Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Records, 1947-2010
Wilbur A. Johnson
Wilbur A. Johnson, 80, of Kresgeville, died Sunday in his home. He was the husband of Arlene (Borger) Johnson. They would have observed their 60th wedding anniversary today.
He was in the feed mill business since 1939 and also co-owned and operated Johnson Brothers John Deere Farm Equipment, Kresgeville, for 50 years. He was also a farmer for most of his life until retiring in 1994.
Born in Lehighton R.3, he was a son of the late Adam and Mary (Christman) Johnson.
He was a member of Jerusalem Lutheran Church, Trachsville.
Johnson was a life member of the Towamensing Township Volunteer Fire Company and a member of the Polk Township Volunteer Fire Company, Kresgeville.
Surviving in addition to his widow are four sons, Earl and Lee, both of Kresgeville, Carl of Kunkletown and Clark of Palmerton; three daughters, Delphine Howell of Kresgeville, Carol, wife of Robert Smale of Kunkletown, and Mary Ann, wife of James Barber of Brodheadsville; a brother George of Lehighton; 21 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
He was also preceded in death by a brother Stanley; a granddaughter Ellen; and a grandson Rod.
The Kresge Funeral Home, Rt. 209, Brodheadsville, is in charge of the arrangements.
James M. Oravec
James M. Oravec, 60, of Fairfield, Conn., a former outstanding Palmerton High School basketball star, died Thursday, May 22, in his home.
He was captain of the 1954-55 PHS team and was named to the Associated Press All State Team in 1955, when he became only the second Blue Bomber to be named to the first team.
He captained the 1958-59 Georgetown University cage team.
Oravec was a member of the Fairfield County Life Underwriters Association. He was the Fairfield District agent for Northwestern Mutual Life insurance company, and was the company's leading district agent in the United States for several years.
Born in Palmerton, he was a son of Mrs. Anna Oravec of Palmerton and the late John L. Oravec.
She was a member of St. Pius X Catholic Church, Fairfield.
Surviving in addition to his mother are two sons, Jimmy M. and Christopher M., both of Fairfield; a daughter, Traci A., wife of David Gwodz of Suwanee, Ga.; two brothers, Fred of Clarks Summit, Lackawanna County, and Jack of Dover, Del.; three grandchildren and nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Francis J. Crenko
Mrs. Patricia Ann Crenko, 62, of 1353 Winters Ave., Bethlehem, died Saturday in the St. Luke Hospital, Fountain Hill, Bethlehem. She was the wife of Francis J. Crenko. They were married for 39 years.
She was a dispatcher for the former Eastern Pennsylvania Cartage, Bethlehem, for nine years.
Born in Allentown, she was a daughter of the late Kenneth and Mae (Weider) Santee.
She was a member of Notre Dame of Bethlehem Catholic Church, where she sang in the choir, served on the board of directors of its Catholic Youth Organization, and was a member and officer of the Sodality. Mrs. Crenko was a camp director at Camp Horseshoe for the Girls Club of Allentown.
Surviving in addition to her husband are three sons, David and Gregory, both of Bethlehem, and Matthew of Walnutport; a daughter Sudan, wife of John Hrkach of Bethlehem; a brother David in Tennessee; and nine grandchildren.
Mrs. Henry H. Hiestand
Mrs. Ida V. Hiestand, 81, of Allentown, died Friday in the Allentown Osteopathic Medical Center. She was the wife of Henry H. Hiestand. They observed their 57th wedding anniversary last June.
Born in Allentown, she was a daughter of the late Ignatz and Anna (Stavsky) Karol.
She was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, Allentown.
Surviving in addition to her husband are two sons, David H. of Linthicum, Md., and Bruce D. of Franklin, N.C.; a daughter, Veronica A., wife of Terrence J. Makovsky of Slatington; two brothers, Joseph F. and Alexander J., both of Allentown; a sister Veronica, wife of Robert Shook of Sacramento, Calif.; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Celesta Bollinger
Mrs. Celesta Bollinger, 100, formerly of Aquashicola, died Saturday in Mrs. Bush's Personal Care Home, Kunkletown. She was the widow of Howard Bollinger.
Born in Effort, she was a daughter of the late Emanuel and Lydian (Zacharias) George.
She was a member of Salem United Methodist Church, Aquashicola.
Surviving are a son Willard of Clayton, Mo.; two grandchildren and a great-grandson.
The Thomas K. Thomas Funeral Home, 145 Delaware Ave., Palmerton, is in charge of the arrangements.
Millard A. Stofflet
Millard A. Stofflet, 91, formerly of Perkasie and Hamburg, died Friday in the Lutheran Community at Telford, where he was a member of the corporate board. He was the husband of Margaret (Bowen) Stofflet and the late Helen T. (Taylor) Stofflet. He and his second wife were married for 21 years.
He was the owner, editor and publisher of the Hamburg Item weekly newspaper for 44 years before retiring in 1978. During his tenure as publisher, the paper more than doubled in size and circulation.
Previously, he taught German and mathematics for three years at Nutley High School, Nutley, N.J., where he advised the Journalism Club. He also taught modern languages and mathematics for five years at Lehighton High School, where he advised the school newspaper staff.
Stofflet was an assistant editor of the former Lehighton Press during the summer months.
Born in Nazareth, he was a son of the late A. Jeremiah and Henrietta (Uhler) Stofflet.
He was a member of St. Andrew Evangelical Lutheran Church, Perkasie, and a former member of the First United Church of Christ, Hamburg, where he was a deacon and elder on the consistory for 25 years.
He was a 1926 honors graduate of Lehigh University, where he belonged to the Phi Beta Kappa.
Stofflet was a member of the Pennsylvania Newspaper Publishers Association since 1934, serving as vice president in 1937-38. In 1952, he was named a recipient of the association's award for "long and meritorious work in the field of journalism."
He was an honorary member of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Newspaper Publishers Association and a member since 1934 of the National Editorial Association, serving as director of its advertising affiliate, the Newspaper Advertising Service, in 1949.
The deceased was elected treasurer of the latter group in 1950 and later served as secretary. He was Pennsylvania campaign chairman of NEA's Rededication Committee in 1950 and its state representative for a number of years.
Stofflet was a former member of the Hamburg Planning Commission and a past chairman of the town's Zoning Hearing Board.
He was a charter member and past president of the Hamburg Exchange Club and a director of the North Berks Chapter of the American Red Cross, which he served as campaign manager in 1945 and 1946.
He also belonged to the Reading Chamber of Commerce, Berks County Chamber of Commerce and the Historical Society of Berks County. In 1964, he received the Most Outstanding Citizen Award from the Hamburg Junior Chamber of Commerce.
Stofflet was executive secretary of the Dutch Hex Tour Association since its inception; a former director of the Berks County Pennsylvania Dutch Travel Association; member of the Perkasie Historical Society, serving three terms as president, 1981-83; and was listed in the early 1950s editions of "Who's Who in the East."
Surviving in addition to his widow are a son, Peter T. of Columbus, Ohio; two grandchildren and nieces and nephews.
James Y. Schelly
James Y. Schelly, 71, of Orefield, died Thursday in his home. He was the husband of Joyce A. (Schaffer) Schelly. They observed their 44th wedding anniversary in February.
He was a quality control technician for the former ALPO, Inc., South Whitehall Township, for many years before retiring, and previously had been a hardware consultant for the former C.Y. Schelly & Brother, Allentown.
Born in Allentown, he was a son of the late William F. and Mildred L. (Breth) Schelly.
He was a member of Jordan United Church of Christ, Allentown, where he served on the consistory.
Schelly was a Navy veteran of World War II, serving as a signalman third class.
He was an active member of the Boy Scouts of America and a former scoutmaster of Troop 60, Orefield.
Surviving in addition to his widow are two daughters, Nancy A., wife of Rep. Donald Snyder of Allentown, and Jane E. Schelly, wife of Donald Hutchings of Spokane, Wash.; and two grandchildren.
Mrs. Anna Wargo
Mrs. Anna Wargo, 78, of Northampton, died Friday in the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township. She was the widow of Joseph A. Wargo.
Born in Northampton, she was a daughter of the late Frank and Rose (Keschel) Turk.
She was a member of Our Lady of Hungary Catholic Church, Northampton, where she belonged to the Altar and Rosary Society.
Surviving are a son, Joseph W. of Virginia Beach, Va.; a daughter Kathleen, wife of Albert Longenberger of Hazleton; a sister, Mary Simko of Northampton; three brothers, Herman of Roanoke, Va., William of Walnutport and Paul of Coplay; and three grandchildren.
Mrs. Anna Charney
Mrs. Anna Charney, 96, of Country Meadows, Bethlehem Township, formerly of Lebanon and Kingston, Luzerne County, died Thursday in the Easton Hospital. She was the widow of Michael Charney.
Born in Mayfield, Lackawanna County, she was a daughter of the late Michael and Francesca (Mrozcka) Kittick.
She was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church, Easton; a life member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Kingston; and had been active in Kingston and Lebanon churches.
Surviving are a son, Daniel F. of Danielsville; a brother, Andrew Kytic of Kogoroh, Australia; five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by two sons, Stephen and Theodore.
Raymond D. Rhode
Raymond D. "Ray" Rhode, 88, of 120 Trexler Ave., Kutztown, formerly of Quarry Road, Kutztown, died Friday in the Kutztown Manor. He was the husband of Edna M. (DeLong) Rhode. They observed their 37th wedding anniversary last June.
He was a self-employed butcher in Longswamp Township for more than 40 years. He and his wife also owned and operated Edna's Place, Dryville, Berks County, from 1965-73.
Born in Longswamp Township, he was a son of the late Grant D. and Emma (Reinert) Rhode.
He was an Army veteran of World War II.
Surviving in addition to his widow are a sister Roma of Mertztown; a stepdaughter, Phyllis C., wife of Ronald F. Moyer of Macungie; three stepsons, Stanley Moll and Larry Moll, both of Albrightsville, and Ronald L. Moll of Hamburg R.2; 21 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.
He was also preceded in death by a daughter, Ruth K. Ferry.
John S. Sommer
John S. "Bortz" Sommer, 67, of Allentown, died Friday in the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township. He was the husband of the late Muriel (Green) Sommer.
He was a partner in the Lop Cabin, Coplay, since 1983 and, simultaneously, was a crane operator for the Bethlehem Steel Corporation for 34 years before retiring in 1987.
Born in Whitehall Township, he was a son of the late Herman Sr. and Anna (Guttman) Sommer.
He was a Navy veteran and a life member of the Coplay Saengerbund.
Surviving are a son, Jay S. of Schnecksville; two brothers, Herman Jr. of Walnutport and Richard of Whitehall; five sisters, Anna, wife of Dean Fenicle of Freemansburg, Mary, wife of Joseph Pagats of Miller Heights, Elsie, wife of Gerald Sukanick, and Rose, wife of Alois Holenick, both of Coplay, and Geraldine, wife of Stephen Steirer of Northampton; and a granddaughter.
Leonard A. Scheese Jr.
Leonard A. Scheese Jr., 59, of Harbor City, Calif., died Sunday, May 18, at his home. He was the husband of Marcia Scheese.
A graduate of the University of Arizona, he was an electrical engineer for the Xerox Corporation, Harbor City, for 25 years.
Born in Lansford, he was a son of the late Leonard and Mary (Gavornik) Scheese.
Surviving in addition to his widow are two daughters, Jennifer Sullivan of Huntington Beach, Calif., and Emily of San Diego, Calif.; a brother Donald in Minnesota; a sister, Carol Ann Matula of Glenside, Montgomery County; and a granddaughter.
Mrs. Laura M. Moser
Mrs. Laura M. Moser, 82, of 2070 E. Scenic Drive, Moore Township, died Friday in her home. She was the widow of Edwin C. Moser Jr.
She owned and operated the Mom & Me candy kitchen in her home, and previously was a cook/manager at the George Wolf Elementary School, Bath, for 12 years before retiring in 1980.
Born in Catasauqua, she was a daughter of the late Mynford Moyer and Mabel (Dieter) Moyer Jacoby.
She was a member of the Dryland United Church of Christ, Newburg.
Surviving are three daughters, Elaine L., wife of Edgar Bellis of Moore Township, June C., wife of William Kuhns of Melbourne, Fla., and Armell D., wife of Gordon Mann of Northampton; a sister Gloria, wife of Ray Roberts of Bath; a brother, Ervin Jacoby Jr. of Danielsville; 19 grandchildren, 45 great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandchild.
She was also preceded in death by two sons, Kenneth E. and Edwin C. III.
Yanacek survivors
Among the survivors of John S. Yanacek, 72, of 227 Green St., Brockton, who died Friday in the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township, are three sisters, Mary Bonfignore and Ethel Breslin, both of Staten Island, N.Y., and Pauline Trynosky of New York City, N.Y.
Yanacek, the husband of Alice (Blasko) Yanacek, was employed by Tenney Engineering, Union, N.J. The three sisters names were inadvertently omitted from Saturday's obituary and his former employer's name was misspelled.
Mrs. Mary Gerlott
Mrs. Mary Gerlott, 96, of Mahanoy City, died Sunday in the Tremont Health and Rehabilitation Center, Tremont. She was the widow of Charles Gerlott, who died in 1969.
Born in Mahanoy City, she was a daughter of the late Herman and Elizabeth (Snyder) Koldhoff.
She was a member of Grace United Church of Christ, Mahanoy City.
Surviving are a son Herman of Mahanoy City; and nieces and nephews.
She was also preceded in death by three sisters, Minnie, Annie and Grace; and two brothers, Herman and Edward.
The Lamar Christ Funeral Home, Hometown, is in charge of the arrangements.
