Frank J. Schaffer, Jr., 82, of Bethlehem, passed away November 28, 2023. He was the loving husband of 61 years to Barbara A. (Heckman) Schaffer. Born in Bethlehem, he was the son of the late Elizabeth (Inhoff) and Frank J. Schaffer, Sr. Frank graduated from Liberty High School and attended Lehigh University and Moravian College. He served in the U.S. Air Force. Frank worked as a draftsman for many years and retired from Bethlehem Steel. He was a member of Notre Dame of Bethlehem Catholic Church where he served as an Usher for many years. Frank had loved working on cars and most of all spending time with his family. He will be deeply missed.
Survivors: wife- Barbara Schaffer; daughter- Francine and her husband Jesus Gonzalez III; grandchildren- Jarrett Menalis, Brittany and her husband Zakare Kale, Evan Geosits; great grandchildren- Noah, Zarina, Carsyn and Wyatt; sister- Rosalie Wertman. He was predeceased by his son- Frank D. Schaffer.
A viewing will be held on Monday, December 4th 6-8PM in Downing Funeral Home, Inc. 1002 W. Broad St. Bethlehem, PA 18102. A viewing will be held Tuesday, December 5th9:30-10:30AM with 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 to follow in Holy Saviour Cemetery.
Contributions can be made in Frank’s memory to the Lehigh Valley Humane Society or to the Sanctuary at Haafsville care of the funeral home.
Linda Schaefer
Linda G. (Grimes) Schaefer, 60, of Bethlehem, passed away April 27, 2023. She was the loving wife of _40_ years to Kenneth J. Schaefer. Born in Glendale, NY she was the daughter of Claire (Miller) Grimes and the late Ernest Grimes. Linda worked at Nitchmann Middle School in food services, for over 21 years before her retirement. She was a member of Rosemont Lutheran Church. She also followed the Joyce Meyers Christian Ministry. Linda loved plants, nature and spending time gardening. She cherished hosting gatherings where she would provide the comforts of food and home, as a mother provides. She created a welcoming atmosphere of love and family, for everyone who entered her home. Linda loved her family, and treasured her grandchildren dearly. Linda also enjoyed traveling, especially to the beach where she would spend all of her time collecting sea shells. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends.
Survivors: husband- Kenneth Schaefer; mother- Claire Grimes; daughters- Melissa and her husband Nick Valenza, Pamela and husband John Maruskanic, Samantha and husband Carlos Tinajero; grandchildren- Aidan, Vera, Rosario, Arya and Ava; brothers- Ernie and Edward Grimes. She was predeceased by her sister- Claire Hansen.
A viewing will be held on Monday, May 1st 5-7PM with a Service to follow at 7PM all in Rosemont Lutheran Church 1705 W. Broad St. Bethlehem, PA 18018. Arrangements are entrusted to Downing Funeral Home, Inc.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Linda’s memory to New Bethany Ministries of Bethlehem, Allentown Rescue Mission or the Joyce Meyers Ministries.
Elsie Skoutelas
Elsie G. (Mesaros) Skoutelas, 76, of Allentown, passed away December 25, 2022. She was the loving wife of the late George S. “Gus” Skoutelas Sr. Born in Allentown, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Elsie (Boyer) Mesaros. She worked at Vallos Bakery alongside her husband. Elsie was a member of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral. She was also a member of the Eastern Stars. She enjoyed bowling and going to the mountains with her husband. She will be deeply missed.
Survivors: children- Sherry Skoutelas, Bob Rotz, Bill Rotz, Gina Skoutelas-Kern; step-sons- Steve, Tom and George Skoutelas; many grandchildren and great grandchildren; sister- Helen Kneller; brother- Charles Mesaros. She was predeceased by 2 brothers and 4 sisters.
A viewing will be held on Tuesday, January 3rd 11AM-12PM with a Service to follow at 12PM in St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral 1607 W. Union Blvd Bethlehem, PA 18018. Burial to follow in Cedar Hill Memorial Park. Arrangements are entrusted to Downing Funeral Home, Inc.
Calvin Stair
Calvin C. Stair, 94, of Bethlehem, passed away July 29, 2022. He was the loving husband of the late Audrey B. (Bristol) Stair. Born in Wilkes Barre, he was the son of the late Wilfred and Ellen (Cole) Stair. Calvin served in the U.S. Navy during WWII. He worked as a truck driver for many years for Marty's Express Trucking and Western Express. He was a member of the Rosemont Fire Company and the Westside Republican Club. Calvin enjoyed gardening and biking. He will be deeply missed.
Survivors: granddaughter- Julie Stair and her husband Richard Balfour. He was predeceased by his son- Robert Stair and brothers- Elwood Stair, Wilfred Stair, John Stair, and Fred Stair.
A viewing will be held on Friday, August 5th 10AM-12PM with a Service to follow at 12PM in Downing Funeral Home, Inc. 1002 W. Broad St. Bethlehem, PA 18018. Burial to follow in Bethlehem Memorial Park.
Dorothy Saukulak
Dorothy A. (Basara) Saukulak, 91, of Bethlehem, passed away December 26, 2021. She was the the loving wife of the late Edward J. Saukulak, Jr. Born in Wilkes-Barre, she was daughter of the late Josephine (Zarenka) Basara. Dorothy was a member of Notre Dame of Bethlehem Catholic Church. One of her greatest joys was spending time with her grandchildren. She will be deeply missed.
Survivors: Children- Donna Posivak of Bethlehem, Joann Hart of Stewartsville, MD, Edward Saukulak Jr of Bethlehem and Greg Saukulak of Long Island, NY; 8 grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren.
Services will be Private.
Donald Sassaman
Donald K. Sassaman, 81, passed away on October 28, 2021. Born in Fountain Hill, he was the son of the late Karl Helfrich Sassaman and Mildred (McMurtrie) Sassaman. Donald graduated from Liberty high School as Valedictorian in 1957. He then received his bachelors in Electrical Engineering from Lehigh University and his Master’s in Engineering from the University of Southern California. Donald worked for Vitro Corp for 30 years in MD. He traveled the world designing and installing communication equipment for the U.S. Air Force. Donald was an avid model airplane enthusiast and would spend his time building and flying the airplanes with friends. He also had his private pilot’s license. He will be deeply missed.
Survivors: brothers- Todd and Thomas Sassaman, sister- Mary Erney, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers- Karl and Richard Sassaman and sister- Lois Mason.
A calling time will be held on Friday, December 10th 10-11 AM with a Service to follow at 11AM in Downing Funeral Home Inc. 1002 W Broad St. Bethlehem, PA 18018. Burial to follow in Bethlehem Memorial Park.
Contributions can be made in Donald’s memory to the American Cancer Society.
Frank Seier
Frank J. Seier, Jr., 68, of Bethlehem, passed away August 31, 2021. He was the son of the late Frank and Bernadine Seier. Frank worked previously for Bethlehem Steel doing masonry and then later worked doing grounds keeping for Allentown State Hospital. He enjoyed Notre Dame football, fishing (especially deep-sea fishing) and he treasured his cat- Ziggy. He will be deeply missed.
Survivors: daughter- Lauren Seier; brothers- Tommy, Jimmy and Daniel Seier; sister- Monica Swanson.
A Memorial Service will be announced at a later date. Arrangements are entrusted to Downing Funeral Home, Inc.
Contributions can be made in Frank’s memory to an animal shelter of one’s choice.
Thomas Steirer
Thomas W. Steirer, 73, of Bethlehem, passed away June 27, 2021. He was the loving husband to Eileen R. (Conway) Steirer and previously the late Barbara (Kapes) Steirer. Born in Allentown, he was the son of late William and Dorothy (Reinert) Steirer. Thomas served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. He worked as a Cryogenic Mechanic before his retirement from Air Products/ Sumitomo. Thomas was a member of Saints Simon and Jude Catholic Church and the Tin Can Sailors. His favorite moments were spending time with his grandchildren. He will be deeply missed.
Survivors: wife- Eileen Steirer; daughters- Lynn Somers and husband Greg of Coopersburg, Deborah Kelleman and husband James of Easton; grandchildren- Andrew, Carley, Maxwell, Lexie and Lyndsey; brother- Richard Steirer; sister- Maryann Miller; nieces and nephews.
A calling time will be held on Friday, July 2nd 10-11AM with a Memorial Service to follow at 11AM in Downing Funeral Home, Inc 1002 W. Broad St Bethlehem, PA 18018.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Thomas’s memory to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society PO Box 98018 Washington, DC 20090-8018.