Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Records, 1947-2010
Paul Martinec
Paul Martinec, 69, of 504 W. Water St., Coaldale, died Friday in the Graduate Hospital, Philadelphia, where he was a patient for a month.
He was an office worker for the U.S. government in Mechanicsburg, Pa.
Born in Coaldale, he was a son of the late Stephen and Eloysia (Hlavka) Martinec.
A 1945 graduate of the former Coaldale High School, he was an Army veteran of the Korean Conflict.
He was a member of SS. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church and the American Legion and V.F.W. posts, all of Coaldale; and Elks Lodge No. 592, Tamaqua.
Surviving are two brothers, John of Hatboro, Montgomery County, and Joseph of Harrisburg; four sisters, Helen Hand and her twin, Helene Melnick, both of Harrisburg, Anne Ryan in New Jersey and Margaret Lewandowski of Houston, Tex.; and several nieces and nephews.
He was also preceded in death by a brother Stephen; and two sisters, Rose and Mary.
The August M. Gulla Funeral Home, 130 E. Ridge St., Coaldale, is in charge of the arrangements.
Martinec corrections: Paul Martinec, 69, of 504 W. Water St., Coaldale, who died Friday in the Graduate Hospital, Philadelphia, was a son of the late Stephen and Aloysia (Hlavka) Martinec.
Among his survivors is his twin sister, Pauline Melnick of Harrisburg.
The names of the mother and twin sister of the deceased were incorrectly listed in Monday's obituary.
Michael Turks
Michael (Turcmonovich) Turks, 74, of 720 E. Broad St., Tamaqua, died Sunday in his home. He was the husband of the late Isabelle (Witcofsky) Turks.
Prior to retiring in 1989, he had been employed by Bethlehem Mines. He also owned and operated TV Funnel Cakes and previously worked for the Home Life Insurance Company, Tamaqua, as an agent.
Born in Lansford, he was a son of the late Wash and Mary (Pregano) Turcmonovich.
A veteran of World War II, he served with the U.S. Army's 87th Infantry, participating in The Battle of the Bulge.
He was a member of St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, Lansford. A 1940 graduate of the former Lansford High School, he was also a member of the East End Fire Company, Tamaqua; the Panther Valley Golden Agers; Second Mountain Gun Club, Orwigsburg; Tamaqua and Shanandoah Senior Citizens; and was a past secretary of the Tamaqua Volunteer Firemen's Relief organization.
He is survived by a son, Michael G. Turks of Belaire, Md.; a daughter, Carol, wife of Blase Marchetti of Tamaqua; a brother, John Turcmonovich of Lansford; a sister, Mrs. Victor (Mary T.) Pituch of Lansford; and three grandchildren.
He was also preceded in death by a sister, Helen Wishousky.
The E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home, 655 E. Broad St., Tamaqua, is in charge of arrangements.
James L. Boyle
James L. "J" Boyle, 81, of 135 Penn St., Tamaqua, died suddenly on Monday in the Lancaster General Hospital, Lancaster. He was the husband of the late Ruth E. (Sell) Boyle, who died Jan. 6, 1995.
Prior to retiring, he was the co-owner of Boyle Amusements, Tamaqua.
Born in Tamaqua, he was a son of the late John J. and Annie (Higgins) Boyle.
He was a member of St. Jerome Catholic Church, Tamaqua, where he was an usher.
Boyle was an Army veteran of World War II, having participated in the Battle of the Bulge.
He also belonged to the South Ward Fire Company, Tamaqua.
Surviving are two sons, James L. Jr. of Columbia, Md., and Daniel F. of Lancaster; two daughters, Beth, wife of Dennis Harris of Tuscarora, and Louise, wife of John Steel of Tamaqua; a brother, John "Hinkey, " and a sister, Anna Gigli, both of Tamaqua; and five grandchildren.
He was also preceded in death by three sisters, Mary Matrician, Margaret Yelito and Rose Scheidigger; and two brothers, Thomas and Daniel.
The Roche Funeral Home, 237 E. Broad St., Tamaqua, is in charge of the arrangements.
Sophia E. Dragelis
Sophia E. Dragelis, 79, of 443 E. Union St., Tamaqua, died Monday in her home.
Prior to retiring, she was a line person for the Atlas Powder Company, Reynolds.
Born in Hamtramck, Mich., she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Stella (Burke) Dragelis.
She was a member of SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Tamaqua, where she was a member and past secretary of its auxiliary.
The deceased was a 1938 graduate of Tamaqua High School.
Surviving are a daughter, Lois C., wife of Anthony Fredicine of Oley, Berks County; three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by a brother Joseph.
The E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home, 655 E. Broad St., Tamaqua, is in charge of the arrangements.
August A. Erschen
August A. Erschen, 80, of Las Vegas, Nev., formerly of Slatington, died June 18 in his home. He was the husband of Theresa (Zamadics) Erschen.
A graduate of the University if Miami, he was a naval contract negotiator at the Lockheed Corporation in California for many years before retiring.
Born in Berlinsville, he was a son of the late Edward and Mary Ann (Yeck) Erschen.
He was of the Catholic faith.
Erschen was an Army Air Corps veteran of World War II.
Surviving in addition to his widow are a sister, Martha Eisenhard of Walnutport; a brother Herman of St. Petersburg, Fla.; and nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Allan J. Fusco
Mrs. Norma Jean Fusco, 55, of Brodheadsville, died Sunday in her home. She was the wife of Allan J. Fusco. They observed their 26th wedding anniversary last December.
She was a bookkeeper for the Heberling Agency, Stroudsburg, for 16 years.
Born in West Virginia, she was a daughter of the late Albert and Eleanor (Arnold) Jennings.
Surviving in addition to her husband are a son, Larry Heckler of Brodheadsville; three sisters, Barbara Barnes of Davis, Anna Ruth Harper of Elkins and Della Lee Kibert of Morgantown, all in West Virginia; and a granddaughter.
Funeral services will be held in Davis. The Kresge Funeral Home, Rt. 209, Brodheadsville, is in charge of local arrangements.
Mrs. John H. Miller
Mrs. Mary H. (Hecanchik) Miller, 72, of Allentown, died Saturday in the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township. She was the wife of John H. Miller. They would have observed their 47th wedding anniversary this month.
She was born in Palmerton.
Surviving in addition to her husband are two daughters, Jane M., at home, and Barbara J. Miller of Allentown; a sister Jenny, wife of Stanford Frantz of Palmerton; and two grandchildren.
Mrs. Merle D. Taylor
Mrs. Merle D. Taylor, 84, of 131 Schuylkill Ave., Tamaqua, died Monday at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Anthony (Joanne) Mazzarella of West Lake, Ohio. She was the widow of Robert Edgar Taylor, who died in 1947.
Prior to retiring, she had been employed as an elementary school teacher in the Tamaqua School District from 1938 to 1975.
Born in Frackville, she was a daughter of the late Charles W. and Josephine D. (Dunn) Caton.
She was a member of Bethany Evangelical Congregational Church, Tamaqua. A 1929 graduate of Frackville High School, she earned a bachelor of science degree from Kutztown Normal School in 1931. She was also a member of the Pennsylvania State Education Association.
Surviving, in addition to her daughter, are three brothers, Claire Caton of Linden, N.J., Vaughn Caton of Upland, Delaware County, and H. Gene Caton of Media, Delaware County; two sisters, Mrs. Wilda McCormick of Avondale, Chester County, and Mrs. Elva McCoy of Lake Wales, Fla.; five grandchildren; and one great grandchild.
She was preceeded in death by a sister, Helen Starck.
The E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home, 655 E. Broad St., Tamaqua, is in charge of arrangements.
Norman D. Arner Sr.
Norman D. Arner Sr. of 4426 Rosebay Court, Bethlehem, died Tuesday evening in the Easton Hospital. He was the husband of Alice E. (Buck) Arner.
The Andrew P. Ovsak Funeral Home, Fourth and Iron streets, Lehighton, is in charge of the arrangements.
Percy W. Flick
Percy W. Flick of 175 N. Seventh St., Apt. A-1, Lehighton, died Wednesday morning in the Burnt Tavern Convalescent Center, Brick, N.J.
The Andrew P. Ovsak Funeral Home, Fourth and Iron streets, Lehighton, is in charge of the arrangements.
Oliver Swanson, Jr.
Oliver L. "Pete" Swanson, Jr., 74, of 304 Greeves Street, died Wednesday, April 7, 2004 at the Kane Community Hospital.
Born November 3, 1929, in Warren, he was the son of Oliver L. and Adelaide H. Spencer Swanson, Sr.
On May 13, 1960, in Kane, he married Nancy L. Steele, who died January 7, 2001.
He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict.
Mr. Swanson was a Pennsylvania State Policeman for 28 years, retiring in 1981 as Corporal. Afterwards, he worked in security at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford for eight years.
He was a member of the Kane Free Methodist Church, the Fraternal Order of Police, a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association, president of the Chandlers Valley Cemetery Association, and was active in the Meals on Wheels in Kane.
Surviving are two daughters, Christine E. Jolly and her husband, Michael, of Berea, KY and Colleen D. Kosko and her husband, Curt, of Tyrone; a son, Perry Swanson and his wife, Kristin, of Kane; two brothers, Spencer Swanson of Battle Creek, MI and Perry Swanson of Tionesta; and six grandchildren, Austin and Erin Jolly, Logan and Lincoln Swanson, and Matthew and Nicholas Kosko. Several nieces and nephews also survive.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 p.m. Friday at the Ronald McDonald II Funeral Home, at which time a service will be held there, with The Reverend Milton Jones, pastor of the Kane Free Methodist Church, officiating. Interment will be in Wilcox Cemetery following cremation.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Free Methodist Church or to a charity of the donors choice.
Doris F. McClelland
Doris F. McClelland, 86, of Hazel Hurst, died Monday, June 14, 2004 at Sena Kean Manor in Smethport.
Born September 17, 1917, in Dayton, PA, she was a daughter of John and Mary Caroline (Carrie) Pontious Wilson. On May 25, 1935, in Dayton, she married William McClelland who survives.
Mrs. McClelland belong to the Hazel Hurst United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Women. In 1995, she received an award for years of dedicated service from the Hazel Hurst United Methodist Sunday School classes. She was a lifelong member of the Mountain Grange and was active in the Mt. Jewett Senior Center and Meals on Wheels. She enjoyed baby-sitting in the Hazel Hurst area for many years.
Surviving, in addition to her husband, are four daughters, Jean Van Giesen of Waterford; Carolyn (Ward) Fitzsimmons of Smethport; Janet Bost of Hazel Hurst and Nelva Haas of Albermarine, NC; two sons Donald (Ruth) McClelland of Kane and Edward McClelland of Mt. Jewett; 27 grandchildren; 44 great grandchildren; 51 great-great grandchildren; a sister, Sara King of New Braunfels, TX; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by two grandsons, Mark and Michael McClelland; five brothers, Willard, Clayton, Martin, Laverne and William Wilson; and three sons-in-law, Frank Greenman, Cecil Van Giesen and John Bosh.
Friends will be received Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Cummings Funeral Home, Inc. in Kane where a Mountain Grange memorial service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Hazel Hurst United Methodist Church with The Rev. W. Craig Smith, pastor, officiating. Burial will be at Bridgeview Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Hazel Hurst United Methodist Church.
Edwin S. Speedy
Edwin S. Speedy, 89, of 82 Rockwood Park Road, Bassett, VA, formerly of Lantz Corners and Hazel Hurst, died Sunday, June 13, 2004 at Memorial Hospital in Martinsville.
Born April 21, 1915, in New Somerset, Ohio, he was a son of George and Stella Moore Speedy. On December 16, 1939, in Kane, he married Marian E. Schlopy who died February 27, 1999.
Mr. Speedy was a graduate of Scio High School in Scio, Ohio.
He retired in 1980 from South Penn/Pennzoil after 39 years of service as a pumper and later as chief clerk. His father was a driller and Mr. Speedy always enjoyed sharing stories of well drilling activity in the late 30's in Bradford.
Mr. Speedy was a member of the United Methodist Church for 67 years and until recently belonged to the Hazel Hurst Church having transferred his membership to Fork Mountain Methodist Church, Bassett, Va., on Easter Sunday 2004. He was a member of the Methodist Men, a church board member, a Sunday School teacher and superintendent at the Hazel Hurst United Methodist Church. He was a former member of the Mountain Grange in Kane and a member of the Hamlin Twp. Fire Department. He also was a Boy Scout leader and an auditor for Hamlin Twp. for many years, an avid outdoorsman, he loved to travel and was proud of his service to his church. When recently asked his most proud accomplishment, he responded that it was his family with whom he enjoyed spending as much time as possible. Over the past five year in Virginia, he most enjoyed his grandchildren, great grandchildren and using his lawn tractor to maintain the lawn of the home he shared with his son and family.
Surviving are two sons, Bernard "Bing" (Shirley) Speedy of Ridgway and William "Bill" (Margaret) Speedy of Bassett with whom he resided; two daughters Melissa (Harold) Suain of Allegany, NY and Jeanette Smith of Hazel Hurst; a daughter-in-law Debra Speedy of Mt. Jewett; 22 grandchildren; 39 great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by a son Walter who died March 23, 2004; one sister; and three brothers. He was the last surviving member of his immediate family.
Friends will be received Thursday from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. at the Cummings Funeral Home, Inc., in Kane. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at the United Methodist Church in Hazel Hurst with The Rev. W. Craig Smith, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Nebo Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Hazel Hurst United Methodist Church.
