Alberta A. Petusky
Alberta A. (Yanchulis) Petusky, formerly of South Gilbert Street, Shenandoah, and a resident at the Treemont Health and Rehabilitation Center, Treemont, died Sunday at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center, Pottsville.
Born in Shenandoah, she was the daughter of the late Charles and Anna (Yacabonis) Yanchulis, and was educated in Shenandoah public schools.
She was a retired garment worker, having last been employed at the (former) Martin Shirt Factory, Shenandoah, and was a member of Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America.
Preceding her in death, in addition to her parents, were her husband, Joseph Petusky, 1993; brothers, Joseph, John and George Yanchulis; and sisters, Josephine, Mary, Anna and Isabel. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
Surviving are nieces and nephews.
Private services and interment will be held at the convenience of the family.
The Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, 132 S. Jardin St., Shenandoah, is in charge of the arrangements.
(Dated Tuesday, June 11, 2002)
Monica A. Graham
Monica A. Graham, 65, who resided in Monroe, Conn., died Sunday at the Richard L. Rosenthal Hospice, Stamford, Conn. She was a registered nurse.
Born in Hazle Township, Dec. 5, 1936, she was the daughter of the late William and Mary (Fetsko) Daniels.
She received her degree from Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and had been employed as a registered nurse in Pennsylvania and Connecticut. In addition, for 30 years, she was the school nurse for St. Jude Grammar School, Monroe.
Preceding her in death, in addition to her parents, was a brother, Robert Daniels.
Surviving are her husband, William A. Graham; sons, William A. Graham, Georgia; Christopher M. Graham, Wilton, Conn. and Thomas J. Graham, California; and three granddaughters.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday at 10 a.m. in St. Stephen's Church, 6948 Main St., Trumbull, Conn.
Interment will be private.
Family and friends are invited to call at the Spadaccino Community Funeral Home, 315 Monroe Turnpike, Route 111, Monroe, Conn., Tuesday from 4 to 8 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Jewish Home for the Elderly, 175 Jefferson St., Fairfield, Conn. 06432.
For additional information, see www.spadfh.com.
(Dated Tuesday, June 11, 2002)
Eleanor F. Surmick
Eleanor F. (Wenner) Surmick, 75, Sunset Lane, Suitland, Md., died Wednesday at Southern Maryland Hospital, Clinton, Md.
Born in Drums, Jan. 9, 1927, she was the daughter of the late Christian and Florence (Beck) Wenner. She was raised in Drums and later resided in Suitland.
She was a retired cafeteria worker, having been employed by Prince George's County School System, Maryland.
Preceding her in death, in addition to her parents, were her husband, Paul J. Surmick; brothers, Burtain and Roland; and a sister, Viola Polashenski.
Surviving are her daughter, Mrs. Lester (Judith) Bornman, Suitland, Md.; brothers, Albert and Clyde, both of Drums and Ernest, Nescopeck; sisters, Mabel Bloss and Lois Cooper, both of Drums; Clara Houseknecht, Hobbie; Jean Shuman and Betty Bohlander, both of Sybertsville and Shirley Kessel, Hazleton; and two grandsons. Nieces and nephews also survive.
Services will be held Friday at 10 a.m. from the Mark S. Harman Funeral Home (east), 669 W. Butler Drive, Drums, with continued services at 10:30 a.m. in Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, Conyngham. The Rev. William W. Fairchild, pastor, will officiate.
Friends may call at the funeral home Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.
Condolences may be e-mailed at www.harmanfuneral.com.
(Dated Tuesday, June 11, 2002)
Anna E. McLovich
Anna E. McLovich, a former resident of 416 Kalmia St., Freeland, died Friday afternoon at the Greater Hazleton Area Health Alliance, Church Street Campus, after a brief illness.
Born in Drifton, she was the daughter of the late Jacob and Mary (Sabol) Hovan, and lived in the Freeland area all of her life.
She was a member of St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church, Freeland.
Preceding her in death, in addition to her parents, were a brother, Stephen Hovan; and sisters, Mary Stofka, Agnes Gatski, Bernice Lutz and Leona Potoski.
Surviving are her husband, John McLovich, with whom she celebrated the couple's 62nd anniversary in May; sons, Albert, Freeland and Robert McLovich, Florida; three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Several nieces and nephews also survive.
Services will be held Tuesday at 9 a.m. from the McHugh-Wilczek Funeral Home, 249 Centre St., Freeland.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. in St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church.
Interment will follow in Calvary cemetery, Drums.
Friends may call at the funeral home this evening from 6 to 8 p.m.
The Freeland Catholic Community Bereavement Committee will conduct a Christian wake service this evening.
(Dated Tuesday, June 11, 2002)
Robert A. Wickus
Robert A. Wickus, 76, formerly of Hazleton, died Saturday at the Hometown Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Tamaqua, where he had been a resident since March.
Born in Madison, Wis., Jan. 20, 1926, he was the son of the late Ralph and Irene (Below) Wickus, and spent his early years in Hazleton. He was of the Protestant faith.
A 1943 graduate of Hazleton High School, he continued his education at Penn State University, where, in 1947, he received a degree in chemical engineering.
His first postgraduate employment was with Tung-Sol Corp., at its Weatherly location. After several years with Tung-Sol, he took a position with Autolite/Prestolite Co., employed as a product engineer, working at plants in Hazleton and Port Huron, Mich. Following retirement, he relocated to Green Acres, Breinigsville, Lehigh County, where he lived for 12 years.
He had a keen interest in railroading and railroading history and was a member of the Lehigh Valley Chapter of the National Railroad Historical Society, the Pennsylvania Railroad Technical and Historical Society and the Anthracite Railroad Historical Society. In addition, he was an avid collector of HO scale trains.
Surviving are sisters, Joyce Gregory, Hagerstown, Md.; and Mrs. Edward (Kaye) Maue, Hazleton. Several nieces and nephews also survive.
No viewing is planned; however, a memorial service will be held at a date and a time to be announced.
Interment will take place in Sky-View Memorial Park, Hometown.
Memorial donations to the American Cancer Society, in care of St. Gabriel House, 132 S. Wyoming St., Hazleton, Pa. 18201, are welcomed by the family.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Krapf & Hughes Funeral Home Inc., 426 W. Broad St., Hazleton.
(Dated Tuesday, June 11, 2002)
Robert J. Grosch Jr.
Robert J. Grosch Jr., 48, a self-employed journalist, died Friday at his home, 4221 Cole Ave., Dallas, Texas. He was a former resident of Slatington, Lehigh County.
Born in Hazleton, he was the son of Robert and Anne M. (Kampbell) Grosch, Slatington, a 1975 graduate of Temple University, and received a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Pittsburgh.
Earlier, he had been employed by Ernest & Young, New York City.
He is survived by a brother, Richard N. Grosch, Slatington, one niece and one nephew.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated Saturday at 11 a.m. in Assumption Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church, 649 W. Washington St., Slatington, where friends may call that morning from 10:30 to 11 a.m.
Donations may be made to the memorial fund of Assumption B.V.M. Catholic Church or St. John’s United Church of Christ, Actavate 2002 Camp.
The Harding-Fox Funeral Home Inc., 25-27 N. Second St., Slatington, is in charge of the arrangements.
(Dated Monday, October 21, 2002)
Esther J. Yagalla
Esther J. Yagalla, 1126 Yale St., Freeland, died Friday morning at Lehigh Valley Medical Center, Allentown.
A homemaker, she enjoyed baking, cooking, crocheting and sewing, all of which she shared with family and friends.
Born in Freeland, she was the daughter of the late Alvin and Ellen (Klose) Fisher, resided in Freeland all of her life, and was a member of St. Casimir’s Roman Catholic Church, Freeland.
Preceding her in death, in addition to her parents, was a brother, William Nowak.
Surviving are her husband of 52 years, Clement Yagalla; sons, Thomas Yagalla, Texas; and Brian Yagalla, Freeland; daughters, Mrs. Garry (Joan) Herring, Arizona; Diane Grant, Hazleton; Christine Yagalla, White Haven; and Mrs. Robert (Michele) Lehman, Hazleton; a brother, James Fisher, Jeddo; sisters, Genevieve Richie, Tunkhannock; and Gladys Blasi, Hazleton; nine grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. Many nieces and nephews also survive.
Services will be held Wednesday at 9 a.m. from the McHugh-Wilczek Funeral Home, 249 Centre St., Freeland.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. in St. Casimir’s R.C. Church, Freeland.
Burial will be take place at the convenience of the family.
Friends may call at the funeral home Tuesday from 6 to 9 p.m.
The Freeland Roman Catholic Community Bereavement Committee will conduct a Christian Wake Service Tuesday evening.
(Dated Monday, October 21, 2002)
Mary Dercole Carelli
Mary Dercole Carelli, Tresckow, died Saturday evening at the Greater Hazleton Health Alliance, Broad Street Campus.
Born in Tresckow, she was the daughter of the late Cosmo and Victoria Dercole, and resided in the area all of her life.
She was a member of St. Bartholomew’s Roman Catholic Church, Tresckow.
Preceding her in death, in addition to her parents, were her husband, Thomas Carelli; a son, Thomas R. Carelli; and a sister, Felice Potoma.
Surviving are her daughter, Mrs. Marion (Patricia) Schaefer, Houston, Texas; brothers, Peter Dercole, Tresckow; Ralph Dercole, Philadelphia; and Victor Dercole, McAdoo; sisters, Helen DeBelle and Dorothy Crea, both of Philadelphia; and Gloria and Carmella Dercole, both of Tresckow; five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Several nieces and nephews also survive.
Her funeral will be held Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. from Fierro Funeral Home Inc., 26 W. Second St., Hazleton, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial, to be celebrated at 11 a.m. in St. Bartholomew’s R.C. Church.
Interment will take place in St. Gabriel’s cemetery, Hazleton.
Friends may call at the funeral home this evening from 7 to 9 p.m.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Bartholomew’s R.C. Church, Tresckow.
(Dated Monday, October 21, 2002)
