Ruth J. Schenck, 92, of Sanatoga Ridge Community and formerly of East Coventry Township, died Tuesday, February 24th at the Pottstown Memorial Medical Center. She was the wife of the late William A. Schenck Jr.

Born in Reading, PA, she was the daughter of the late Raymond Sr. and Beulah (Krumbine) Ulrich.

Surviving is her daughter Mary Lou Slack, wife of Frederick W. Slack III of Birchrunville, PA; brother Dr. Richard G. Ulrich, husband of Virginia Ulrich of Harrisburg, PA; grandsons Jonathan, James, and Justin Schlegel. Also surviving are 6 great grandchildren, 4 great great grandchildren and her former son in law Joseph A. Schlegel. Along with her husband and parents, she is predeceased by her daughter Suzanne E. Schlegel; a brother Raymond Ulrich Jr.; and grandson Joseph Schlegel.

Ruth was a devoted member of Pughtown Baptist Church in Pughtown. Ruth was a mainstay when it came to volunteering for the making of “Nut Rolls” which was a past Holiday tradition for the church. She was a dedicated school teacher, teaching in the Owen J. Roberts School district. After retiring from teaching she became an active member in the Coventry Garden Group, Orion Group, and the Order of the Eastern Star.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 7, 11AM at Pughtown Baptist Church, 780 Pughtown Rd, Spring City, PA 19475. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ruth’s name to Pughtown Baptist Church at the above address or to the charity of one’s choice.

Joan G. (Gaughan) John, 74, wife of George W. John, of Gilbertsville, to who she was married to 54 years, passed away on Thursday at Parkhouse Providence Pointe Nursing Home.

Born in Philadelphia, PA, she was the daughter of the late Harold and Agnes (Quinn) Gaughan.

Surviving are children Michael W. John, Patricia J. Lawlor, wife of Kevin, of Gilbertsville, Kevin G. John, husband of Pam of Coopersburg, PA and Megan J. Marasco, wife of Vincent, of Berryville, VA.; and 14 grandchildren.

Joan was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Roman Catholic Church in Philadelphia.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, 10:30AM at Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Roman Catholic Church, Linfield Campus, 1228 Main Street, Linfield with Fr. Paul Brandt officiating. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, West Conshohocken. Friends may call on Tuesday from 9:30Am to 10:20AM at the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joan’s name to Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Building Fund, 1228 Main Street, Linfield, PA 19468 or Parkhouse Providence Pointe Residence fund, 1600 Black Rock Road, Royersford, PA 19468.

Mary Jane Tarczynski, age 70, of N. Washington St., Pottstown, died Tuesday in PMMC.

Born in Pottstown, she was the daughter of the late Frank A. and Helen (Swist) Tarczynski.

She enjoyed spending time with her friends having coffee at the east end McDonald’s in Pottstown.

Surviving is a son, J. Matthew Tarczynski, of Hershey Pa. and a daughter, Valerie J. Hackenberger, of Mifflintown, Pa.  Also surviving is a brother, Joseph Tarczynski, of Boyertown, in addition to four grandchildren.

Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Monday at Catagnus Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 711 N. Franklin St. Pottstown.  Burial will be in St. Aloysius New Cemetery, Lower Pottsgrove Twp.. Friends may call on Monday from 9:30 to 10:30 AM at the funeral home.

Contributions may be made in her memory to: American Heart Assoc., 625 W. Ridge Pike, Building A, Suite 100, Conshohocken, Pa.  19428.

Peter P. Ganovsky, age 92, husband of Vera (Kazmirchuk) Ganovsky, of Swamp Pike, New Hanover Twp., died Friday at PMMC. Born in Torrington Conn., he was the son of the late John and Pauline (Burica) Ganovsky. He worked at Dana Corp., in Pottstown for 43 years, before retiring in 1976.

He was a member of New Hanover Lutheran Church, Gilbertsville, where he served on the church Consistory. He was past chairman of the New Hanover Twp., Board of Supervisor’s, served on the Boyertown School Board for 22 years, and was a member of Boyertown Masonic Lodge #741, and a 32 degree member of Lodge Chapter Consistory, Scottish Rite, Valley of Reading.  He was also a member of the NRA, and a 40 year charter member of the Boyertown Lion’s Club, life member of the New Hanover Fire Co, Gilbertsville Fire Co., and the Sassamansville Fire Co.  He was a member of the Lower Pottsgrove Sportsmans Assoc., where he served as the hunter safety instructor for 35 years, along with being a member of the Lower Merion Gun Club, Boyertown Rod & Gun Club, Douglas Rod & Gun Club, Great Swamp Fish Game & Forrestry Assoc., past board member of the Board Directors of the American Red Cross, Pottstown, and Chairman of the Dana Corp. Retiree’s Pottstown. Hunting and fishing was his life, and what he enjoyed the most.

Surviving with his wife is a daughter, Roberta M. Ganovsky, of Gilbertsville, and a son, Robert L. husband of Carol (Epps) Ganovsky, of Royersford, along with a brother, Daniel W. Ganovsky, of Spring City, and a grandson, John Paul Ganovsky, of Pittsburgh, and three great grandchildren, Peter, Isabelle, and Alex Ganovsky. He was pre-deceased by two sisters, Esther Plotts, and Anna Grady, and a brother, John Ganovsky.

Funeral services will be 11 AM Tuesday in New Hanover Lutheran Church, 2941 Lutheran Rd., Gilbertsville, with the Rev. Thomas Lang, and the Rev. Susan Lynch, officiating. Burial will be in the Church cemetery. Friends may call on Tuesday from 10 to 11 AM, at the church. Masonic services will be held just prior to the church service.

Contributions may be made in his memory to: New Hanover Lutheran Church, Memorial Fund, 2941 Lutheran Rd., Gilbertsville, Pa.  19525.

Bruce A. Frame, 45, husband of Dorothy M. (Miller) Frame, of Pottstown, passed away on Friday at his residence after a long battle with cancer.
Born in Pottstown, he was the son of Frances (Kessler) Frame and the late Charles Frame.

Surviving with his wife and mother is son David Frame; daughter Christine Cooper, wife of Harold Cooper III; brothers Donald, Michael, and James Frame; sisters Barbara Miley and Doris Mohn; and grandchildren Cameron and Katelin Frame and Angela Cooper. Along with his father, he is predeceased by his brother Robert.

Bruce was a member of the Phillies Fire Company. He enjoyed working on his car, riding motorcycles and going to casinos. Bruce loved his work too.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, 10:30AM at Catagnus Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Inc., 711 N. Franklin Street, Pottstown. Burial will follow in Highland Memorial Park, Pottstown. Friends may call on Tuesday from 9:00AM to 10:20AM.

Dennis A. Stepsie, 59, husband of Charlene T. (Zyats) Ermold, of Pottstown, Lower Pottsgrove Twp., passed away on Wednesday at Meadow Springs in Plymouth Meeting.

Born in Pottstown, he was the son of the late Teofiel and Emma (Heckman) Stepsie.

Surviving with his wife is daughter Denise Bendinsky, wife of Leonard, of Pottstown; sisters Carole Moser of Boyertown and Marsha Moser, wife of Terry, of Oley. Also surviving are grandchildren Dustin Stepsie-Bendinsky and Cassidy Bendinsky, both of Pottstown; step daughter Sandra Renninger, wife of Darren, of Earlville; step grandchildren Nathan Dotterer and Tiffany Stoudt; several nieces and nephews and his best friend Jeff Delp. Along with his parents, he is predeceased by his brother Ronald Stepsie.

Dennis was a member of the Pikeville Sportsman Club and Friendship Hook and Ladder. He was affiliated with Pleasantville Inn being a son of the predeceased owners.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Feb. 28th, 11AM at Ark Bible Chapel, 88 Woodchoppertown Road, Boyertown with Pastor Karl Glick officiating. Burial will be private. Friends may call on Saturday, Feb. 28 from 10AM to 11AM at the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dennis’s name to Ark Bible Chapel, 88 Woodchoppertown Road, Boyertown, PA 19512.

Ira F. Bardman, 87, husband of Betty M. (Faut) Bardman, of Pottstown, passed away on Wednesday at his home. Born in Green Lane, PA, he was the son of the late Harry E. and Mary F. (Frederick) Bardman.

Surviving is son Dennis R. Bardman of Glen Bernie, MD; daughter JoAnn Bardman of Pottstown; brother Carl Bardman of Green Lane; sisters Miriam F. Kline of Telford, Grayce F. Sutton of Upper Providence, and Erma F. Knisley of Milford Twp. Also surviving are grandchildren Laura E. and Meghan P. Bardman, both of Glen Burnie, MD. Along with this parents, he is predeceased by his siblings Gladys, Henry, Ralph, Florence, James, Abner, Mary, Roger, Paul and Arnold.

Ira was a WWII Army veteran serving in the 8th Army Air Corps where he was a radio operator on a B17. During a mission, he was shot down over the Bay of Biscayne in France, captured and became a POW for 21 months in the German Prison Camp Stalag 17. He also flew in the famous air raid of Regensberg in Africa. Ira enjoyed bowling at Jay Lanes and collected model trains. He worked at the Super Fresh in both Pottstown and Phoenixville as a meat cutter until he retired in 1986. After retiring he took up house painting.

A funeral service will be held on Monday, 11AM at Grace Lutheran Church, 660 N. Charlotte Street, Pottstown, with Pastor Paul J. Xander officiating. Burial will follow in Highland Memorial Park. Friends may call on Sunday, from 3PM to 4:30PM at Catagnus Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Inc., 711 N. Franklin Street, Pottstown and on Monday from 10AM to 10:45AM at the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ira’s name to Tri County Home Care Hospice, 1600 East High Street, Pottstown, PA 19464 or Grace Lutheran Church, 660 N. Charlotte Street, Pottstown, PA 19464.

Dawn Elizabeth (Creasy) Boldaz, 79, wife of the late Paul J. Boldaz Jr., of Honey Brook, Chester Co, passed away on Tuesday at Brandywine Hospital.

Born in Berwick, PA, she was the daughter of the late Karl R. and Jennie A. (Shultz) Creasy.

Surviving are sons Charles Boldaz of Bradenton, FL, Joseph Boldaz of Glenmoore, PA; daughter Barbara Eves of Exeter, PA; and siblings Ray, Thelma, Mark, and Karl Jr. Also surviving are grandchildren Brandon, Austin and Cameron Boldaz and Donna and Monica Eves. Along with her husband and parents, she is predeceased by brothers David and Charles.

Dawn was an avid gardener and worked for both Firestone and the Valley Forge Hospital Commissary.  She helped out at the Pottstown Aircraft Operators Pilots Association Flyers Roost.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, 10:30AM at Catagnus Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Inc., 711 N. Franklin Street, Pottstown with Rev. Karen Creasy officiating. Burial will follow in Limerick Garden of Memories, Limerick PA. Friends may call on Friday from 6:00PM to 7:30PM and on Saturday from 9:30AM to 10:15AM at the funeral home.

Mary (Dolgert) Zwolak, 93, wife of the late John Zwolak, of Linfield, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 12th at Pottstown Memorial Medical Center.

Born in Philadelphia, PA, she was the daughter of the late Paul and Ksenia (Soltis) Dolgert.

Mrs. Zwolak is survived by her daughter Josephine and her three sons, John, Paul, and Larry. Along with her husband and parents, she is predeceased by her brothers Adolph and Stanley Dolgert.

Mary was a member of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, Linfield Campus.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, Feb. 20, 10:30AM at Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, Linfield Campus, 1228 Main Street, Linfield with Father Paul Brandt officiating. Burial will follow in St. Aloysius New Cemetery in Pottstown. Friends may call on Friday from 9:30AM to 10:20AM at the church.

Michael Kuszyk, 87, husband of the late Kathryn M. (Moser) Kuszyk, of Pottstown, owner of Kuszyk Well Drilling for 39 years, passed away on Sunday at the Southeastern Pennsylvania Veterans Center in Spring City.

Born in Pottstown, he was the son of the late Peter and Valeria (Roman) Kuszyk.

Surviving is a daughter Vicki L. Legutko, wife of Carmen, of Pottstown; a son Glenn A. Kuszyk, husband of Cheryl of Gilbertsville; sisters Mary Kaas and Anna Kusniez; brother Paul Kuszyk; grandchildren Robbie, Brian, Lauren, and Lindsey; and great grandchildren Gracie and Michael. Along with his wife and parents, he is predeceased by a son Kenneth M. Kuszyk.

Mr. Kuszyk was a WWII Navy veteran serving for 3 and half years. He served in lighter than air and on the USS Passaic in the Pacific. Mike was a member of the Pottstown Elk Lodge #814, Pottstown AARP, Pottstown Senior Center, Ringing Hill Fire Co., Sanatoga Fire CO., Gilbertsville Fire CO., and Gablesville AA Club.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, 11:00AM at Catagnus Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Inc., 711 N. Franklin Street, Pottstown. Burial will be in Highland Memorial Park. Friends may call on Thursday from 9:30AM to 11:00AM at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Michael’s name to American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718.

Walton F. Merkel, 94, husband of the late Grace G. (Gardner), of Pottstown, passed away on Wednesday at Coventry Manor in Pottstown.

Born in Pleasant Run, PA, he was the son of the late John F. and Verda (Harpel) Merkel.

Surviving is his daughter Gwendolyn M. Rothrock of Wind Gap, PA; grandchildren Mia Roth of Bradenton, FL and Tara Fister, wife of Matthew Fister, of Wind Gap, PA; and great grandson Myles Fister. Along with his wife and parents, he is predeceased by his sister Anna M. Merkel.

Walton owned and operated Merkel’s Used Car Exchange in Pottstown for Many Years. He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Pottstown.

A Graveside service will be held on Monday, 10AM at Highland Memorial Park, Pottstown.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Walton’s name to the First United Methodist Church, 414 E. High Street, Pottstown.