02/17/2017
Grace R. Tamkus
Grace R. Tamkus, 89, of 1458 West Walnut Street, Coal Township, passed away Tuesday, February 14, 2017, at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville. Grace was born in the family home in Mount Carmel on February 12, 1928, a daughter of the late Mary (Matsko) and David Rowe.
Grace attended Lincoln School and Shamokin High School.
She was a Housewife and had worked for 10 years as a trimmer for Lark's Dress Company, Shamokin.
Grace was married on July 1, 1950, in St. Michael's Church Rectory, by Father Klemis, to William J. "Slim" Tamkus, who passed away on December 10, 2016.
She was of the Protestant Faith and also attended Catholic Church with her children. Grace belonged to the St. Joseph Church Ceramic and Craft Clubs for 50 years. Also at St. Joseph Church, she worked at social gatherings, the annual block party and was a Cub Scout Den Mother for 11 years under the late Lindy Yocum.
As Grace herself stated, "I love my family to no end". A loving Mom, she is survived by 2 sons, Jeffrey Tamkus and his wife Cheryl, of Shamokin, and Vincent Tamkus and his companion Diane Elliot, of Excelsior; a daughter, Jeanne (Tamkus) Chaundy and her companion John Firestine, of Shamokin; 6 grandchildren, Chad Tamkus, David Tamkus, Kim Lucas, Kelly Hanes, Trevor Tamkus and Randy Tamkus; and 10 great grandchildren, Ashley, Zack, Austin, Jack, Jonah, Tyler, Leea, Tate, Dalton and Ryan; 2 sisters, Ruth Rowe, of Coal Township, and Dorothy Tyson and her husband Elwood, of Elysburg; and 2 brothers, John B. Rowe, of Coal Township, and Richard J. Rowe, of Kansas; nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Charles Tamkus; a brother, David Rowe; and a sister, Ethel Jones.
Family and Friends are invited to call at the visitation on Monday from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at James Kelley Funeral Home, 1001 W. Arch St. at Maple Street, Coal Township. The Funeral Service will begin at 2:00 PM on Monday at the Funeral Home. Interment of her Cremains will follow the service at Northumberland Memorial Park, Sunbury. Arrangements have been entrusted to the James Kelley Funeral Home, James F. Kelley, Director, 1001 W. Arch St. at Maple Street, Coal Township.