Obituaries published from the Schuylkill County area.
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John E. Usalis, 70, of Girardville, passed away on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at Lehigh Valley Hospital – Schuylkill East in Pottsville.
Born in William Penn on January 15, 1954, he was the son of the late John J. and Mary (Sulich) Usalis.
John was a 1972 graduate of Shenandoah Valley High School. He was a well-known journalist throughout the region having worked for several newspapers including the Shenandoah Evening Herald, the Pottsville Republican, the Hazleton Standard Speaker, and the Shamokin News Item. Outside of his profession, John was a member of the Knights of Lithuania Council 144 and St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Ashland.
He is survived by his sister, Mary Jean Usalis of New York, his cousin, Carole Syzdek of Barnesville, Pa, along with numerous colleagues and friends.
In essence, John was a good man.
Private graveside services will be at the convenience of the family.
The Oravitz Home for Funerals Inc, Shenandoah are entrusted with the arrangements.
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Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico on February 18, 1951, Iraida was a daughter of the late Robert Vilá and Iris Zengotita. She was a graduate of the Espiritu Santo high school, attended college and worked several jobs in the travel industry, begining as an airline stewardess then lastly as a tour guide for a cruise line.
Iriaida lived in the Tamaqua high rise for 17 years prior to moving to Pottsville. She enjoyed playing bingo and Pokeno, and loved being a grandmother.
Surviving is her daughter, Michelle, wife of Mike Putulavage of Brockton, and two grandchildren, Crystal and Brandon, along with two great grandchildren, Malcom and Ivan.
She is also survived by her siblings, Carmen Martinez, Robert Vilá, William Beltran, Robert Enrique Vilá and Jose Luiz Vilá. An extended family of nieces, nephews and cousins also survive,
A celebration of life service honoring Iraida will be held at a future date in Puerto Rico, where she will be laid to rest.
The Schlitzer Allen Pugh Funeral Home, Pottsville, is assisting Iraida's family during this time of need.
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Terry Lee Noll, 74, of Pine Grove, passed away on Friday, May 17, 2024 in Providence Place, Pine Grove.
Born on March 18, 1950 in Lykens, he was the son of the late Charles and Patsy Wessner Noll.
Terry was raised in Tower City and graduated from Williams Valley High School in 1968. After High School he joined the U.S. Army from 1969 to 1972. He received the National Defense Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal. He also completed Intel Analyst Training in 1970.
Upon his return from the service, Terry went to law enforcement school. He was a police officer in Tower City, Hegins, and Pine Grove. Later he was the Chief Detective for the District Attorney in Schuylkill County. After retiring from the county, he served the Pine Grove municipalities as a zoning officer and aided wherever he was needed.
He was a member of the Pine Grove Masonic Lodge #409 F. & A.M. and the Pine Grove American Legion Post 374.
Preceding him in death was a brother Timothy Noll.
Surviving are two sisters, Karen Bucher of Elizabethville and Kristi Schwartz of Tower City; a brother Todd Noll of The Villages, FL; nieces, nephews and cousins.
Graveside Services and interment will be held on Wednesday, May 22, 2024 at 10:30 A.M. at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, with Pastor Edward Gobrecht officiating. There will be a procession leaving the H. L. Snyder Funeral Home, Inc., Pine Grove, at 9:40 A.M. for the cemetery. Anyone wishing to follow in the procession should be at the Funeral Home no later than 9:30 A.M.
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Born on December 25, 1935 in Schuylkill Haven, he was the son of the late Leroy and Erma Krammes Koch.
He attended Rock Grammer School, Stanhope Country School and the Swamp School. He then enlisted and was a private in the U.S. Army, serving from May 17, 1954 to May 16, 1957. During his service, he successfully completed the Railway Locomotive operator course given at Ft. Eustis, VA on Oct. 20, 1954, where special emphasis was given on the safe handling of trains and the materials they transport. He had special training as a crane shovel operator at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO from March 12, 1956 to May 11, 1956 and served as Heavy Equipment Operator at Goosebay, Labrador, Greenland and Newfoundland. He had one year and thirteen months of foreign service and received the National Defense Service Medal.
Jerry worked for R. R. Reed Plumbing and Heating in Pine Grove and retired after 28 years as a Fabricator and Supervisor at Penn Dye, Pine Grove.
He was a member of Manbeck's Church, Schuylkill Haven.
Jerry loved fishing, and for many years, would even travel yearly to Canada for it. He was a talented builder and welder, and could build anything, from an arch bridge to dune buggies. His hobbies included custom upholstery, riding motorcycles, and making unique vehicles. One year, he created a car, that he named “Bozo”, which did wheelies, winning a prize in the Pine Grove Halloween Parade. He would spend countless hours working in his garage on projects. He loved flying and had multiple ultralight planes. He had quite a sense of humor and loved playing pranks on family and friends.
Preceding him in death was a sister Vera Clauser.
Surviving are his wife of 66 years, Shirley Koch, who he met while stationed in VA; a daughter Tamela "Tammy" and husband Larry Manhart of Idaho; two grandchildren, Keisha and Kwentin, both of Idaho; a sister, Betty Rumpf of Pine Grove; a brother, Donald and wife Kay Koch of Schuylkill Haven; many nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at 11:00 A.M. at the H. L. Snyder Funeral Home, Inc., Pine Grove with Pastor Norman Dixon officiating. There will be a viewing on Tuesday, May 21, 2024 from 9:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. at the Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Manbeck's Cemetery, Schuylkill Haven.
In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer contributions be made to Manbeck's Church, c/o Deborah Reiter, 159 Spittler Rd., Pine Grove, Pa. 17963 in his memory.
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Donald was born in Pottsville, May 8, 1956, a son of the late Irvin Sr., and Ruth Rhody Shadle.
He was a United States Army Veteran.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by siblings, Robert Rhody, and Barry, Dale and Arlene Shadle.
Surviving are his two brothers, Irvin Shadle, Jr., Joliett, and Ray Shadle, Pine Grove; three sisters, Barbara Shadle, Tremont, Karen Spittle and her husband Gary, Tower City, and Carol Taylor and her husband Dave, New York. Numerous nieces and nephews.
A funeral procession will leave the Dimon Funeral Home on Wednesday, May 22, 2024 at 2:15 PM to the Indiantown Gap National Cemetery. Services with military honors will be held at 3:00 pm.
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