Elizabeth “Betty” (Ruhe) Scheirer, 94, of Bethlehem passed away May 27, 2021 at St. Luke’s VNA Hospice. She was born July 4, 1926 to the late Jacob and Catharine (Matizka) Ruhe. She was the loving wife of the late Jacob Scheirer for 62 years before he passed away in August of 2009. She graduated from Liberty High School in 1944. Prior to becoming a fulltime homemaker, Betty had previously worked for Laros Silk Mill and Roller Smith. She was a member of Trinity UCC and participated in their Welcome Wednesday’s. She had taught Sunday School class and started the Peanut Group at Bethany UCC, where she was a former member. Betty enjoyed playing cards, knitting and sending cards to people. She will be deeply missed.
Surviving are sons- James and Randy; grandsons- James and wife Season, Michael and wife Christine; great grandchildren- Jacob, Isabella, Cameron and Teagan. She was predeceased by 5 brothers and 5 sisters.
A viewing will be held on Wednesday, June 2nd 9:30-10:45AM with a Service to follow at 11AM all in Trinity UCC 81 E. North St. Bethlehem, PA 18018. Burial to follow in Bethlehem Memorial Park. Arrangements are entrusted to Downing Funeral Home, Inc.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Betty’s memory to Trinity UCC.

Mary C. Steager, 99, of Bethlehem, passed away January 8, 2021. She was the loving wife of the late James Steager Sr. Born in Bethlehem, she was the daughter of the late Stephan and Mary Slahta. Mary was a member of St. Ursula Catholic Church and their Woman’s Guild. She was a member of the Fountain Hill Hiller’s, volunteered at Cedarbrook Nursing Home and previously for Channel 39. Mary was an avid gardener.
Survivors: daughter- Patricia and husband Dr. Joseph Bacak, grandson- Daniel and wife Lauren Madden. She was predeceased by her son- James Steager Jr., son-in-law- Edward Stokarski and 9 siblings.
Services will be Private for the family care of Downing Funeral Home, Inc.

Marlene M. (Major) Szvetecz, 79, of Bethlehem passed away October 21, 2020. Services will be Private care of Downing Funeral Home, Inc.

Patricia A. Smith, 79, of Bethlehem, died on October 12, 2020.
Pat was a great listener who was deeply perceptive and gave wise advice, but only when you asked for it. She was also very silly, always looked forward to lunch with the girls and could probably beat you at Yahtzee nine times out of 10.
Among the skills her daughters wish they’d inherited from her were her keen eye for interior design, her ability to solve even the hardest puzzles and word games and her gift for bringing so many friends and family members together for Sunday dinners, summer picnics and Thanksgiving.
Pat was married to Jack “Hank” Smith for 52 years until his passing in 2012. Together, they enjoyed remodeling their home, rides around the countryside and dinners at old favorites like The Cove Inn in Bethlehem. But they were happiest catching lots of flounder on their annual vacations to Chincoteague Island, Virginia. Their ashes will be spread together on Chesapeake Bay.
The family wishes to extend their sincere thanks to the many loved ones who showed Pat their continual love, support and compassion in immeasurable ways during her illness. They’re also deeply grateful to the staff of Abington Manor for their ongoing care, particularly during this difficult time.
Survivors: Pat is survived by her two adoring daughters and son-in-laws, Christine and Tom Guro of Hellertown and Valarie Smith and Brian Libby of Portland, Oregon; three grandchildren and their spouses, Julie Nuttall of Hellertown, Michael and Jessica Kolesnik of Hamilton, NJ, and Sean and Kierstin Guro of Hellertown; her great-grandsons Michael John and Joseph James Kolesnik, of Hamilton, NJ; her sisters and brothers-in-law, Linda and Sam D’Amico of Bethlehem and Emma and Bill Chavera of Las Vegas, NV; and her brother and sister-in-law, Frederick and Eva Anderson, of Bethlehem. She was preceded in death by her sister and brother-in-law, Shelby and Edward Sitler of Bethlehem, PA, and will be remembered with love by her nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.
Services: Private services will be held at Downing Funeral Home.
Contributions: In lieu of flowers, the family suggests you donate to a charity of your choice.

Martin G. Seglets, 72, of Coopersburg, passed away March 9, 2020. Born in Bethlehem, he was the son of the late Martin J. and Mary Rose (Sides) Seglets. He graduated from Bethlehem Catholic High School. Martin worked previously for Mack Trucks, then B. Braun and then in Security for DeSales University. He was of the Catholic faith. Martin was supporter of many charitable organizations, listening to Piano and Polka music, especially Jolly Joe Timmer. He enjoyed fishing, target shooting and watching Westerns on TV. Martin was also a member of the Ridge & Valley Gun Club.

Survivors: daughter- Amy Dress and husband David Dress of Coopersburg; son- Jim Seglets and wife Joy Lamb-Seglets of Coopersburg; 6 grandsons- Matthew, Dylan and Evan Dress and Shane, Zachary and Jacob Seglets; sister- Mary Werley of Alburtis; brother- David Seglets of Whitehall; loving nieces and nephews; former spouse and good friend- Beverly Martinez.

A calling time will be held on Saturday, March 14th 9:30-11:00AM with a Memorial Service to follow at 11AM in Downing Funeral Home, Inc. 1002 W. Broad St. Bethlehem, PA 18018. Burial to follow in Holy Ghost Catholic Cemetery, Bethlehem.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Martin’s memory to Father Flanagan's Boys Home care of the funeral home.

Margaret (Kaufmann) Sewald, 88, of Bethlehem passed away January 29, 2020 in Gracedale Nursing Home. She was the loving wife of the late Deacon Richard T. Sewald Sr. who passed away in 2008. Born in Bethlehem, she was the daughter of the late Lawrence and Sophia (Copf) Kaufmann. Margaret worked for 21 years, before her retirement, as a Supervisor in the Cafeteria for Muhlenberg Hospital. She was a member of Notre Dame of Bethlehem Catholic Church.

Survivors: son- Richard T. Sewald Jr. and wife Deborah of Bethlehem; daughters- Diane M. Kemper and late husband Charles of Waynesboro, Kathleen A. Herencia and late husband Roger of Cambridge Springs; grandchildren- Richard and wife Kim Sewald, Ryan and wife Renea Sewald, Crista and husband Patrick Brawley, Rachel and husband Adam Dries; great grandchildren- Hailey and Damon Sewald, Ashley, Jenna and Cody Sewald, Madelyn and Hunter Brawley, Ceclia and Joshua Dries. She was predeceased by 12 siblings.

A calling time will be held Saturday, February 8th 9:30-11AM with Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11AM in Notre Dame of Bethlehem Catholic Church 1861 Catasauqua Rd. Bethlehem, PA 18018. Burial to follow in Holy Saviour Cemetery. Arrangements are entrusted to Downing Funeral Home, Inc.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Notre Dame of Bethlehem Catholic Church.

Dorothy Anne (Huber) Strohm, 93, of Bethlehem, passed away December 1, 2019. She was the loving wife of the late Maynard “Bob” V. Strohm. Born in Cementon, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Anna (Emerich) Huber. Dorothy graduated from Allentown Central Catholic and was an original member of Notre Dame of Bethlehem Catholic Church. She was also a member of the Third Order of the Dominicans, the Legion of Mary and Notre Dame’s 55+ Club. Dorothy was at her happiest when her small home and large heart were overflowing with family and friends. In her later years, when she couldn’t be there for everyone else, she offered her day up in prayer.

Survivors: Children- Jeffrey Strohm and companion Beverly Ferguson of Bethlehem, Robert Strohm and wife Marialuisa of Bethlehem, Josanne Fries and husband Donald of Berwick, Thomas Strohm and wife Patricia of Bethlehem Twp, Sallyann Laidacker and husband Jeffrey of Lower Nazareth; Grandchildren- Heather Strohm, Jacob Ferguson, Brent Strohm, Courtney Taggart, Stephanie Alicea, Ugo Bolognesi, Donald Fries, Benjamin Fries, Alexandria Fries, Daniel Strohm, Allison Strohm, Chole Birk, Jacob Birk, Seth Laidacker, and Ethan Laidacker; Great Grandchildren- Skylar Taggart, Cameron Taggart, Liam Fries, Scarlett Verga, Theodore Fries, Giovanni Garcia and Natalee Alicea; brother- Richard Huber; sisters- Sr. Josanne Huber, M.S.C. and Maryanne Pohl. She was predeceased by daughter- Loriann Tarsi, grandchildren- Bradley Strohm and Jacqueline Fries, brothers- Joseph and Ernest Huber.

A viewing will be held on Thursday, December 5th 6-8PM in Downing Funeral Home, Inc 1002 W. Broad St. Bethlehem, PA 18018. A viewing will be held on Friday, December 6th 10-10:30 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.

In lieu of flowers contributions can be made in Dorothy’s memory to the Catholic Charities or to the M.S. Society c/o the funeral home.

Earl F. Stralo, 76, of Bethlehem, passed away November 4, 2019 surrounded by his loving family. He was the loving husband of 55 years to Sue A. (Snyder) Stralo. Born in Fountain Hill, he was the son of the late Veronica (Drozda) and Rollin G. Stralo Sr. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Cuban Missile Crisis aboard the aircraft carrier- the USS Lake Champlain. Earl worked for 30 years as a stock chaser and receiver for Mack Trucks before his retirement. He was a member of Bethany UCC in Bethlehem. He enjoyed fishing, golfing, bowling, wood working and was an expert in home improvements. Earl was also an avid Eagles fan. He loved spending time with his grandson- Matthew aka “Spudders.”
Survivors: wife- Sue A. Stralo; sons- Michael S. Stralo and companion Melanie Fluck, Tod Matthew Stralo and wife Kimberly Ann Stralo; grandchildren- Matthew Earl Stralo, Kaitlyn Elizabeth Rivera and Felicia Moreno; brother- Rollin Stralo Sr.; sisters- Dorothy Rudis and Barbara Marsteller. He was predeceased by his brothers- Ronald, Richard and Paul Stralo and sister- Gladys Stralo.
A viewing will be held on Saturday, November 9th 10-11:30AM with a Service at 11:30AM in Downing Funeral Home, Inc. 1002 W. Broad St. Bethlehem, PA 18018. Burial to follow in Nisky Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Earl’s memory to a charity of one’s choice.