All Obituaries

William R. Kane, 68, of Main Street, Gilberton, passed away Sunday, June 6th, at the Rosewood Nursing Center, Schuylkill Haven.  Born in Fountain Springs, April 24, 1953, he was the son of the late James and Helen Heaton Kane.  He attended Mahanoy Area High School, and was employed as a custodian for Schoeneman Beauty Supply Company, Pottsville, until his retirement.  William was a member of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Parish, Ashland.  Preceding him in death was his...

Joseph Rockwell, 78, of West Centre Street, Ashland, former Girardville resident, passed away Thursday, May 20th at his residence.  Born in Fountain Springs, May 4, 1943, he was the son of the late Albert and Helen Rose Demshock Rockwell.  He was a graduate of the former Ashland High School, class of 1962, and was employed as a welder for Paper Magic, Elysburg, until his retirement in 2008.   Joe served his county in the U.S. Marie Corps, during the Vietnam War, attaining...

Robert F. Becker, Jr., 71, of Main St. Seltzer, passed away May 13th, at his residence.  Born in Pottsville, June 28, 1949, he was the son of the late Robert and Catherine Boothby Becker Sr.  He was a graduate of the Nativity High School, Pottsville, with a perfect attendance of four years, class of 1967, and Kings College, Wilkes Barre, class of 1971, attaining a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Computer Science.  Bob was employed as a Computer Software Manager for...

Eleanor “Ellie” Kennedy, 76, of Gordon, passed away May 12th, at the Geisinger Medical Center, Danville.  Born in Girardville, November 7, 1944, she was the daughter of the late Earl and Eleanor Pryce Jones.  She was a graduate of the former Girardville High School, class of 1962, and was employed as an Administrative Assistant in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, Harrisburg, until her retirement.   Ellie was a believer in the Methodist faith. ...

Mary Jane Cunningham, 75, of Fountain Springs, passed away Wednesday, April 28th, at Cedar Crest Hospital, Allentown.  Born in Fountain Springs, January 24, 1946, she was the daughter of the late Robert and Emma Jones Wyatt.  She was a graduate of the former Butler Township High School, Fountain Springs, class of 1963, and was employed as sewing machine operator for the former Reidler Knitting Mill, Ashland, the North Schuylkill High School, and also as a housekeeper for the former...

Edward J. Cunningham, 81, former Ashland resident, passed away Monday, April 26th, at the Shenandoah Manor Nursing Center.  Born at the former Green Point Hospital, New York City, January 29, 1940, he was the son of the late Edward and Micalina Casoria Cunningham.  He attended Grover Cleveland High School, Bronx New York, and was employed 21 years as a police officer for the Butler Township Police Department until his retirement.  Ed and his wife, Barbara, were owner operators...

Dorothy J. Tiley, 91, of Ashland, passed away Thursday evening, April 22 nd, at her residence.  Born in Locust Dale, February 13, 1930, she was the daughter of the late Clarence and Lottie Kiem Schaffer Keller.  She attended the former Conyingham Township High School in Aristes, and was a member of Zion’s Reformed United Church of Christ, Ashland.  Dorothy loved spending time with her children, their spouses, and her grandchildren.  It was a joy just being around...

James T. Trautman, 78, of Fountain Springs, passed away Wednesday, April 21st at his residence.  Born in Locust Gap, April 1, 1943, he was the son of the late Mark and Annette (Sis) George Trautman I.  He was a graduate of the former Butler Township High School, class of 1961, and was employed for 37 years as a heavy equipment operator and tool room attendant for the Pennsylvania Power and Light Company.  Jim was a life time member of the Christ Congregational Church, and the...

Janice Fennessy, 74, former Locustdale resident, passed away Tuesday, April 13th, at the Mt. Carmel Nursing Center, Mt. Carmel. Born in Fountain Springs, April 15, 1946, she was the daughter of the late James and Mildred Guinther Fennessy.  She was a graduate of the former Ashland Area Joint High School, class of 1964, and the McCann School of Business, attaining an associate degree in business.   Janice was a member of the Grace Independent Evangelical Church, Locustdale, and...

Barbara Anne Wetzel, 70, of Mowry, passed away Sunday, February 21, 2021, surrounded by her family, at her residence.  She passed away peacefully after a long, courageous, 15 year battle with cancer. Born in Portsmouth, Virginia, January 11, 1951, she was the daughter of the late Alfred and Elizabeth Klock Roper.  She was a graduate of the North Schuylkill High School, class of 1969, and was employed in the North Schuylkill High School Cafeteria, most recently as head cook at the...