All Obituaries

Russell Learn Oberst, 89, of Conyngham, passed away Wednesday morning, January 20, 2021 at his home after being in declining health for the past few years. Born in Kingston, PA, August 9, 1931, he was the son of the late Clifford and Marion (Learn) Oberst and spent the past 84 years in Conyngham, after moving from Kingston. Russell was a co-owner of Conyngham Sales & Service.  He was a US Army veteran of the Korean War.  He enjoyed hunting. He was preceded in death, in...

Dolores Kaszmetskie, 82, of Hazleton, passed away Wednesday evening, January 20, 2021, at Lehigh Valley Hospital - Hazleton following a brief illness. Born in Hazleton, April 5, 1938, she was the daughter of the late Albert and Marjorie (Foose) Van Blargan and spent the past two years in Saint Luke’s Pavilion after moving from Sugarloaf. Dolores was a Machine Operator for the garment industry. She was a member of Trinity United Church of Christ, Rock Glen and the ILGWU.  She...

Following a brief illness, Jacqueline Rae Hoats, 72, of Zion Grove, passed away Tuesday morning, January 19, 2021 at home with her loving family at her side.  Born in Hazleton, November 6, 1948, she was the daughter of the late Henry and Evelyn (Mummey) Croll and had spent her entire life in Zion Grove. Jackie was a Machine Operator for Exopack, Humbolt.  She was a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Nuremberg.  She was also a member of American Legion Post #699, Nuremberg,...

Joseph John Goffa, 55, of Sugarloaf Township, passed away Tuesday evening, January 19, 2021 at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Wilkes Barre, after being in declining health for the past few years. Born in Hazleton, December 9, 1965, he was the son of Joseph G. and Bernice (Takach) Goffa, Sugarloaf Township, and spent most of his life in Sugarloaf Township, after moving from Luzerne. Joseph had worked for Hershey Chocolate, USA, Humboldt.  He also loved to work...

Cynthia Jo Johnson, 60, of Hazleton, passed away Monday evening, January 18, 2021 at her home, following a one-year illness. Born in Honolulu, HI, June 21, 1960, she was the daughter of the late Robert and Hazel (Johnson) Johnson, Sr. and spent the past 25 years in Hazleton, after moving from Philadelphia. Cynthia had worked for the former Continental Can, Valmont.  She enjoyed riding her scooter, walking her support dog, Juniper, trips to the Casino, and traveling to the beach. She...

George Ralph Rodriguez, 80, of Hazle Township passed away January 13, 2021 at Lehigh Valley Hospital - Cedar Crest in Allentown, following a brief illness.  Born in Havana, Cuba on October 3, 1940, he was the son of the late Pasquale and Gloria Rodriguez and spent the past 65 years in Hazle Township, after relocating from New York City. George was a Supervisor for PPL, Hazleton, a US Navy veteran, and a member of Christ Lutheran Church, Hazleton. He was also a long-term member of the...

Terrence J. “Buddy” Heffernan, 70, of Zion Grove, passed away Tuesday morning, January 12, 2021 at his residence following an unexpected illness. Born in Dobbs Ferry, NY, July 28, 1950, he was the son of the late B. Thomas Heffernan and Pauline (Sewick) Heffernan, Barefoot Bay, FL; and spent the past 25 years in Zion Grove, after moving from Nuremberg. Buddy graduated from Hendrick Hudson H.S., Montrose, NY; class of 1968.  He was a Receiving Supervisor for the former NRG...

Andrew J. Pitonyak, 82, of Hazle Township, passed away Thursday, January 7, 2021, at his residence in Hazle Township.   Born in Portage Township, January 13, 1938, he was the son of the late Marion and Anna (Krempasky) Pitonyak and spent the past 20 years in Hazle Township, after moving from Warminster.   Andrew graduated from Widener University in 1976 and was an Engineer for Rohm & Haas, Bristol. He was a member of Saint John Bosco Roman Catholic Church, Sugarloaf. ...

Joseph George Mehalick, 92, of Hazle Township, passed away Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Wilkes Barre, following a one-year illness. Born in Beaver Meadows, July 24, 1928, he was the son of the late John and Anna (Yuda) Mehalick and spent the past 20 years in Hazle Township, after moving from Sugarloaf. Joseph was a 1946 graduate of Hazleton High School.  After graduation he joined the US Army where he served until 1950 and attained the rank of...

Ella A. Wolfe, 89, of Mainville, passed away Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at Bloomsburg Care and Rehabilitation Center in Bloomsburg, following a two year illness. Born in Mountain Grove, June 15, 1931, she was the daughter of the late Henry and Ella Bankes and spent most of her life in Beaver Valley. Ella was a Housekeeper for Geisinger Bloomsburg Hospital. She was a member of Mt. Zion Lutheran Church, Mt. Zion and in her spare time she enjoyed knitting. She was preceded in death, in...