Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Records, 1947-2010
Julie Renee Searfoss
Julie Renee Searfoss, 16, of 4070 Robert Road, Emmaus, died Friday in a two-car accident on Route 222 in Maxatawny Township.
Born in Allentown, she was a daughter of Gregory A. and Sharon R. (Smoyer) Searfoss, with whom she resided.
She was a counter person at the former Bavarian Pretzel, Allentown, and previously had worked at Cavaluzzo's Pasta, Steaks and Subs, Emmaus.
She was a junior at Emmaus High School, where she was on the honor roll and a member of the Spanish Honor Society. She was a member of the track team while a student at the Emmaus Junior High School.
The deceased was a former member of the Western Lehigh Youth Association's traveling soccer team and played softball for the Emmaus Youth Association's Royals teams for several years.
A poet, she had her work published by the Dominican Publishing Company and the Spring Collage of Emmaus High School.
She attended St. Matthew Evangelical Congregational Church, Emmaus.
She recently received her lifeguard's certification.
Surviving in addition to her parents are a brother, David Alan, at home; maternal grandmother, Hilda Smoyer of Emmaus; paternal great-grandparents, George and June Searfoss of Allentown; and paternal great-grandmother, Ruth Weaver of Lehighton.
David K. Van Buskirk
David K. Van Buskirk, 75, of Walnutport, formerly of Kunkletown R.3, died Saturday in the Brookmont Acres Nursing Home, Effort. He was the husband of the late Laura T. (Winter) Van Buskirk.
He was a precision inspector for the Bethlehem Steel Corporation for 26 years before retiring in 1991. He and his wife also operated an art school in Montclair, N.J., for many years.
Born in Burlington, Vt., he was a son of the late Russell and Hazel (Knight) Van Buskirk.
He attended the Apostolic Good Shepherd Church of Charity, Kresgeville.
Van Buskirk was a paratrooper during World War II.
Surviving are a brother Roger of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; a sister, Patricia Prinzing in Arizona; and a foster son, Stewart Counterman of Lehighton.
The Kresge Funeral Home, Rt. 209, Brodheadsville, is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Miriam R. Peiffer
Mrs. Miriam R. Peiffer, 84, of 1006 S. Second Ave., Lebanon, died Sunday in her home. She was the widow of Eulan H. Peiffer, who died on July 8, 1993.
She was retired from the former Peiffer's Foodmarket.
Born in Myerstown, she was a daughter of the late Charles and Ella (Kase) Holland.
She was a member of Grace United Church of Christ, Lebanon.
The deceased was a graduate of Lebanon Valley College.
Surviving are a daughter, Esther M., wife of Neal Houser of Lehighton; two sons, David E. of South Bend, Ind., and Thomas C. of Campbelltown; five grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and several cousins.
She was the last member of her immediate family.
The Christman's Funeral Home, 226 Cumberland St., Lebanon, is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Marvin C. Hettler
Mrs. Ruth Ann Hettler, 73, of 105 N. Chestnut St., Summit Hill, died Saturday in the Gnaden Huetten Memorial Hospital, Lehighton, where she was a patient for six days. She was the wife of Marvin C. Hettler.
She was a turner for Scotty's Fashions, Lehighton, until retiring.
Born in Quarryville, Lancaster County, she was a daughter of the late Howard A. and Mary Groff.
Surviving in addition to her husband are two daughters, Jacqualyn Budney of Pocono Summit and Deborah Jane Yost of New Ringgold; a son, Marvin B., at home; a sister, Jane Hassler, a half-brother, Doug Groff, and a half-sister, Arleta Vega, all of Quarryville; and two grandchildren.
The August M. Gulla Funeral Home, 130 E. Ridge St., Coaldale, is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Lena Collura
Mrs. Lena Collura, 87, of Easton, died Saturday in the Easton Hospital. She was the widow of Ettore "George" Collura.
Born in Nesquehoning, she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Biaggia (Rizzo) Rao.
She was a member of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, Easton.
Surviving are a daughter, Catherine Biggs, and a sister, Josephine Corona, both of Easton; and two grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by a son Bernard.
Creitz services
Military funeral services for Lester W. Creitz, 70, of 2696 Mahoning Drive West, Lehighton, who died Friday in the Gnaden Huetten Memorial Hospital, Lehighton, willbe held at 11 a.m. Tuesday in St. John United Church of Christ, Mahoning Valley, with the Rev. David H. Knoebel officiating, followed by interment in the church cemetery. Calling hours are scheduled from 9-11 a.m. Tuesday in the church.
The deceased was an Army veteran of World War II, having served in the European Theater of Operations.
The Andrew P. Ovsak Funeral Home, Fourth and Iron streets, Lehighton, is in charge of the arragements.
Arlene E. Arndt
Arlene E. Arndt, 91, formerly of 223 N. Carlisle St., Allentown, died Saturday in the Valley Manor Nursing Center, Coopersburg.
She was a cigar maker for the former General Cigar Factory, Allentown, for 32 years before retiring in 1968.
Born in West Penn Township, she was a daughter of the late Oscar and Sarah (Smith) Arndt.
She was a member of St. Mark United Church of Christ, Allentown.
Surviving are nieces and nephews.
Mark Hathaway
Mark Hathaway, 28, of Orefield, was pronounced dead Friday at the scene of a car accident in Heidelberg Township. He was the husband of Rebecca L. (Baer) Hathaway. They observed their first wedding anniversary last September.
He was a welder for various welding companies in the Lehigh Valley and was a past steward of Lehigh Valley Carpenters Local 600.
Born in Allentown, he was a son of Lewis E. Hathaway of New Tripoli and the late Barbara A. (Kurz) Hathaway.
The deceased was an Army veteran of the Persian Gulf War and a Purple Heart recipient.
Surviving in addition to his widow and father are a son Zachary, at home; his stepmother, Mary A. (Muth) Hathaway of New Tripoli; four brothers, Michael E. of Santa Cruz, Calif., Lewis N. of Virginia Beach, Va., Robert G. of Allentown and William G. of New Tripoli; and a sister, Laura A. Bronseld of Fort Collins, Colo.
Mrs. Emily G. Blew
Mrs. Emily G. Blew, 87, of 1613 Centre St., Ashland, formerly of Tuscarora, died Friday afternoon shortly after admission to Christiana Hospital, Christiana, Del. She was the widow of Luther T. Blew, who died in November, 1961.
Born in Barnesville, she was a daughter of the late George and Emma (Werner) Deem.
She was a member of Advent Lutheran Church, Tuscarora; and the Rush-Ryan-Delano Senior Citizens.
Surviving are a son Thomas of Tuscarora; two daughters, Ruth Walter of Ashland and Emily Dmytrow of Tuscarora; eight grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, a great-great-grandchild and nieces and nephews.
She was also preceded in death by seven brothers, Clarence, Roy, George, Irvin, Harold, Elmer and Walter.
Mrs. Stephen Papincak
Mrs. Miriam Papincak, 76, of 797 Alter St., Hazleton, died Sunday in the Hazleton General Hospital. She was the wife of Stephen Papincak. They were married for 49 years.
She retired in 1980 from the Hazleton General Hospital, where she was an instructor in medical-surgical nursing education. She previously served as a public school nurse with the Hazleton School District.
Born in Hazleton, she was a daughter of the late James and Rose (Collins) Hanley.
She received her bachelor's degree from College Misericordia and her master's degree in nursing education from Temple Univeristy, Philadelphia.
She graduate from Hazleton High School in 1937 and the Hazleton State Hospital School of Nursing in 1941.
She was a member of St. Gabriel Catholic Church, Hazleton; the Hazleton General Hospital Alumni Association and Ladies Auxiliary; and a member and past treasurer of R.P.E.P. and Local 8701 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.
Surviving in addition to her husband are a son, Stephen Jr. of Weatherly; four sisters, Mrs. Joseph (Beatrice) Kesselring of Hazleton, Mrs. Jack (Peggy) Kaufman of Berwick, Mrs. James (Rose) Somers of Weatherly and Mrs. James (Jeanne) Stolz of Mount Bethel, Northampton County; two grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Kenneth W. Smith
Kenneth W. Smith, 82, a resident of Weatherwood, Weatherly, for the past 20 years, formerly of 178 Avenue A, Palmerton, died Sunday in the home. He was the husband of the late Martha A. (Wentz) Smith.
He worked for the former New Jersey Zinc Company, Palmerton, for many years before retiring.
Born in Parryville, he was a member of the the Evangelical Church, Palmerton.
There are no immediate survivors.
Mrs. Sophie Anna Ewe
Mrs. Sophie Anna Ewe, 81, of West Chester, Chester County, formerly of McMichaels, Stroudsburg R.6, died Saturday in the Paoli Memorial Hospital. She was the widow of Robert A.H. Ewe Sr.
She owned and operated Ewe's Housekeeping Cottages, Stroudsburg R.6, for 40 years before retiring in 1993.
Born in Varrell, Germany, she was a daughter of the late Cord and Catharine (Butt) Ahnke.
She was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Tannersville, and formerly belonged to the German American Society.
Surviving are a son, Robert Jr. of Philadelphia; three daughters, Grete Beck of Codorus, York County, Adele Argot of Saylorsburg R.2 and Anita London of Chambersburg, Franklin County; four grandchildren; three sisters in Germany; and a brother in Toms River, N.J.
The Kresge Funeral Home, Rt. 209, Brodheadsville, is in charge of the arrangements.
