Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Records, 1947-2010
Mrs. Lois E. Hettler Cawley
Mrs. Lois E. Hettler Cawley, 64, of Weatherwood, Weatherly, a former Lehighton and Jim Thorpe resident, died Wednesday in the Hazleton General Hospital. She was the widow of Norman Cawley, who died in 1992, and Ira Hettler Jr. who died in 1981.
Born in Lehighton, she was a daughter of the late Charles and Ethel (Benner) Kershner.
She attended Bethany Evangelical Congregational Church, Lehighton.
Surviving are three daughters, Betty, wife of Richard Holtzer of Slatington, Cindy, wife of James Counterman of Weatherly, and Donna, wife of Richard Behler of Parryville; one son, John C. Hettler of Lehighton; two brothers, Gordon of Largo, Fla., and Ward of Lehighton; 11 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a brother, Richard and a sister Patience.
The Andrew P. Ovsak Funeral Home, Fourth and Iron streets, Lehighton, is in charge of the arrangements.
Raymond J. Kressley
Raymond J. Kressley, 76, of New Tripoli, died Wednesday in the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township. He was the husband of Mildred L. (Rex) Kressley. They observed their 53rd wedding anniversary last July.
A farmer for most of his life in Weisenberg Township until retiring in 1984, he was also a heavy equipment operator at Ralph Kressley, Inc., Orefield, for 20 years before retiring.
Born in Weisenberg Township, he was a son of the late Elmer and Ida (Werley) Kressley.
He was a member of Weisenberg Lutheran Church, New Tripoli, where he was a Sunday school pianist for 35 years, a choir member and the organist for 30 years.
Kressley was a member of the Ontelaunee Lions Club, New Tripoli, and the Schnecksville Senior Citizens, where he was a former pianist in its kitchen band.
Surviving in addition to his widow are a son, Kermit C. of Allentown; a daughter, Diane M., at home; two brothers, Leo F. of Emmaus and Ralph H. of Orefield; two sisters, Althea M. Dengler and Lillian M., wife of Elmer Gressley, both of New Tripoli; and two grandchildren.
Francis X. Smith
Francis X. Moe" Smith, 73, of 2937 Whitemarsh Place, Macungie, died Tuesday in the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township. He was the husband of Patricia A. (Shepherd) Smith. They observed their 21st wedding anniversary in October.
He was a tool and die maker for Mechanical Services, Inc., Allentown, for 50 years before retiring in 1991.
Born in Allentown, he was a son of the late Stephen M. and Anna E. (Yurko) Smith.
He was a member of St. Ann Catholic Church, Emmaus.
Smith was an Army veteran of World War II, having served as a corporal in the Pacific Theater of Operations and receiving four Bronze Stars.
He was a life member of the Fullerton Fire Company and a member of the Macungie V.F.W. Post 9264 and American Legion Post 191, Emmaus.
Surviving in addition to his widow are a son, Gregory W., and a daughter, Barbara S., wife of Frank P. Crampsie, both of Whitehall; two brothers, Bernard of Berkley Heights, N.J., and Richard of Fairfax, Va.; three sisters, Irene Fredericks in Virginia, Kathleen Boykas of Allentown and Veronica, wife of Luther Wenner of Hatfield; and four grandchildren.
Alta M. Berger
Alta M. Berger, 83, formerly of 237 E. Walnut St., Kutztown, died Wednesday in the Kutztown Manor.
A graduate of St. Joseph Hospital School of Nursing, Reading, she was a nurse for the Berks Visiting Nurses Association; St. Joseph Hospital, Reading; and for Dr. John P. Scully, Reading, for 16 years. She retired in 1976.
Born in Albrightsville, she was a daughter of the late Theodore E. and Sylvania O. (Huseman) Berger.
She was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, Kutztown.
Berger was an Army Nursing Corps veteran of World War II.
Surviving are two sisters, Laura J., wife of Robert Tuck of Tucson, Ariz., and Mrs. Genie M. Kershner of Reading; and two brothers, Lloyd H. of Kutztown and Luther A. of Bethlehem.
She was also preceded in death by a sister, Icy Berger, who died last Thursday.
Sister M. Celestis
Sister M. Celestis, 64, a missionary sister of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, died Wednesady at 2:45 a.m. in St. Michael Convent, Reading, where she had resided for 22 years.
Born in Lansford, she was a daughter of the late John and Mary (Cuzy) Bubak.
She entered the convent in 1950 and was also a graduate of the University of Dayton.
She taught at parochial schools in Allentown, Nazareth, Reading, Lansford and Hilltown for 12 years, and later taught in the diocesan schools of Allentown and Pottsville.
In 1974, she retired to the convent in Reading, but continued to be active as a receptionist and librarian until 1989.
Surviving are a brother Frank of Harrisburg; and a sister, Ann Kutay of Warner Robbins, Ga.
Funeral services will be held Saturday morning in Reading.
Mrs. Bertha Friedman
Mrs. Bertha (Segel) Friedman, 77, of Chatsworth, Calif., formerly of Santa Monica, Calif., Easton and Palmerton, died Feb. 7. She was the widow of Alfred Fritz" Friedman, who died in 1980.
Born and raised in Palmerton, she graduated in 1937 from Palmerton High School and worked at the family business, Segel's By The Bridge, on Delaware Avenue in Palmerton from her early youth.
After her marriage in 1946, she and her husband settled in Easton. They lived there until 1970, moving to Santa Monica. They lived in Santa Monica for nine years.
Surviving are a daughter Sharon of Chatsworth; a son Neal of Simi Valley, Calif.; two grandsons and nieces and nephews.
Theodore D. Heim
Theodore D. Heim, 68, of 24B, Frieden Manor, Schuylkill Haven, died Wednesday morning at his home. He was ill the past year. He was the husband of the late Ruby E. (Daubenspeck) Heim, who died in February, 1996.
Born in Orwigsburg, he was a son of the late George S. and Carrie E. (Ream) Heim.
He was a machine operator for the former J.S. Zulick Co. and the Kepner-Scott Shoe Co., both of Orwigsburg. He retired in 1993.
He was an Army veteran of the Korean War, and was a member of the Reedsville E.C. Church, Wayne Township.
He was a life member of V.F.W. Post 2198, Orwigsburg, and belonged to the Pine Grove Legion.
Surviving are three sons, Charles and Howard, both of Schuylkill Haven, and Fred of Pottsville; four sisters, Celia Stoudt, Amy Roland, Julie Meisner, all of Orwigsvurg, and Alice Zinkus of Pottsville. Also four grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by five brothers, George, John, Walter, Emery and Charles; and three sisters, Kathryn Nester, Esther Zulick and Edith Knaus.
The John H. Lundbye Funeral Home, Inc., Orwigsburg, is in charge of arrangements.
Amelia R. Johnson
Amelia R. Johnson, 100, of 1009 North St., Jim Thorpe, died Thursday in the Mahoning Valley Nursing and Convalescent Center, Mahoning Township.
She was a first grade teacher at the former Nesquehoning Elementary School many years ago.
Born in Nesquehoning, she was a daughter of the late Edward and Elizabeth (Garis) Ronemus.
She was a member of Grace-St. Paul United Methodist Church, Jim Thorpe, where she was president of the Women's Society of Christian Services and a teacher of the Loyal Women's Bible Class, both for more than 25 years.
Surviving are two daughters, Janice, wife of Peter Madge, and Beverly, wife of Joseph DeLay, both of Jim Thorpe; a son, Dr. Edward of Jacksonville, Fla.; a brother Edward of Nesquehoning; three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
The Edward F. Melber Funeral Home, 524 Center St., Jim Thorpe, is in charge of the arrangements.
William Stocus
William Stocus, 67, of 103 Brentwood Road, Raritan, N.J., died Wednesday in the Somerset Medical Center, Somerville, N.J. He was the husband of Elizabeth (Derzack) Stocus. They were married for 42 years.
He was a clerk for the Lab Corporation of America, Raritan, until retiring, and previously was employed by the Johns Manville Corporation.
Born in Mahanoy City, he was the son of Mary Maconis of Mahanoy City and the late Albert Stocus.
He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Raritan, where he was an usher.
A graduate of the former Mahanoy City High School, he was an Army veteran of the Korean Conflict. He also belonged to the V.F.W. Post of Raritan.
Surviving in addition to his widow are a son Mark, at home; a daughter Deborah, wife of Craig Stabler in Somerville, N.J.; a brother Guy of Ringoes, N.J.; and three grandchildren.
The August M. Gulla Funeral Home, 130 E. Ridge St., Coaldale, is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Kermit N. Serfass Sr.
Mrs. Gloria L. Serfass, 65, of 820 W. Princeton Ave., Palmerton, died Thursday in the Palmerton Hospital. She was the wife of Kermit N. Serfass Sr.
She was a floorlady for the former Natalie Fashions, Palmerton.
Born in Palmerton, she was a daughter of the late Astor A. and Lauretta E. (Haydt) Shupp.
She was a life member of the West End Fire Company, Palmerton, and its Auxiliary, and a member of the Sokol Hall, Palmerton.
Surviving in addition to her husband are three daughters, Cindy L. Betancourt and Susan M. Serfass, both of Palmerton, and S/SGT Holly A. of Fort Hood, Tex.; a son, Kermit N. Jr., and four sisters, Mrs. Shirley M. Strohl, Mrs. Brenda L. Fisher, Linda J., wife of Lannie Kline, and Nancy L., wife of Paul W. Fralix, all of Palmerton; a brother, David A. of Allentown; five grandchildren and a great-granddaughter.
She was also preceded in death by a son, Gary L.; and two brothers, Kevin and Paul.
The Campton Funeral Home, 525 Delaware Ave., Palmerton, is in charge of the arrangements.
Frank D. Kranitz
Frank D. Kranitz, 69, of 5525 Lehigh St., Whitehall Township, died Thursday in his home. He was the husband of Maria (Marno) Kranitz. They observed their 49th wedding anniversary last July.
He was a laborer for LaFarge Cement Company, Whitehall Township, for 42 years before retiring in 1989.
Born in Northampton, he was a son of the late Frank and Julia (Schneider) Kranitz.
He was a life member of the Tri-Boro Sportsmen Club, Northampton; an active member of the American Legion Post 353, Northampton; and a member of the Grouse Hall Fish and Game, Coplay, and the Blue Mountain Fish and Game, Danielsville.
Surviving in addition to his widow are nephews.
Michael Ernest Jones
Michael Ernest Jones, 36, of 616 Washington St., Walnutport, died Wednesday in the St. Luke Hospital, Quakertown, after being stricken while working near Quakertown.
He was a well driller for R.H. Odenheimer Co., Allentown, for the past three years, and previously had been employed by Ed Swoyer & Sons Plumbing and Heating, Allentown.
He received his certification in plumbing and heating and his journeyman plumbing rank from the Lehigh County Vocational-Technical, and graduated from the Oil Burner Technology School of Allentown.
Born in Northampton, he was a son of Mrs. Helen M. (Seiler) Jones of Walnutport and the late Robert F. Jones.
He was a former member of St. Nicholas Catholic Church, Berlinsville.
Jones was a member of the Blue Ridge Rod and Gun Club, Walnutport.
Surviving in addition to his mother are two brothers, James J. of Neffs and Robert F. Jr. of Slatington; and three sisters, Mrs. Judith Hunsicker, Iris K., wife of Keith D. Blose, and Joann, wife of Gary A. Warmkessel, all of Slatington.
