All Obituaries

James A. (Jim) Noecker, Jr., 63, of New Ringgold, passed away Friday, September 21st, at Seton Manor Inc., Orwigsburg. Jim was born in Pottsville, on February 1, 1955, a son of Helen Idell (Gehrig) Noecker, of Schuylkill Haven, and the late James Andrew Noecker, Sr. He was the husband of Linda Ann (Miller) Noecker. They were married on June 29th, 1974. Jim worked as a Heavy Equipment Operator for Reading Anthracite & Ginther Coal Companies. He was a hard worker and enjoyed his home life,...

Edward F. (Buddy) Widel, 83, of Orwigsburg, passed away on Wednesday, September 19th, at Orwigsburg Center.    Buddy was born in Pottsville on September 23, 1934, a son of the late Angeline (Mignucci) and Edward Widel.  He was the husband of Mary Louise (Ward) Widel. They were married October 1st, 1955.  He was a member of St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church, Schuylkill Haven.  He worked as a Loan Officer at Miners Bank in Minersville. He was well known in the...

Mildred J.  Stripe, 81, formerly of Cressona & Orwigsburg, died Sunday, September 16th, at Seton Manor Inc., Orwigsburg. Mildred was born in Union Township, on October 17, 1936, a daughter of the late Josephine S. (Heverling) and Charles H.  Ritz. She attended Bethany Christian Fellowship E.C. Cressona. She was employed as a Nurses Aid at The Hamburg Center for over 24 Years. She retired in 1997. Mildred is survived by Five daughters, Deborah L., wife of Robert...

Thomas Brooks Wheeler, M.D., 69, of Orwigsburg, PA, passed away Tuesday at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, Allentown.  Born in St. Louis, MO, March 16, 1949, he was the son of the late Paul L. and Elizabeth T. Wheeler. Tom graduated from Bowdoin College, Maine,where he was a member of Alpha Delta Phi Fraternity,and he received a Masters Degree in History at the University of Virginia.  He received his Medical Degree from The Medical College of Pennsylvania (now Drexel...

Carl J. (Rock) Zehner, 61, of Orwigsburg, passed away Sunday, September 9th, at his residence. He was born in Pottsville, on June 30, 1957, a son of Rachel E. (Seidel) Zehner, of Orwigsburg, and the late Russell G. Zehner. Rock graduated from Blue Mountain High School in 1975. He was active in Cross Country. Rock was employed by Atkinson Industries Inc., Orwigsburg. He was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church and Team Orwigsburg. He was a very skilled carpenter & hard worker....

The Reverend Michael E. Ahrensfield, Pastor, Saints Peter and Paul Church, Lehighton, PA died at his residence on Monday, 10 September 2018. He was 64 years of age. Born in Orwigsburg, Father Ahrensfield is the son of Genevieve C. (Fishola) Ahrensfield and the late Deacon William L. Ahrensfield. In addition to his mother, he is survived by his sister Dr. Debra Ahrensfield, M.D. He was preceded in death by his sister, Mrs. Margaret Laperle ( Philip). Father Ahrensfield attended St. Ambrose...

Patricia Ann Evans, 76, passed away Thursday, September 13th, at Good Shepherd Specialty Hospital, Bethlehem. Patricia was born in Coaldale, a daughter of the late Emma Stahler and John Goho. She was the widow of James C. Evans Sr. and predeceased by her son, Rick Evans and dog Mimi. Pat is survived by her children, grandchildren , great grandchildren and dog Molly. In her illness, Pat was fortunate to be cared for by surviving son and grandsons. There will be no services at this time. The...

Barbara J. Melenchick TahaneyNovember 9, 1946 – September 4, 2018Barbara Jane was a lifelong resident of Orwigsburg, PA.  Born in Pottsville, she was the daughter of Stephen & Veronica Melusky Melenchick, a coal miner and housewife living in Llewellyn, PA.  Predeceased by both parents; a sister, Vera Voss; brothers, Stephen Jr. “Sonny” and Raymond; and son, John Jr.  She was a resident of St. Francis Childrens Orphanage from 1953-1964 when she graduated...

Francis (Duke) V. Dukmen, 91, of Hillside, PA, passed away Sunday, September 2nd, at son's Residence, surrounded by family members. Francis was born in Pottsville, on February 18, 1927, a son of the late Helen (Slavinsky) and John Dukmen. He was the widower of Ann (Lachler) Dukmen. He served in the U.S. Army during WW II. He operated Duke’s Auto Clinic, in Hillside, for many years. Francis was a member of the Summit Station AMVETS and was PA State Commander 1969 - 70, Veterans...

Dennis Andrew (Denny) Wolfe, 63, of New Ringgold, passed away suddenly on Wednesday, August 22nd, at Assateague Island National Seashore, Chincoteague VA while vacationing with his beloved wife Kathy. His family is comforted in knowing that Denny spent his final hours in his "happy place" with his feet in the wet sand while looking at the ocean; the scene he shared with his family many times. The entire Wolfe family would like to thank the Chincoteague community, especially the...