Richard W. Groff, 93, peacefully passed away on Sunday April 28, 2024. Richard was the loving husband of Liselotte R. (Brustmann) Groff, to whom he was happily married for 70 years. Born in Bethlehem, Richard was a son of the late Louis A. and Marion M. (Sweeney) Groff. He proudly served his country in the United States Army in the first infantry division during the Korean War. Richard was a life member of the former Monocacy Field and Stream, a life member of the Nazareth American Legion, a life member of the West Side Republican Club of Bethlehem, and a life member of the North End Republican Club. For many years Richard worked as a custodian for the Bethlehem Housing Authority and was a lifelong member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Bethlehem, which is now Blessed Trinity Lutheran Church at Rosemont. He enjoyed fishing and the outdoors. Surviving with his wife Liselotte is his brother Daniel T. Groff and his wife Jacqueline. Richard has many nieces and nephews and was predeceased by his siblings Louis A. Groff Jr., Robert Groff and Doris Berkes. Services will be 10:00AM Saturday May 4, 2024, at the Downing Funeral Home in Bethlehem. Calling hour will be 9:00-10:00AM in the Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to his church or Animals in Distress.
Catherine Pudliner
Catherine J. (Vrabel) Pudliner, 83, of Bethlehem, passed away March 28, 2024. Born in St. Clair, she was the daughter of the late Eugene and Veronica (Lundergin) Vrabel. Catherine graduated from Central Catholic High School and Bethlehem Business School. She worked for Berg, Schultz and Green CPA, Chemical Leaman Tank Lines, and then retired from the City of Allentown. She was a member of Notre Dame of Bethlehem Catholic Church. Catherine was a major Philadelphia sports fan, especially of the Philadelphia Phillies. But most of all, she loved her family. She will be deeply missed.
Survivors: children- Karen Carr and husband Sean, Bruce Pudliner and wife Sheri, Keith Pudliner; sister- Veronica Cheek; nephews- Mark & Jim Cheek.
A calling time will be held on Friday, April 5th 9:30-10AM in Downing Funeral Home, Inc. 1002 W. Broad St. Bethlehem, PA 18018. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30AM in Notre Dame of Bethlehem Catholic Church 1861 Catasauqua Rd Bethlehem, PA 18018. Burial to follow in Holy Saviour Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Catherine’s memory to the Lehigh Valley Humane Society 640 Dixon St Allentown, PA 18103 or to Covenant House 31 E. Armat Street Philadelphia PA 19144.
Donna Posivak
Donna M. Posivak, 68, of Bethlehem, died Wednesday, March 27 at Lehigh Valley Hospice. She was the beloved wife of Francis “Frank” J. Posivak, with whom she shared 44 wonderful years of marriage. Born in Wilkes-Barre, she was the daughter of the late Edward J. and Dorothy A. Saukulak. A graduate of DeSales University and Moravian College, Donna served as Chief Technology Officer at several of the area’s top colleges for over 30 years.
Donna possessed a diverse range of interests and talents, extending beyond her professional achievements. Her love of nature was reflected in many of her hobbies which included photography, painting, hiking, and kayaking. Additionally, she was also a skilled jeweler, crafting pieces that reflected her creativity and attention to detail.
Above all else, Donna’s greatest joy came from her family. She was a loving mother of two children and an adoring grandmother to two grandchildren. Her strength, humor, and adventurous spirit live on through all of them. She will be dearly missed.
Survivors: Donna is survived by her husband, Frank; daughter, Leah, and her husband Ronald; son, Brett, and his longtime partner, Avalon; and two grandchildren. Additional survivors include her sister, Joanne, and brothers, Gregory and Edward.
Services: Private services for the immediate family.
Contributions: In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital (https://fundraising.stjude.org/site/TR?px=8347390&fr_id=154020&pg=personal).
Nancy Lorah
Nancy M. Lorah, 83, of Bethlehem, passed away March 24, 2024 at her second home of Cedarbrook Fountain Hill. She was the loving wife of the late Arthur Lorah. Born in Allentown, she was the daughter of the late Arthur and Violet Richards. She retired as a pharmaceutical technician from Rite Aid. She will be deeply missed.
Survivors: sons- Arthur Lorah Jr. of Bethlehem, Frank Lorah and wife Eileen of Palmerton, Timothy Lorah and wife Angel of Lincoln, ME; grandchildren- Katrina, Tyler, Victoria, Trevor and Treasure; great grandchildren- Braydon. Blaze and Derek; grand dog- Bella. She was predeceased by her parents Arthur and Violet (Berger) Richards and brother Louis Richards. In lieu of flowers donations may send to CBFH RIA c/o Life Enrichment 724 Delaware Ave Bethlehem Pa 18015 payable to Cedarbrook. Special thanks to all the staff at Cedarbrook Fountain Hill for taking care of our mother for the past six years.
A calling time will be held on Friday, April 5th 6-8PM in Downing Funeral Home, Inc. 1002 W. Broad St. Bethlehem, PA 18018.
Gisella Rhodes
Gisella A. Rhodes (Stella) of Bethlehem passed away February 13, 2024. She is preceded in death by her husband William Rhodes and Son Timothy Rhodes. Survivors are daughters Terri Rhodes, Rita Nairns (Jack), Daughter in Law Diane Rhodes, Sons James Rhodes (Tina), Robert Rhodes (Jack). Grandchildren are Michael Nairns (Faith), Angela Nairns, James Rhodes (Tara),Jennifer Fauntleroy (Alex), Arin Doerfler (Thomas), Lauren Rhodes Stella also had eight Great-grandchildren. Services will be held February 24th at Notre Dame of Bethlehem Catholic Church 1861 Catasauqua Rd Bethlehem, PA 18018 with a viewing at 9AM and a Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 10:00AM. Burial will be at Our Lady of Hungary Cemetery Northampton.
Frances Bauerlein
Frances (Cinquemani) Bauerlein, 79, of Bethlehem, passed away February 8, 2024. She was the loving wife of 57 years to Albert P. Bauerlein. Born in Brooklyn, NY, she was the daughter of the late Leonard and Marie (Arcuri) Cinquemani. She had worked for the Home Insurance Company in Manhattan. Fran was a member of Notre Dame of Bethlehem Catholic Church and was a lifelong volunteer with the Mother’s Guild at her children’s grammar school, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, and at Holy Family Manor. She enjoyed participating in activities at the Hanover Twp. Community Center Fran liked to bake, go shopping for “odds and ends” that she would buy for her family because she was always thinking of them, do crafts, and most of all spend time with her family. She will be deeply missed.
Survivors: husband - Albert P. Bauerlein; children - Lynn Orrico and husband Russ, Jeff Bauerlein and wife Kristy, Jill Boland and husband Justin; grandchildren - Jacob, Emily, Hannah, Sarah; twin sister - Phyllis Stout; brother - Paul Cinquemani.
A viewing will be held on Saturday, February 17th 9-10AM with a Service at 10AM, all in Downing Funeral Home, Inc. 1002 W. Broad St. Bethlehem, PA 18018. Burial to follow in Holy Saviour Cemetery, Bethlehem.
Contributions can be made in Fran’s memory to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation P.O. Box 414238 Boston, MA 02241-4238.
Carol Gebec-Tapia
Carol Ann Gebec-Tapia, 55, of Bethlehem, passed away February 7, 2024. She was the loving wife of 24 years to Angel G. Tapia. Born in Bethlehem, she was the daughter of the late Claude E. and Janet M. (Bachman) Gebec. She graduated from Bethlehem Catholic High School and was a member of Holy Ghost Catholic Church. Carol was a funny person and enjoyed making people laugh. She loved animals (especially dogs), to go shopping, watch Law & Order SVU, dancing, but most of all babysitting for her family. She will be deeply missed.
Survivors: husband- Angel G. Tapia; step-son- DeÁndre G.O. Tapia; granddaughter- Divinity Tapia; siblings- Frank Gebec, Claude Gebec, Janet Gebec, Chrissy Malozzi and husband Chris; many nieces and nephews.
A viewing will be held on Thursday, February 15th 9:30-10:30AM with a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10:30AM all in Notre Dame of Bethlehem Catholic Church 1861 Catasauqua Rd Bethlehem, PA 18018. Burial in Holy Saviour Cemetery, Bethlehem.
Contributions can be made in Carol’s memory to the Center for Animal Health and Welfare 1165 Island Park Rd Easton, PA 18042.
Richard Huber Jr.
Richard J. Huber, Jr., 66, of Allentown, passed away January 24, 2024. Born in Allentown, he was the son of Richard J. Huber Sr. and the late Janet (Lehrman) Huber. Richard proudly served in the U.S. Navy. He worked for many years as a marine diesel mechanic, working on tug boats. Richard enjoyed watching NASCAR and football, especially the Eagles. He will be deeply missed.
Survivors: father- Richard Huber, Sr.; daughters- Nicole Huber, Anna Jennings and husband Matt; granddaughter- Kara Huber; sisters- JoAnn Zwickl, Elizabeth Snyder, Marci Huber. He was predeceased by his brothers- Jonathan and Matthew Huber.