Pottsville Republican from Pottsville, Pennsylvania • 3

POTTSVILLE (PA.) REPUBLICAN THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 1991 McartonWorldSe Michael Stetts Jr. Baltic violence spreads to ILatvia Leo J. Urbanowicz Leo J. Urbanowicz, 320 W. Chester Shenandoah, died this morning at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center.

Born in Shenandoah, he was a son I. 1 endorsed the bloody tank attack against a broadcast center in Lithuania early Sunday morning. That attack left 14 people dead. Many ethnic Russians, loyal Communists and others throughout the Baltics oppose the elected pro-independence governments of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. Of the three republics, Latvia has the highest proportion of ethnic Russians 37 percent of its population, The Kremlin annexed the Baltic states in 1940.

Moscow considers then-moves toward independence to be unconstitutional. President Mikhail S. Gorbachev on Wednesday responded to complaints about biased Soviet news coverage of the turmoil in the Baltics by suggesting the legislature take control of the national media. The lawmakers decided to have a committee and their leadership take unspecified measures to "ensure objectivity." In a protest over the Lithuania attack, Andrei Sakharov's widow asked the Nobel Committee to take back Sakharov's peace prize because she does not want his name "in the same row" as that of Gorbachev. In a statement to Nobel Committee head Gidske Anderson, Yelena Bonner said she did not want her late husband's name listed with Gorbachev as a peace prize laureate.

The Soviet leader won the prize last year; Sakharov was awarded it in 1975. Gorbachev has said he did not order the assault in Vilnius but endorsed its objectives. By Bryan Brumley Associated Press RIGA, U.S.S.R. A shooting death and a bombing in Latvia, on the heels of a violent crackdown in neighboring Lithuania, have raised fears of spreading violence in the Baltics. Pro-independence officials worry that the gulf war could provide a cover for a broad Soviet crackdown while the world's attention was focused elsewhere.

Addressing that concern, Latvian Vice President Dainis Ivans and Bro-nius Kuzmickas, the Lithuanian vice president, were scheduled to visit Washington today to seek meetings with the State Department. Meanwhile, a committee headed by Communist Party officials, military officers and Russian-speaking workers in Latvia called on the Soviet government to rescue them from being "hostages of a nationalist-bourgois dictatorships The Latvian Committee to Save Society, in a statement released Wednesday by one of its leaders, Alex-ei Litvenenko, said "armed bands of anti-Communist formation have been prepared" in Latvia. A bomb exploded at the society's Riga headquarters late Wednesday the latest in a series of non-lethal bombings but it caused no injuries and only minor damage, according to the Latvian parliament press center. The Latvian committee is similar in make-up and goals to the Committee for National Salvation, which I 1 if i ft Associated Press A Lithuanian woman, holding a picture of a man killed by Soviet troops in a military assault last Sunday, walks in front of his casket during a funeral procession in Vilnius Wednesday. break distance record Michael Stetts 500 Main St Morea Colliery, who has owned the former Stetts Cafe.

Morea. died Wednesday evening at home. Born in Morea, he was a son of the late Michael and Anna Da derko Stetts. He was a Navy veteran World War II, having served in the Pacific Theater. Mr.

Stetts had also been a miner working in regional collieries until retiring. He was a member of St. John the BaDtist Polish National Catholic Church, Senior Citizens, Englewood Fire Company and American Legion Post 398, all of Frackville, Mahanoy Citv Senior Citizens and Travelers Protective Association. A brother, Metro, died in 1984, and a sister, Mary Ericson, died in 1956. Surviving are his wife, the former Sophia Studlick, to whom he was mar ried 46 years; a son, Michael John, Jacksonville Beach, three daughters, Marcia Hessert, R.N., and Michele Shinn, both of Charleston, S.C., and Mai.

Deborah, Fort Meade, a brother, John, Linden, N.J.; four grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday at his church with the Rev. Edward Tomc- zyk officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.

Walukiewicz- Oravitz Fell Funeral Home, Shenandoah, is in charge of arrangements. Eleanor P. Laing Eleanor P. Laing, 79, of 213 Wiconisco Muir, died Wednesday afternoon at home. Born in Tremont, she was a daughter of the late Harry and Mertle Jones Hand.

Her husband, Norman, died in 1965. Surviving are a daughter, Dorothy Fetterhoff, Muir; a brother, Robert Miller, Reinerton; a sister, Joyce Ponti, Steelton; four grandchildren; ,10 great-grandchildren; four great-great grandchildren. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday from the Chapel of Corl Funeral Homes Tower City. Elder Paul Frantz of Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, Tremont, will officiate.

Interment will be in Fairview Cemetery, Muir. John Farenish John Farenish, 73, of 1123 Laurel-wood Road, Pottstown, died Tuesday night after a brief illness. Born in Pottsville, he was a son of the late Michael and Mary Polivchack Farenish. lie was an Army veteran of World War II. Mr.

Farenish was a crane operator for 30 years at the former Bethlehem Steel Pottstown. retiring in 1976. He was a member of St. Thomas More Roman Catholic Church, American Legion, Holy Trinity Club, Mana-tawny Association and Goodwill Fire Company, all of Pottstown, and Pottstown I Preceding him in death were two sisters, Mary Androschick and Sophie Tarintino. Surviving are his wife, the former Mae Flood, a New Philadelphia native; a son, John Michael, Burke, a brother, Michael, Pottstown; four sisters, Susan Pawlowski, Ann Fleming, Marge Tuddu and Bertha Farenish, all of Pottsville; a granddaughter.

Services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday from Houck Funeral Home. Charlotte and Grace streets, Pottstown. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. at St.

Thomas More Church. Interment will be in St. Aloysius New Cemetery, Pottstown. (Other obituaries on page 16) Balloonists By Eric Talmadge Associated Press TOKYO British billionaire Richard Branson and his Swedish copilot broke their own distance record for hot-air ballooning today while fighting low fuel supplies in pursuit of an unprecedented trans-Pacific crossing. At 2 p.m.

(midnight EST) Branson and partner Per Lindstrand were 695 miles west of Vancouver, British Columbia, and could reach land later today if conditions remain favorable, project officials said. They were 5,280 miles from Miya-konojo, the southern Japan town they left Wednesday, far surpassing the distance record of 3,075 miles they set in 1987 in a crossing of the Atlantic. State salary hikes take effect Branson and Lindstrand also set a hot-air ballooning speed record of 198.8 mph, breaking a record of 180.9 mph they set Wednesday after hitching a ride on the jet stream. Branson, founder of Virgin Atlantic Airways and Virgin Records, and Lindstrand, an accomplished balloonist and originally hoped to land in Utah, Idaho or Wyoming. But on Wednesday, project officials at the launch site said 30 percent of the balloon's propane fuel had been inadvertently jettisoned and the goal was shortened to Spokane, Wash.

When Branson and Lindstrand crossed the Atlantic in 1987, their flight nearly ended in disaster. Branson leaped from the capsule as it Singel said it was proper for him and other members of the administration to accept the increases. "Cabinet members have been waiting for four years," he said. "I don't know if too many other top executives have not had a salary adjustment in four years." The timing for the increases taking effect was not the best politically. Just last week, Casey announced spending cuts totaling $731 million, including 2,000 furloughs and deferred pay for state employees.

Auditor General Barbara Hafer, who lost the November election to Casey, said recently she would give up $10,000 of her pay and eliminate 1.25 percent salary increases for 67 managers in her department. Liberian factions eye peace talks MONROVIA, Liberia (AP) The three warring factions in this embattled West African nation have agreed to begin talks on disarming and other issues to end a year-long civil war that has claimed more than 12,000 lives. The framework for the meetings, scheduled to begin today, was drafted at a conference last month in Gambia and also included a proposal to choose a new caretaker government. The Economic Community of West African States, which sponsored the Gambia conference, has installed an interim government in Monrovia led by Amos Sawyer. Rebel leader Charles Taylor has refused to join the Sawyer government, calling it a puppet of Liberia's West African neighbors.

Breakaway rebel leader Prince Johnson and remnants of slain President Samuel Doe's army both have seats in Sawyer's administration. Taylor began the war in December 1989, when his forces invaded from neighboring Ivory Coast to. overthrow Doe, who was accused of human rights violations and abuse of power. Johnson's fighters captured and killed Doe in September. Troops sent by Liberia's West African neighbors to end the bloodshed later installed Sawyer.

An official for the West African community met Wednesday with" the leaders of the five-nation West African military force deployed to Liberia in August. of the late Alex and Josephine Kruszynski Urbanowicz. He was an Army veteran of I "World War IL Mr. Urbanowicz was a retired coal miner. He was a member of St.

Casimir's Church, Shenandoah, and the parish Holy Name Society, and United Mine Workers of America. Surviving are two brothers, Monsi-gnor Francis, Clifton Heights, and Tony, Shenandoah; three sisters, Sister Collette, Alvernia College, Reading, Rose Sukoski, Reading, and Lo-retta Urbanowicz, at home; nieces and nephews. Services will be held at 9:30 a.m. Monday from Oravitz Home For Funerals Shenandoah. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m.

at St Casimir's Church. Interment will be in the parish cemetery. John O. Paige John O. Paige, 81, of 854 Highland Steelton, died Wednesday at home.

He was born in McAlisterville, Sept. 22, J909, a son of the late Jacob and Edna Paige. He was an Air Force vet eran of World War II. Mr. Paige was a retired auto me chanic.

He was of the Protestant faith. His wife, the former Susannah Kissinger, died in 1983. Surviving are a son, Dennis, Nashua, N.H.; two stepsons, Leonard and Chester Bixler, both of Harrisburg; six stepdaughters, Jean Kutzer, Ed-wardsviUcj Nflrma Leinninger, Steel-ton, Mildred Cowan, York, Shirley Kil-lian, MyerstoWh, Doris Sallada, Valley View, and Faith Hoffman, Mount Holly Springs; a brother, Luther, Harrisburg; three grandchildren; 22 step-grandchildren; a great-grandchild; 22 stepgreat-grandchildren. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday from Buffington Funeral Home, Valley View.

The Rev. Floyd Sollenberger will officiate. There will be no viewing Friday, but there will be viewing prior to services. Interment will belo St. Andrew's Cemetery, Valley View.

Samuel E. Strausser Samuel E. Strausser, 83, of East Valley Forge Road, King of Prussia, died Tuesday at Sacred Heart Hospital, Norristown. He was born in Pine Grove, July 9, 1907, a son of the late James and Ellie Long Strausser. A retired stationery fireman, he had worked for the former Alan Wood Steel Conshohocken.

A brother, Albert, died in September. Surviving are his wife, the former Esther M. Bolich; a son, Neil Bridgeport; three daughters, Ruth L. Burry, Eagleville, Ella M. Beck, Per-kasie, and Rita L.

Katz, Royersford; a sister, Mabel Rizzuto, Parker, 11 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren. Services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday from Boyd-Horrox Funeral Home, Norristown, with the Rev. Richard T. Purchase, Upper Merion Baptist Church, officiating.

Interment will be in Valley Fore Memorial Gardens, King of Prussia! Anne M. Roberts Anne M. Depsky Roberts, 60. of Or-wigsburg, died Wednesday at Geis-inger Medical Center. Surviving is her husband, Daniel J.

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9 30-8. Sal 10-4. Sun. B-4 PRIMS STARTING AT SB8B HARRISBURG (AP) Lt. Gov.

Mark Singel says his decision to donate a "substantial portion" of his salary increase to charity is a personal one and not meant as any symbol. "I will accept the pay raise," Singel said Wednesday. "But I made a personal decision to contribute a substantial portion to charity." He said he and his wife Jackie have not yet decided on the amount and to which charities they will contribute. The salary increases, enacted in July 1987, took effect Tuesday for the administration. Gov.

Robert P. Casey's salary was boosted $20,000, to Singel's to $83,000 from $67,500. Cabinet salaries went to either $80,000,. $76,000, $72,000. They had been $65,000, $61,500 or $58,000.

crashed into the Irish Sea and was rescued by a Navy helicopter. Lindstrand had jumped from the balloon earlier. No one has ever crossed the Pacific in a hot-air balloon. Three Americans and a Japanese man piloted a helium-filled balloon from Japan to CoveUo, Calif in 1981. Branson and Lindstrand attempted a Pacific crossing last year, but scrubbed the flight after frost damaged the balloon's thin skin.

Fumio Niwa, a Japanese balloonist, launched Friday from Yokohama, Japan, on a cross-Pacific flight. Rescuers found him dead hours after he ditched in the ocean about 290 miles off Japan. The reason for the problem was not known. Lottery" Daily Number 7-9-8 Bid Four Wednesday 7.4.7-6 Jan. 16 15-17-19-25 28-29-40-61 63-67-71 Lottery Line For tonight's Pennsylvania lottery numbers, dial The REPUBLICAN'S Lottery Line.

621-9192 or 874-5592 Numbers will be updated by 7:30 tonight. 5P SOLOMON C. LU0. M.D., fac.s. Board Certified Ophthalmologist Announces The Opening Of His Branch Office In Shenandoah Accepting New Patients At All Locations cGood Samaritan HEALTH CENTER 25 North Main Street Shenandoah (Formerly Hazleton St.

Joseph Satellite Center) NOW OPEN Physician Services Provided by: Shenandoah Physician Services, PC. Anthony Veglia, M.D. Alexsandra Montroni, M.D. George Kulick, M.D. Radiology and Laboratory Services Provided By: Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center Hours 8:00 A.M.

P.M. Specializing In Cataract extractor! including Phacoemulsification or small incision surgery Intraocular lens implantation Argon YAG laser surgery in office Glaucoma treatment surgery Other Offices Located At: One Norwegian Plaza, Pottsville 1 022 Centre Street, Ashland 23 South Lehigh Avew Frackville 107 North Main Shenandoah Accepting Medicare, Medicaid, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Workman's Compensation and Other Major Insurance HOURS BY APPOINTMENT PLEASE CALL (717) 628-4444 Or 1-800-622-7570 CALL 462-2783.