Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Records, 1947-2010
Kalman Szena
Kalman Szena, 83, formerly of Bethlehem Township, died Thursday, July 31, in Gracedale, Upper Nazareth Township. He was the husband of the late Julia (Babos) Szena, who died in 1989.
He was a ore handler at Bethlehem Steel Corp. for 40 years until retiring.
Born in Bethlehem, he was a son of the late Kalman and Bridgitta (Wulcz) Szena.
He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Miller Heights.
Surviving are a son, Robert of Bethlehem Township; a daughter, Nancy, wife of William E. Picht Sr. of New Ringgold; four grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; a step-granddaughter and a step-great-granddaughter.
Edwin Stickler
Edwin Stickler, 88, of 317 E. Patterson St., Lansford, died Saturday in the Miners Memorial Medical Center, Coaldale. He was the husband of George (Anstead) Stickler.
He was manager/secretary of the former Lansford Savings and Loan for 25 years until retiring. He previously owned a hardware store in Nesquehoning for 13 years.
He was a volunteer fireman for 67 years, past vice commander of the Pennsylvania American Legion and former secretary to the Lansford borough council.
A 1927 graduate of the former Lansford High School, he was member of the American Fire Company No.1 of Lansford, where he was financial secretary, he was a pumper engineer. In 1991 he received a plaque and citation for 64 years of service from the Pennsylvania senate. At the time he was the oldest active member of the fire company.
He was secretary to the Lansford council for 18 years until retiring in 1973.
Born in Lansford, he was a son of the late Harry A. and Catherine (Baker) Stickler.
He was a member of the United Methodist Church, Summit Hill.
He was a Navy veteran of World War II, serving with the fleet postal service.
He was past commander of the Nesquehoning American Legion; past commander, finance officer, treasurer and parade chairman of the Lansford American Legion Post; commander of Legion District 30, and vice commander of the Pennsylvania eastern region and State American Legion.
Stickler was past chairman of the Legion's national Americanism committee; past vice chairman of the national distinguished guests committee and state community service, resolutions and bonus committees, and a member of state steering and advisory communities.
The legion awarded him a diamond lapel pin for outstanding achievement in membership recruitment at its 33nd annual convention in Philadelphia in 1950. He was also honored with life membership in the legion at a testimonial dinner in Lansford in 1951.
Stickler was a member of the Amvets and Masonic Lodge 677, both of Lansford, and a past president of the Panther Valley Coin Club.
Surviving with his wife is a daughter, Edwina, wife of William Martens of Midlothian, Va.; a brother, Harry E. of Long Island, N.Y.; and a grandchild.
He was also preceded in death by a daughter, Catherine; a brother, Lamar Russell; and a grandson, Eric.
The Holmes-Griffiths Funeral Home, 200 E. Bertsch St., Lansford, is in charge of arrangements.
Albert R. Sandel
Albert R. Sandel, 95, of 1400 Scott St., Reading, died Friday in ManorCare Health Services, Laureldale, Berks County. He was the husband of the late Marion C. (Dimkle) Sandel, who died in January.
He was a machinist for the former American Chain & Cable, Reading, for 20 years until retiring in 1994.
Born in Lehighton, he was a son of the late Richard and Mary (Long) Sandel.
He was a member of the Rosedale United Church of Christ, Laureldale, where he was a former councilman and past chairman of the property committee.
He was a Pennsylvania National Guard veteran.
Surviving are nieces and nephews, including niece Frances Sternberger, with whom he resided.
Services were held today with interment in the Gnaden Huetten Cemetery, Lehighton.
Stephen Taras
Stephen Taras, 85, of 4182 Mountain View Drive, Walnutport, died Saturday in his home. He was the husband of Iola (Spadt) Taras. They were married 64 years last November.
He was a furnace operator at the New Jersey Zinc Company, Palmerton West Plant, for 42 years before retiring in 1976.
Born in Palmerton, he was a son of the late Mykola and Tekla (Romanow) Taras.
He was a member of St. Paul's United Church of Christ of Indianland, Cherryville.
Surviving with his wife are four sons, Darwin N. of Alexandria, Va., Nikolai W., Glenn D. and Brian L., all of Walnutport; two daughters, Nancy L., wife of Edward Kovalchick of Kreidersville, and Marilyn D., wife of Jacob A. Papay of Lenhardsville; a sister, Mrs. Michael (Anna) Lakatos of Walnutport; seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Ernest Buskirk
Ernest Buskirk, of Franklin Township, Lehighton, died Thursday in the University of Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia. He was the husband of Eileen Buskirk.
The Kenneth N. Phifer Funeral Home, 38 Alum St., Lehighton, is in charge of arrangements.
Buskirk correction: Ernest J. Buskirk, 56, of Lehighton, who died Thursday in the University of Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia, was not a member of the Holy Name Society of Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Lehighton, as listed in the obituary that ran in THE EARLY TIMES on Saturday.
Mrs. Raymond Swilp
Mrs. Raymond Swilp, 63, of Hometown, Tamaqua R.2, died Sunday at her home. She was the wife of Raymond Swilp. They were married 47 years.
She worked for the Atlas Powder Company, Reynolds, Tamaqua R.D., for 43 years before retiring.
Born in Tamaqua, she was the daughter of the late Andrew and Susan (Kompon) Klusko.
She was a member of Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Tamaqua.
Surviving with her husband is a brother, Thomas of Tamaqua, and nieces and nephews.
The Lamar Christ Funeral Home, Hometown, Tamaqua R.2, is in charge of arrangements.
Sophie F. Davis
Mrs. Sophie F. Davis, 76, of 519 E. Elm St., Tamaqua, died Sunday at 317 Orwigsburg St., Tamaqua, the home of her son. She was the widow of Raymond Franklin Derr and Elbert L. Davis.
Born in New Philadelphia, she was a daughter of the late Julian and Anna Roskoski.
She was a member of the South Ward Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary, Tamaqua.
She is survived by two sons, Ralph R. and Michael Derr, both of Tamaqua; seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by a brother, Stanley Roskoski.
The Robert C. Reeser Funeral Home, 655 E. Broad St., Tamaqua, is in charge of arrangements.
John Bausman
John Bausman, 74, of Andsher Personal Care Home, McAdoo, formerly of Spruce St., Tamaqua, died Tuesday in the Hazleton General Hospital.
He was a stenographer for most of his life.
Born in Tamaqua, he was a son of the late Charles and Mary Bausman
A noted vocalist in the Tamaqua area, he sang with the Eddie Carpie Bank at Lakewood and Lakeside parks many years ago.
He was a Army veteran of World War II and was wounded in action.
He was a member of the Primitive Methodist Church, Tamaqua.
He was the last member of his immediate family.
Surviving are nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Reginald; and a sister, Fern W. Garis.
The Roche Funeral Home, 237 E. Broad St., Tamaqua, is in charge of arrangements.
Richard J. Winkelman
Richard J. Winkelman, 71, of 231 S. West St., Allentown, died Monday in the Veterans Administration Medical Center, Wilkes-Barre. He was the husband of Louise C. (Holveck) Winkelman. They would have been married 45 years this month.
He was a mechanical draftsman at Ingersoll-Rand Corp., Easton, until retiring in 1982. Previously, he was employed by the Bethlehem Corp., Bethlehem, for 15 years and Mack Trucks Inc., Allentown, for 13 years.
Born in Allentown, he was a son of the late Max and Elizabeth (Luckey) Winkelman.
He was a Navy veteran of World War II>
He was a Catholic.
Surviving with his wife are two sons, Robert M. of Lehighton, and Richard L. of Lebanon; three daughters, Patricia A. and Kathleen L., both of Allentown, and Carol A., wife of Dale Laurer of Limeport; two sisters, Amelia and Elizabeth, both of Allentown; and five grandchildren.
Mrs. Charles Seiler
Mrs. Julia A. Seiler, 81, of 331 Washington St., Walnutport, died Tuesday in the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township. She was the wife of Charles Seiler. They were married 59 years last September.
She was a floor lady for the former Blue Ridge Knitting Mill, Walnutport, for 40 years before retiring in 1974.
Born in Coplay, she was a daughter of the late Frank and Anna (Mayer) Nickisher.
She was a member of St. Nicholas Catholic Church, Berlinsville, and its Altar and Rosary Society.
She was a former member of the PTA at Assumption Blessed Virgin Mary School, Slatington.
Surviving with her husband are four daughters, Augusta M., wife of Robert Metter, and Barbara S, wife of William Byrne, both of Allentown; Judy A., wife of Thomas Moses of reading, and Veronica C., wife of Lawrence Sebuck of Canton, Mich.; a brother, John of Lehighton; six grandchildren and a great-granddaughter.
Ernest R. Yost
Ernest R. Yost, 76, of Silverdale, died Tuesday in Grand View Hospital, West Rockwell Township. He was the husband of Helen (Hawkins) Yost. they were married 51 years last month.
He was a PBX installer for the former Bell Telephone for 35 years until retiring in 1980.
Born in Tuscarora, Schuylkill County, he was a son of the late Roy and Marguerite (Faust) Yost.
He was a member, choir member and past Sunday School superintendent of St. Andrew's United Church of Christ, Perkasie.
A former Pennridge school director, he was a master sergeant in the Marine Corps. serving in the South Pacific during World War II.
Surviving with his wife are two daughters, four sons and a sister, Mrs. William (Lois) Miller of Tuscarora.
Behr services
Funeral services for Mrs. Grace Behr, 67, of 345 Hazle St., Tamaqua, who died Monday in Miners Memorial Medical Center, Coaldale, will be Thursday at 11 a.m. from the Roche Funeral Home, 237 E. Broad st., Tamaqua, the Rev. Fred Crawford officiating. Interment will be in Sky View Memorial Park, Tamaqua R.2.
She was the widow of Paul F. Behr, who died in 1981.
