Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Records, 1947-2010
Clair O. Gerber
Clair O. Gerber, 83, of 213 Spruce St., Tamaqua, died Friday at his home. He was the husband of Ella C. (Kolb) Gerber.
Born in West Penn Township, she was a son of Emory and Katherine Gerber.
He formerly worked for the Trojan Powder Co. of Allentown.
He was a member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Tamaqua; the South Ward Fire Company; the Tamaqua Moose Lodge, and when it closed he joined the Slatington Moose Lodge.
Surviving with his widow is a daughter, Marlene, wife of Barry McLaughlin of Tamaqua; a sister, verna Stahler, of Summit Hill, and three grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a son, Carl L. Gerber, who died in 1964, a brother Arthur, and two sisters, Esther Vermillion and Stella Coombe.
The E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home, 655 E. Broad St., Tamaqua, is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Norman B. Rimbey
Grace E. Rimbey, 78, of 224 Creekside Manor Drive, Lehighton, died Friday in her home. She was the wife of Norman B. Rimbey. They celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary June 22.
She was a sewing machine operator at various sewing factories in the area prior to retiring.
Born in Lehighton, she was a daughter of the late Willard and Helen (Hoffman) Koons.
Surviving in addition to her husband are two sons, Norman L., of Browns Mill, N.J., and Willard E., of Lehighton; three daughters, Arlene, wife of James Lau, of York; and Joan, wife of John Ianniccari, and Robin, wife of Stanley Bukowski, both of Avoca, Luzerne County; 17 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
The Andrew P. Ovsak Funeral Home, Fourth and Iron Streets, Lehighto, is in charge of arrangements.
Pocalyko services
A public memorial service for Peter N. Pocalyko, 77, of 730 Center Ave., Jim Thorpe, who died Thursday in Miners Memorial Medical Center, Coaldale, will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, in St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 21 Race St., Jim Thorpe., with the Rev. Kenneth S. Umbehocker officiating. A private interment will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery, Jim Thorpe.
The Edward F. Melber Funeral Home, 524 Center St., Jim Thorpe, is in charge of arrangements.
Atty. George Brinley Richards
Noted Lansford counselor and Carbon solicitor, is taken in death at the age of 82
George Brinley Richards, Esq., a longtime attorney and solicitor in Carbon County before retiring in 1984, died Friday in the Edgemont Personal Care Lodge, Lansford.
Formerly of 37 Center St., Lansford, he was 82.
Atty. Richards maintained his law practice in Lansford from 1946 until retiring. During that time, he was solicitor to the Carbon County Controller; Lansford School Board; Lansford Borough Council and Carbon County Recorder of Deeds. He was also administrator of the Carbon County magistrate courts.
The deceased was a director and solicitor for the former Dime Bank, Lansford. When the bank merged with the Pennsylvania National Bank and Trust Company, he continued to serve on the associate board.
He was a director and solicitor of the Carbon Telephone Company, Lansford, continuing to serve on the state corporate board when the company merger with Mid-Penn Telephone Company and later with Alltel Pennsylvania, Inc.
Richards was admitted to the Carbon County Bar in 1942. He served as its chancellor, 1973-74, and was a past president of the Carbon County Bar Association, past chairman of its board of governors and grievance committee and a former member of its House of Delegates.
He was honored in 1942 when he left for military service and again in 1992 when he completed his 50th year of Bar membership.
The lawyer was admitted to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in 1942 and the Superior Court in 1953. For more than 25 years, he was the Carbon County representative on the Pennsylvania Bar Association's committee on legal biography and history.
Born in Lansford, he was a son of the late David William and Hattie (Thomas) Richards.
He was a member of the English Congregational Church, Lansford, where he served as chairman of the board of deacons.
Richards was general secretary of the 100th anniversary celebration of the Welsh Congregational Church of Ashfield.
An Army veteran of World War II, he served as chief to the secretary of security and intelligence division and was chaplain of the Last Man's Club of World War I and II, Lansford.
Richards was a member of the J. Wesley Garland-Manak-Boyle-Zonca-Whitehead American Legion Post 123, Lansford, serving as its commander, 1950-51, and as chaplain and judge advocate. He was master of ceremonies of the community's United Veterans Services on Memorial and Veterans days.
He was a member of the Four-County Firemen's Association and American Fire Company No. 1, Lansford, and its Firemen's Relief Association.
A member and former president of the St. David's Society of Schuylkill and Carbon counties, he was master of ceremonies and song leader at many Gymanfa Ganu events in Lansford.
The deceased was a conductor of the annual Eistedfod, a festival of music and literature at the Welsh United Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, and a member and assistant secretary-treasurer of the Welsh Congregational Preservation Society.
Richards was a master mason with Panther Valley Lodge No. 677, Lansford, and a member of the National Sojourners, Philadelphia; the Heroes of '76, Valley Forge Camp; Royal Arch Chapter No. 181 and Packer Commandery, Knights Templar No. 23, both of Jim Thorpe; and the Lehigh Valley Scottish Rite.
He was a member of the Carbon County Republican Executive Committee, having served on many of its veterans' committees.
He was an Eagle Scout with Troop 137, Lansford.
Surviving is a niece.
The Holmes-Griffiths Funeral Home, 200 E. Bertsch St., Lansford, is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Pauline A. Klitsch
Mrs. Pauline A. Klitsch, 85, formerly of West Sixth Street, Jim Thorpe, died Sunday morning in the Mahoning Valley Nursing and Convalescent Center, 397 Hemlock Drive, Mahoning Township, Lehighton. She was the widow of Aloysius J. Klitsch, who died in 1989.
Born in East Mauch Chunk, she was a daughter of the late Peter and Wilhelmina (Hoehing) Marzen.
She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Jim Thorpe.
Surviving are two daughters, Sister Mary Aloysius Klitsch of Danville, Pa., and Helaine, wife of Robert Barclay of Lehighton; two sons, Thomas A. of Jim Thorpe and Aloysius P. of Lake Harmony; four sisters, Mrs. Ruth Guman, Mrs. Monica Repsher and Mrs. Helen Salasky, all of Bethlehem, and Mrs. Rita Gigliotti of Jim Thorpe; nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by two sisters, Mrs. Wilma Bott and Mrs. Marie Lienhard; and four brothers, Bernard, Thomas, Paul and Ambrose.
The Edward F. Melber Funeral Home, 524 Center St., Jim Thorpe, is in charge of the arrangements.
Stanley Diviaio
Stanley Diviaio, 85, of 601 Snowhill Road, Stockton, Md., formerly of Elkton, Md., and New Ringgold, died Saturday morning in the Peninsula Regional Hospital, Salisbury, Md., where he was a patient for five days. He was the husband of Louise E. (Hill) Diviaio.
He was the owned of the Stephen Diviaio Contracting Company, Princeton, N.J., for 25 years before retiring in 1974.
Born in Beverly, Mass., he was a son of the late Guy and Elizabeth Diviaio.
He was of the Protestant faith.
Surviving in addition to his widow are a son Donald of Schuylkill Haven; a daughter Lorna, wife of John Child of Dixfield, Me.; three brothers, Joseph and Gut, both of Princeton, and Pat of Belle Mead, N.J.; a sister, Mrs. Agnes Coleman of New Egypt, N.J.; 14 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, a great-granddaughter and many nieces and nephews.
The Robert S. Nester Funeral Home, Rt. 309, Snyders, is in charge of the arrangements.
Ellis M. Roth
Ellis M. Roth, 83, of Kempton, died Friday night in the Kutztown Manor Nursing Home, Kutztown, where he had been a resident since February. He was the husband of Mabel D.S. (Steigerwalt) Roth. They observed their 48th wedding anniversary in June.
He was a lifelong self-employed farmer n Lynn Township, retiring in 1987.
Born in Lynn Township, he was a son of the late Anson and Ida (Reinhart) Roth.
He was a member of Jacob's United Church of Christ, Jacksonville, New Tripoli.
Surviving in addition to his widow is a brother, Ernest L. of Kempton.
The Robert S. Nester Funeral Home, Rt. 143, Jacksonville, is in charge of the arrangements.
Edwin J. Kleintop
Edwin J. Kleintop, 90, formerly of Northampton, died Sunday in ManorCare Health Services I, Bethlehem.
A farmer most of his life, he also worked for Dent Manufacturing Company, Northampton, for 10 years before retiring in 1974.
Born in Lower Towamensing Township, he was a son of the late Tilden and Agnes (Wentz) Kleintop.
He was of the Protestant faith.
There are no immediate survivors.
Mrs. Mary Ann Porambo
Mrs. Mary Ann Porambo, 75, of 430 E. Bertsch St., Lansford, died Sunday in the Gnaden Huetten Memorial Hospital, Lehighton. She was the widow of John "Larry" Porambo, who died in 1995.
Born in Summit Hill, she was a daughter of the late James and Sophie (Janusc) Kozuch.
She was a member of SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Lansford.
Surviving are two sons, John J. of Lansford and Sylvester of Canton, Mich.; a daughter Sandra, wife of Carl Woodard of Meridianville, Ala.; two sisters, Stella, wife of Michael Kostelanski of Wilkes-Barre, and Jean Ziemianek of Manville, N.J.; a brother John of Wilkes-Barre; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by a brother Edward and a sister, Valerie Kruczek.
The Skrabak-Parambo Funeral Home, 210 E. Bertsch St., Lansford, is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Sallie H. Long
Mrs. Sallie H. Long, 97, of Tamaqua R.3, formerly of New Ringgold R.1, died Tuesday morning in the Miners Memorial Medical Center, Coaldale, where she was a patient since July 22. She was the widow of Elias H. Long, who died in 1980.
Born in East Penn Township, she was a daughter of the late Charles and Amanda (McFarland) Shoemaker.
She was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, Mahoning Valley, and Pocahontas Council No. 8, Ladies Association to the Order of Independent Americans, Clamtown.
Surviving are two daughters, Grace L., wife of Paul C. Hoffman, with whom she resided, and Mrs. Mildred P. Dixon of Etters, York County; and a sister, Mrs. Mabel Berger of Lehighton.
She was also preceded in death by a son, Walter E., who died in March.
The Robert S. Nester Funeral Home, Rt. 309, Snyders, is in charge of the arrangements.
Floyd C. Benninger
Floyd C. "Pinky" Benninger, 68, of 717 N. Nelson St., Allentown, died Monday in the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township.
He was a crane operator for the Bethlehem Steel Corporation for 23 years before retiring in 1971.
Born in Walnutport, he was a son of the late Raymond A. Sr. and Gertrude H. (Kain) Benninger.
An Army veteran of World War II, he was a past senior commander, treasurer and secretary of the R.H. Fritzinger Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7215, Walnutport, and a member of the Allen O. Delke American Legion Post 16 and the Moose Lodge, both of Slatington, and the Diamond Fire Company, Walnutport.
Surviving are a daughter, Tina Marie, wife of Donald Snyder Jr. of Allentown; three stepsons, Mike Muniz of New Cumberland, Cumberland County, Randy Muniz of Walnutport and Thom Muniz of Palmerton; and a sister Elaine, wife of Walter Edwards of Slatington.
The Harding-Fox Funeral Home, 25-27 N. Second St., Slatington, is in charge of arrangements.
Thomas M. Dinan
Thomas M. Dinan, 46, of 386 Pool Road, Northampton, died Sunday in his home. He was the husband of Nancy (Ferraro) Dinan.
He was a carpenter for 25 years for Union Local 600, Bethlehem.
Born in Easton, he was a son of Thomas and Evelyn N. (Burns) Dinan of Easton.
The deceased was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Easton.
He was a coach for the Easton Midget Association for many years.
Surviving in addition to his widow and parents are a son Sean of Easton; a stepdaughter, Ashley Plummer of Northampton; and a sister, Stephanie Maliniak of Nesquehoning.
Frank M. Fetzer
Frank M. Fetzer, 31, of 3215 Walnut St., Springtown, died Monday in the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township, after being involved in an accident on Route 212 in Springfield Township.
He was a field technician for Insertech, Inc., Skippack, for the past three years.
Born in Fountain Hill, he was a son of Leland F. and Fay K. (Reichard) Fetzer of Springtown.
Surviving in addition to his parents bare a brother, Wayne L. of New Tripoli; and four sisters, Sharyn F., wife of Ronald F. Gaspar of Springtown, Kathy J., wife of Peter J. Schulberger of Kintnersville, Cynthia A., wife of Edward E. Cox of Telford, and Gayle S., wife of Robert E. Bush of Bangor.
