Obituaries

November 15, 2024

Raymond James Lavenberg , 97, of Pottsville, passed away Friday,  November 15 , 2024, at Providence Place, Pottsville.  

Born in Pottsville, March 5, 1927, he was a son of the late Dorothy Cartwright and James Lavenberg. 

Raymond served honorably in the US Navy in WWII.

He retired as a Millright from Bay-Mor Pet Foods, Cressona, PA.

He was a member of St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church, St. Clair, a Life Member of the Roedersville Fish & Game Association, and a Life Member of Buckhorn Hunting Camp, where he served as Secretary and Treasurer for 51 years. 

He was preceded in death by his wife Elizabeth (Zelinsky) Lavenberg in April 2024, two sisters, Kathryn Boyer and Edith Haeseler, and a brother Donald Schneck.

Surviving are his son Raymond Lavenberg and his wife Joanne, Collegeville, PA, a grandson Brian Lavenberg and his wife Kelly ,Pennsburg, PA, a granddaughter Laura Fitzgerald and her husband Brian, Downingtown, PA, Nieces and Nephews

Office of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM Friday November 22, 2024 from the Bruce T Hart Funeral Home, 110 North Second Street St Clair with  Rev. Greg J. Noga officiating.  Friends may call from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM at the Funeral Home. Burial with military honors will be held at 10:30 Am Monday November 25, 2024 at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to:

 St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church Memorial Fund, 107 S. Fourth St., Minersville, PA 17954.

Buckhorn Hunting Camp , 31 Pleasant Drive, Pine Grove, PA 17963

Hospice of Central PA , 1320 Linglestown Road, Harrisburg, PA 17110

The family wishes to extend their utmost thanks to the staff at Providence Place, Pottsville and Hospice  of Central PA for their kindness and compassion while Raymond was in their care.

Bruce T. Hart Funeral Home, St. Clair, is in charge of arrangements.

November 12, 2024

Michael J. Keller Sr ,76, passed away Tuesday, November 12, 2024 at his home in St. Clair, PA. 

Born in Reading January 25, 1948 he was a son of the late Rufus and Iona (Spohn) Keller. 

Michael loved fishing and was an avid firearm enthusiast. He was a volunteer firefighter for the Rainbow Fire Company No. 1 in Reading and a member of Birdsboro-Union Fire Department where he and his wife served as fire police. 

Michael served honorably in the United States Army. 

Surviving are his wife Sandra (Whitmore) Keller, son Michael Keller Jr. and his companion Charlene, daughter Lucile Keller, step sons Thomas, Christopher and Allen, step daughters Tammy S. and Tammy L., many grand and great grandchildren. 

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death his daughter Michelle Keller and two brothers Eugene and Paul Keller and a sister Ruth Bosold. 

Services will be private at the convenience of the family.

Bruce T. Hart Funeral Home, 110 North Second Street, St. Clair, PA is in charge of arrangements. 

November 12, 2024

John E. “Jack” Muscalus Sr., formerly of Frackville, passed away peacefully Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at Columbia Cottage, Palymyra 

Born in Frackville, October 21, 1931 he was a son of the late Anthony and Lillian (Pelegitis) Muscalus.

He was a Graduate of Frackville High School Class of 1949.  He and his wife, Alice, founded, owned and operated Muscalus Furs Inc. in Harrisburg until retiring in 1996.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife of 71 years Alice (Shpakovsky) Muscalus in July of this year;  brother Anthony Muscalus; sister Anne Croley.

Jack attended New Love in Christ Church and was a past president of the Colonial Park Rotary Club.  He was a PIAA football official in the Harrisburg area for 36 years and in 2021 was elected into the Capital Area Football Officials Association Hall of Fame.

Surviving are his daughter Dr. Sharon McGregor and her husband Dr. Robert McGregor, 2 sons Dr. John E. Muscalus Jr. and his wife Donna, Dr. Robert Muscalus; grandchildren Dr. Ali McGregor and her husband Dr. Will Garner, Abby McGregor Loop and her husband Connor, John E. Muscalus III and his wife Katie, Jacquelyn Shipe and her husband Dr. Adam Shipe, Joshua Muscalus and his wife Emily, Dr. Alexandra Muscalus, David Muscalus and his wife Morgan; great grandchildren Caleb and Jude Garner, John IV, Andrew and Ella Muscalus, Palmer and Naomi Shipe, Hudson and Ford Muscalus.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 AM Saturday, November 23, 2024 from New Love in Christ Church, 6003 Jonestown Rd., Harrisburg PA, 17112 with the Senior Pastor Ariel Ramos and founding Pastor Ross Reider officiating. Friends may call from 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM at the church. A reception will follow at the church.  Burial will be held at 1:00 PM in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Frackville.  In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to New Love in Christ Church at the above address or to Homeland at Home Hospice 2300 Vartan Way Suite 270 Harrisburg PA 17110.  Those who are unable to attend the service can view it livestreamed at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php/?id=100057598234077

October 13, 2024

Elizabeth Marie Koropchak , 73, of St. Clair, formerly of Girardville, died Saturday October 12, 2024, at Geisinger St. Luke’s Hospital, Orwigsburg.

Born in Philadelphia, December 13, 1950, she was a daughter of the late John J. and Barbara (Kenny) Schmidt.

She had worked as a secretary at Offray and Sons, Frakcville.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by sister Mary Carson-Welch

Surviving are a son Edward A. Koropchak  of St. Clair; grandson Edward A. Koropchak Jr. granddaughter Kayleigh Koropchak; sister Barbara A. Fox of Port Carbon; brother John J. Schmidt Jr.and his wife Fay; Edward Schmidt both of  Lake Wynonah; Nieces and Nephews. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM Monday October 21, 2024 from St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, 10th & Mahantongo St. Pottsville, PA 17901. The Rev. Kevin Bobbin will be officiating.  Friends may call from 9:00-10:00 at the church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hillside SPCA Po Box 233 Pottsville, PA 17901   Burial will be in St. Michael Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery, Frackville.

October 04, 2024

Mollie Katchur, 88, formerly of St. Clair, passed away Friday October 4, 2024, at Kirkland Village, Bethlehem PA .

Born in Reading, August 27, 1936, She was the daughter of the late Harry and Margaret (Brown) Goheen.

Mollie was a 1954 graduate of Reading High School, and went on to earn degrees from both West Chester State College and Kutztown University.  She was an English teacher at Northeast Junior High School, Reading and an English teacher and Librarian in the St. Clair School District.  She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Pottsville, the Order of the Eastern Star, and Delta Kappa Gamma.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, John M. Katchur, and a son, Thomas E. Katchur.

Surviving are son Philip Katchur and his wife Karen of Bethlehem, two granddaughters, Natasha (Bethlehem) and Annika (Philadelphia), as well as nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM Thursday at Trinity Lutheran Church, 300 West Arch Street, Pottsville with Pastor Chris Rothharpt officiating.  Friends may call from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM Thursday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

Trinity Memorial Fund 

Trinity Lutheran Church

3oo West Arch Street

Pottsville, PA 17901 

Burial will be private in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, PA

Bruce T. Hart Funeral Home, St. Clair, is in charge of arrangements. 

September 17, 2024

Attorney Lloyd R. Hampton entered into eternal rest on September 17, 2024.  Lloyd was born to Charles H. and Anna Mae Hampton on November 8, 1958. If you ever heard of the term “Renaissance Man,” think of Lloyd.  He was born and raised on a small family farm outside of Gordon, Pennsylvania.  From an early age, he loved to explore and travel. 

At age 17, he found a Marine Corps recruiter in Schuylkill Haven and advised the recruiter that he wanted to leave the next day.  However, he was not old enough so he had to wait another month until he turned 18 to join the Marine Corps.  He graduated from Parris Island on April 4, 1977 and began an odyssey that took him halfway around the world, twice. 

He started as an aviation hydraulics mechanic but actually served in many capacities; from trapping F-4 Phantoms, 4-6 Intruders and A-4 Skyhawks at an expeditionary airfield in 29 Palms, California, to the position he loved the most, being an aerial gunner on a Sikorski CH-53 for HMH-462. Afterwards he was a crew chief for HMH-363.  He was a Weapons & Tactics Instructor course trained Crew chief and flew with numerous outstanding aircrews all over the western United States, Japan, Ryuku Islands, and South Korea.  

Upon on his discharge from the Marines, he enrolled at Penn State, Hazelton campus and earned both his Associates Degree & Bachelor’s Degree in Pre-law.  He was then accepted at Delaware Law School and at the University of San Diego’s Institute on International & Comparable Law, held in London, England.  While in Europe he traveled extensively from London, Amsterdam down the coast across the Strait of Gibraltar into Tangiers then onto Casablanca, Morocco.  

After graduation, Lloyd initially worked with his great-uncle, the Honorable G. Harold Watkins as a law clerk for the Pennsylvania Superior Court.  His next position was assistant solicitor for Schuylkill County court system where he was known for his friendly demeanor.  Throughout his career he handled cases in California, Maine, Virginia and Pennsylvania.  He maintained his own law practice from 1990 until his passing.  While many of the cases he handled were very high stakes, he always approached each case and his clients with tenacity and a smile.   

Lloyd had a penchant for complex machinery and he operated everything from a Sikorski CH-53 Heavy lift helicopters, to dragline shovels, excavators, dozers, and farm equipment.  He held a Class A CDL for most of his adult life and owned and operated his own trucking company where he would personally drive coast to coast, Canadian provinces and the island of Newfoundland. He also initiated the Rattling Run home development with his brother, David as well as continued farming. 

The love of his life was his daughter, Kierstynn Marie, to whom he gave many affectionate nicknames as he did to so many friends and family, he considered special. He and Kierstynn traveled extensively together to visit family in Panama, a cross-country trip to Seattle, Washington for an Alaskan cruise with the late Dr. Charles Stanley.  

Lloyd was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Frackville, PA and Simpson’s United Methodist Church in Gordon, PA.  As well a long-term member of the Ashland Masonic Lodge #294 

Lloyd also guided his step-son James Petrusky into the Marine Corp where James also served as a CH-53 Crew Chief in Lloyd’s old squadron, HMH-462 and now works for Lockheed Martin.  Lloyd was married to James’ mother, Debra Wise.  He is preceded in death by his parents, and nephew Noah Hampton.  He is also survived by his sister, Carole Mishlanie and her husband, Raymond, of Ringtown, PA, his brother David M. Hampton and wife, Karen, of Frackville, PA, and his brother Attorney John M. Hampton and his wife, Cynthia, of Gordon, PA.  He also leaves behind numerous family and friends. 

The Hampton family respectfully invites our family and friends to celebrate Lloyd’s life on Saturday, September 28, 2024 at Christ United Lutheran Church, 437 Airport Road, Ashland, PA beginning at 9am with funeral service conducted by Rev. Carl Shankweiler at 11am.  Donations in lieu of flowers are requested to go to https://Sgt.Major Robert Fontello ALS midatlantic.org /