Editor’s note: This week we are looking at the stories that shaped 2020. We’ll continue to publish them through New Year’s Eve.

A county commissioner, two council members and other civic leaders saddened our communities throughout the year with their untimely deaths.

They included:

The passing of Joan Rehrig, a long-standing public servant in Walnutport, was reported on Jan. 3. She was 77.

Rehrig was a sitting member of the Walnutport Borough Council, a position she held for about 30 years.

Named to succeed her was Iris Blum.

Schuylkill County Commissioner Frank Staudenmeier, of Ashland, died on Feb. 29.

He had been a commissioner for 18 years (since 2002), during which time he served as chairman of the board.

Barron Hetherington was named to the vacancy created by Staudenmeier’s death.

One of the most popular men in Lehighton, James H. Wentz, 89, of Lehighton, died on March 20.

He was a longtime teacher, football coach and supervisor in the Lehighton Area School District and served the community in numerous capacities, including borough council and his untiring efforts on behalf of the Gnaden Huetten Memorial Hospital, Lehighton.

James C. Hauser Sr., 76, of Mahoning Township, passed away on March 30.

Hauser was well-known for his emergency services in the borough, having been a longtime firefighter, a dispatcher and deputy coroner, having held the latter position for 21 years.

Lansford Borough lost one of its council members with the passing of Irma J. Leibensberger, 81, on Oct. 9.

In addition to her role on council, she was a co-founder of the Lansford Alice Events Committee and was involved in the community’s Christmas celebrations.

She was the former co-owner of the Daily Catch Seafood Store in Lansford.

Gwynneth Collevechio was named to the vacancy created by Leibensperger’s death.

George W. Brimmer, 96, one of Lansford’s oldest World War II survivors, passed away on Dec. 13.

Brimmer was well-known as a mail carrier, firefighter and community leader.

He was a past grand marshal of the Carbon County Veterans Day Parade.