Loretta F. (Unger) Semmel

POTTSVILLE - Loretta F. Semmel, 79, of Pottsville, died Monday morning at the Rest Haven Nursing Center, Schuylkill Haven. Born in Suedberg, PA, on March 15, 1930, she was a daughter of the late Herbert and Caroline Koons Unger. She graduated from Pine Grove High School. She was also certified as a travel agent, working for Liberty Travel until retiring in 1992. She was married to the late Raymond Semmel, who died in 1992. She was a former member of the Outwood Lutheran Church, Suedburg, and also a former member of the Trinity Lutheran Church, Pottsville. Loretta was a member of the Schuylkill County Fair Association. She also was a member of the Pine Grove Antique Car Club and the National DeSoto Club. Loretta was active in the United Cerebral Palsy, in Pottsville. Surviving Loretta are: a son, Dwain G. Semmel, widow of Sharyn, Hamburg; a daughter, Yolanda L., wife of Ronald Pratt, Bethlehem; a sister, Viola Schwalm, Lebanon; four grandchildren, Daniel Hower, Brandon Hower, Jeffrey Semmel, Tracey Semmel; five great grandchildren, DeLana Hower, Faith Hower, Connor Semmel, Douglas Semmel, and Mason Semmel; several nieces and nephews; her friend and companion, Harvey Reedy, Pottsville. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by: six brothers, William, Paul, Solomon, Clayton, Russell and Charles Unger; and five sisters, Helen Behney, Elizabeth Ditzler, Irene Strubhar, Roxie Unger, and Lilly Sterner. A memorial service will be held on Thursday at 11:00 AM from the Schlitzer Allen Pugh Funeral Home, Inc., 6th & W. Market St., Pottsville, with the Reverend James Fidler officiating. Family and friends may call from the funeral home Thursday from 10 AM until time of service. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to: the United Cerebral Palsy / Avenues, Avenues Agricultural Park, Park Street Pottsville, PA 17901.