Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Records, 1947-2010
Mrs. Catherine R. Engelman
Mrs. Catherine R. Engelman, 91, of Bethlehem, formerly of 131 S. Madison St., Allentown, died Saturday in the Holy Family Manor, Bethlehem. She was the widow of Nathan Engelman and Hugh Gallagher.
She was a beautician for the former Mann Duskin, Inc., Philadelphia, for many years before retiring.
Born in Lehighton, she was a daughter of the late William J. and Emma (Isenman) Coyle.
She was a member of the Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena, Allentown.
Surviving are three sisters, Mary, wife of George Sherr, and Mrs. Helen English, both of Allentown, and Rose, wife of Edward Welles of Woonsocket, R.I.; and nieces and nephews.
Earl W. Fries
Earl W. Fries, 78, of New Tripoli, died Friday in the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township. He was the husband of Lois J. (Gangaway) Fries. They observed their 47th wedding anniversary in July.
He was a rural mail carrier working out of Breinigsville for 12 years before retiring in 1983.
Born in Weisenberg Township, he was a son of Mrs. Beulah M. (Smith) Fries of Allentown and the late James Fries.
He was a member of Ziegels United Church of Christ, Breinigsville, where he was a former deacon.
Surviving in addition to his widow and mother are a son, Gene L. of New Tripoli; two daughters, Judy A., wife of Terry Hoffman of Allentown, and Lori M., wife of John Drake of Fogelsville; and six grandchildren.
Earl L. Schoenberger
Earl L. "Jack" Schoenberger, 81, of 64 Franklin Road, Franklin Township, died Saturday afternoon in the Gnaden Huetten Memorial Hospital, Lehighton. He was the husband of Vera F. (Brown) Schoenberger. They observed their 57th wedding anniversary last Nov. 28.
He was a crane operator for the Bethlehem Steel Corporation for 32 years before retiring in 1981, and later was a bus driver for the Carbon-Lehigh Intermediate Unit 20 in the Lehighton area.
Born in Weissport, he was a son of the late Robert and Mary (Neeb) Schoenberger.
He was a member of St. Peter Evangelical Congregational Church, Lehighton.
Schoenberger was an Army veteran of World War II, having served as an artillery platoon sergeant in Europe.
He belonged to the Shoemaker-Haydt American Legion Post 314 and the Pohopoco Sportsmen's Club, both of Lehighton.
Surviving in addition to his widow are a sister, Marilyn McFarland of Stroudsburg; and nieces and nephews.
The Mayes-Melber Funeral Home, 200 Franklin St., Weissport, is in charge of the arrangements.
Jo Ann R. Smith
Jo Ann R. Smith, 64, of Allentown, died Friday in her home.
A graduate of the former Allentown School of Nursing and the Knox School, Cooperstown, N.Y., she was a private duty licensed practical nurse in the Lehigh Valley area for many years before retiring in 1972. Previously, she was a nurse at what is now the Lehigh Valley Hospital and at Sacred Heart Hospital, both in Allentown.
She was also a partner in Jo-ly's Doberman Breeding and Showing, Allentown, showing dogs locally and nationally.
Born in Palmerton, she was a daughter of the late Donald Van Dyke Sr. and Helen Viola (Hofford) Smith.
She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, both of Allentown.
Surviving are a brother, Samuel E. of Allentown; and nieces and nephews.
Thomas J. Muldoon Sr.
Thomas J. Muldoon Sr., 83, of 1121 E. Center St., Mahanoy City, died Friday in the Good Samaritan Hospital, Pottsville. He was the husband of the late Alyce Tilitha (Williams) Muldoon.
He retired from ICI, the former Atlas Powder Company, Reynolds, South Tamaqua, after 38 years of service.
Born in Mahanoy City, he was a son of the late John B. and Edith (Jenkins) Muldoon.
He served in the Army during World War II in the South Pacific.
He attended the Mahanoy City and Tamaqua schools, and lived most of his life in those boroughs.
He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, the Mahanoy City Social Club, the former Moose Lodge, all of Mahanoy City; the Park Crest Fish and Game Club; and the East End Fire Company of Tamaqua.
He was the last surviving member of his immediate family.
Surviving are a son, Thomas J. Jr., with whom he resided; two grandchildren and nieces and nephews.
He was also preceded in death by a son, Harry J.; and a brother, James B.
The David D. Jarrett Funeral Home, Second and Pine streets, Mahanoy City, is in charge of the arrangements.
Alduino Montagner
Alduino "Nino" Montagner, 69, of 222 Chestnut St., Mertztown, died Thursday in the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township. He was the husband of Loretta J. (Lerch) Montagner. They observed their 45th wedding anniversary in February.
He was a self-employed carpenter, working primarily in Allentown for more than 40 years before retiring in 1990.
Born in Allentown, he was a son of the late Anthony and Augusta (Antonazzi) Montagner.
He was a Navy veteran.
Among his survivors is a daughter, Brenda L., wife of Robert Koch of New Tripoli.
Thomas M. Bachman
Thomas M. Bachman, 81, formerly of Randolph, N.J., died Friday in Kirkland Village, Bethlehem. He was the husband of Catherine (Sheaffer) Bachman. They observed their 42nd wedding anniversary last May.
He was an electrician engineer at Westinghouse in New Jersey for 28-1/2 years before retiring in 1979.
Born in Palmerton, he was a son of the late Charles C. and Gertrude M. (McFall) Bachman.
He was a past member of Chapman Masonic Templar No. 637, Northampton, and the Northampton Lions Club.
After retiring, he was a volunteer at the Morristown, N.J., Memorial Hospital.
His widow is his only survivor.
Harry L. Hofelich Jr.
Harry L. Hofelich Jr., 67, of Whitehall Township, died Thursday in ManorCare Health Services, Bethlehem. He was the husband of Dorothy M. (Pudleiner) Hofelich. They observed their 46th wedding anniversary last September.
He was an assembly department supervisor for Stanley Storage Systems, Allentown, for 23-1/2 years before retiring in 1987.
Born in Allentown, he was a son of Mrs. Pauline (Derr) Hofelich of Allentown and the late Harry L. Hofelich Sr.
He was a member of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church, Whitehall, where he belonged to the Golden Agers, was a co-chairman of the 1970 building fund and a member of its Boy Scout committee.
Hofelich was a Little League coach; a life member of the Fullerton Fire Company No. 1; and a life member and past commander, 14th District deputy commander and judge advocate of the American Legion Post 367, Fullerton.
He was a corporal in the Army during the Korean Conflict, having received the Korean Service Medal with 3 Bronze Stars. While in the Army, he was one of 14 GIs chosen to appear in the 3-D feature film "Cease Fire!"
In 1964, he was Whitehall Junior Chamber of Commerce's first Young Man of the Year and, in 1976, he and his wife were king and queen of the Whitehall Township Bicentennial Ball.
Surviving in addition to his widow and mother are a son, Craig L. of Slatington; a daughter Melanie of Bethlehem; four sisters, Mrs. Betty J. Soler, Gloria, wife of Louis Szuciks, Mrs. Catherine Strohl and Mrs. Joanne Zurawski, all of Allentown; and two granddaughters.
Claude A. Eike Sr.
Claude A. Eike Sr., 88, formerly of West Lincoln Street, Easton, died Thursday in Gracedale, Upper Nazareth Township. He was the husband of the late Marietta (Hunter) Eike, who died in 1992.
He was retired from Steam Fitters Local Union No. 420, Philadelphia.
Born in Lehighton, he was a son of the late Herbert Eike and Mabel Eike Wharren, and a stepson of the late Milton Wharren.
He was a member of the Order of the Fleas, Citizens Hose Company and the Pioneer Athletic Association, all of Easton; the Steel City Rod and Gun Club and the National Rifle Association.
Surviving are four sons, Donald E. of Phillipsburg, N.J., and Claude A. Jr., Thomas R. and Wayne E., all of Easton; a brother, Ralph H. of Wilson; eight grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
Bertine G. Bretz
Bertine G. "Tootie" Bretz, 95, formerly of 227 North St., Jim Thorpe, died this morning at the Gnaden Huetten Nursing Center, Lehighton. He was the husband of the late Marion (Walck) Bretz, who died June 19, 1970.
He was a retired brakeman for the former Lehigh Valley Railroad.
Born in East Mauch Chunk, he was a son of the late George and Sally (Kemmerer) Bretz.
He was a member of St. Johns Lutheran Church, Jim Thorpe, and the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainman Lodge No. 160; and a life member of the Fairview Fire Company, Jim Thorpe.
Survving are several nieces and nephews.
He was also preceded in death by four brothers, Edward, Wilbur, Marvin and Michael; and two sisters, Mrs. Elaine West and Mrs. Ann Fink.
The Edward F. Melber Funeral Home, 524 Center St., Jim Thorpe, is in charge of arrangements.
Bretz relation: Bertine G. "Tootie" Bretz, 95, formerly of 227 North St., Jim Thorpe, who died Monday morning in the Gnaden Huetten Nursing Center, Lehighton, was also preceded in death by a brother Harry "Mickey" Bretz.
Mrs. Ronald T. Haney
Mrs. Martha Haney, 48, of Bethlehem, formerly of Wilkes-Barre, died Wednesday in the St. Luke Hospital, Fountain Hill, Bethlehem. She was the wife of the Rev. Ronald T. Haney. They observed their 26th wedding anniversary last August.
A 1970 graduate of Kutztown University, she was an English teacher in the Penns Valley and Lehighton Area school districts for many years. Later, she was a photographer for the PCA International Corporation.
She also had poetry published in high school and college anthologies.
Born in Wilkes-Barre, she was a daughter of Mrs. Elsie (Meredith) Deobold of Wilkes-Barre and the late Ralph J. Deobold Jr.
The deceased was a member of Trinity United Church of Christ, Pleasant Valley, where she wrote the lyrics to hymns for her husbandıs installation services.
Surviving in addition to her husband and mother are two sons, Matthew and David, and a daughter Meredith, all of Bethlehem; a sister Beth, wife of William Landmasser of Wilkes-Barre; a grandson and nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Theresa Staskiel Philips
Mrs. Theresa Staskiel Philips, 85, of 550 Main St., Slatington, died Wednesday in ManorCare Health Services, Salisbury Township. She was the widow of Phil Philips and Edward Staskiel.
Born in Shamokin, Northumberland County, she was a secretary for Sterns Department Store, New York, N.Y., before retiring.
She was a member of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church, Slatington.
Surviving is a granddaughter.
