Dawn G. Woratyla

Dawn Rader Zukus Woratyla, 89, recently of Shrewsbury, NJ passed away on September 15, 2023. She was predeceased by her parents, Raymond and Lulla Rader, of Frackville, PA. Born in Ashland, PA, she lived most of her life in Frackville and Pottsville, PA. She is survived by her son Kerry Zukus, and his wife Amy, from Little Silver, NJ, as well as her grandchildren Ryan Zukus, New York City, and Jason Zukus and his wife Rachael, of Needham, MA. She was also blessed to have two great-grandchildren, Elijah age 2 ½ years, and Naomi age 3 months. In her final days, her greatest pleasure was seeing new pictures of Elijah and Naomi, both of whom she adored. 

She graduated from Frackville High School, class of 1951, and experienced great joy in planning class reunions with her classmates. She later went to McCann Business School in Mahanoy City, PA. She was the office manager of Metropolitan Mirror and Glass in Frackville from its inception to its closing, then worked at the Magistrate’s Office in Pottsville. But the center of her life was serving as the church organist and choir director for seventy years, starting as a teenager at St. Peter’s United Church of Christ in Frackville, co-founded by the Rader family, and then Evangelical United Methodist Church of Pottsville. Within those duties, what gave her the most fulfillment was working with children in her Junior Choirs, teaching many to sing for the very first time. 

She spent her final years at Brandywine at Sycamore Assisted Living in Shrewsbury, NJ, where she was so happy, not only for their gentle care and numerous activities, but also allowing her to be closer to her family.

Graveside service will be held on Saturday, September 23, 2023, at 10:30 am at Odd Fellows Cemetery in Frackville, followed by lunch at the Dutch Kitchen also in Frackville. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Dawn’s name to the Save the Music Foundation (savethemusic.org). Arrangements are under the care of James E. Humphrey Funeral Home, Pottsville.

Please share your memories and condolences with Dawn's family by signing the guest book at www.jehumphreyfuneralhome.com