All Obituaries

John C. “Jack” Wittig, 70, of Sugarloaf, passed away Friday evening at his home, surrounded by his loving family, following a two-year illness. Born in Hazleton, August 23, 1947, he was the son of the late Conrad J. and Marie (Antonelli) Wittig, and was raised in West Hazleton.  He spent the past 32 years in Sugarloaf after moving from Conyngham. Jack had worked as the Engineering and Sales Manager for Bear Ridge Machine and Fabrication Inc. Frackville.  He served as...

Surrounded by the love of his family, Wayne Franklin Michael, 89, went to be with his Lord on Tuesday, July 17, 2018, following a one-year battle with cancer. He leaves his beloved wife of 68 years, Beverly (Fritz) Michael; a son, Dale Michael; a daughter, Ginny (Michael) Bidleman; son-in-law, Sam Bidleman; his grandson, Cade Bidleman; and many close friends. A son, Jeffrey, preceded Wayne in death. Wayne, a lifelong resident of Beaver Township, was born on December 4, 1928, and raised in...

Eleanor J. Porreca, 80, formerly of McAdoo, passed away Monday morning at Mt. City Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, in Hazle Twp. where she had resided for the past three years. Born in McAdoo, June 16, 1938, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Esther (Geczy) Becker and had spent most of her life in McAdoo. Eleanor worked as a seamstress in garment factories in McAdoo and Hazleton.  In her younger years she liked to play bingo and card games.  She loved staying up late...

Daniel Peter Oakum, Sr., 59, of Conyngham passed away Tuesday evening at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Hazleton after a two-year battle with complications from diabetes. Born in Dover, NJ, June 2, 1959, he was the son of the late Joseph and Margaret (Fisher) Oakum.  He grew up in Richard Mine, NJ and had resided in Wharton, NJ, before moving to Conyngham 17 years ago. He worked as a Plastics Fabrication Supervisor for Plastanetics, in New Jersey and Spears Manufacturing, in...

Arthur C. Houser, 78. Of Zion Grove, passed away early Saturday morning at his home. Born in Hazleton, March 8, 1940, he was the son of the late James and Irma (Kleckner) Houser and had spent most of his adult life in Zion Grove. Art was a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Nuremberg. A breeder of Arabian horses, a Ferrier and welder and foreman at Skitco Iron Works and Tonda.  Art was a member of the Shenandoah Fish and Game Club. He loved his family companions, Samantha and...

Leslie “Butch” Van Blargen, 92, of Rock Glen passed away Monday at Fritzingertown Senior Living Community, Drums. Born in Tomhicken, February 25, 1926, he was the son of the late Harvey and Florence (Hutton) Van Blargen and spent the past 65 years in Rock Glen after moving from Tomhicken. Butch was a retired crane operator for Bethlehem Steel, and a member of Faith Assembly of God Church, Hazle Twp. He was a proud American, who served with the US Navy during...

David F. Bertoldi,. 68, of Shillington, passed away peacefully Sunday afternoon at his home, surrounded by his family, following a courageous five-year battle with cancer. Born in Hazleton, October 1, 1949, he was the son of the late Louis and Hazel (Gonda) Bertoldi, Jr.  He grew up in Fern Glen with his six brothers and sisters and attended Black Creek Township and West Hazleton high schools where he was a standout athlete in baseball and basketball. David was a 1967 graduate of West...

Alma K. Mestrow, 89, of Hazleton passed away late Thursday evening at Mt. City Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Hazle Twp. where she had resided for the past three years. Born in Hazleton, September 11, 1928, she was the daughter of the late John and Anne (Jenco) Kolesar and had lived in Hazleton for the past 10 years after moving from Drums where she had resided for 45 years. Alma was a member of Good Shepherd RC Church, Drums.  She was a homemaker and enjoyed spending time...

Marion M. (Troell) Bacher, 93, a resident of Heritage Hill Senior Living Community, Weatherly and formerly of St. Johns, passed away Saturday morning at Weatherwood Nursing Home, Weatherly. Born in Freeland, December 19, 1924, she was the daughter of William and Mary (Grohol) Troell and spent the past three years in Heritage Hill after residing for most of her life in St. Johns. Marion was a homemaker for most of her life, but had also worked at RCA, Camden, NJ and several local garment...

Anna Hazel Sanko, 98, of Sugarloaf, passed away Saturday morning at her residence. Born in Nanticoke, November 13, 1919, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Annie (McAfee) Mowery and had spent her whole life in Sugarloaf. Anna was a homemaker who enjoyed playing Yatzee, making crafts, reading, farming and watching Family Feud and the Lone Ranger. She was preceded in death, in addition to her parents by her husband, Charles Sanko, Sr. who passed away in 1972; a son, Charles Jr.; two...