Michael (Mike Stevens) Skerel

Michael (Mike Stevens) Skerel, 81, of Glenburn Township, passed away on Tuesday at Geisinger Community Medical Center. His widow is the former Judy Lucas. The couple have been married over fifty years.

Born and educated in Swoyersville, Mike was given an assignment in high school to write a paper about "nothing". After receiving an 'A', he was sure he had a gift for putting words together. While telling stories of his childhood, he would show a mischievous smile as he spoke of making money writing papers for fellow students. As a student at Kings College, he saw a sign-up sheet for an audition to DJ at WARM Radio, which was a powerhouse on the airwaves for rock and roll. A bystander told him "There is no way you will get that job". Mike got that job and did not rub it in their face when he saw that person years later, though surely he must have gloated briefly to himself.

He went from radio to a freelance reporter, covering the 1972 Agnes flood for WYOU-TV 22. He sent audition tapes to WNEP, where a man named Elden Hale hired him, but his career in Pennsylvania was short. A broadcasters union strike prompted him to leave the area and work in other states. During the late 1970's to early 80's he traveled with his family and worked at news stations in North Carolina and Wisconsin, then was again hired by Elden Hale who happened to be working at a TV Station in Orlando, Florida. By 1983 he was back in Pennsylvania, hired again by Elden Hale (no lie). This time he stayed with WNEP for the next 42 years.

While he started reporting on news such as fires, floods and mayhem, he soon slid into a role covering the little known and untold stories of people and places in Northeast Pennsylvania. His trips "On the Pennsylvania Road" featured rock walls, rivers, snow on the ground, wood carvers, pot and pan collectors, state parks, amusement parks, train collections, train excursions, coal (and everything connected to coal), winter, fall, spring and summer...anything could be made interesting with Mike's words. He only had good news to tell. He believed in showing up and working at the many Telethons WNEP hosted - he saw it as a duty and a service to the community. He appreciated the people he worked with and knew it took an entire team to make the station what it is. He was always taking on new projects and, whether it was Pennsylvania Outdoor Life, Home and Backyard, or the PhotoLink Library, he would thread words through the pictures using a voice that welcomed you to sit down and join him in the world he was exploring.

There is so much more to say but, in short, Mike loved Northeast PA as much as Northeast PA loved Mike. His family is very proud of his work. He will be so missed by his wife Judy, kids Chris, Loring and his spouse Jennifer and grandkids Evan, Ryder, and Ella. We were all so lucky to be a family.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, January 5th at 6:30 p.m. at Clarks Summit United Methodist Church, 1310 Morgan Highway, Clarks Summit, PA 18411. Friends may pay their respects from 4 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. at the church. We ask that anyone who is experiencing cold symptoms wear a mask to prevent transmission. Masks will be provided for anyone who needs one.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Countryside Conservancy at countrysideconservancy.org or PO Box 55, La Plume, PA 18440.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Lawrence E. Young Funeral Home and Cremation Services Inc., 418 S. State Street, Clarks Summit.