Obituaries

Sep 18, 2020

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved father, grandfather, brother, and

dear friend, Marshall Gene Ritchie, age 79, after succumbing to pneumonia in the Reading Hospital the

evening of September 18th.

Marshall "Gene" was born in Jonestown, PA, on March 20, 1941, to the late Marshall Arehart Ritchie &

Mary Susan (Barnhart) Ritchie, whom he dearly loved. He...

Sep 18, 2020

Eleni Lahaniatis passed away on September 18, 2020, in Dover, Delaware at the age of 76.

Daughter of Valasia and Stamati Hatzigeorgiou, Eleni was born in Rhodes, Greece.

She emigrated to the United States in 1970 with her husband and oldest son and settled in Reading, Pennsylvania where she worked as a seamstress in the thriving garment industry, and later owned and...

Sep 17, 2020

Joseph Leo "Joe" Gross peacefully joined his beloved Betty, his wife of 58 years, in heaven on Thursday, September 17, surrounded by his loving family.

Joe was the proud and devoted father of seven, grandfather of 19, and great-grandfather of four.

Born May 22, 1924, Joe was the son of the late Leo A. and Catherine E. (Christel) Gross.

He was a 1943...

Sep 17, 2020

Michael H. Shanaman, 72, passed away September 17, 2020, in his Laureldale residence.

He was the companion of Donna M. Schmeck for over 20 years.

Michael was the son of the late Henry and Margaret (Walker) Shanaman .

After graduating from Conrad Weiser High School he entered the U.S. Army serving during the Vietnam War.

He worked as a courier at Bearings Inc &...

Sep 17, 2020

Helen Koenig, 103, widow of Otto Koenig, passes away Thursday, Septmenber 17, 2020 at her residence.

She was a daughter of the late Harry and Katherine (Lightenburger) Hartwig.

Helen is survived by two sons; Richard Koenig and wife Ellen, Gary Koenig with partner Mary Eckel, a daughter-in-law Joyce Koenig. Six grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

She is predeceased by one son, John...

Sep 16, 2020

Dorothea (Motyko) Umstead, 85, widow of Richard Leroy Umstead, passed away Wednesday, September 16, 2020 at Parkhouse Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

She was a daughter of the late Andrew and Mary Matyko.

She is survived by a son Michael Umstead, husband of Suzanne. A daughter Kim McCabe, grandchildren Megan Ashlie Jones, wife of Taylor Jones, Michael Jacob Umstead, Collin, Kyle and Maddie...

Sep 16, 2020

Scott W. Szmanski, 50, passed away on September 16, 2020.

Scott was a sensitive, compassionate and caring soul. Scott, who was fondly known as Shemp, was loved by everyone who knew him. He had a big heart and loved making people laugh and helped anyone in need. Scott loved music and traveled with friends all over the country to see his...

Sep 15, 2020

Sherry L. (Stewart) Staples, 51, passed away Tuesday, September 15, 2020 at Suburban Woods Health and Rehabilitation Center, Norristown.

She was a daughter of the late Eugene Jackson and Peggy (MacWilliams) Stewart.

Sherry was a loving daughter and sister. She was known for living her life to the fullest.

Left behind to cherish her memory are her mother, Peggy; brother, David Stewart and...

Sep 14, 2020

Laurie E. Stevens, 78, passed away, September 14, 2020, in Wyomissing Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Born in Reading, she was the daughter of the late Atty. John B. and Anna May (Diefenderfer) Stevens.

Laurie was employed by Threshold, where she previously resided.

She is survived by her three siblings, John B. Stevens III, Oley; Garrett B. Stevens ,MD; and Mary Ellen Breidegam, Shillington....

Sep 14, 2020

David E. Shomo, Sr., 84, of Birdsboro, passed away on September 14, 2020.

His wife, Barbara (Dmochowski) Shomo, died on May 13, 2009.

Born in Reading, he was a son of the late Robert and Ida (Sweitzer) Shomo.

He was a graduate of Muhlenberg High School and Penn State University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in engineering.

David was employed by AT&T. He...

Sep 14, 2020

Christina L. Bickhart, 93, passed away September 14, 2020 at Reading Hospital.

Her husband, B. Harris Bickhart, Jr. passed away in 2008. They were married for over 60 years.

Born in Pottstown, she was a daughter of the late Gustave and Mary (Snyder) Pusch.

She graduated from Spring City High School in 1945.

For over 50 years she was an AVON sales representative.

Christina was...

Sep 14, 2020

Joan J Calvaresi, 87, of Shillington passed away on September 14, 2020, at Reading Hospital.

She is survived by her loving husband Mario Calvaresi.

Born in Shillington, she was a daughter of the late John M., Sr. and Mary E. (Ebbert) Body.

Joan graduated from Reading High School in 1950.

She was a chief file clerk in the corporate office of Exide Battery. She...

Sep 13, 2020

Marie Louise (Harter) Simon, 58, of Whitfield, passed away suddenly Sunday, September 13, 2020 in the care of Reading Hospital. She was the loving wife of Donald E. Simon, Jr., whom she married October 13, 2013.

Born in Lebanon, she was a daughter of Thomas Harter and Mary (Agresta) Harter.

Marie attended St. Ignatius Loyola Roman Catholic Church.

She graduated from Wyomissing High...

Sep 12, 2020

Rosemarie Hero, 74, of Hamburg, passed away, Friday, September 11, 2020, at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest.

She was the beloved wife of Joseph Hero.

Born in Bethlehem, she was the daughter of the late John Reese.

Rosemarie was a graduate of Liberty High School, Bethlehem.

She was employed as an equipment manager at Construction Fasteners and also as an assembly line worker at Wissahickon...

Sep 12, 2020

Sep 11, 2020

Rosemarie Hero, 74, of Hamburg, passed away, Friday, September 11, 2020, at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest.

She was the beloved wife of Joseph Hero.

Born in Bethlehem, she was the daughter of the late John Reese.

Rosemarie was a graduate of Liberty High School, Bethlehem.

She was employed as an equipment manager at Construction Fasteners and also as an assembly line worker at Wissahickon...

Sep 10, 2020

Magdalena Horner, 90, of West Lawn passed away Thursday, September 10th, 2020 in the care of Reading Hospital. She was the widow of Andrew Horner, Sr., who passed away November 10, 2010.

Born in Brestovac, Serbia (former Yugoslavia), she was the daughter of the late Nicholas and Marie (Graff) Werner.

Magdalena was a member of Sacred Heart Parish.

Magdalena worked as a seamstress...

Sep 10, 2020

Lynn Marie (Hyland) Kaspy, 56, passed away in her home on Thursday, September 10, 2020, surrounded by her family and friends. She battled colon cancer for the last several years. She was born in McKeesport on December 18, 1963, a daughter of Roseann (Dumic) Hyland and the late Thomas F. Hyland, Jr.

Lynn was employed with Can Corp. of America as...

Sep 10, 2020

Pearl "Paras Keva" Kalin, 89, wife of the late Peter Kalin, passed away Thursday, September 9, 2020 at Seasons Hospice at Phoenixville Hospital.

She was a daughter of the late Onysyp and Anna (Tomko) Spinka Sr.

Pearl is predeceased by nine brothers, eight sisters, a daughter Susan Moore, a son Peter Kalin Jr., one grandchild, Adam Leamy.

Surviving is a daughter Anastazia Leamy,...

Sep 7, 2020

Jeanne Kathleen (Lorah) Scheneman passed away on Monday, September 7, 2020. She was married for 63 years to the late William A. Scheneman, who passed away on November 12, 2009.

Born in Reading she was the daughter of the late Lester Kinsey Lorah and Kathryn (Rothenberger) Lorah.

She graduated from Shillington High School in 1943, and studied the flute under John Fisher...