All Obituaries

Oliver E. Coombe, 87, of West Penn Township, died Friday, June 22, 2018, at the home of his son and daughter-in-law, Gerald and Valerie of New Ringgold. He was the husband of Edith (Stetler) Coombe. They celebrated 60 years of marriage on April 5.  Oliver was a lifelong farmer and previously worked at Blue Ridge Pressure Casting, Lehighton. Born in West Penn Township, he was the son of the late Russell and Cora (Miller) Coombe. He was a member of St. Peter’s Union Church,...

Luther E. Exner, 62, of Lehighton, died Sunday, June 17, 2018, in St. Luke’s Hospital, Lehighton. He was the husband of Beverly (Lutz) Exner. They celebrated 39 years of marriage on March 31. He was last employed as a forklift operator for Remmey Pallet Co, Lehighton, for 35 years, and previously for the Lehighton Ambulance. Born in Lehighton, he was the son of the late Luther and Anna (Miller) Exner. Luther was a member of St. Peter’s Union Church, Mantzville, where he...

Gloria I. Arner, 82, of West Penn Township, passed away peacefully on June 12, 2018, in her home. She was the wife of the late G. Richard Arner who passed away June 30, 1999. They were married 45 years at the time of his death. She and her husband owned and operated G.R. Arner Trucking and she later worked at the former Scotty’s Fashions, Lehighton, retiring in 1994. Born on August 3, 1935, in West Penn Township, she was the daughter of the late Arthur D. and Lydia I. (Steigerwalt)...

Chester H. Haas, 79, of New Ringgold, died Thursday, June 7, 2018, in the Hometown Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Prior to retiring, he worked as a baker at Leiby’s Restaurant, a foundry worker, a 10th grade English school teacher and he spent several years in Seminary School. Born in Weisenberg Township, he was the son of the late Howard and Helen (Rupp) Haas. Chester enjoyed bee keeping, gardening and the outdoors. Earlier in life he was a member of the 4 H club that took him to...

Michael J. Fannock Jr., 53, of Andreas, died Saturday, June 2, 2018, in his home. He was the husband of Sandra (Kunkle) Fannock. They were married on July 2, 1988 and celebrated their 29th wedding anniversary. Mike was employed by Nestlé Purina Pet Care Company, Allentown for 29 years as a maintenance mechanic. Born in Pottsville, he was the son of Deanna Fannock, of Tamaqua, and the late Michael J. Fannock Sr. He was a member of St. Peter’s Union Church, Mantzville. Mike...

Bonnie Lou Burns, 77, of New Ringgold, died Thursday May 31, 2018, while in the care of her children and friends. She was the widow of Herbert J. Burns Jr., who died April 10, 1982. Prior to retiring, she was the Director of Cardiovascular Neurology Department at Gnaden Huetten Hospital for 30 years, where Bonnie did the first stress test procedure for the hospital. She then continued to volunteer at the hospital for 14 years. Born in Chicago, Illinois, she was the daughter of the late Louis...

Rosalie Jones, 72, of Lehighton, died Thursday, May 3, 2018, in the Hospice Inpatient Unit of Lehigh Valley Hospital, Allentown. She was the wife of Rowland J. Jones. They celebrated their 27th wedding anniversary on July 28th. Born in Newark, NJ, she was the daughter of the late Wynne and Ophelia (Nardone) Adams. Prior to retirement, she was a technician for Verizon for 25 years. She was of the Catholic faith. Rosalie enjoyed embroidery. Surviving in addition to her husband are two sons,...

Alma J. Sterner, 85, of New Ringgold, died Tuesday, May 1, 2018, in Orwigsburg Center. She was the wife of the late Calvin Sterner who died May 4, 2009. She was a loving and dedicated wife, mother and grandmother, always diligent in providing for the needs of her family. Born in New Ringgold, she was the daughter of the late Stanley and Ida (Ely) Rausch. Alma was a member of Zion’s Stone Church of West Penn Township. She was a life member of the New Ringgold Fire Co. and their...

Doris M. Breiner, 77, of New Ringgold, died Friday, April 27, 2018, in St Luke’s Hospital, Bethlehem. She was the wife of LeRoy Breiner. They celebrated 37 years of marriage. Prior to retiring, she was employed as a sewing machine operator at Classtex Mills, Orwigsburg, the former Scotty’s Fashion and Tom’s Sportswear, Lehighton, and self-employed with her own company, BT Fashions. She also was employed as a forklift operator for DSC Logistics, Breinigsville, and as a...

Anna M. “Polly” Edmonds, 91, of Tamaqua, died Friday, April 27, 2018, in St. Luke’s Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Coaldale. Prior to retiring, she was an au pair for most of her life. Born in Owl Creek, she was the daughter of the late Howard N. and Marie (Robertshaw) Oliphant. She was a member of St. John’s UCC, Tamaqua. She was preceded in death by a son, Raymond, a daughter, Evelyn and a sister, Freida Geraldine Zakarosky. Polly is survived by two sisters,...