Sue J. Saul
Sue J. Saul, 91, of 815 W. First St., Hazleton, died Tuesday morning at the Greater Hazleton Health Alliance, Church Street Campus.
Born in Pitman, Schuylkill County, Feb. 13, 1911, she was the daughter of the late James and Emma (Smith) Knerr and a member of Diamond United Methodist Church, Hazleton.
Mrs. Saul was also a member of the Sunshine Bible Class and was employed in the garment industry until her retirement.
Preceding her in death, in addition to her parents, were her first husband, Clayton Banning, in 1952 and her second husband, William Saul, in 1993. Five sisters and four brothers also precede her in death.
She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Frederick (Jane) Weiss, Doctors Inlet, Fla.; son, Ted Banning, Hazleton; stepdaughter, Mrs. Ronald (Karen) Oleksa, Winchester, Va.; and a stepson, Peter Saul, Northampton.
Eleven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren also survive.
A memorial service will be held at the Hepler Church of God, Pitman, at 10:30 a.m., Saturday. The Rev. Carol Lawfer, pastor of Diamond United Methodist Church will officiate.
Interment will follow in the Hepler cemetery, Pitman.
There will be no public viewing.
Rosenstock Funeral Home, 229 W. Broad St., Hazleton is in charge of arrangements.
(Dated Wednesday, November 06, 2002)
Joseph L. Yodis
Joseph L. Yodis, 74 of W. Oak St., Shenandoah, died late Monday night at the home of his companion, Florence Piaskowski, Shenandoah.
Born in Shenandoah, June 1, 1928, he was the son of the late Leon and Josephine (Figel) Yodis and attended Shenandoah Schools.
He was a veteran of the Navy and was retired having last worked for the former Purolator Products, Ringtown.
He was a member of St. Casimir's Church, Shenandoah, where he was a member of the church choir and was also a member of the Greater Shenandoah Area Senior Citizens, Shenandoah AMVETS, and the Schuylkill County Polish Choraliers.
Preceding him in death, in addition to his parents were his wife, the former Teresa Kluss, in 1988 and a sister, Regina Yodis.
Surviving are daughters, Denise Yodis Golant, Allentown, and Marci A. Kelly, Frackville; and a son, Joseph Yodis, Shenandoah; sisters, Evelyn Taylor, Honolulu, Hawaii; Sophia 'Toni' Yodis, Alexandria, Va.; brothers, Daniel Yodis, Alexandria, Va., and Richard Yodis, Beacon Hills, N.Y.
Three grandchildren, nieces and nephews also survive.
Monsignor Bocian will celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial Thursday at 7 p.m. in St. Casimir's Church, 233 N. Jardin St., Shenandoah. Relatives and friends are invited to call at the church Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m., where the viewing will be held.
Burial will be held Friday at 10 a.m. in St. Casimir's cemetery, Shenandoah Heights.
The family asks that memorial donations be made to the American Cancer Society, Local Chapter, or the Pinnacle Health Hospice, Pottsville.
The Kull-Heizenroth Funeral Home, 901 Center St., Ashland is in charge of the arrangements.
(Dated Wednesday, November 06, 2002)
Michael J. Gentle Sr.
Michael J. Gentle Sr., 82, of 950 Grant St., Hazleton died Tuesday at the Greater Hazleton Health Alliance, Broad Street Campus.
Born in Hazleton he was the son of the late Anthony and Mary (DeLuca) Gentle.
He retired from Gentle Demolition and was a member of Our Lady of Grace Roman Catholic Church.
An Army veteran of World War II, he was a Prisoner Of War held in Germany and participated in the battle of Normandy.
Preceding him in death, in addition to his parent, are brothers James, Leo Sr., John, Anthony Jr.; and sisters, Rita Sando, Kathleen Kasulin, Beatrice Podlesny, and Lillian Gentle.
Surviving are his wife of 57 years, the former Marie Ford; sons, Michael J. Gentle Jr., Drums, Anthony Gentle, Mountaintop, and John Gentle, Hazleton; brother, Joseph, Hazleton; and sister, Marie Griffith, San Jose, Calif., Maureen Edwards, Phoenix, Az., Dorothy Wytenus, Colonia, N.J., and Mrs. Thomas (Connie) McGee, Poconos.
Five grandchildren, one great-grandson, nieces and nephews also survive.
Funeral services will be held Thursday at 9 a.m. from the Joseph A. Moran Funeral Home, 229 W. Twelfth St., Hazleton, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. in Our Lady of Grace Church.
Interment will be in the parish cemetery.
Friends may call at the funeral home today, from 7 to 9 p.m.
(Dated Wednesday, November 06, 2002)
Violet Soroka
Violet (Dougal) Soroka, formerly of 161 W. Washington St., Shenandoah, died Tuesday morning at Shenandoah Manor Nursing Home, Shenandoah.
Born in Shenandoah, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Agnes (Thomas) Dougal.
She graduated from J.W. Cooper High School in 1932.
Mrs. Soroka was last employed at Ann's Lingerie Shop, Shenandoah, as a sales person.
Preceding her in death, in addition to her parents, was her husband, Edward J. Soroka, on June 4, 2001.
Surviving are a daughter, Leilani Skonieczny, Madison, Conn.; five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Member of Annunciation B.V.M. Church, Shenandoah.
The funeral Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday at 11 a.m. Annunciation B.V.M. Church.
Burial will be in Annunciation B.V.M. cemetery.
No viewing is scheduled at the church or funeral home.
The Chaikowsky Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
(Dated Wednesday, November 06, 2002)
Maria Betting
Maria Betting, 93, died Nov. 2 in Frankfurt, German.
She lived for many years in Beaver Meadows with her daughter, Mrs. John (Elvira) Leininger.
Burial will be in St. Matthew's Reformed cemetery, R.R. 1 Weatherly at the convenience of the family.
The Rev. Stump will officiate.
(Dated Wednesday, November 06, 2002)
Dolores B. Swartz
Dolores B. Swartz, 72, of Allentown, died on Aug. 7, 2003 at Manor Care II, Bethlehem.
She was the wife of Given R. Swartz.
Born in Bath, she was the daughter of the late William and Emiley Mooney.
She was a member of the Dewey Fire Co. and the Edward F. Ackerman Post #397 of the American Legion, both of Hellertown, and the Rittersville Fire Co., Allentown.
In addition to her husband she is survived by one son, Bruce R. Henry of Harrisburg; one brother, William Mooney, of Texas; and one sister, Barbara Mooney of Allentown.
Services were held Aug. 9.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 2121 City Line Road, Bethlehem, PA 18017
Arrangements: The Falk Funeral Home, 1418 Main Street, Hellertown, PA 18055
John E. Priestas
John E. “JoPo” Priestas, 50, of Lower Saucon Township, died Oct. 16, 2003 in his home.
He was the husband of Gail (Moriarty) Priestas. They were married
for 7 years.
Born in Bethlehem, he was the son of Edward, Sr. and Patricia (Collins) Priestas, both of Bethlehem.
He was a graduate of Liberty High School, class of 1971, where he lettered 3 years in baseball and basketball, and all 4 years in soccer. In addition he was selected First team East Penn All Star Soccer Team for 4 years straight as a defensive back.
He was employed by the Jefferson Democratic Club, Bethlehem, for 31 years and until the time of his death. During the 1990’s he was also employed by Daniel Sales, Bethlehem.
He as a member of Jefferson Democratic Club, North End Wanderers AA, Bethlehem Volunteer Fireman’s Home Asso., Bethlehem Golf Asso., Grover Cleveland Democratic Association, 540 Democratic Asso., Fraternal Order of Eagles and the Washington Republican Club.
In addition to his wife and parents, Mr. Priestas is survived by two sons, Scott Priestas of Bethlehem, and Todd S. Lutseo of Lower Saucon; three daughters, Amy L. Bokan, Emily K. Priestas and Carolynn A. Priestas, all of Bethlehem; two brothers, David A. of Bethlehem and Edward, Jr. of Whitehall; two sisters, Susan M. Snyder of Bethlehem and Cynthia A. Priestas of Schnecksville; five grandchildren; Father and Mother-in-law Robert and Marilyn Moriarty of Lower Saucon Township; nieces and nephews.
Services were held Oct. 20.
The family asks that all memorial contributions be made to the John E. Priestas Soccer Award & Scholarship, c/o Connell Funeral Home, this award will be given each year to Liberty High School’s “ Best Defensive Back.” Or to the Lehigh Valley Muhlenberg Cancer Center, 2545 Schoenersville Rd., Bethlehem, PA 18017.
Arrangements: Connell Funeral Home Inc., 245 E. Broad St., Bethlehem, PA 18017
John E. Gritz
John E. Gritz, 76, of Hellertown, died Oct. 20, 2003 at the VNA Hospice of St. Luke’s, Bethlehem.
He was the husband of Mary C. (Alvarez) Gritz. They were married
for 56 years.
Born in Wilkes-Barre, he was the son of the late Harold E. and Ruth (Thomas) Gritz.
He was employed for P.B.& N.E. Railroad in Bethlehem for 43 years until he retired in 1987.
He was a U.S. Navy Veteran in the Pacific during WWII.
Mr. Gritz was a member of the Edward H. Ackerman Post 397, Hellertown, the VFW Post, Bethlehem, and the Dewey Fire Co. Hellertown.
In addition to his wife he is survived by one son, Gary J. of Coopersburg; one daughter, Mary Anne Young of Wilson Borough; and two grandchildren.
Services were held Oct. 22.
Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one’s choice or the VNA Hospice at St. Luke’s, 709 Delaware Ave., Bethlehem, PA 18015
Online Memorial Tributes: www.heintzelmanfh.com
Arrangements: Heintzelman Funeral Home, 326 Main Street, Hellertown, PA 18055
