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RECENTLY DECEASED

-- 2025 --

30 May 2025


Olga Scheitlin Paoli, PA, 6 Jan 2025
Mary Legath Northampton, PA, 16 Jan 2025
Joseph Petersell Coplay, PA, 26 Jan 2025
Brigitta Smith Sayler Park, OH, 18 Feb 2025
Theresa Brendli Delray Beach, FL, 18 May 2025
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Olga Scheitlin (née Schneider)


Olga Scheitlin passed away peacefully on January 6, 2025 at the age of 88 at Paoli Hospital in Paoli, Pennsylvania with family by her side.

Olga was born in Rábafüzes (Raabfidisch), Hungary on January 27, 1936, to Gustav and Berta (Duld) Schneider. Her early childhood in Hungary came to an end at the close of World War II when the German family was displaced and forced to relocate to Wabern an der Paar, Bavaria, Germany. In 1949 the family emigrated to the United States, settling in New Paltz, New York.

Olga adjusted quickly to life in America. She spoke only a little English when she was introduced to her 8th grade class but was outgoing and well-liked by her peers. She was active in many clubs including cheerleading, dramatics club, school newspaper, yearbook committee and the high school sorority. She earned her High School diploma from New Paltz High School in 1954. Church life was central to the family and one Sunday morning Olga met the love of her life, her future husband, George Scheitlin, who was an intern pastor at Redeemer Lutheran Church. In 1955 they married and moved to Phoenix, AZ and then to Berkeley, CA where George completed his seminary studies at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary. Accepting calls at various churches over the years, they lived in New Jersey, Texas and Pennsylvania. Olga was active in the church, teaching Sunday school, singing in the choir and serving on parish committees. She also worked outside of the home for many years, but her longest tenure was with Chilton Research company, where she advanced from a phone representative to Supervisor and retired in 1999. Olga enjoyed traveling, classical music and opera, but was in her element when entertaining family and friends. She was a wonderful cook and baker, and an elegant and generous hostess. At Christmas time she was known for her cookies, which she baked and shared every year for many decades. Spending time with family and visiting with her two children and four grandchildren gave Olga the most joy. Family ski vacations in the Pocono's and at Vail, an epic road trip to the west coast and back, and a European driving vacation are just some of the memorable family trips. In later years she enjoyed watching her grandchildren growing up while visiting with them and vacationing at the beach, on ski trips and on the west coast. She was fortunate to have returned to her birthplace and childhood home twice in her life; once with her children and then again with grandchildren and was proud to introduce them to cousins and share stories of the early years that formed her. Olga was a member of St. Luke Lutheran Church in Devon, PA.

Olga was preceded in death by her parents and loving husband of 46 years, the Rev. George E. Scheitlin. Olga is survived by her daughter Marianne (Daniel) McLaughlin, son Mark (Cathy) Scheitlin, her grandchildren Dylan McLaughlin, Liam McLaughlin, Quinn McLaughlin, Andrea Scheitlin, and her sister Ingrid (Darrel) Sartin. She is also survived by her cousins Margaret (Frank) Seelman, Ella Holler and Elfi Duld and many other extended family members.

A service and interment will be at Lloyd Cemetery, Highland, New York later this year. Memorial contributions may be sent to St. Luke Lutheran Church, 203 North Valley Forge Road, Devon, PA 19333; Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, 2000 Center Street, Suite 200, Berkeley, CA 94704 or the Alzheimer's Association. To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

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Mary Legath (née Wölfinger)


Mary “Mitzi” Legath, 90, of Northampton, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 16, 2025, at LVHN 17th St. Inpatient Hospice. She was the wife of the late Ulrich J. “Rick” Legath, who passed away in 2008.

Born the oldest of three sisters in Pornóapáti (Pernau), Hungary, she was the daughter of the late Edward and Mary (Schmalzel) Wölfinger. The family was displaced to Germany following WWII and then immigrated in 1950 to the United States. Once the family settled in Northampton, she worked as a nanny in Allentown to help her family financially. After she married, she worked for many years in the garment industry and then part-time at the Northampton High School cafeteria.

She embraced her Austrian heritage by cooking and baking many traditional dishes, most notably stretch dough strudel. Mary enjoyed bingo, lottery, and gardening. She had a “green thumb,” taking great pride in her flower garden, plants, and an elaborate Christmas village display each holiday. Mary enjoyed many years of polka dancing and traveling with her husband. She was a member of Queenship of Mary Catholic Church in Northampton, Coplay Flower Club, and the Young at Heart Senior Group.

She is survived by her son, Richard and wife, Constance, of Bethlehem; daughter, Linda Wejkszner and husband, Allen, of Slatington; grandchildren, Jordan Legath (Marcella), Kellyn Legath, Taylor Wejkszner-Renner (Luke), and Brooke Wejkszner; great-granddaughter, Lillian Legath; and many nieces and nephews. Mary was predeceased by sisters, Pauline Macchia (2016) and Margaret Hudak (2022).

Services: A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, Jan. 24th at 11:00 a.m. in Queenship of Mary Church, 1324 Newport Ave., Northampton. Family and friends may gather on Friday morning from 10:15 a.m. until the time of Mass in the church. Interment will follow in Our Lady of Hungary Cemetery, Northampton. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be presented to the church in Mary’s memory. Online condolences may be offered at www.reichelfuneralhome.com/obituary/mary-legath-9196867.

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Joseph Petersell


Joseph Petersell, age 100, of Coplay, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 26, 2025 in Country Meadows, Bethlehem.
Born on January 24, 1925 in Northampton, Pennsylvania and raised in Sulz, Burgenland, Austria, he was a son of the late August and Agnes (Jandrisovits) Petersell.

Joseph was preceded in death by his wife, Theresa (Willwerth) in 2005.

He was employed as a beer brewer for Schaefer Beer in New York and Fogelsville until his retirement in 1992.

Survivors: Joseph is survived by his son, Steven and wife JoAnn; daughter, Kathy and husband Fred; grandchildren, Crissy and companion, Val, Freddy and wife Starr, David and companion Jess; great grandchildren, Destiny, Frederick IV, Harmony, Rocco, Reign and several nieces and nephews.

Services: family and friends may call on Sunday, February 2nd from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. in the Reichel Funeral Home, 326 E. 21st St. Northampton. Funeral service will follow at 5:00 p.m. in the funeral home. Interment will take place on Monday, February 3rd at All Faiths Cemetery, Middle Village, NY.

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Brigitta Smith (née Korner)


Brigitta M. Smith, of Sayler Park, Ohio, passed away on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at the age of 102.

Born in Oberloisdorf, Austria on October 8, 1922, she was a daughter of the late Anton and Elizabeth (Reiner) Korner.

Brigitta never met a stranger and truly loved helping others. She was a mother / grandmother figure to many in Sayler Park over the years and was adoringly known as "Mom" or "Grandma Geat". Brigitta volunteered at the Anderson Ferry Church of Christ Food Pantry up until the age of 95. She also really enjoyed reading and was well known by her local library staff.

Those left to cherish many wonderful memories of Brigitta are her children: John Smith, Kathy Smith, and Andy (Jill) Rosen; grandchildren: Dave Smith, Max Smith, Brooke Smith, Emily Smith, Brianna Rosen, Mac Rosen, and Brooke Rosen; great grandchildren: Kelsey Smith, Rebecca Bollinger, Krista Smith, and Jessica Doxsey; great great grandchildren: Kaitlyn Strack, Brayden Strack, Rowan Smith, Finn Smith, and Sara Bollinger.

Brigitta was preceded in death by her sons: Louis, Thomas, and Robert Smith; daughter-in-law: Sue Smith; grandson: Tony Smith; and great great grandson: Sebastian Smith.

Visitation will be held at Brater Winter Funeral Home, 138 Monitor Ave, Sayler Park, Ohio on Tuesday, February 25, 2025 from 10:30 am until the time of the funeral service at 12:30 pm. Burial to follow at River View Cemetery. Even in death, Brigitta wanted to help others. When planning her funeral, she requested NO FLOWERS to be sent, but instead memorial donations be made to Anderson Ferry Church of Christ.

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Theresa Brendli (née Klucsarics)


Theresa Brendli, born August 20, 1939, passed away peacefully in Delray Beach, Florida on May 18, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of love, faith, and devotion to family.

Born in Punitz, Austria, to the late Franz and Rosa (Marakovits) Klucsarics, Theresa immigrated to the United States on April 12, 1959.

Shortly after arriving, she met her beloved husband Stephen, a German immigrant. They married on September 24, 1960, and together they built a warm and loving home in New Jersey, raising three children.

Theresa always placed her family at the heart of her life. She often said that no amount of money could ever compare to the love of her family. A woman of deep Catholic faith, she was a longtime member of Holy Trinity Church in Passaic, New Jersey, where she served faithfully as secretary. She volunteered countless hours organizing church picnics, Weinfests (wine festivals), Fasching festivities, and other social events. She was especially involved in the Women's Society, where she built lasting friendships and served with dedication. Theresa also volunteered at Our Lady of Good Counsel School and Church in Pompton Plains, NJ. Proud of her Austrian heritage, she was an active member of the Kolping Society, the Burgenländer Society, and the Sathmar Society, joyfully honoring her roots through her culture and community. Choosing to retire at 80, she moved to Florida to enjoy time near her daughter, spending her days socializing by the pool and meeting new friends. She was a true people person and the life of the party, always bringing joy and laughter wherever she went.

She was predeceased by her devoted husband Stephen in 2000, and also by her siblings Joseph Klucsarics and Johanna Marth.

She was the beloved mother of: Richard Brendli and his wife Kim, Robert Brendli and his wife Linda and Linda Brendli. She was the cherished grandmother-affectionately known as "Omie"-to: Kristen Brendli and her husband Andrew, Katie Brown and her husband Chris, Natasha Brendli and Justin Brendli. She was also the adored great-grandmother to: Nicolas and Xavier. She was a loyal friend, a loving sister, and a treasured aunt to many nieces and nephews.

Her family holds dear the countless memories they shared with her-from bowls of her famous "Omie's Chicken Soup" to long afternoons playing Rummy, laughing, and enjoying each other's company. They now picture her joyfully dancing the polka or an Austrian waltz in heaven with her beloved Stephen, trusting that one day, they will all be together again. Theresa had a zest for life and a warm heart. Her family would love for Theresa to be surrounded by flowers during her service as a way to celebrate her life.

Visitation will be Thursday from 4-8 pm at Bizub-Quinlan Funeral Home, 1313 Van Houten Avenue, Clifton. Funeral Friday 9:15 am from the funeral home and 10:00 am at Holy Trinity RC Church, cor. Hope Avenue & Harrison Street, Passaic. Interment St. Mary's Cemetery, Saddle Brook. Please visit www.bizubquinlan.com to leave online condolences to Mrs. Brendli's family on the Tribute Wall of her obituary page.

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