Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Records, 1947-2010
Mrs. Earl F. Metzger
Mrs. Myrtle K. Metzger, 83, of Allentown, died Tuesday in the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township. She was the wife of Earl F. Metzger. They observed their 63rd wedding anniversary in November.
Born in South Whitehall Township, she was a daughter of the late Llewellyn and Annie (Acker) Lentz.
She was a member of Cedar Crest Bible Fellowship Church, Salisbury Township.
Surviving in addition to her husband are three daughters, Elaine M., wife of the Rev. Richard R. Ruth of Easton, and Beverly A., wife of Donald M. Rauch, and Brenda M., wife of Thomas M. Wickel, both of Allentown; a brother Forrest of Cetronia; a sister, Kathleen Lentz of Walnutport; 12 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Jane A. Leidich.
James Martin Walk
James Martin Walk, 92, of 1010 Lauck Drive, Winchester, Va., died Tuesday in a nursing home. He was the husband of the late Lulu E. (Green) Walk, who died in November, and the late Louise L. (Bauer) Walk, who died in 1966.
He was a foreman for the former New Jersey Zinc Company, Palmerton, before retiring.
Born in Palmerton, he was a son of the late James Martin Jr. and Ellen (Kleintop) Walk.
He was a member of the Palmerton Rod and Gun Club and the Carbon County Beagle Club, Palmerton.
Surviving are a daughter, Helen W. Roth of Cincinnati, Ohio; a son, Dr. James Frederick of Winchester; 10 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Samuel Efron, Esq.
Samuel Efron, Esq., 81, of Washington, D.C., died Saturday in a Washington, D.C., area hospital. He was the husband of Hope (Newman) Efron. They were married for 55 years.
He began his legal career in Washington as a government lawyer in 1939. During his 14 years in the public sector, he worked for the Securities and Exchange Commission, Alien property Custodian and Price of Administration, and the departments of Labor and Justice. His last assignment was as assistant general counsel in the Office of International Security Affairs for the Department of Defense.
A native of Lansford, he graduated summa cum laude in 1935 from Lehigh University and earned a full scholarship to Harvard University law School.
In 1953, he became a founding partner in the Washington law firm of Surrey, Karasik, Gould and Efron, specializing in international financial matters. From 1961-68, he worked in New York, where he was executive vice president of Parsons & Whitmore, a construction and paper pulp company.
Efron joined Arent, Fox, Kinter, Plotkin and Kahn in 1968 and over the years had represented Finnish companies and ambassadors. In 1995, he was made a commander of the Knighthood of the Order of the Lion by the president of Finland.
During World War II, he served in the Navy in the Pacific Theater. He received Japanese language training at the Naval Language School in Boulder, Colo., and was an interpreter for the U.S. when Japan surrendered aboard the USS Missouri to end World War II in 1945.
Efron served on the board of governors of the International Club; was a trustee of Meridian House International and served on the advisory committee of the Center for Biomedical Ethics at the University of Virginia. His other memberships included the Army and Navy, Cosmos, Harvard and Lehigh clubs in Washington.
Surviving in addition to his widow are two sons, Marc of Chevy Chase, Md., and Eric of San Antonio, Tex.; and twin grandsons.
Stephen P. Stubits
Stephen P. Stubits, 79, of 1615 Washington St., North Catasauqua, died Tuesday in the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Allentown. He was the husband of Helen (Yurko) Stubits. They observed their 53rd wedding anniversary in November.
He was a carpenter for the Lafarge Cement Company, North Whitehall Township, for 33 years before retiring in 1979.
Born in Coplay, he was a son of the late Mathias and Mary (Handler) Stubits.
He was a member of St. Lawrence the Martyr Catholic Church, North Catasauqua, where he belonged to the Holy Name Society.
Stubits was an Army veteran of World War II and a life member of the V.F.W. Post 4714, Northampton, the Disabled American Veterans, Lehigh Valley Chapter No. 7, and the National 4th Infantry Division Association, Lehigh Valley chapter.
He was a member of the Catholic War Veterans Post 454, Northampton, and American Legion Post 6899, Walnutport.
Surviving in addition to his widow are a son, Stephen J. of Phoenix, Ariz.; three brothers, Mathias of Palmerton, Lou of Syracuse, N.Y., and Leon of Danielsville; six sisters, Rose Sedora of Allentown, Mary Petko, Terri Eberhardt and Agnes Marsh, all of Northampton, and Anna, wife of Robert Tanzos, and Angela Lerch, both of Danielsville; and three grandchildren.
Edward J. Herman Sr.
Edward J. Herman Sr., 91, of Fountain Hill, died Tuesday in Cedarbrook's Fountain Hill Annex. He was the husband of the late Mary (Krempsanka) Herman.
He was a brakeman for the former Jersey Central Railroad for 31 years before retiring in 1970.
Born in Mauch Chunk, he was a son of the late Mathias and Rose (Armbruster) Herman.
He was an Army veteran.
Surviving are two sons, Edward J. Jr. and Francis S., both of Allentown; three daughters, Sophie, wife of Jack Exley of Anaheim, Calif., Helen of Breinigsville and Mary of Bethlehem; a brother Daniel of Allentown; nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Mary E. Ponnett
Mrs. Mary E. Ponnett, 85, of Bush's Personal Care Center, Kunkletown, formerly of Slateford, died Tuesday in the Palmerton Hospital. She was the widow of Joseph Ponnett Sr., who died in 1995.
She was a waitress for the Hunter's Lodge, Delaware, N.J., before retiring in 1980.
Born in Upper Mount Bethel Township, she was a daughter of the late Andrew and Rose (Pietronnto) Manzi.
She was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, Portland, Northampton County, and was a former member of the American Legion Auxiliary of Knowlton Township, N.J.
Surviving are two sons, Joseph Jr. of Roseto and John of Middletown; two brothers, Louis of Stroudsburg and Tony of Upper Mount Bethel Township; two sisters, Frances Stuiso of East Rutherford, N.J., and Grace Zalewski of Upper Mount Bethel Township; and six grandchildren.
Mrs. Ruth M. Godshall
Mrs. Ruth M. Godshall, 77, of Golf Road, Barnesville, died Tuesday in the Hazleton General Hospital. She was the widow of Benjamin Godshall, who died Jan. 7, 1982.
She was a former owner of the White Birch Golf Course, Barnesville. Prior to the construction of the golf course, she and her husband operated a dairy farm on the land where the course is now located.
Born in Hazleton, she was a daughter of the late Russell and Harriet (Hunsinger) Stewart.
She was a member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Tamaqua.
Surviving are a daughter Edith, wife of William Messerschmidt of Grier City; a son, B. Wayne of New Coxeville; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by two brothers, Albert and Phillip.
The Lamar Christ Funeral Home, Hometown, is in charge of the arrangements.
Ralph Ziolko
Ralph J. Ziolko, 71, of 1021 E. Mahanoy Ave., Mahanoy City, died Tuesday evening in the Ashland Regional Medical Center.
He was last employed at Valley Seeding Nursery, Conyngham, Luzerne County.
Born in Zion Grove, he was a son of the late John and Emily (Kruzek) Ziolko, and had resided in Mahanoy City since 1945.
He was a member of St. Casimir Catholic Church, Good American Hose Company, American Legion Post, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Elks Lodge No. 695, all of Mahanoy City; and the Ringtown Fish and Game Club.
Ziolko was an Army veteran of World War II, having served in the European Theater of Operations. He was a Purple Heart recipient.
Surviving are a brother John of Barnesville; five sisters, Charlotte Sevinsky, Violet Green and Clara Fanelli, all of Mahanoy City, Bertha Andruzzi of Hazleton and Helen Andruzzi of Tullytown; and nieces and nephews.
He was also preceded in death by a brother Joseph; and two sisters, Mary Greby and Dorothy Jones.
Mrs. Alma M. Rizzardi
Mrs. Alma M. Rizzardi, 80, of 201 Lombard St., Tamaqua, formerly of Minersville, died Wednesday afternoon in the Pottsville Hospital. She was the widow of Augustus Rizzardi, who died in 1973.
She was a retired clerk, having last worked at the Turkey Hill Minit Mart, Port Carbon.
Born in Minersville, she was a daughter of the late George and Adelaide (Zimmerman) Felsburg.
She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Minersville, where she belonged to the Lutheran Church Women and was a past financial secretary.
Mrs. Rizzardi was a past worthy matron of Order of Eastern Star and a past mother advisor of the Rainbow for Girls, Pottsville Assembly.
She was a 1935 graduate of Minersville High School.
Surviving are two daughters, Mary Ruth, wife of George Taylor of Tamaqua, and Laurie Olseski of West Chester; a brother Carl of Manheim, Pa.; two sisters, Kathryn Gamzon of Towanda and Grace Shadduck of Elysburg, Pa.; four grandchildren and nieces and nephews.
She was also preceded in death by a sister, Helen Horn; and two brothers, William and George.
The Donald J. Butler Funeral Home, 328 Sunbury St., Minersville, is in charge of the arrangements.
William E. Goeser
William E. Goeser, 75, of Lake Hauto, Nesquehoning R.1, died Thursday morning in the Miners Memorial Medical Center, Coaldale. He was the husband of Mary Ann (Wierzolis) Goedser. They observed their 31st wedding anniversay last August.
He was employed as a social worker for the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare in Pottsville for 25 years before retiring in 1983.
Born in Danville, he was a son of the late Karl and Winifred (Kelly) Goeser, and had lived in Lake Hauto for the past 25 years, previously residing in Frackville.
He was a sergeant with the Army's 8th Weather Squadron during World War II, having served in the European Theater of Operations.
Surviving in addition to his widow are a nephew and a niece.
The last member of his immediate family, he was also preceded in death by two sisters, Mary and Jean.
The Joseph S. Blazosky Funeral Home, 81 E. Catawissa St., Nesquehoning, is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Hazel E. Blew-Thomas
Mrs. Hazel E. Blew-Thomas, 90, of Locust Valley, Schuylkill County, died Wednesday in the Hometown Nursing and Convalescent Center, Tamaqua R.2. She was the widow of Alfred Blew and Robert Thomas.
She was last employed by J.E. Morgan Knitting Mills, Hometown.
Born in Locust Valley, she was a daughter of the late Frederick and Elmira (Yost) Cooper.
She was a member of St. Peter United Church of Christ, Locust Valley.
Surviving are two brothers, Frank E. of Horsham, Montgomery County, and Vernard G. of Locust Valley; and several nieces and nephews.
The Lamar Christ Funeral Home, Hometown, Tamaqua R.2, is in charge of the arrangements.
Sister Presentata Ligenza
Sister Presentata Ligenza, who lived at the Transfiguration Convent, 214 W. Green St., West Hazleton, died Wednesday in the Hazleton-St. Joseph Medical Center.
Born in Lansford, she was a daughter of the late John and Angela (Kociolek) Ligenza.
She was in community for 70 years and taught school in the parochial system for more than 60 years, including 15 years of service at St. Stanislaus School, Hazleton. She also taught at Transfiguration School in West Hazleton for four years.
Surviving are two brothers, Silvester and Peter, both of Lansford; a sister, Theresa Kocon of Allentown; and several nieces and nephews.
She was also preceded in death by two brothers, Rev. John B. and Stanley; and a sister, Mary.
Services will beh held at 10 a.m. Saturday at Transfiguration Church, West Hazleton, with the Rev. Richard E. Czachor the celebrant. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 3 p.m. in Sacred Heart Chapel, Reading. Interment will be in Sacred Heart Chapel Cemetery, Reading. Friends may call 9-10 a.m. Saturday in Transfiguration Church.
Ligenza relative
Among the relatives of Sister Presentata Ligenza, who died Wednesday, Jan. 8, in Hazleton, was the late Walter Ligenza of Nesquehoning, one of her three brothers.
