaBrozzi
Emma LaBrozzi, 81, Formerly of Prospect Park, died Monday, (March 13, 2006) in Family Hospice Manor, Pittsburgh, following a lengthly illness.
Born June 30, 1924, in Russellton, she was a daughter of Lorenzo and Christina Gentile. On Nov. 18, 1950, in Russellton, she married Richard E. LaBrozzi, who died Sept. 29, 2002.
Mrs. LaBrozzi attended Russellton schools and was a homemaker. She had been a resident of Emporium since 1949 and was a member of the Emporium Garden Club and St. Mark's Rosary Society.
Survivors include a daughter, Bonnie LaBrozzi of Pittsburgh; two sons, Richard S. LaBrozzi of Bradford and David LaBrozzi of Glen Rock; five grandchildren, Justin, Brandon and Ryan LaBrozzi of Bradford, Elijah LaBrozzi and Harper LaBrozzi of Glen Rock; four sisters, Philomenia Grovanz of Emporium, Olga Hibner, Reatta Mull, and Mary Michloh, all of Russellton; a brother, Samuel Gentile of Tarentum.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, a sister, Della LaBrozzi, and a brother, William Gentile.
Funeral services were held at the Edward M. Barnett Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Friday, (March 17, 2006) at St. Mark's Catholic Church, with the Rev. Paul Siebert, pastor, as celebrant. Burial will be in St. Mark's Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to St. Mark's Catholic Church.
Doris Martin
Doris M. (O'Brien) Martin, 84, of Westport died Wed., Aug. 9, 2006, at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, where she had been a patient since July 31. She was born June 12, 1922, in St. Marys, daughter of Charles and Emma (Deth) Vogt.
She is survived by four sons, Kurt D. O'Brien of Westport, Francis P. O'Brien of North Bend, Brian J. O'Brien of Westport and Robin (Joyce) O'Brien of Westport; four daughters, Mary Ann (Rich) Mason of Renovo, Kathleen Lane of Sterling Run, Patricia Martin of Emporium and Mary George (Kenneth) Rhone of Renovo; 34 grandchildren; 42 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Helen Williams of St. Marys.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, James C. Shields Sr., in 1943; her second husband, Wendell G. O'Brien, in 1975; two sons, Michael G. O'Brien Sr. in 1985 and James C. Shields in 2005; a granddaughter, Colleen R. O'Brien in 2006; a grandson, Michael G. O'Brien Jr. in 1998; four brothers, Charles, Robert, James and William; and a sister, Marilyn "Nid" Riley.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 11 a.m. Sat., Aug., 12, at St. Joseph Church, 925 Huron Ave., Renovo, with the Rev. Donald E. Boslett officiating. Friends and relatives were received at the church one hour prior to the Mass.
Private interment was at St. Joseph Cemetery in Hyner.
Memorial contributions can be made in her memory to St. Joseph Church, 925 Huron Ave., Renovo, PA 17764.
Arrangements were made by Maxwell Funeral Home, 205 Fifth St., Renovo.
Maude Fannin
Maude M. Fannin, 92, of Ridgway, died Monday (Sept.11, 2006) at Pinecrest Manor in St. Marys.
She was born May 17, 1914, in Crenshaw, daughter of the late Edward and Ella Sharkey Hayes.
She married Daniel G. Fannin, who preceded her in death on Sept. 14, 1969.
She lived most of her life in Ridgeway and was a Practical Nurse who had been employed at Elk County General Hospital and at Guy and Mary Felt Manor in Emporium. She was a long-time member of the Democratic Women.
She is survived by a son, William D. (Glenda) Fannin of Ridgway; a daughter-in-law, Mary Fannin of Emporium; 10 grandchildren, John (Rennee) Fannin of Kentucky, Micheale (Allison) Fannin of Dallas, Texas, Bonnie (Kyle) Kelly of Houston, Texas, Wesley Fannin of Emporium, Dawn (Helen) Fannin of Ridgway, Neal (Marla) Fannin of DuBois, Lynne (Dave) Kucenski of Ridgway, Ann (Mark) Addeo of Vicksburg, Miss.; and by 13 great-grandchildren.
Besides her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a son, John E. Fannin; three sisters, Edith (George) Bish, Toni (AL) Pracki and Mami Hiems; and by two brothers, Cecil (Evelyn) Hayes and Fred Hayes.
Funeral and committal services were held in the Meehan- Shilk Funeral Home on Thursday (Sept. 14) with the Rev. Craig Duffield of the Evangelical Covenant Church officiating. Interment was in the St. Leo's Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Community Nurses Inc., 757 Johnsonburg Road, St. Marys, Pa. 15857.
Susie DeMark
Susie N. DeMark, 82, of Parkway Drive, died Thursday (Sept. 14, 2006) in her home
Born March 20, 1924 in Galeton, she was the daughter of Onofrio and Angeline Baldo Noto.
In 1946 in Emporium, she married Anthony DeMark who died Nov. 29, 1993. A lifelong resident of Emporium, she was a 1942 graduate of Emporium High School.
Mrs. DeMark was a member of St. Mark Church in Emporium, the Catholic Daughters of America, the Rosary Society, and the Wednesday Night Charismatic group.
For several years she was employed in the accounting department of Sylvania Electric in Emporium. Since 1967 she was employed by the Emporium Water Company, initially as a clerk and then as Business Manager, retiring in 1990 with 23 years of service. She was also a member of the Board of Directors for Cameron County Land.
Survivors include; one son, John A. DeMark of Tucson, Arizona: one daughter Mrs. Theresa (Rhonald) Blose of Emporium; two grandchildren, Christa Blose and Jason Blose, both at home; one bother, Joseph Noto of Emporium; one sister, Pauline O'Hern of Emporium; and several nieces and nephews.
Friends were received Sunday in the Coppersmith- Condon Funeral Home, where a Wake service was held.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Monday (Sept. 18) in St. Mark Church with Fr. Paul Siebert as celebrant. Burial was in St. Mark Cemetery.
