Justin "Jut" M. Harakel

Justin M. "Jut" Harakel, age 26, of Walnut Street, Tuscarora, PA, died Saturday, October 8, 2011, from injuries sustained in an auto accident on Route 209 in Schuylkill Township.

A 2003 Tamaqua High School graduate, Jut matriculated at Bloomsburg University graduating in 2008 with a degree in Elementary Education. Justin was an Instructional Assistant at Berks Career & Technology Center in Oley, PA.

Jut loved the outdoors, from biking to fishing. He was an avid sports fan, true to the orange and white of the Tennessee Volunteers. When Jut was in grade school, he wrote to and received a note and autograph from Peyton Manning while he was at Tennessee.

Hanging with friends and listening to music, particularly Phish and Pearl Jam, he was a "Coal Region" guy, proud of his upbringing. He loved his family and his baby nephew, Mason, just eleven days old.

Born in Lehighton, he was the son of Edward B. and Hope A. (Hoffman) Harakel with whom he resided.

He is also survived by his:

Brother, Edward B. Harakel, II and his wife, Marika, of New Ringgold;

Maternal grandparents, Paul C. and Grace L. Hoffman of Tamaqua;

Uncles, aunts, and cousins;

and his girlfriend, Brianna Casserly.

He is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Albert P. and Delores E. Harakel.

Arrangements are being handled by E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home, Inc., 655 East Broad Street Tamaqua, PA, where the family will receive friends from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Tuesday, October 11, 2011 and from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM Wednesday, October 12, 2011.

Funeral service will be at E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home, Inc. at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, October 12, 2011, Reverend Richard Boyer to officiate.

Interment will be at Odd Fellows Cemetery in Tamaqua.

Memorials in his name can be sent to: Tamaqua High School Athletic Dept., Stadium Hill, Tamaqua, PA 18252, Tuscarora Fire Co. Tuscarora, PA 17982, or Hillside S.P.C.A. Pottsville, PA 17901.

Online registry and condolences may be signed at www.griffithsfuneralhomes.com