William D. Adams
William D. Adams, husband of Wilma V. (Claycomb) Adams, of Lower Frederick, died Dec. 5, 2008, at home. He was 71.
Mr. Adams was born in Philadelphia, a son of the late Roland and Lillian (Baumgardner) Adams. He was a U.S. Air Force Reserve veteran.
Mr. Adams retired in 2003 from Genuardi’s Supermarkets, where he was a truck driver for their subsidiary, the Norristown Beef Co., for more than 20 years. He was a former fireman with the Lower Frederick Fire Company.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Adams is survived by three sons, Joseph L. Bell of Belvedere, N.J., Gary L. Bell of Lower Frederick, and William D. Adams, at home; two daughters, Wendy S. Andreoni of Royersford, and Tami J. Adams Castrianni of Douglass Township; 10 grandchildren; and two great-grandsons. He was preceded in death by one brother, Charles Adams.
The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Dec. 11 at the Holcombe Funeral Home, 21 Main St., Trappe, with the Rev. Robert L. Schmidt, retired pastor at Lower Providence Presbyterian Church, officiating. Interment will be in Limerick Garden Of Memories, Limerick Township. Friends may call from 10 to 11 a.m. Dec. 11 at the funeral home.
Jean Casselberry
Jean R. Casselberry, a retired bookkeeper, died at the Manatawny Manor in Pottstown Dec. 3, 2008. She was the wife of the late Abraham Casselberry who died in 1977. She was 89.
Born in Norristown, she was the daughter of the late Ellis and Mary (Plumly) Law.
She was a former resident of Audubon and was a member of St. Paul Episcopal Church, Oaks. She was employed as a bookkeeper for Synthane-Taylor Corp. in Oaks for 30 years.
She was a member of the Audubon-Oaks Lioness Club.
Surviving are one daughter, Lynn Evans of Phoenixville; and two grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Ellis Law Jr. and John R. Law.
A funeral service was held Dec. 8 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Oaks. Interment was be in the Church cemetery.
Arrangements are by the Szpindor Funeral Home, Trooper.
Gloria J. Drabick
Gloria J. Drabick, of Douglassville, died Dec. 3, 2008, at her residence. She was 62.
She was the wife of Thomas R. Drabick for 38 years.
Mrs. Drabick was born in Pottstown to the late John Jacob Rebilas and Marian (Masiak) Rebilas.
Mrs. Drabick was an administrative assistant for different offices in the area.
She was a member of Immaculate Conception R.C.C. of Birdsboro.
She loved to cook, work with arts and crafts and garden.
Surviving, in addition to her husband, is a brother, John Rebilas of Collegeville; and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial Mass will be celebrated in Sacred Heart R.C.C. Lewis Road and Washington Street, Royersford, on Dec. 13at 1 p.m.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Veterans Administration Medical Center 1700 South Lincoln Avenue, Lebanon PA 17042.
Warker-Troutman Funeral Home, Pottstown, is in charge of arrangements.
Michael Warren Evans
Michael Warren Evans, a longtime survivor of cystic fibrosis, died Dec. 2, 2008, surrounded by his family, at Johns Hopkins Hospital. He was 43.
He was born in Phoenixville to Donald E. Sr., and the late Genevieve K. Evans.
He was a 1984 graduate of Milford High School, a member of St. John the Apostle Catholic Church, and a member of the Knights of Columbus.
He enjoyed NASCAR, baseball, football, soccer, boating and fishing, camping and being an active member in the Seaford Fire Dept. and Fire Police.
Mr. Evans is survived by a daughter, Michaella Evans; brothers Donald E. Evans Jr. of Seaford, Joseph H. Evans of Royersford, and Peter J. Evans of Felton, Del.; and his grandmother, Anna L. Evans of Spring City.
A memorial service will be held Dec. 13 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Johns the Apostle Catholic Church, Milford, Del., with a memorial gathering immediately after at Memorial Fire Company, Slaughter Beach, Del.
Memorial donations may be made to The C.F. Foundation, 2004 Sproul Road, Suite. 208, Broomall, PA 19008.
Stella Famularo
Stella (Paristino) Famularo died Dec. 2, 2008, in Pottstown Memorial Medical Center. She was 87.
She was the widow of Thomas J. Famularo.
Born in Palmerton, she was the daughter of the late Alex and Catherine (Marchu) Paristino.
She was employed as a cafeteria supervisor for St. Pius X High School.
She was a member of St. Aloysius Roman Catholic Church.
She is survived by a son, Ronald Famularo of New Hanover; two daughters, Lorraine Frain of Royersford and Kathy Moletress of Pottstown; sisters Olga Clark, Mary Dunham and Dorothy Murphy, all of Millville, N.J.; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by brothers Andrew and Nicholas Paritino; and sisters Anna Miller and Helen Rominick.
A funeral Mass was celebrated Dec. 6 in St. Aloysius Roman Catholic Church, Pottstown. Interment was in St. Aloysius New Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the local SCPA.
Arrangements are by Warker-Troutman Funeral Home, Pottstown.
Janeen L. Fry
Janeen L. Fry of Limerick, longtime companion of Clay Symons of South Coventry, died Dec. 1, 2008, in the Phoenixville Hospital. She was 43.
Born in Phoenixville, she was a daughter of Benjamin F. Jr., and Grace S. (Shantz) Fry of Spring City.
Ms. Fry was a 1983 graduate of Owen J. Roberts High School and took X-ray technician training at Reading Hospital. She worked most recently as an administrative assistant for the Comprehensive Diagnostic Centers.
She had an interest in family history and genealogy.
In addition to her companion and parents, Ms. Fry is survived by one son, Tyler D. Boyle of Limerick; two sisters, Jennifer L. Fry of Skippack and Jessica L. Fry of Upper Darby; and one grandson.
The funeral service was held Dec. 6 at the Pughtown Baptist Church, Spring City, with the Rev. John C. Kolle, and Rev. Timothy W. Schwartz, officiating. Interment will be held privately at the convenience of the family.
Memorial donations may be made payable to “H. Clay Symons, CPA” noting for the benefit of Tyler Boyle in the Memo Section, C/O H. Clay Symons, CPA, 1040 Daisy Point Road, Pottstown, PA 19465, to assist her son primarily with the expenses related to her passing, and, if possible, his education.
Arrangements are by The Cattermole – Klotzbach Funeral Home, Royersford.
Walter O. Gutshall
Walter O. Gutshall, husband of Roberta (Shaner) Gutshall, of Royersford, died Dec. 8, 2008, at home. He was 77.
Born in Mt. Union, he was a son of the late Charles A., and Hilda C. (Norcross) Gutshall.
Mr. Gutshall was a graduate of the Orbisonia High School. A veteran, he served for the National Guard. He played basketball for the National Guard, and enjoyed playing softball for many church teams in the Royersford area.
He was a member of the First United Church of Christ in Royersford. He was also a life member of the Humane Fire Company in Royersford.
In addition to his wife of 55 years, Mr. Gutshall is survived by: two daughters; Carol L. McNamara, of Florida, and Susan L. Gutshall of Royersford; two sons, Walter J. Gutshall of Potter County, and David W. Gutshall of Schuylkill County; one sister, Dorothy Woodward; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Mr. Gutshall was preceded in death by one sister; Hilda Vanderslice.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral service at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 12 at the Cattermole – Klotzbach Funeral Home, 600 Washington Street, Royersford. Officiating will be the Rev. Daniel Hinkle. Interment will be in the Limerick Garden of Memories, Limerick. Friends will be received on from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Dec. 12.
Memorial donations may be made to the PMMC Home Care Hospice, 1600 East High Street, Pottstown, PA 19464.
Kevin Hannigan
Kevin M. Hannigan, of North Wales, died Dec. 3, 2008. He was 54.
He was a son of Grace (Kaufmann) and the late Joseph P. Hannigan Sr.
He was a graduate of Bishop Kenrick High School and Temple University.
For most of his life, Mr. Hannigan was in sales and marketing and most recently was employed with Precision Tube in North Wales.
He was a member of Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Norristown, North Penn Fire Co., enjoyed reading, bicycle riding, and going on trips to the New Jersey shore.
In addition to his mother, he is survived by his brothers Joseph Jr. of East Hampstead, N.H., James of Schwenksville; and his sister Patricia Belles of Collegeville; and nieces and nephews.
A life celebration service was held Dec. 6 with his funeral Mass following at Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Norristown. Internment was in Calvary Cemetery, Conshohocken.
Memorial donations may be made in the form of Mass cards.
Family service by Boyd-Horrox of East Norriton.
Ella D. Harp
Ella D. (Dietrich) Harp, wife of the late Alan D. Harp of St. Peters, formerly of Spring City, died Dec. 3, 2008, in Pottstown Memorial Medical Center. She was 97.
She was born in Philadelphia to the late Richard Herman and the late Emma Dietrich.
She was employed as a hair dresser for most of her life, working for herself and various area beauty shops.
She was employed for 15 years at The West Co. in Phoenixville until her retirement. She attended the Harmonyville Church of the Brethren.
After her retirement, she actively volunteered in the community and with the Pottstown Senior Center.
She is survived by two daughters; Gay Paldan of St. Peters, and Joy McFarlane of Lansdale; five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
A funeral service was held Dec. 5 at the Shalkop Grace & Strunk Funeral Home, Spring City. The Rev. John Kolle officiated. Interment followed in the Valley Forge Memorial Gardens, King of Prussia.
Memorial donations may be made to the Underground Dog Rescue, P.O. Box 1174, Chadds Ford, PA 19317; or, the animal shelter of the donor’s choice.
Franklin B. Hoffman
Franklin B. Hoffman, widower of Irma (Cottingham) Hoffman, of Collegeville, formerly of Clifton Park, N.Y., died Dec. 8, 2008, at Columbia Cottage in Collegeville. Mrs. Hoffman died in February. He was 98.
Born in Philadelphia, he was a son of the late John and Ada (Brooke) Hoffman.
He moved to New York in 1955.
Mr. Hoffman graduated from Temple University, Class of 1932.
He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II as assistant transportation officer, Squadron VR 3, Naval Air Transport Service. Later he was employed by the Pennsylvania Railroad and Penn Central from 1930-70, in Philadelphia, Elmira, N.Y., and Albany, N.Y. He retired as division sales manager.
Mr. Hoffman served as chairman of the Railroad Community Committee of the Southern Tier, and was a former member of the Capital District Transportation Association.
Mr. Hoffman was also a former member of the Tri-County Traffic Club, where he served two terms as president.
Mr. Hoffman is survived by two daughters, Betsy A. Leach of Collegeville, and Nancy L. Carrier of Baldwinsville, N.Y.; a son, John B. Hoffman of Springboro, Ohio; and four grandchildren.
A graveside service will be held at Mt. Zion Cemetery in Pottstown on Dec.15, at 11 a.m. Friends will be received at the Ruggiero Funeral Home, 224 W. Main St., Trappe, from 9 to 10 a.m. Dec. 15.
John Kaputa Jr.
John R. Kaputa Jr., of Plymouth Meeting, died Dec. 4, 2008, in the Montgomery Hospital, Norristown. He was 66.
Mr. Kaputa was born in Shenandoah, a son of the late John and Anna Mischewicz Kaputa Sr.
Mr. Kaputa was a retired quality control inspector for Glaxo.
He was an active life member of the Harmonvillle Volunteer Fire Co., and was a former fire policeman and engineer.
He was a life member of the Polish American Fire Co. # 4 in Shenandoah,; a member of six County Fireman’s Association in Hazleton and a 4th degree Knight of the Knights of Columbus associated with his Epiphany of Our Lord Church where he had been a member for many years and was the president of the ushers.
He was an amateur Ham radio operator and a member of the Montgomery County Emergency Preparedness Committee.
He was a Republican Committeeman for many years.
Mr. Kaputa attended Pierce College and the Montgomery County Community College.
He served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War.
Mr. Kaputa is survived by his wife, Helen (Liptock) Kaputa; two daughters, Helen Ann Auriello of Willow Grove, and Diane Gaal of Ambler; one son, John J. Kaputa of Limerick; one brother, Joseph Kaputa of Roxborough; and six grandchildren.
Funeral Mass was celebrated Dec. 9 at Epiphany of Our Lord Church, 3050 Walton Rd., Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462. Interment was in the Calvary Cemetery, Lower Merion.
Memorial donations may be made to the above church.
Arrangements are by Lownes Funeral Home, Lafayette Hill.
James E. Kelemen Sr.
James E. Kelemen Sr., husband of the late Loretta M. (Fabian) Kelemen of Phoenixville, died Dec. 5, 2008 in Parkhouse Providence Pointe. He was 84.
Born in Cedar Hollow, he was the son of the late Simon and Julia (Kovach) Kelemen.
He worked at Taylor Fiber in Betzwood for 37 years, then worked at Synthane Taylor in Oaks for three years until his retirement.
He was a member of St. Ann Catholic Church and the former Hungarian Club in Phoenixville.
Surviving are sons James E. Kelemen Jr. of East Vincent, and Richard A. Kelemen of Birdsboro; daughter, Loretta M. Lenhart; six grandchildren; one great-grandson; a brother, Joseph Kelemen of Phoenixville; and a sister, Viola Pintkowski of Phoenixville.
He was preceded in death by two sisters, Betty and Margaret; and five brothers, Simon, Emil, Ernie, Gazie and Steve.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Funeral Mass Dec. 11 at 10:30 a.m. in St. Ann Catholic Church, Main Street and Third Avenue, Phoenixville, with Rev. Jeffrey Stecz officiating. Interment will be in Holy Trinity Cemetery, Phoenixville. Relatives and friends may call at the church from 9:15 to 10:15 Dec. 11.
Memorial contributions may be sent to American Parkinson’s Disease Association, Greater Delaware Valley Chapter, Crozer Chester Medical Center, Presidents Drive, Upland, PA 19013.
Arrangements are by the Devlin-Rosmos-Kepp Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Phoenixville.
Amy Konkiel
Amy L. (Munshower) Konkiel, of Wilmington, Del., died Dec. 4, 2008. She was 50.
Mrs. Konkiel was a homemaker and enjoyed arts and crafts, was active in her childrens’ activities and was a Girl Scout Leader for many years.
She is survived by her husband of 20 years, David; her son, Chad Morris of Elkins Park; daughters Stacy Konkiel of North Hampton, Mass.; and Lauren, Bethany, Victoria and Veronica Konkiel, all at home; her mother, Elsie Munshower of Norristown; a sister, Beth Munshower of Royersford; and aunts, uncles and many cousins.
Funeral services will be held Dec. 11 at the John F. Yasik Funeral Home, 607 S. Harrison St., Wilmington, Del., at 11 a.m. Visitation will start at 9:30 a.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Chesapeake Girls Scouts Council, 501 S. College Ave., Newark, DE, 19713; or to Dela. Hospice, 3515 Silverside Rd., Wilmington, DE. 19810.
Arrangements by John F. Yasik Funeral Home.
Herman G. Kumpf
Herman G. Kumpf, husband of Eleanor (Miller) Kumpf for 55 years, of Schwenksville, died Dec. 9, 2008, in Sanatoga Center, Pottstown. He was 78.
Born in Pottstown, he was a son of the late Herman L. and Verna (Gilbert) Kumpf.
He was employed as a PBX Installer for Bell Telephone Co. for 35 years.
Mr. Kumpf was a veteran of U.S. Air Force, serving in the Korean War, and he was a member of the National Guard.
He was a member of Trinity Evangelical Congregational Church, Boyertown, where he was on the Missionary Committee and traveled on many missionary trips. He was also a member of Lower Frederick Fire Company.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Kumpf is survived by two sons, Tim Kumpf of Gilbertsville, and Mark Kumpf of Pottstown; three daughters, Sally Mallatratt of Grass Flats, Jennie Wagaman and Alice Friggle, both of Denver, Pa.; 10 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Dec. 12 at Trinity Evangelical Congregational Church, 250 Swinehart Road, Boyertown. Interment will be in Hosensack Evangelical Congregational Church Cemetery, Zionsville. A viewing will be held from noon to 2 p.m. at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Mission Fund of Trinity E.C. Church; or to the VNA of Pottstown and Vicinity Hospice, 1610 Medical Drive, 3rd Floor, Pottstown, PA 19464.
Arrangements are by Mann-Slonaker Funeral Home, East Greenville.
George Marshall
George Jerome Marshall, of Chesterfield County, Va., formerly of Limerick, died Nov. 26, 2008, in a Petersburg, Va., hospital, after a long illness. He was 84.
Born in Brooklyn, N,Y., he was the widower of Eleanor Florence (Good) Marshall, who died in 1995.
Mr. Marshall resided in Limerick for 16 years before moving to the Richmond, Va., area in 1979.
Surviving are two sons, Jerome G. Marshall of McKenney, Va., and Theodore F. Marshall of Colonial Heights, Va.; two brothers, Charles L. Marshall of Port Richey, Fla., and John R. Marshall of Levittown, N.Y.
A graveside memorial service was held Dec. 8, at Valley Forge Memorial Gardens, King of Prussia.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Timothy G. Miller
Timothy G. Miller, husband of Margaret J. “Peggie” (Smith) Pendowski-Miller, of North Coventry, died Dec. 3, 2008, at Neighborhood Hospice, West Chester, after a long battle with cancer. He was 53.
Born in Connellsville, he was the son of Dorothy (Burkley) Miller of Connellsville and the late William Glenn Miller.
Surviving with his wife and mother are sons, Jay Smith, U.S. Navy, stationed in Japan, David Wise of Philadelphia, Paul Miller of Buffalo, N.Y., and Daniel Wise of West Chester; daughters Amiee Hamilton of Eddystone, Tammie Walls of Royersford, and Kristie Walls of Pottstown; sisters Janice Hay of Connellsville, Nancy Goodsped of Jeffersonville, and Barbara Jack of Jeffersonville; seven grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, Brad Miller.
Mr. Miller was a resident of the Pottstown area for 30 years and was a Union carpenter for 32 years. He was an active member of St. James Lutheran Church in Limerick.
He enjoyed bowling, camping and vacations to Maine.
A funeral service was held Dec. 6 at St. James Lutheran Church, Limerick, with Pastor Stuart Luce officiating. Interment was in Mt. Zion Cemetery, Pottstown.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. James Lutheran Church, 93 Kugler Road, Limerick, PA 19468.
Catagnus Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Ltd., Royersford, is in charge of arrangements.
William Pumilia Sr.
William J. Pumilia Sr. of Collegeville, died Dec. 3, 2008, at his daughter’s home after an illness. He was 88.
Mr. Pumilia was born in Norristown, a son of the late Stefano and Gaetana (Bono) Pumilia.
Mr. Pumilia attended George Washington Elementary School and Rittenhouse Junior High School in Norristown.
He served in the U.S. Army during World War II as part of the 399th Infantry Division.
He worked as a steelworker for Alan Wood Steel in Conshohocken for many years. Later, he worked as a psychiatric aide at the Norristown State Hospital.
He enjoyed playing golf, bowling at the Facenda-Whittaker Lanes, and participating in the activities at the SAAC in Norristown.
Mr. Pumilia was the husband of 58 years to Antoinette “Nan” (Warburton) Pumilia.
He is survived by his children, Stephen J. Pumilia of Royersford, William J. Pumilia Jr. of Gilbertsville; Audrey Stephey of Collegeville; Christopher Pumilia of Pennsburg; Janette Pumilia of Royersford and Michelle Major of Gilbertsville; six grandchildren, three great-grandchildren; sisters Betty Gallo of East Norriton, Lucy Capobianco of Graterford, and Mary DiGiovanni of Norristown; and brothers Steve Pumilia of Norristown, Michael Pumilia of Swedesburg, and Harry Pumilia of Blue Bell. He was preceded in death by her sister, Margaret DiGiovanni.
A memorial service was held Dec. 10 at the Ruggiero Funeral Home, Trappe. Officiating was Father Patrick Sweeney, pastor of St. Eleanor Catholic Church, Collegeville. Interment was private at Fort Indiantown Gap.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Norristown SAAC, George and Airy streets, Norristown, PA. 19401.
Arrangements are by the Ruggiero Funeral Home, Trappe.
Virginia R. Shultz
Virginia R. (Fry) Shultz, wife of Joseph C. Shultz for 69 years, of Sanatoga, died Dec. 6, 2008, at Frederick Mennonite Community. She was 95.
Born in Frick’s Lock, she was the daughter of the late Clarence H. and Rosa B. (Savage) Fry.
She graduated from Kutztown Normal School (now Kutztown University) and was a second grade teacher at Lower Pottsgrove Elemantary School for 25 years.
She was a member of Zion’s United Church of Christ of Pottstown, where she taught Sunday school for 50 years.
She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Manatawny Chapter, and the Lower Pottsgrove Historical Society.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by a daughter, Virginia R. Gaudiello of Pottstown; a son, Walter S. of Pottstown; and a daughter, Kay L. Bachkai of Barto; two sisters, Geraldine Klink of Pottstown, and Miriam Ellis of Boyertown; a brother, C. Herbert Fry of Berwyn; five grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a brother, Donald A. Fry.
A funeral service will be held Dec. 11 at 10:30 a.m. at Catagnus Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 711 N. Franklin St., Pottstown, with Rev. Peter Nichols officiating. Interment will follow in Highland Memorial Park, Pottstown. Friends may call from 9:30 to 10:20 a.m. Dec. 11 at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions can be made to Zion’s United Church of Christ, Hanover & Chestnut Streets, Pottstown, PA 19464 or Frederick Mennonite Community, P.O. Box 498, Frederick, PA 19435-0498.
Edna Todd
Edna Mae (Welsh) Todd, of Tucson, Ariz., formerly of Norristown, died Nov. 28, 2008, at the Casa de la Luz Hospice in Tucson. She was 82.
Born in Norristown, she was the daughter of the late Joseph M. and Anna Mae (Rees) Welsh.
Following graduation from Norristown High School in 1943, she married Francis Preston Todd in 1945 and raised five children in East Norriton, where she was a life long resident until her retirement and move to Tucson in late 1995.
Prior to her retirement, she worked at General Electric Company in King of Prussia as a computer operator and an administrative assistant.
She is survived by one daughter and four sons: Bonnie Lynn Bianco of Tucson, Ariz., Reynold Preston Todd of North Coventry, Thomas Walter Todd of Collegeville, Brian Michael Todd of Collegeville and Jonathan Walsh Todd of Norristown; seven grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and her former husband, F. Preston Todd of Omak, Wash. She was preceded in death by her sister, Elizabeth Watters; her brother, Joseph Welsh; and a granddaughter.
A family memorial service is planned in Pennsylvania in early spring, with a date and time to be announced.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Casa de la Luz Foundation, 400 W. Magee Road, Tucson, AZ 85704 and the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.
Hazel M. Warner Henshey
Hazel M. (Hughes) Warner Henshey, of Pottstown, widow of Harold Warner and J. Kenneth Henshey, died Dec. 6, 2008, at Manatawny Manor Nursing Home, East Coventry. She was 90.
Born in Kimberton, she was a daughter of the late Lewis and Elizabeth (Pearson) Hughes. She was a homemaker.
She was a member of Trinity Reformed Church of the United Church of Christ, Pottstown. She was also a member of Order of Eastern Star Schuylkill Chapter No. 338, Pottstown.
She is survived by two daughters, Joan M. Stephens of Pottstown, and Faye L. Embody of Pottstown; a stepson, K. Lane Henshey of Summersville, W.Va; seven grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by 13 brothers and sisters.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Dec. 11 from the Schumacher & Benner Funeral Home & Crematory, 359 King St., Pottstown. Officiating will be the Rev. James Hilker.
Interment will be in Highland Memorial Park. There will be a viewing from 10 to 11 a.m. Dec. 11 at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Reformed Church of the United Church of Christ, 60 N. Hanover St., Pottstown, PA 19464.
Arrangements are by the Schumacher & Benner Funeral Home & Crematory, 359 King St. in Pottstown.
Elizabeth M. Woods
Elizabeth Marie (Hartzell) Woods, widow of John Francis Woods Sr., formerly of Spring City, died Dec. 4, 2008, in Manor Care, Pottstown. She was 88.
Born in Phoenixville, she was a daughter of the late Charles and Laura Hartzell.
Mrs. Woods had been employed by the former Pennhurst State School, where she worked in the laundry department for many years.
She was a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Spring City. She had been a life member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the West End Fire Company, and a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Spring City American Legion.
Mrs. Woods is survived by two daughters, Jo Anne Graber of Goshen, Ind., and Mary Ann Renninger of Pottstown; two sons, John F. Woods of Phoenixville, and James C. Woods of Royersford; 13 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by two sons, Robert and Thomas Woods; a sister, Dorothy Parker; and three brothers, Charles II, Ralph and Franklin “Hank” Hartzell.
A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated Dec. 7 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Spring City, with the Rev. Michael Renninger officiating. Interment was private Dec. 8 at St. Ann’s Cemetery, Phoenixville.
Joshua R. Worman
Joshua R. Worman, husband of Heather A. (Overholtzer) Worman, of Exeter, died Dec. 5, 2008, in an Exeter Township auto accident. He was 27.
Mr. Worman was the son of the late Penny Worman and the late Linda M. (Hoch) Veneziale.
He was a graduate of Perkiomen Valley High School and worked as a landscaper.
He is survived by two sons, Anthony Worman and Joshua Worman Jr., both of Lower Frederick; three sisters, Abbey Driendl of Lititz, Tamera Veneziale of Lancaster, and Loni Dulisse of Birdsboro; and his grandmother, Maria Worman of Florida.
A memorial service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Dec. 11 at the Holcombe Funeral Home, Inc., 21 Main St., Trappe, with the Rev. Gerald D. Smith, Pastor, Trinity Christian United Church Of Christ, Skippack, officiating. Friends may call from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Dec. 11 at the funeral home.
Paul Thomas Zirk
Paul Thomas Zirk, of Collegeville, died Dec. 3, 2008, in the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, following a brief illness. He was 21.
Born and raised in the Collegeville area, he was a 2006 graduate of Pottsgrove High School and attended Western Center for Technologies in Limerick.
He enjoyed boating, muscle cars and motorcycles.
Mr. Zirk worked as a landscaper for Richmond Lawn Service in Pottstown.
He was a son of Mary Beth (Hagen) and Roger Zirk of Collegeville; and Thomas and Sally Richmond of Pottstown. He is also survived by a sister, Danielle Zirk of Collegeville; and grandparents, Nancy Hagen of Leesport, Fla.; Bob and Betty Duddleston of Greenwood Lake, N.Y.
A funeral service was held Dec. 7 from the Devlin-Rosmos-Kepp Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Phoenixville. Interment was Dec. 8 in Quakertown Union Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Paul Zirk Memorial Fund, c/o Phoenixville Federal Bank, P.O. Box 708, Phoenixville, PA 19460.
Robert M. Jelenic
Robert M. Jelenic, former chairman and chief executive officer of Journal Register Co., died Dec. 3, 2008, in Pennsylvania after a long bout with cancer. He was 58.
Mr. Jelenic was the architect and driving force behind JRC before stepping down in November 2007 after 20 years with the Yardley, Pa.-based corporation, the parent company of Montgomery Newspapers.
Mr. Jelenic’s three-plus decades of newspaper experience included 12 years with the Toronto Sun Publishing Group. An all-around good athlete known for his vivid personality, he grew up in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, and graduated from Laurentian University in Sudbury with an Honours Bachelor of Commerce degree.
Mr. Jelenic starred as a quarterback for the Laurentian University football team in 1968 and 1969, and played semi-pro football for the Sudbury Spartans in 1970 and 1971.
The Journal Register Co. was established in 1990, taking on newspapers from Ralph Ingersoll II’s empire. During the 1980s, Ingersoll had assembled a family of newspapers through his company, Ingersoll Publications Co.
In July 1990, investment firm E.M. Warburg, Pincus & Co., which was Ingersoll’s partner and financier, bought him out of the U.S. newspaper market, with Ingersoll gaining ownership of Warburg, Pincus’ European newspaper properties. Mr. Jelenic, who was president of the U.S. newspaper companies at Ingersoll Publications, became CEO of the newly incorporated Journal Register Co. After JRC went public in 1997, Warburg, Pincus remained a majority shareholder with a 72 percent ownership interest.
When the JRC was formed in 1990, it already owned newspapers in Philadelphia, Ohio, St. Louis, central New England, and the Capital-Saratoga region of New York. For the next decade, JRC would acquire more publications in those regions as part of its geographic clustering strategy, through which the company hoped to enjoy operating synergies.
Under Mr. Jelenic’s stewardship, Journal Register Co. grew from a newspaper publisher to a multimedia corporation that reaches 472,000 subscribers with its daily circulation. It owns 22 daily newspapers.
With 300 non-daily publications owned by the company, more than 5.3 million people get their news and sports from JRC. The company’s publications are located in six strategically clustered geographic areas: Greater Philadelphia, Michigan, Connecticut, Greater Cleveland, and in New York State’s Capital-Saratoga and Mid-Hudson regions. Furthermore, multimedia avenues allow the news to be delivered through more than 230 newspaper and specialty Web sites.
JRC also manages a number of niche market publications and three commercial printing operations.
He is survived by his wife, Joy, of New Hope; his parents, Tom and Dana Jelenic; and a sister, Marianne Jelenic, all of Sudbury, Ontario; a son, Lee Jelenic, his wife, Bethany, and their son, Chase, all of Philadelphia; and a daughter, Laine Nakfoor, and her husband, Jeremiah, of Los Angeles, Calif.
A viewing was held Dec. 8 at Joseph A. Fluehr III Funeral Home in Richboro. Services were held Dec. 9 at St. John’s Methodist Church in Ivyland.
Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to: In memory of Robert M. Jelenic, Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-2497.
