Losing someone in a tight-knit place like Reading or Wyomissing isn't just a private family moment. It’s a community shift. Honestly, when you look through obituaries in Berks County in the last 3 days, you aren’t just seeing names and dates. You're seeing the end of eras—teachers who taught three generations of kids, veterans who never talked about the war, and the grandmoms who basically kept the neighborhood fed.
It's heavy. But there's a reason we keep checking these listings.
Who we lost recently in Berks County
The last 72 hours have been particularly busy for local funeral homes like Kuhn, Klee, and Bean. We’ve seen a wave of passings that span from lifelong residents of the city of Reading to those who spent their final years in the quiet corners of Oley or Kutztown.
One name that stands out in the records from Monday, January 12, 2026, is Luz Nilda Medina. She was 78 and passed away at Reading Hospital. If you grew up in West Reading, you might have known her as the heart of her family—a woman who lived in Pennsylvania since 1978 and was famous among her 16 grandchildren for her cooking. It’s those small details, like her love for gardening and sewing, that remind you these aren't just statistics.
Then there’s Joseph M. Gombar from Shillington. He was 92. Think about that for a second. He saw the world change in ways most of us can’t even wrap our heads around. He worked as an auditor for the IRS for years and had just celebrated 60 years of marriage with his wife, Gloria, back in October.
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The passing of local legends
It’s not just about the last 72 hours, though. To understand the impact of the obituaries in Berks County in the last 3 days, you have to look at the "pillar" figures who recently left us.
Take Linda Caron Denby, for example. She passed away at the start of the year, but her impact on the Berks community—specifically with the Caron Treatment Centers and the Reading Symphony Orchestra—is still being discussed at every local gathering this week. She was a powerhouse. People are still sharing stories about her volunteering at the Reading Museum and her work as a special needs teacher.
Recent Names Noted (Jan 12 - Jan 15, 2026)
- Stephen Raymond Zerbe (Tuesday, Jan 13)
- Allen Lee Berkey (Tuesday, Jan 13)
- Luis Armando Baez, 80, of Reading (Monday, Jan 12). A man who loved dominos, bingo, and the music on La Mega 97.9.
- Leonard H. Motze (Monday, Jan 12)
- Grace Mildred "Millie" Mattson (Monday, Jan 12)
Kinda makes you realize how much history is stored in one zip code, doesn't it?
Why the "Last 3 Days" matter so much for Berks
You might wonder why everyone searches for that specific three-day window.
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In a county with over 400,000 people, the news cycle moves fast. If you miss the Reading Eagle for a few days, you might miss a viewing for a former coworker or a neighbor you haven't seen since the pandemic. For Berks residents, the obituary section is the "social media" of the older generation and the "compass" for the younger one.
We have a lot of funeral homes here. Between Whelan Schwartz in the city and Ludwick out in Kutztown, the notices are spread out. If you're looking for someone specifically, you've gotta check multiple sources because not every family posts in the same place anymore.
Sorting through the noise
Finding the right info is sort of a mess lately. Since 2024 and 2025, more families are opting for "private services" or "celebrations of life" months later.
If you're looking for someone who passed in the last 3 days:
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- Check the Reading Eagle (Legacy.com): Still the gold standard for Berks, though it’s gotten pricier for families to post there.
- Go straight to the funeral home sites: Places like Kuhn Funeral Homes or Bean often have the full story up 24 hours before it hits the papers.
- Facebook Groups: "Reading PA Old School" or "Berks County News" groups often share these before the ink is dry.
Honestly, the way we mourn in Berks is changing. We’re seeing more "donations in lieu of flowers" to local spots like the Animal Rescue League of Berks County or Caron. It shows what the person actually cared about.
Actionable Steps if you're looking for someone
If you believe a friend or acquaintance is among the obituaries in Berks County in the last 3 days, don't just wait for the Sunday paper.
- Search by Last Name + Funeral Home: If you know they lived in Shillington, check Klee's website directly. If they were from the city, Whelan Schwartz or Kuhn are your best bets.
- Check Reading Hospital Notices: Sometimes the hospital has a delay in reporting, but the "In Memoriam" sections of local church bulletins (many of which are online now) are surprisingly fast.
- Verify the Service Date: With the recent winter weather we've been having in early 2026, some services are being pushed back. Always double-check the time before you drive out to a cemetery.
The reality of living in Berks is that we’re all connected by about two degrees of separation. Seeing these names isn't just about death; it’s about acknowledging the people who built the schools we went to and the businesses we shop at today.
If you need to find a specific service time for any of the individuals mentioned, like the visitation for Luz Nilda Medina on January 17th at Kuhn Funeral Home, make sure to visit the official funeral home page to confirm any last-minute changes due to scheduling or weather.
For those looking to honor a life from the recent listings, consider a small gesture—send a card to the family or make a small donation to a Berks-based charity. It’s the local way.