Obituaries

Feb 2, 2023

Kathleen Steinke, 76, of Macungie, died February 2, 2023 in Lehigh Valley Hospital.  She was the wife of the late Helmut Steinke.  Born in Allentown, she was the daughter of the late Margaret (Kortvely) and Samuel Charnegie, Sr. She was a hairdresser and owned The Hair Loft in Emmaus since 1999.  She was a member of St. Paul's U.C.C.,...

Jan 30, 2023

Winifred R. Zellner, age 96, of Emmaus, passed away on January 30, 2023 in Mosser Nursing Home. She was the loving wife of the late Charles E. Zellner with whom they shared 72 years of marriage. Born in Germansville, she was a daughter of the late Charles W. and Florence M. (Rehrig) Wehr.

She graduated from Whitehall...

Jan 28, 2023

William C. Klingman, 92, of Emmaus, died Jan. 28, 2023 in Cedarbrook.  He was the husband of the late Marjorie M. (Kriebel) Klingman.  Born in Allentown, he was the son of the late George S. and Edna (Fenstermaker) Klingman.  He honorably served his country in the Army during Korea.  Bill worked for Electro Chemical for many years, retiring in...

Jan 27, 2023

Mildred E. "Millie" Lapp, 82, of Allentown, died Jan. 27, 2023 in Lehigh Valley Hospital.  She was the wife of the late Raymond S. Lapp.  Born in Dillingersville, she was the daughter of the late Clarence and Dorothy (Gilbert) Debus.  Mildred worked as a merrow machine operator for Collegeville Flag Company for more than 30 years, retiring in 1988. ...

Jan 26, 2023

Rodger F. Hartranft, 66, of Emmaus, died Jan. 26, 2023 in Lehigh Valley Hospital.  He was the husband of Carol A. (Ruth) Hartranft.  Born in Allentown, he was the son of the late Patricia A. (Millets) and Rodger H. Hartranft, Jr.  Rodger worked as a cab driver, route driver for Guardian Photo and Qualex, driver for Para Transit, and...

Jan 20, 2023

Kenneth "Ken" Sletvold, 81, finished the last chapter of his life and died peacefully at home on January 20, 2023, surrounded by his devoted family. Ken and his wife Frances (Schleifer) recently celebrated 60 years of loving marriage.

Born on May 2, 1941 in Trenton, NJ, he was the son of the late Elnar and M. Elizabeth...

Jan 20, 2023

Kelly Sue Fulmer, 60, of Bethlehem, died Jan. 20, 2023 in her home.  Born in Allentown, she was the daughter of the late Donald and Gloria (Sell) Hamm.  Kelly worked as a computer programmer for Intel for many years.  She was a member of Faith Church, Allentown.

Kelly is survived by her daughters, Amanda C. Bressack fiancée...

Jan 19, 2023

Vincent Donald Sousa "Don", 87, of Emmaus, died Jan. 19, 2023 in Lehigh Valley Hospital.  He was the husband of the late Francine (Trobiano) Sousa. Born in Newark, NJ, he was the son of the late Dominic and Jean (Trinca) Sousa.  He was a graduate of Seton Hall University.  Don worked as an underwriter for Metropolitan Life and later...

Jan 15, 2023

Richard M. Maskornick, 84, of Allentown, died Jan. 15, 2023 in Lehigh Valley Hospice.  He was the husband of Margaret M. "Dolly" (Shamenek) Maskornick.  Born in Hazleton, he was the son of the late Michael and Anna (Hudock) Maskornick.  Richard honorably served his country in the Army.  He worked as a retail clerk for ACME Markets for 42 years,...

Jan 13, 2023

Joanne J. Kauffman, 76, of a resident of Ridge Manor, Emmaus, died Jan. 13, 2023 in the Lutheran Home at Topton.  Born in Allentown, she was the daughter of the late Joseph J. and Josephine E. (Woodring) Gerancher.  Joanne was a 1964 graduate of Allentown High School and attended Gwynedd Mercy University.  She worked as a secretary for Allentown...

Jan 11, 2023

MaryLou Beitler, 83, of Allentown, died Jan. 11, 2023 in her home.  She was the wife of the late Rodney F. "Rocky" Beitler.  Born in Allentown, she was the daughter of the late Henry and Glenda (Faust) Person.  She was a member of Christ Lutheran Church.  Marylou was a life member of Fearless Fire Company.  She enjoyed crafting and...

Jan 10, 2023

Harold N. Bitner, Jr., 76, of Zionsville, died Jan. 10, 2023 in Phoebe Home.  He was the husband of Beverly E. (Simcox) Bitner.  Born in Williamsport, he was the son of the late Corelli (Batten) and Harold N. Bitner, Sr.  He honorably served his country in the Navy during Vietnam.   He worked for Mack Trucks for 17 years and...

Jan 9, 2023

Hiram G. Helfrich, Jr., 88, of Lower Macungie Twp., died Jan. 9, 2023 in Lehigh Valley Hospital.  He was the husband of the late Anna L. (Yoachim) Helfrich.  Born in Zionsville, he was the son of the late Eva F. (Farber) and Hiram G. Helfrich, Sr.  Hiram was a mechanic and owned and operated the former Helfrich's Gulf and...

Jan 4, 2023

Sharon A. Ruben, 74, of Zionsville, died Jan. 4, 2023 in her home.  She was the wife of the late Richard S. Ruben.  Born in Indiana, PA, she was the daughter of the late Luther Harold and Iona (Wright) Lute.  She was a graduate of IUP.  She was owner / operator of C&R Screen Printing for over 20 years. ...

Jan 4, 2023

Thomas Edward Ruhe passed away at the Hospice of the Western Reserve on January 3, 2023.  He was born in Ellwood City, PA in 1949 and he graduated from Lincoln High School in 1967.

In 1971, he graduated with a BSEE degree in electrical engineering from the University of Pittsburgh.

After graduation, he served 2...

Jan 4, 2023

Thomas Edward Ruhe passed away at the Hospice of the Western Reserve on January 3, 2023.  He was born in Ellwood City, PA in 1949 and he graduated from Lincoln High School in 1967.

In 1971, he graduated with a BSEE degree in electrical engineering from the University of Pittsburgh.

After graduation, he served 2...

Jan 4, 2023

Nicholas A. "Nic" Varec, 36, of Emmaus, died January 4, 2023 in Lehigh Valley Hospital - Muhlenberg.  Born in Allentown, he was the son of Dennis and Marion (Flammer) Varec.  Nic was a 2004 graduate of Emmaus High School.  He worked for Dirt Work Solutions.  He was a member of Fire Company #1, Emmaus, loved going to the gym...

Jan 3, 2023

Carlton T. Dreas, 87, of Emmaus, died Jan. 3, 2023 in St. Luke's Allentown Campus.  He was the husband of Emily J. (Arnold) Dreas, whom he married Oct. 17, 1959.  Born in Vera Cruz, he was the son of the late Francis G. and Florence M. (Schoenly) Dreas.  He was a 1953 graduate of Emmaus High School.  He honorably...

Jan 2, 2023

James W. Geiling passed away peacefully with his family at his side on January 2  nd  from complications associated with Parkinson's disease. A deeply religious man devoted to his faith, he will be forever missed by his friends and family.

Jim grew up in Milton PA, born in 1932 in the upstairs bedroom of his family home. Family tragedies including, at...

Jan 1, 2023

Bruce P. Wetherhold, 85, of Emmaus, died Jan. 1, 2023 in Lehigh Valley Inpatient Hospice.  Born in Walberts, he was the son of the late Earl and Elsie (Klipple) Wetherhold.  He honorably served his country in the Air Force during Vietnam and later served in the Navy Reserves.   Bruce worked as an electrician for Bethlehem Steel, retiring in 1997. ...