All Obituaries

Public Memorial Service 60 Years Remembered!  Honoring Those Who Died June 2, 1959 In the Propane Truck Explosion June 2, 2019        2:00 PM Rev Kenneth T. Melber Jr. Officiating Fellowship & Reflection from Noon until 2:00 Honoring: Burd H. Bachman, Charles Ray Erb, Earl Hillbish, Leon E. Kimmel, Clifford D. Kriner, James S. Leitzel, Arthur Meyers, Paul R. Meyers, Sr. William J. Sterner, Robert W. Wesner, Wayne M. Wolfe

James Franklin (Jim) Orwig, Sr., 87, of Orwigsburg, passed away Sunday, May 12th, at Laurel Center, Hamburg. Jim was born in Orwigsburg on June 30, 1931, a son of the late Lillis N. (Fine) and George D. Orwig. He was the widower of Patricia A. (Freed) Orwig and the brother of Phil Orwig.  Survived by five grandchildren, Stacey, Stephanie, Lindsay, Carolyn, Tom and nine great grandchildren.   He was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Orwigsburg, and graduated...

David C Burkhardt, 72, of Orwigsburg, passed away Tuesday, May 14th, at his residence. David was born in Bethlehem, PA, on December 11, 1946. He was a son of the late Miriam C. (Payrow) and John L. Burkhardt. After graduating from Blue Mountain High School, David graduated from the Culinary Institute of America, Connecticut. He served in the U.S. Army in the Vietnam War. During his life he was employed as a Chef for the Swiss Chalet, Brandywine Hospital and the Heidelberg Country...

Helen Marie Sidella, 90, of Auburn, passed away Wednesday, May 8th, while in the company of her family. Helen was born in Seltzer, PA, on November 15, 1928, a daughter of the late Pauline (Sakala) and Vendel Babusik. She was the widow of George Sidella. Helen was a member Saint Michael's Russian Orthodox Church in St Clair and a homemaker. Throughout her life she enjoyed polka music and dancing. Helen is survived by a daughter, Sandra, wife of David Breslin, of Deer Lake; four sons...

William Arthur Degler, 91, passed away Saturday, April 20th, at Providence Place Retirement Community, Pottsville. Bill was formerly of East Brunswick Township. He was born in Orwigsburg, on December 2, 1927, a son of the late Katie Fietta (Smith) and Arthur Dewey Degler. He was the widower of Nancy Lou (Dunkel) Degler. They were married for 64 years. She passed away April 14th. Bill followed her to Heaven, lovingly, 6 days later. Bill was a Graduate of Orwigsburg High School, class of 1946...

Beryl Eloise Gerhard, 91, of Orwigsburg, passed away on Thursday, May 2nd, at Orwigsburg Center - Genesis Healthcare. Beryl was born in East Orange, NJ on August 13, 1927, a daughter of the late Beulah (Cutting) and Ray S. Lee. She was the widow of Ralph A. Gerhard. She was a member of St. John's United Church of Christ Orwigsburg and was previously employed by Sylray, Town & Country Dept Store, Atlas Powder Co. and the Hamburg Center. Beryl is survived by her daughter, Eileen, wife of...

Kathleen Rodriguez, 70, of Schuylkill Haven, passed away Monday, April 15th, at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Allentown, with her daughters by her side. Kathleen was born in New York, NY on March 4, 1949, a daughter of the late Anna L. (Erwin) Duryea and Charles C. Duryea, Sr. She was the wife of the late  Manuel Rodriguez, he passed in December 1988 She was a member of St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church, Schuylkill Haven, and before her health declined, she worked in Childcare. Kathleen...

Nancy Lou Degler, 85, of Orwigsburg, passed away Sunday, April 14th, at Providence Place Retirement Community, Pottsville. She was formerly of East Brunswick Township. Nancy was born in Shoemakersville on December 7, 1933, a daughter of the late Anna (Hepner) and George Jacob Dunkel. She was the wife of William Arthur Degler. They were married on September 24, 1955. She was a housewife, dedicated mother and grandmother. In addition to her husband, Nancy is survived by a son William, husband...

Barbara Laura Thier, 76, of Orwigsburg, passed away Wednesday, April 17th, surrounded by her loving family. Barbara was born in, Manhattan NY on April 18, 1942, a daughter of the late Elizabeth Mary (Lea) and William Francis Wolfrath. She was the widow of Charles R. Thier, Jr. and together they founded Video Haven in Schuylkill Haven. Barbara is survived by Two daughters, Dawn M., wife of George Turitto, of Lehighton, and Kelly A., wife of Hamilton Handling, III of...

Gregory Robert Hanlon, 78, of Orwigsburg, passed away Tuesday, April 9th surrounded by his loving family. Greg was born in Danville, PA on May 2, 1940, a son of the late Josephine (Williams) Hanlon and James Hanlon. Greg served in the U.S. Air Force for two years and graduated from Washington Hall Junior College. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and a faithful adorer of the Divine Mercy Perpetual Adoration chapel at St. Patrick's Church. During his early career, he...