Hazleton Obituaries

Debra Ann Matz

age 66

Debra Ann Matz, of Mt. Top, formerly of Freeland and Hazleton, passed away at her home on Monday evening.

Evelyn Yackanich (Petruska)

age 94

Evelyn Yackanich, formerly of Beaver Meadows, passed away peacefully at Edgeworth Park.

Michael E. Hadzick

Died October 27, 2026 · age 75

Michael E. “Buckwheat” Hadzick of Weatherly passed away peacefully with his children by his side.

Randall W. Skuba

Died October 25, 2026

Randall W. Skuba passed away surrounded by his family at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Hazleton.

Joyce C. Sasso

Died October 25, 2026 · age 77

Joseph A. Moran Funeral Home Inc.

Joyce C. Sasso of Leesport, PA, passed away at Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center after a brief illness.

Mary Theresa Nilo

Died October 24, 2026

Mary Theresa Nilo passed away on Saturday, October 24th.

Andrew Michael Lucas

Died October 20, 2026 · age 73

Andrew Michael “Mike” Lucas, of Zion Grove, passed away at Geisinger Medical Center.

David L. Thomas, Jr.

Died October 21, 2026 · age 66

David L. Thomas Jr, of Sugarloaf, passed away peacefully at Lehigh Valley Hospital.

Alvin ‘Butch’ Schlauch

Alvin 'Butch' Schlauch of Zion Grove has passed away.

Donald J. 'Don' Spevak, Sr.

June 21, 1954 – October 23, 2026

Donald J. "Don" Spevak, of Sheppton, passed away suddenly.

Melanie R. English

Died October 22, 2026 · age 64

Melanie R. English of Mifflinville passed away at her home on Thursday, October 22, 2026.

David John Pesansky

Died October 20, 2026 · age 75

David J. Pesansky of Sugarloaf, PA, passed away following a brief illness.

Kathleen A. Shaw

January 9, 1957 – October 20, 2026 · age 69

Kathleen A. Shaw of Rock Glen passed away at her home.

Emma Jean Doyle

Died October 19, 2026 · age 86

Emma Jean Doyle passed away at the home of her daughter.

Marie Susan Wolk

Died October 19, 2026 · age 90

Marie Susan Wolk of Sugarloaf passed away early Monday morning.

Louise Charlotte Frances Chesonis

Died October 18, 2026 · age 91

Louise Charlotte Frances Chesonis of Lake Placid, Florida, passed away on Sunday, October 18, 2026.

Salvador A. Gaudiano, Jr.

age 80

Joseph A. Moran Funeral Home Inc.

A resident of Farragut, Tennessee, he passed away on July 7 while in hospice care.

Pamela M. Avillion

Pamela M. Avillion was known as "Pammy" to her family.

Caroline Eleanor (Pytell) Drozda

Caroline Eleanor Drozda was a resident of Providence Place Senior Living in Drums, PA.

Joseph J. ‘Fuzzy’ Luchetta

Died October 15, 2026 · age 75

Joseph “Fuzzy” Luchetta of Kelayres passed away at his residence.

Josephine M. Derr

Died October 15, 2026 · age 88

Josephine M. Derr of Hollars Hill, Hazle Twp., passed away Thursday at The Manor at St. Luke Village.

Wayne E. Hildebrand

age 80

Joseph A. Moran Funeral Home Inc.

A resident of Sybertsville and native of Hazleton, he passed away at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Hazleton.

James M. Tempest

age 77

Joseph A. Moran Funeral Home Inc.

A Hazleton resident born in Baltimore, he passed away at the Laurels following a battle with cancer.

Angelo A. Cusatis Jr.

age 94

Joseph A. Moran Funeral Home Inc.

A former Hazleton resident and member of Our Lady of Peace Parish, he passed away at his daughter's home.

Robert P. Palermo

age 85

Joseph A. Moran Funeral Home Inc.

Born in 1941, the Sugarloaf resident passed away at Geisinger Wyoming Valley.

Salvador A. Gaudiano

age 80

Joseph A. Moran Funeral Home Inc.

A Farragut, Tennessee resident who passed away in hospice care on July 7.

Peggy Ann Gallagher

age 81

Joseph A. Moran Funeral Home Inc.

A Hazle Township resident born in Hazleton, she passed away at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest.

Robert B. Novatnak, Sr.

Died October 11, 2026 · age 83

Robert B. Novatnak, Sr. of Brandonville passed away on Sunday afternoon at the Lehigh Valley-Hazleton facility.

Michael J. Tarselli

Died October 7, 2026 · age 48

Michael J. Tarselli was a resident of Hazleton, born to Thomas Tarselli.

David M. Pikna

Died October 13, 2026 · age 75

David M. Pikna, originally of Conyngham, PA, passed away unexpectedly in Melbourne, FL.

Barbara A. (Swiech-Stefanik) Berger

Died October 9, 2026 · age 84

Barbara A. Berger was formerly of Hazleton and McAdoo. She entered into eternal rest on Friday.

Thomas J. Chirico, II

Died October 9, 2026

Thomas J. Chirico II of Drums passed away Friday evening at Lehigh Valley Hazleton Hospital.

Denise Wincz

Died September 29, 2026

Denise Wincz was called home to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on September 29, 2026.

Joan M. Varilla

Died October 11, 2026 · age 88

Joan M. Varilla, of Ridgefield, Connecticut, passed away peacefully.

Walter Dietrich Haentjens, Jr.

Died August 20, 2026 · age 76

Walter Dietrich Haentjens, Jr. resided in Fernandina Beach, FL and was formerly of Sugarloaf, PA.

Joanne D. Bard

Died October 7, 2026 · age 96

Joanne D. Bard of Hazleton was born in Easthampton, MA. She passed away on Wednesday evening.

Joan C. Kochin

Died October 6, 2026 · age 87

Joan C. Kochin of Weatherly, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully on Tuesday.

June Virginia Adams

Posted October 9, 2026

June Virginia Adams was a resident who passed away, remembered for a life well lived.

Catherine Capriotti

Died October 3, 2026 · age 90

Catherine Capriotti of Hazleton, PA, passed away suddenly at Arnot Ogden Medical Center.

Joseph J. Radocha

Died October 2, 2026 · age 65

Joseph J. Radocha of Barnesville passed away in his home. He was the husband of Tina Albert.

Janice Payer Throne

Died October 3, 2026 · age 83

Janice Payer Throne of McAdoo passed away suddenly at her home.

Mary E. Kost

Died October 6, 2026

Mary E. Kost, formerly of Freeland, PA, passed away in Okatie, South Carolina.

Paul A. Levash

Died October 4, 2026 · age 80

Paul A. Levash was a resident of Hazle Twp.

John J. Mattie

Died October 3, 2026 · age 98

John J. Mattie resided at Providence Place, Drums and was formerly of McAdoo and Hazleton.

Patricia Ann Rodgers

Died October 2, 2026 · age 83

Joseph A. Moran Funeral Home Inc.

A resident of Mountain Top, she passed away on the afternoon of October 2, 2026.

Sue Ann Panzarella

Died October 1, 2026 · age 80

Sue Ann Panzarella was a resident of Pardeesville.

Dr. Albert Yenchick

Died October 1, 2026

Dr. Albert Yenchick passed away at home following cancer-related illnesses.

Linda J. (Fellin) Gould

Died September 30, 2026 · age 72

Linda J. Gould was a resident of Hazleton.

Barbara A. DeSpirito

Died September 25, 2026 · age 80

Joseph A. Moran Funeral Home Inc.

Born in New York, the Hazleton resident passed away on September 25th.

James Robert Lauffer

Died September 23, 2026 · age 91

James R. Lauffer, Ph.D., was a resident formerly of Bloomsburg and Catawissa, PA. He passed away peacefully at his home.

George J. Bozar III

Died September 10, 2026 · age 60

Joseph A. Moran Funeral Home Inc.

He passed away peacefully at home on September 10th.

Dominic J. Gaudiano

Died September 7, 2026 · age 78

Joseph A. Moran Funeral Home Inc.

Known to many as 'Coach G,' he passed away on September 7, 2026.

Sean Daniel Pilecki, Sr.

Died September 1, 2026 · age 59

Sean Daniel Pilecki, Sr., of Hamilton, MT, and formerly of White Haven, PA, passed away unexpectedly.

James William Carey

Died August 31, 2026 · age 82

Joseph A. Moran Funeral Home Inc.

A Hazleton resident who passed away on August 31st.

Squeen Denke

Died August 9, 2026 · age 76

Joseph A. Moran Funeral Home Inc.

She passed away on August 9, 2026, at the age of 76.

Robert A. Mistal

June 16, 1939 – July 9, 2026 · age 87

Robert Mistal, of Plantation, Florida, passed away at his residence.

Bernice Kapes Kimball

November 7, 1931 – June 23, 2026

Bernice Kapes Kimball was a woman of grace and vibrant spirit who passed away peacefully in her sleep.