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• Upper Bucks Free Press • September 2014
~Obituaries~ JOHN EDWARD “TEDDY” SHELMIRE, 83, of Milford Township died July 30, 2014 in Belle Haven Nursing Home. Born in Neshaminy, Pa he was the son of the late Paul C., Sr. & Florence (Bussinger) Shelmire. Teddy helped with general labor at the Shelmire Farm. In his earlier years he worked part time for the former Quakertown Livestock Auction. He was a former member of Clover Leaf Archery Club in Milford Township. He was a member of St. John’s U.C.C. in Richlandtown. Teddy is survived by several nieces and nephews. Predeceased by a two brothers, Paul, Jr., and Donald, three sisters Flora Jane Schwager, Barbara Lewandowski, and Sylvia Bleam. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to St. Johns U.C.C. P.O. Box 356 Richlandtown, PA 18955. LEO A. EVERETT passed away on July 30, 2014 at the age of 90 in his home in Ottsville, PA from complications of Alzheimer’s disease. Leo was born to Leo and Katherine in Wilkes-Barre, PA on Decemeber 23, 1923. As a child he shared many a good times with his siblings Marie, Donald and Dorothy which have all predeceased him. As a young man, he grew amidst The Great Depression which left an indelible mark on him, giving him an appreciation for economic stability. After graduating from high school he enlisted in the Army. Discharged honorably after World War II and he used his GI benefits to attend and graduate from Penn State University with a degree in engineering. His career took him and his family to numerous states, NJ, MD, VA,GA,PA. In addition to being a loving father and husband, those who knew Leo will recall his easy going personality, his ever-present smile and wonderful sense of humor. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 64 years Frances. He is survived by his eight children, William Everett of Hackettstown, NJ, Danny Everett of Harrisburg, PA, Denise
Henderson of Boston, VA, Leo Everett of Richlandtown, PA, Anita Kafka of Denver, CO, Kathy Everett of Ottsville, PA, Joyce Everett of Revere, PA and Virginia Everett of Revere, PA and 11 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. The family would like to thank his daughter Kathy for her love and care of their father for his last several years and all the wonderful people who provided Hospice care for Leo. MICHAEL J. PETRECCA, 52, of Quakertown, previously of Hatfield, died Sat. Aug. 9 in St. Luke’s –Quakertown Hospital. He was the loving husband of Deborah “Debbie” L. (Koennecke) Petrecca for the past 22 years. He was chef and owner of the former Mama Mia Restaurants in Lansdale & Quakertown. Born in Philadelphia he was a son of Diana (Forte) Petrecca of Hatboro and the late Anthony Petrecca. He attended Morningstar Fellowship, Quakertown and found peace with God one and a half years ago. He was the loving father of Nikita, Anthony, & Taryan, loving grandfather of Nathan & Victoria, brother of Erminio “Herman” Petrecca, wife Janice Joy of Horsham and Assunta “Susan” Baldwin, husband Mark of Glenside. Memorial contributions in his name may be made to the Petrecca Family Foundation, 120 Charles Lane, Hatboro, PA 19040. THOMAS J. MOORE, 67 , Quakertown passed away Tuesday, August 12th, 2014 at home. A native of Philadelphia, he was the son of the late Samuel and Frances (McAnany) Moore . He joined the US Air Force at age 17 and served for over 30 years before being placed in the US Army reserves. He served during the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm. His service was recognized by being
awarded the Meritorious Service Medal and USAF Certificate of Commendation for Desert Storm. He was recognized by the PA House of Representatives for his Military Service. Surviving are his son Brian of Telford, Daughter Jennifer of Quakertown, & sister Frances Lloyd of Holland. Donations can be made in his name to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517,Topeka, Kansas 66675. WILLIAM RICHARD LABOSKI, 73, died August 16, with his family by his side, at his home in Quakertown. Bill was born June 25, 1941, in Scranton. He was the son of the late William Labosky (Wladimir Lubowitsky) and Lillian (Golod) Labosky. Bill graduated from Scranton Central High School where he was a standout athlete. He entered the United States Air Force in 1962 and served in the Philippines and England. He was honorably discharged in 1970 as a Staff Sergeant. Bill fulfilled his dream by entering the Pennsylvania State Police, where he served with distinction until his retirement in 1993. Following his retirement, Bill cofounded Professional Investigations, Inc. He then worked as a security officer at the Bucks County Courthouse and later served as the Chief of the Bucks County Park Rangers. Bill was twice elected to serve on the Quakertown Community School District School Board. Bill is survived by Elaine, his beloved wife of 48 years. They were married in Clapham, Bedfordshire, England and remained inseparable throughout their time together. Bill is survived by his four sons and seven grandchildren: David and his wife Donna (Vieczorek) of Macungie, and their children, Jacob and Max; Kevin and his wife Catherine (Stone) Quakertown, and their children Sam and Skyler; Gavin and his wife Kimberly (Kuykendall) of Chalfont, and their children Hannah and Alec; and Trevor and his wife Valerie (Bloodsworth) of Missoula, MT and their son Will. In lieu of flowers the family is requesting that donations be made to the Troopers Helping Troopers Fnd., 3625 Vartan Way, Harrisburg, PA 17110. STANLEY S. GODSHALL, 82, of Quakertown, died Sunday, Aug. 17 in the Hospice House of the VNA of St. Luke’s. He was the loving husband of Rebecca (Haberle) Godshall for the past 61 years. He worked as an automotive mechanic for various companies before retiring including G&F Ford, Farm & Home Oil, the Farm Bureau garage, and Cope’s Garage. Stan enjoyed the outdoors, hunting & fishing, and camping with his family. He was a fan of the Phila. Phillies and Eagles and followed Nascar racing. Born in Franconia Twp., Montgomery Co., he was the last living of nine children of the late Alvin & Susan (Springer) Godshall. He was a member of Calvary Bible Fellowhship Church, Coopersburg. Stanley served his country with the US Army during the Korean War. Surviving with his wife are a daughter, Linda Blimegger, husband Roy of Green Lane; sons, Ronald of Hatfield, Leonard, wife Brenda of Telford, Kevin, wife Laurie of Gilbertsville; daughter- in- law, Deb, of Coopersburg, wife of predeceased son, Barry; 11 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren. Memorial contributions in his name should be sent to the American Lung Assoc., PO Box 4029, Easton, PA 18043. MAE GROH MANN, 92, of Quakertown died August 17, 2014 in Life Quest Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, Quakertown. She was the wife of the late Willard C. Mann, Sr. Born in Richland Township, she was the daughter of the late Edwin & Florence (Shearer) Groh. She spent her life as a homemaker for her late husband and son. Mae enjoyed watching the deer and other wild animals and looked forward to seeing the first robin in the spring. She was a longtime friend of Rock Wild Union Sunday School in Sellersville and was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Quakertown. She is survived by a daughter in law Shirley Mann, and several nieces and nephews. Predeceased
by her son Willard C. “Skip” Mann, Jr., a sister and four brothers. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to Rock Wild Union Sunday School 2408 Old Bethlehem Pike, Sellersville, PA 18960. JOHN P. MINARIK passed away, with his family by his side, on August 21, 2014 at the age of 100. He was predeceased by his parents and six brothers and sisters. John was born on March 28, 1914 in Bethlehem, PA., the youngest of seven children of Stefan and Katrina Minarik, who immigrated to America from Slovakia. He was raised on a farm in Richlandtown, married the love of his life, Pamela Fraser, and together they had three sons. The couple recently celebrated their 74th wedding anniversary, and this past March, John’s family held a 100th birthday party-family reunion for him. John and Pamela enjoyed gardening, vacationing at the New Jersey shore, and spending time with family. Those surviving him, who will miss him dearly , are wife, Pamela; sons, Perry and wife Susan, Thomas S. and wife Mary Ellen, and Bruce D.; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Memorial Contributions to be made to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation, PO Box 515, Northampton, MA 01061 and/ or St. Luke’s Hospice, 801 Ostrum Street, Bethlehem, PA 18015. SHIRLEY A. (HERTZOG) RIU, 77 of Coopersburg passed away Friday, August 22, 2014 at Lehigh Valley Hospital Cedar Crest after a prolonged illness. She was the wife of Raymond A. Riu. They celebrated 59 years of marriage in January. Born in Allentown, she was a lifelong resident of Coopersburg and spent many years as a department manager at Hess’s Department Store in Quakertown. A compassionate and loving person, she was an expert seamstress and talented artist who also created juried arts and crafts. She enjoyed taking trips with her husband Raymond to places such as Las Vegas, the Smoky Mountains, Nashville, Maine and Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade. She also enjoyed lunches with her girlfriends, Musikfest, weekend trips to Lancaster and spending time with her daughter, son in law and grandchildren. She was a member of St. John’s UCC, Coopersburg. Survivors: In addition to her husband Raymond she is survived by her daughter Sharon, son in law Brian and grandchildren Stefanie and Andrew. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to either Animals in Distress, Coopersburg or the Humane Society of Allentown. ANDREA KEEGAN HAMMEL, 88, of Coopersburg, Pennsylvania passed away peacefully in her sleep on Friday, August 22, 2014. She was the loving wife of Robert A. Hammel who passed away in 1982. Born in Quakertown she was the daughter of the late Mary Berninger Keegan and the late Andrew Keegan Sr., and sister to ten siblings. Alexander Keegan, Mary Keegan McColley, James Keegan, Andrew Keegan, Francis Keegan, Bernadette Keegan preceded her in death. She is survived by her daughters Diane E. Horst and Jeanne M. Lund both of Coopersburg; granddaughter Gabrielle A. Hine wife of Edward T. Hine of Virginia Beach, Virginia; grandson Timothy S. Horst husband of Leslie A. Horst of Pensacola, Florida; great-grandsons Edward McClintock Hine and William Keegan Hine; and four siblings Helen Stump, Catherine Wismer, Anna Musselman, and John Keegan. DIANE A WEAVER of Sellersville died Sunday, August 24, 2014 at Grand View Hospital, West Rockhill. She was 52. She is survived by son, Adam K. Weaver, of Sellersville. She was the daughter of Stanley E. Fitzgerald; preceded in death by her mother, Joan L. Fitzgerald. In addition to her father and son she is survived by two sisters, Brenda Trinka and Deborah Koons of Quakertown; 1 niece, Erin Kolb of Richlandtown; and 3 nephews, Eric Trinka of Harrisonburg, VA, Brian and Greg Koons of Quakertown. She was a homemaker; she served on the Ladies Auxillary of Sellersville Fire Company.