Obituaries

Jan 7, 2025

Patrick McCartney Jr., 71, passed away on January 7, 2025. Born on June 8, 1953, Patrick was a talented handyman with a gift for fixing and building anything. His faith in Jesus was a cornerstone of his life, and he held that close throughout his years.

Patrick found great joy in spending time with his grandchildren, Elora, Waylon, and Silas. He...

Jan 7, 2025

Peter Neil Zacharias of Wyomissing died in the Reading Hospital on January 7 after a short illness. He was the husband of Kristen (Longenecker) Zacharias, whom he married on July 10, 1971, and had met in 1955 when her family moved in across the street.

A seventh-generation Berks Countian, Pete was born on August 6, 1947, to the late Edwin H....

Jan 6, 2025

Harvey Daniel "Dan" Gechter, 88, passed away on January 6, 2025 surrounded by his loving family. He was the devoted husband of Evelyn (Kinkaid) Gechter. They shared 69 wonderful years together.

Born in Reading, he was the son of the late Elmer and Evelyn (Bowen) Gechter. Dan graduated from Shillington High School, and proudly served in the Marine Corps. He also...

Jan 5, 2025

Richard J. Sweigart, 83, passed away on January 5, 2025, at the Reading Hospital. He was the husband of Jean R. (Horning) Sweigart.

Born in Brecknock Township, he was the son of the late Floyd S. and Florence A. (Stoner) Sweigart. Richard graduated from Cocalico High School in 1959 and the Reading Business Institute in 1961. He was employed in the...

Jan 5, 2025

Jack W. Holtzman, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away on January 5th, at the age of 74. Born to Ruth and Warren Holtzman, Jack grew up in West Reading, Pennsylvania, and was a proud member of West Reading High School Class of 1968.

Jack's love of sports was a defining aspect of his life. He was the owner of...

Jan 5, 2025

Denise "Dee" Joan (Van Note) Keevil, 69, of Exeter Township, passed away January 5, 2025, at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Bernville, PA.

She was the loving wife of David John Keevil for 49 years. They were together for 55 wonderful years.

Born in Sayreville, NJ, she was a daughter of the late Harry L. and Joan E. (Coursen) Van Note.

She was...

Jan 5, 2025

Molly Eliot Snyder

November 21, 2003 – January 5, 2025

Molly Eliot Snyder, a young woman of extraordinary beauty, strength, compassion, and courage, passed away unexpectedly on January 5, 2025, at the age of 21.

Born on November 21, 2003, Molly was the beloved daughter of Erik Snyder of Reading and Nancy Regennas (formerly Snyder) of West Lawn. She was a devoted younger...

Jan 4, 2025

Anne Marie (Wenger) Mills, 95, formerly of Wyomissing, passed away January 4, 2025, at Mahoning Valley Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Her husband, Robert J. Mills, Jr., died on December 30, 2011.

Born in Reading, she was a daughter of the late Raymond J. and Loretto (McCollough) Wenger.

She was a graduate of Central Catholic High School in 1946 and Rosemont College in 1950.

She...

Jan 3, 2025

William N. Koch, 81, passed away on January 3, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He was the beloved husband of Pauline (Recla) Koch. They shared 56 wonderful years together.

Born in Hazelton, PA, he was the son of the late Nicholas and Mary (Young) Koch. William received a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Lebanon Valley College, as well...

Jan 2, 2025

Thomas H. Miller, 90 years old, formerly of Shillington, PA passed away January 2, 2025, at Columbia Cottage in Wyomissing where he resided for the past two years.

Born in Reading, PA, he was the son of the late Harry H. and Alberta (Born) Miller. He was a 1952 graduate of Shillington High School and served in the U.S. Army 1952-1954...

Jan 2, 2025

Richard A. Weiherer, 79, passed away unexpectedly on January 2, 2025. He was the beloved husband of Mary Ann (Elias) Weiherer. They married on August 21, 1976 and shared 48 wonderful years together.

Born in Reading, he was the son of the late Richard L. and Josephine (Pinkus) Weiherer. Richard graduated from Reading High School in 1963, and earned his Bachelor...

Jan 1, 2025

Richard J. Wanner, 91, formerly of Spring Township, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, January 1, 2025, in his apartment at Phoebe Berks. He was the widower of Ann-Louise Wanner, who passed away on October 17, 2014.

Born in Greenwich Township to the late Jacob G. and Irene M. (Phillips) Wanner, Richard was the eldest of their four children. As a carpenter,...

Jan 1, 2025

Sophia (Sophie) Maria Katz passed away peacefully on January 1, 2025. Sophie was born in Reading, Pennsylvania on January 14, 1951, to Krisoula and James Nicholas Liopiros. She graduated from Reading High School in 1969 and remained a Reading resident her entire life.

After high school, Sophie began a 40-year career in banking, rising up through the ranks from a dollar...

Jan 1, 2025

Dr. Robert "Bob" Knight Brubaker, 94, of Bern Township, passed away at Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center on January 1, 2025. Born in Lititz, he was the son of Melvin Herr and Suie (Knight) Brubaker. Bob was the loving husband of Jane "J.D." (Iobst) Brubaker, with whom he shared 25 years of marriage, until her passing in December...

Dec 31, 2024

Gloria J. (Wagner) Matuszak, 99, passed away on Tuesday, December 31, 2024 at Berks Heim. She was the loving wife of Chester J. Matuszak, whom she married in 1945. They shared 67 years of marriage before his passing in 2013.

Born in Reading, she was a daughter of the late George and Irene (Knoll) Wagner and member of St. Mary's Roman...

Dec 30, 2024

Dec 29, 2024

Margie L. Arnold, 89, formerly of Hamburg, passed away on December 29, 2024 at Rittenhouse Village at Muhlenberg. Born in Houston, Texas, she was the daughter of William and Mary (Jirouschek) Serres. Margie was the loving wife of Gerald "Jerry" L. Arnold with whom she shared eleven years of marriage until his passing in 2013.

Margie was a 1953 graduate of...

Dec 29, 2024

Robert F. McCabe Sr., the patriarch of a family that grew to nine children, 37 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren, passed away on Dec. 29, 2024, at Keystone Villa, Blandon, Pa., at the age of 93.

Born on June 13, 1931, in Brooklyn, N.Y., his life was a testament to the power of his Catholic faith, love for and devotion to family...

Dec 28, 2024

Sharon L. (Umbenhouer) Fichthorn, 72, passed away on Saturday, December 28, 2024 at St. Joesph's Medical Center. She was the widow of the late Thomas C. Fichthorn. They got married in 1972 and shared 46 wonderful years before his passing.

Born in Reading, Sharon was the daughter of the late William and Esther (Young) Umbenhouer. She graduated from Muhlenberg High School....

Dec 28, 2024

Mark J Powers Jr, 81, passed away at home in Strasburg VA, December 28, surrounded by family and friends. He will be buried in Gethsemane Cemetery alongside his late brother Stephen.

He is survived by his wife Dianne, son David, and loving grandchildren Nicholas and Allison, and his sisters Patricia, Michelle and brothers John, and David.

The son of Alice and Mark...