Obituaries

Jan 7, 2017

Brian E. Hesser, 60, of Spring Twp., died January 7, 2017, in Reading Hospital.

His wife, Terry M. (Ketterer) Hesser, died June 18, 2007.

Born in Reading he was a son of the late Robert and Carolyn (Long) Hesser.

Brian was a graduate of Muhlenberg High School in 1974.

He was a claims adjuster last working for Geico.

Brian loved working on and fixing cars,...

Jan 6, 2017

Lois J. (Schlosser) Crabb, 90, formerly of Spring Ridge, Wyomissing, passed away peacefully January 6, 2017, surrounded by family.

Born in Wadsworth, IL, Lois was a daughter of the late Leo "Sandy" and Janet (Howard) Schlosser. She graduated from Warren Township High School in Gurnee, IL. Lois was employed by Great Lakes Naval Base starting in 1948. She was responsible for...

Jan 5, 2017

Jan 5, 2017

Martin Z. Petroski, 47, of West Lawn, passed away peacefully on January 5, 2017, at the Reading Hospital.

Born in Wilkes- Barre, he was the son of Raymond and Margaret (Fleming) Petroski.

He was a 1987 graduate of James M. Coughlin in Wilkes- Barre where he was a member of the orchestra and the band. He also took various classes at Drexel...

Jan 5, 2017

James Born Sr., 91, formerly of Wyomissing Hills, passed away January 5, 2017, at the Highlands of Wyomissing.

His wife, Lucy M. (Wolff) Born, passed away February 19, 2011.

He was very proud that he was born on St. Patrick's Day in 1925 in Lebanon, the son of the late George and Margaret (Kennedy) Born.

James was a veteran of the U.S. Navy...

Jan 3, 2017

George J. Toontas, 96, of Shillington, passed away January 3, 2017, at Berks Heim.

Born in Flint, MI, he was a son of the late James and Bharo (Sterebas) Toontas.

George worked for Jones Motor Company and Textile Chemical Company as a mechanic. He drove trucks all over the United States during his early days.

He was a member of Sts. Constantine and...

Jan 2, 2017

Patricia L. Reed, 69 of Laureldale died January 2, 2017 in the Wyomissing Health and Rehab Center. She was born in Shoemakersville and was the daughter of the late George M. Rubright, Sr. and Florence Mae (Boyer) Rubright Schaeffer. Pat was a 1965 graduate of Hamburg Area High School and a member of St. Luke's Church, Shoemakersville. Two sons; Jared...

Jan 1, 2017

Caroline Exas, 92, passed away January 1, 2017 in Country Meadows.

She was the beloved wife of John P. Exas, who died May 25, 2006.

Born in Reading, she was the daughter of the late Peter and Theodora (George) Daburlos.

Caroline was a 1942 Reading High School graduate.

She was a hair dresser, owning and operating her own business.

Caroline was a member of Sts....

Jan 1, 2017

Josephine M. "Peña" (Nigrelli) Janiszewski, 90, passed away January 1, 2017 in her Wyomissing residence.

She was the beloved wife of Frank E. Janiszewski, who passed July 2, 2010, with whom she shared 60 years of marriage.

Born in Reading, she was the daughter of the late Anthony and Maria (Gogluizza) Nigrelli.

Peña was a member of Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church, Reading...

Dec 31, 2016

Pauline V. Dalton, 73, formerly of Kutztown died December 31st in the Topton Lutheran Home. She was born in Tilden Township and was the daughter of the late Arthur and Mabel (Berger) Spatz. Services will be private. The Burkey & Driscoll Funeral Home, Inc., Hamburg is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.burkeydriscoll.com.

Dec 31, 2016

Richard A. Correll, born January 14, 1923, 93, of Keystone Villa at Blandon, passed away, Saturday, December 31, 2016, in Reading Hospital.

He is survived by his wife, Alvera N. (Digiustili) Correll.

Born in Reading, he was the son of the late LeRoy W. and Emma (Moyer) Correll.

Richard was a member of Calvary United Methodist Church, Berkshire Heights.

He was a U.S. Marine...

Dec 31, 2016

Kevin J. Compinski, 59 died December 31st, 2016 in the Reading Hospital. He was born in West Reading and was the son of the late Enick A. and Jane C. (Ebelhar) Compinski. Kevin was a 1975 graduate of Hamburg Area High School and proudly served his country in the United States Army. He last worked as a material handler for...

Dec 30, 2016

Arnold R. Klein, 85, of Wyomissing, passed away Friday, December 30, 2016, in Reading Hospital.

He was the beloved husband of Rose Marie (Urbanavage), to whom he was married to for 58 years.

Born in Hazelton, he was the son of the late Valentine and Helen (Frey) Klein.

Arnie graduated from Tamaqua High School and also attended Penn State University.

He was a U.S....

Dec 30, 2016

Carole E. Fake, 74, of Womelsdorf, passed away December 30, 2016, in the Reading Hospital.

She was the beloved wife of the late Ronald Q. Fake with whom she married June 26, 1965.

Born in Coopersburg, PA, she was the daughter of Mildred (Miller) Bean and the late Howard Bean.

She was a graduate of East Stroudsburg University, where she received a Bachelor's...

Dec 30, 2016

Marguerite V.  Zerr , 98, formally of Berks County passed away December 30th 2016 in Spokane, WA. where she resided for the past 20 years. She was the wife of Elmer  Zerr  who died in 1999. Survived by son Gerald  Zerr  husband of Barbara and daughter  Siri   Sonstegard . Other survivors include four grandchildren, three step grandchildren, seven great grandchildren,...

Dec 29, 2016

Hattie M. Wardman, 102, of Hamburg, passed away peacefully on Thursday evening. Born in Hamburg on April 25, 1914, she was the daughter of the late Carrie (Ely) and John Walters. Hattie graduated from Hamburg High School. She was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, Hamburg, where she sang in the choir. She proudly served her country in the...

Dec 29, 2016

Walter J. "Sonny" Kozlowski, 78, of Reading, passed away December 29, 2016, at Berks Heim.

Born in Reading, he was a son of the late John and Helen (Halka) Kozlowski.

He was a 1957 graduate of Central Catholic High School.

Walter was a U.S. Army veteran.

He was employed by IML Trucking Company and The Reading Eagle.

Walter was an avid life-long Yankees fan.

The family...

Dec 28, 2016

James G. Mengel, 76, of Shoemakersville, passed away in Lehigh Valley Medical Center Cedarcrest on Wednesday morning. Born in Jalappa on August 27, 1940, he was the son of Mabel (Seyfert) and J. Stanley Mengel. He attended Hamburg High School and was a member of Zion's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Shoemakersville. James was a plumber with local 690 of Philadelphia, where...

Dec 28, 2016

Patricia A. (Cowder) Smeal, 77, of Muhlenberg Township, passed away December 28, 2016, in the Reading Hospital.

She was the beloved wife of Ronald L. Smeal whom she married March 22, 1958.

Born in Lock Haven, she was the daughter of the late Otis W. and Wilma L. (Hendershot) Cowder.

Patricia was a graduate of Lock Haven High School and State Beauty School,...

Dec 27, 2016

George O. Loughin, 91, formerly of Glen Moore, passed away December 27, 2016 in the Zerbe's Sister Nursing Home.

He was the husband of the late Marion (Lichty) Loughin who died January 30, 2016.

Born in Downingtown, he was the son of the late George H. and Ola (Good) Loughin.

George was a veteran of The United States Army Air Corp serving during...