All Obituaries

Merlin J. Spancake January 26, 2021 Merlin J. Spancake, 85, of Waterfall Rd., Pine Grove,  passed away on Tuesday, January 26, 2021 at home. Born on July 15, 1935 in Roedersville, he was a son of the late Milton and Pauline Zimmerman Spancake. He was a graduate of Pine Grove High School. Merlin was an Army veteran. Merlin worked for the PA Steel Foundry. He enjoyed hunting and fishing. Preceding him in death was a daughter Tina Spancake. Surviving are his wife of 57 years, ...

Rickey L. Knapp January 26, 2021 Rickey L. Knapp, 67, of S. Tulpehocken St., Pine Grove,  passed away on Tuesday, January 26, 2021 at home. Born on February 17, 1953 in Pottsville, he was a son of Anna Krammes Knapp of Pine Grove and the late Luther Knapp. He was a 1972 graduate of Pine Grove High School and was a member of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, Pine Grove. Rickey worked for Guilford Mills, Pine Grove. He was a member of the Pine Grove VFW, Pine Grove Fish & Game,...

Russell S Wolfe, Sr. January 22, 2021 Russell S Wolfe, Sr., 76, of Sunrise Court, Lebanon, passed away on Friday, January 22, 2021 at Broad Mountain Health & Rehab Center, Frackville. Born on March 4, 1944 on his grandparents farm in Swopes Valley, Pine Grove, he was a son of the late Roy and Grace Wolfe Roth. He attended Pine Grove Area Schools. Russell was an Army Veteran and served from 1962-1965 with the 101st Airborne Div. He was a Crane Operator at Bethlehem Steel and then...

John C. Love January 15, 2021 John C. Love, 52, of E. Main St. Hegins, passed away on Friday, January 15, 2021 at home. Born on July 24, 1968 in Pottsville, he was the son of Ann Young Love of Pine Grove and the late Richard E. Love, Sr. He was a 1986 graduate of Pine Grove Area High School and a graduate of Thompson Institute, Harrisburg. John was a Draftsman. Surviving, in addition to his mother, are his wife Tammy Mercer Love; three sons, Jordan Love of Orwigsburg, Colton Love of...

James L. Flanagan January 10, 2021 James “JIM” Flanagan was born March 23, 1962 in Hershey, Pennsylvania to Mr. Ray Flanagan and Martha Flanagan. He attended Annville Cleona High School and worked for Rays Vacuum Cleaning Service for years. James was united in Holy Matrimony to Kathy Jean Wagner December 12, 1981. Together they raised four children, Patrick, John, Kyle, & Michael Flanagan. James had a passion for the outdoors, teaching his sons how to hunt, fish, and work on...

Virginia E. Hessler January 9, 2021 Virginia Eileen Hessler, 70, of Pine Grove,  passed away on Saturday, January 9, 2021 at Rosewood Rehab and Nursing Center, Schuylkill Haven. Born on June 4, 1950 in Phoenixville, she was a daughter of the late Harry E. and Erma Rahn Funk Lytle. She was a 1968 graduate of Spring-Ford Area High School in Royersford. She was a member of Roedersville Mennonite Church, Pine Grove.  She was a life member of the Humane Fire Co. #1 Ladies Auxiliary...

Phyllis E. Hesser January 4, 2021 Phyllis Elaine Christ Hesser loved her family, her country, Pine Grove, Pa., and St. John’s Lutheran Church. She died on Jan. 4, 2021 in Pennsylvania from Covid-related pneumonia. She was born on June 28, 1928 to Bruce L. Christ, a teacher and business owner, and Ruth Welsh Christ, a longtime teacher in the Pine Grove Area School District. Phyllis was an honor student, and was in the Junior American Legion Auxiliary and the Girl Scouts. The Christs...

Sara E. Nana"  Brown December 26, 2020 Sara E. "Nana" Brown, 86 of Pine Grove, passed away on Saturday, December 26, at St. Luke's Hospital, Orwigsburg. Born on May 9, 1934, in Pine Grove, she was a daughter of  the late John and Carrie Ludwig Moyer. She was a 1952 graduate of Pine Grove High School.   Sara enjoyed spending time with family, and especially grandchildren and great grandchildren.  She was a Mom and Nana to all who entered her...

Terry C. Ditzler December 24, 2020 Terry C. Ditzler, 74, of Oak Grove Rd., Pine Grove,  passed away on Thursday, December 24, 2020 at the Hershey Medical Center.  Born on June 15, 1946 in Pottsville,  he was a son of the late Alvin and Elsie Schaeffer Ditzler. He was a 1964 graduate of Pine Grove Area High School, where he was a 1000 point scorer on the Boys Basketball team.  He was also a 1967 graduate of Williamson College. Terry was a Seabee in the Navy serving in...

Deborah M. Cooper December 24, 2020 Deborah Mary Cooper, 56, of Wynonah Dr., Auburn, passed away on Thursday, December 24, 2020 at 3:00 P.M. surrounded by her family. Born on June 18, 1964 in Ephrata, she was a daughter of Doris Harman Cooper of Auburn and the late Richard E. Cooper, Sr. She was a graduate of Tulpehocken High School. She was a member of the Cleona Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses,  having great faith in her God Jehovah and his promises at Job 14:14,15 and...