Updated October 13, 2026 | SkookPA News

SkookPA News is beginning its October 2026 memorial archive with brief, independently written summaries of notices published by families and funeral homes in and around Schuylkill County. These entries are not copies of the original obituaries. Each entry links to the original notice so readers can see the family’s complete tribute, condolence information, and any current service details.

Please note: The date a notice is posted is not necessarily the date someone died. This is a selected local index, not a complete government record of deaths. Funeral arrangements can change; consult the funeral home’s current notice before traveling.

Notices confirmed through October 13

John “Chick” Chowansky Jr. — Frackville

John “Chick” Chowansky Jr., 84, of Frackville, died October 11. Originally from the Maizeville area, he is remembered in a notice handled by Oravitz Home for Funerals. Find the original funeral notice through Legacy’s Shenandoah-area listings.

Evelyn M. Koppenhaver — Lykens and Tremont area

Evelyn M. Koppenhaver, 92, of Lykens, died October 11 at a care center in Tremont. She previously worked for Lebro Shirt Factory and was active in her parish community. The funeral home’s notice schedules visitation for October 20 from 10 to 11 a.m., followed by a Mass at 11 a.m. at Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church in Lykens. Full notice and current arrangements — Dimon Funeral Home.

Dorothy K. “Reds” Bailey — New Ringgold

Dorothy K. Bailey, 94, died October 10. The New Ringgold resident was associated with the family construction business, Curtis J. Bailey Builders, and community organizations in the Tamaqua area. Her notice lists a Mass on Thursday, October 15, at 11 a.m. at St. John XXIII Roman Catholic Church, 309 Pine Street, Tamaqua. Original notice and service information — Nester Funeral Home via Legacy.

Teresa A. Schillinger — Ashland

Teresa A. Schillinger, 83, of Ashland, died October 10. Kull-Heizenroth Funeral Home in Ashland announced her death and is handling arrangements. Read the funeral home’s published notice.

Mary Alice (Erb) Champ — Hegins

Mary Alice Champ, 82, of Hegins, died October 9. Her family published a detailed remembrance through Buffington-Reed Funeral Home. The notice lists viewings Wednesday, October 14, 2–4 p.m. and 6–8 p.m. at Hegins Valley Mennonite Church, 180 East Mountain Road, and a funeral there Thursday, October 15, at 10 a.m. Original family notice and arrangements.

John Albert Woelfle — Eagle Rock / Zion Grove

John Albert Woelfle, 71, of the Eagle Rock area near Zion Grove, died October 8. The funeral home’s announcement identifies his career in the plastics industry, including work with Trans Western Polymers in Tamaqua. Private arrangements are being handled by E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home. Read the original notice.

Miguel A. “Mike” Aponte — Tamaqua

Miguel A. Aponte, 60, of Tamaqua, died October 7. The original notice identifies his work as a logistics technician for Highwood USA. His funeral home lists a viewing Wednesday, October 14, from 1 to 3 p.m., followed by a 3 p.m. service through E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home, 655 East Broad Street, Tamaqua. Original notice and arrangements.

Anna Mae Adley — Tower City

Anna Mae Adley, 82, of Tower City, died October 7. She previously worked at JE Morgan Knitting Mills and as a banquet server in Lykens. Dimon Funeral Home announced services for October 13. Read the family’s complete tribute and funeral information.

Barry L. Heffner — Pottsville

Barry L. Heffner, 79, of Pottsville, died October 3. Published accounts report that he served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War and later worked in the railroad industry. Schlitzer Allen Pugh Funeral Home handled his arrangements. Find his published notice in the Pottsville obituary listings.

Where families can find full details

For service changes, memorial contributions, photographs, condolence books, and complete life histories, readers should use the funeral home links above. The Schuylkill County obituary directory also indexes notices from many publications. Some notices in regional directories involve people who previously lived locally rather than current Schuylkill County residents; we distinguish those connections where possible.

Submit a notice or request a correction

Funeral homes or family representatives can email skookpanewz@gmail.com with the person’s name, town, the family’s published notice link, any requested correction and permission for photographs. We do not assume a submitted photo is free to reuse. Factual corrections are reviewed promptly, with updated text dated where appropriate.

Editorial note: These are short factual summaries written for local readers using funeral-home and published death notices; they are not interviews with families or reproductions of copyrighted obituary writing. Please follow the original source for the family’s own words.