Schuylkill County Obituaries for December 8th, 2023

Skook News Obituaries: December 8th, 2023

Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area. 

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Justine M Keefer

She was born on Saturday, September 12, 1970, in Pottsville, a daughter of Linda A (Schoffstall) Wenrich of Spring Glen and the late Robert D Wenrich..

She was a 1988 graduate of Tri-Valley High School and received her bachelor's degree from Penn State University.

Justine was a case worker for Schuylkill County Children and Youth Services.

She was a member of Simeon United Lutheran Church, Gratz.

She was preceded in death by her father, Robert D Wenrich, an infant son, Jacob Lee Keefer, and a brother, Jack R Wenrich.

Surviving in addition to her mother are two daughters, Jackie R Keefer of Lykens and Jessica E Keefer of Spring Glen; and a nephew, Jeremy Wenrich of Branchdale.

Services will be held at Buffington-Reed Funeral Home, Inc, Valley View, on Thursday, December 14, 2023, at 11:00 am, with Rev. Curtis Zemencik officiating.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 am to 11:00 am on Thursday at the funeral home.

Private burial will be in St. Mark's Cemetery, Spring Glen.

Michael Eugene "Fish Cat" Fisher

Born in Bellaire, Ohio on February 13, 1958, he was a son of the late Charles & Geneva Jean (Ashleman) Fisher.

He was a 1976 graduate of John Marshall High School, West Virginia.

Michael worked for Brown's Printing, Quakertown, for 20 years. He also worked part-time for Country Beverage, Schuylkill Haven, for more than 15 years.

He is survived by four children: Danielle Fisher, and Brittney Fisher, & fiancé, Stephen Gaughan, both of Schuylkill Haven, Cabrina Holmes-Riley & husband, Will, of Austin, TX; and Ismael Calazada, of WV, grandchildren: Ryan, Justin, Aiden, Ethan, Damien, & Rhea, and brother, Ronald Fisher & wife, Christy, of Dallas, PA.

Michael is preceded in death by sister, Sharon Witlach.

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, December 13th at Geschwindt Stabingas Ebling Funeral Home, Inc., Schuylkill Haven, with Pastor Josh Ott officiating.

Interment will be privately held.

Michael J. Baddick

Born Thursday, March 31, 1949 in Pottsville, Pennsylvania. He was the son of the late Jacob J., and Adele T. (Navitsky) Baddick.

Surviving are; his wife of 51 years, Elizabethann "Betty" (Sverchek) Baddick; sons, Michael John Baddick and his wife Kathy of Mechanicsburg, PA Christopher Baddick and his wife Suzie of Brockton; his grandchildren whom he adored, Katelyn Baddick (14), Abby Baddick (11), Dalton Adams (25) and his fiancée Ava Lantgen, and Ryan Adams (22). He is also survived by countless nieces, nephews, and cousins as a member of the Baddick family.

A 1967 graduate of Marian Catholic High School, Mike served honorably in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. He retired from a long career working heavy highway construction and then in retirement continued "working" with his son, Mike, doing home renovations, even if he was just holding the dummy end of the tape measure or painting the strike zone. A standout baseball player in high school, Mike was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals, and traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates where he played briefly before he enlisted in the Air Force. His military service was a source of pride. He supported his grandsons' pursuit of military service; Dalton enlisting in the Air Force like his Pap and Ryan enlisting in the Army National Guard before graduating from high school. Mike was an ardent Notre Dame football fan and passionate about Philadelphia teams. He was always up for a road trip for the quality time it gave him with the ones he loved; to Gettysburg for antiquing with his lovely wife, Betty; to South Bend, IN for an Notre Dame football game with his son, Mike; to Abaline, TX with his son, Chris, to move his grandson, Dalton, home from the Air Force; to catch a Phillies game with his Abby girl or to Mechanicsburg where he learned to love a new sport watching his granddaughter, Katelyn, play soccer. He looked forward to the annual family trips to Holden Beach, NC. Mike even donned mouse ears when he joined his favorite princesses on a trip to Walt Disney World.

Mike coached little league baseball when his boys played, and spent the last ten years on the sidelines cheering on his granddaughters. He loved reading, breakfast club gatherings, trading stories with friends and knew everything about the Civil War. He was quick with a smile and ready laugh, as evidenced by the late-night card games with his son Chris and neighborhood friends or the fateful road trip to Notre Dame with his son Mike and a bunch of misfit dads, where he earned the nickname "Blue" (a reference to the movie Old School). Mike was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church and belonged to the Tamaqua American Legion.

Funeral Arrangements entrusted to the E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home & Cremation services, Inc. of 655 East Broad Street Tamaqua, Pennsylvania 18252. (570) 668-2550

A Funeral service will be held on Tuesday December 12, 2023 at 6:30 PM from the funeral home. Friends may call from 5:00 P.M. until the time of services.

Memorials in Mike's name to:
Tamaqua Area Baseball Association
986 Catawissa Road
Tamaqua, Pennsylvania 18252

Dr. Jesse C. Hill

Born Tuesday, September 8, 1936, the son of the late Jesses C. Hill Sr., and Charlotte C. "Lottie" (Parfitt) Hill.

Survived by his wife of 39 years, Daphne (Child) Hill; siste -in-laws, Adrienne Ochis (husband Robert Ochis deceased), Linda Child (husband Reuben Clark), Gwyneth Arrison (husband James Arrison).

An accomplished athlete, and intellect, Jesse was a standout basketball player for Schuylkill Haven High School, and played collegiately for Temple University from which he graduated. Jesse earned his Doctorate in Montana, and began a career spanning 30 plus years as a Psychologist working at the Coatesville Veteran Hospital in Coatesville, Pennsylvania while also maintaining a private practice. Jesse had an infectious sense of humor. He continued his athletic prowess as an accomplished tennis player, golfer and skier. He and Daphne enjoyed playing Bridge while listening to Jazz for Jesse played the saxophone. Tall and athletic at six foot four inches, Jesse cut a picturesque figure in his youth as captain of the lifeguards at Beach Haven on Long Beach Island in New Jersey.

Funeral Arrangements entrusted to the E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. of 655 East Broad Street Tamaqua, Pennsylvania 18252. (570) 668-2550

Graveside Services will be held at 11 o'clock A.M. on Wednesday December 13, 2023 at Schuylkill Memorial Park located at 75 Memorial Drive Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania 17972.

Born in Philadelphia, she was the daughter of the late Herbert and Letitia (Johnson) Lenz, Sr. She was a 1955 graduate of Lower Moreland High School in Montgomery County.

She worked at Nabisco in Philadelphia where she met her future husband and then for many years in the garment industry in Sheppton, Nuremburg and Frackville. She was last employed at the former Dial Corporation in Hazleton, retiring in 2000.

She was a long-time member of St. Mary's Byzantine Catholic church in Sheppton.

She is survived by a son, Ronald Widitz of Oneida; two daughters, Karen Jenkins of Coaldale and Cindy, wife of Karl Swankoski of Northampton; two sisters, Evelyn Groves of Warminster and Connie, wife of Edward Tolon of Trevose; two sisters-in-law, Anita Lenz of Hazleton and Elizabeth Widitz of Ringtown; six nephews, seven nieces and life-long friend Marilyn Burk and her family.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by a son, Donald J. Widitz; two brothers, Herbert Lenz, Jr. and Michael Lenz; son-in-law David Jenkins; brothers-in-law Joseph Groves, Joseph Widitz, and John Widitz; sisters-in-law Eleanor Lenz and Rita Widitz, a nephew, and dear friend, Ken Burk, husband of Marilyn.

Contributions may be made to the Parkinson's Foundation, 200 SE 1st Street, Ste 800, Miami, FL 33131.

Father James Carroll will conduct the Office of Burial on Thursday, December 14th at 11:00 AM at the Stauffer-Breznik Funeral Home, 412 West Main Street, Ringtown, PA. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 9:30 AM until the time of the service.

Robert James Meek

A son, an orphan, a paratrooper, a husband, a father, a business owner, a grandfather, a great grandfather – Robert J. Meek of Minersville, Pa lived a full life upon passing peacefully at the age of 93.

Born in a small town in Minnesota, Robert, better known as “Bob”, had an appetite for three things: adventure, beautiful women, and blueberry pancakes.

He pursued his love of travel by joining the Army as a Paratrooper where he was stationed in Japan during the Korean war. Soon thereafter, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant for the Department of Justice. Not long thereafter, he was stationed at Fort Indiantown Gap.

Enter: the young and beautiful Cornelia Melochek, who he married in 1952 after a passionate courtship. They would later welcome three children: Karen, Robert Jr., and Demetrius.

Discharged from the army in 1953, Bob began a lifelong career in the insurance industry that took he & his family to Philadelphia, cross-country to California, and eventually back to Schuylkill County where he planted roots for good. He owned his own brokerage firm for many years.

He had a life-long dream of taking a fishing trip to Alaska, which he accomplished circa 2000 with family, friends, and The Cornelia - his boat which was lovingly named after his bride who absolutely hated being out on the water.

Bob’s favorite meal of the day was unmistakably breakfast. Throughout the years, he frequented local establishments such as the Pottsville Diner, Garfield Diner, and Buddy’s Log Cabin. He could be heard asking for coffee refills while studying the specials, only to land on the short stack of blueberry pancakes each and every time.

Bob’s heart was as big as they come. He was an avid supporter of the Salvation Army, Boy Scouts, and National Hemophilia Foundation. He was everybody’s favorite (and not so favorite) debater, and always the storyteller at the dinner table. He survived the tragic passing of his two sons and wife during his lifetime. He was the definition of “Just keep going”. Today, he leaves behind his daughter Karen, 6 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, and extended family members.

Because of his irrational fear that his family would throw him a democrat-themed funeral despite his hatred for all things blue, his family will hold a service free of any type of "theme." A Visitation will be held at the Mahal-Ritzel Funeral Home Funeral Home, Minersville, on Friday, December 22, 2023 from 12:00-1:00 pm. Interment Mount Peace Cemetery

Mahal-Ritzel Funeral Home Inc., Minersville entrusted with the arrangements.

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