Rachel R. (Ernst) Skoutelas, 65, of Bethlehem, passed away March 29, 2019. She was the loving wife of the late Nicholas Skoutelas. Born in Allentown, she was the daughter of the late Gustave and Mamie (Crist) Ernst. Rachel had worked previously for Moravian College in their food court and helped her husband in Vallos Bakery for many years. She will be deeply missed.

Survivors: siblings- Barbara Dederick (Charles), Loretta Ernst, Kenneth Ernst, Rosemary Washburn (Ronald), Roberta Bader (Willard), Rebecca Ernst, Teresa Roncolato, Joseph Ernst, David Ernst (Elizabeth), Brenda Lapeta and Amanda Rutkowski (Richard); 26 nieces and nephews, 28 great nieces and nephews and 1 great great niece. She was predeceased by siblings- Joan Miller and Margaret Ernst.

A viewing will be held Thursday, April 4th 10-11AM with a Service to follow at 11AM in Downing Funeral Home, Inc. 1002 W Broad St Bethlehem, PA 18018. Burial to follow in Cedar Hill Memorial Park.

Margaret Gangewere, 97, of Bethlehem, PA died on March 27, 2019 at the Little Sisters of the Poor residence in Newark, DE. Born in 1921, she was the daughter of Windish immigrants Frank and Louise Donchez. She was predeceased by her husband of nearly 50 years Robert Gangewere, also of Bethlehem and all of her siblings Frank, Theresa, Louise and Anne and a very special niece, Sister Josette. Margaret spent nearly 30 years working at Lehigh University and was very active in a multitude of volunteer opportunities at Holy Ghost Catholic Church and St Luke's Hospital.
She is survived by her daughter Marguerite Donovan of Hockessin, DE and son Robert Jr and his wife Maureen of Norfolk, VA, five grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, April 1st at 11:00 A.M. at Holy Ghost Catholic Church, 417 Carlton Ave, Bethlehem. A calling time will be held previously 10:30-11AM in the church. Burial will be in Holy Saviour Cemetery. In lieu of flowers request all memorials be made in memory of Margaret to the Little Sisters of the Poor, 185 Salem Church Road, Newark, DE 19713-2997. Arrangements entrusted to Downing Funeral Home, Inc.

In the early morning hours of March 23, 2019, this beautiful and sweet lady would leave this world and enter the kingdom of her heavenly Father to achieve her just reward of eternal peace and happiness. She would now be free from the terrible affliction that consumed her over the last thirteen years of her life. She was of a kind and gentle spirit…loved by those who lives she touched. She loved partying with friends on Saturday nights at Mahoney’s Irish Pub, vacationing at the beach, and visiting different islands. The timing of her illness deprived her of being the best grammy in the world.
Julie, 69, of Bethlehem, was born September 6, 1949. She was the daughter of the late William and Marie Shiner.
She graduated from Liberty High School. She was active in assisting teachers of learning disabled children in the Bethlehem School District. She worked at the former Hotel Bethlehem as a banquet waitress for several years. She then worked at Westminster Village as a transportation provider and activities director up until retirement.
She is survived by her husband of 50 years Fred Horvath; daughter Michele and husband Sam Odenwelder; sons Charles and wife Marlen, Mark and wife Nichole; grandchildren Nicholas, Elias, Lucy, and Marcus; sister Annamarie Shuey and husband John; sister-in-law Bernice; six nephews and nieces. She was predeceased by her brother James.
Contributions in Julie’s name to The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration- Helpline: 1-866-507-7222 or info@theaftd.org Special thanks to St. Lukes Home Hospice Care, especially Case Nurse Amanda and Health Aide Jackie.
Services: Thursday, March 28, 2019 at Saints Simon and Jude Catholic Church 730 W. Broad St. Bethlehem, PA 18018. Calling hours 10-11AM with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11AM. Arrangements entrusted to Downing Funeral Home. Inc.

Soon Yi “Tina” (Pak) Fletcher, 82, of Coopersburg, passed away March 5, 2019. She was the loving wife of the late William J. Fletcher. Born in Korea, she was the daughter of the late Min Chol and Hi (Kong) Pak. Tina was an avid gardener and will be deeply missed by her family.
Survivors: son- Michael of Allentown; sister-in-law- Eddi (Fletcher) and husband Joe Salamone of Florida; brother-in-law- Leo and wife Vickie Fletcher of Quakertown; sister-in-law- Jo Lunardini of Erie; several nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. Tina was predeceased by her sister-in-law- Margaret (Fletcher) Chapleski.
A viewing will be held on Friday, March 8th 9:30-10:30 with a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10:30AM all in Assumption of the BVM Catholic Church 4101 Old Bethlehem Pike Bethlehem, PA 18015. Burial to follow in Cedar Hill Memorial Park.
The family would like to express heartfelt thanks to St. Luke’s Hospice House for their care and comfort to Tina and her family.
In lieu of flowers contributions can be made in Tina’s memory to St. Luke’s Hospice House care of Downing Funeral Home, Inc.

Carmelo Guzman, 84, of Bethlehem, passed away February 16, 2019. He was the loving husband to Doris Edna (Torres) Guzman, with whom he spent 60 wonderful years of marriage. Born in Isabela, Puerto Rico, he was the son of the late Damaso and Isabel (Ramos) Guzman. Carmelo was a member of Holy Infancy Catholic Church. His happiest moments in life were spent with his family, and he will be deeply missed.

Survivors: wife- Doris Edna Guzman; children- Noemi Martinez and husband Domingo, Doris Edna Guzman, Carmelo Guzman Jr. and wife Marilyn, George Guzman and wife Angela; 11 Grandchildren; 11 Great Grandchildren; siblings- Damaso Guzman Jr., Gillermina Torres, Pedro Guzman. He was predeceased by 3 siblings.

A viewing will be held on Thursday, February 21st 8:45-9:45 AM in Holy Infancy Catholic Church located at 312 E. 4th St. Bethlehem, PA 18015. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 AM in the church and burial to follow. Arrangements entrusted to Downing Funeral Home, Inc.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Holy Infancy Catholic Church

Hulme W. Thomas Jr., 76, of Bethlehem, passed away January 7, 2019 in Lake Harmony, surrounded by his loving family. He was the loving husband of 50 years to Paula Marie (Meixell) Thomas. Born in Carmel, CA, he was the son of the late Elizabeth (Wolf) and Hulme W. Thomas Sr. Hulme served in the 101st Airborne Division of the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He then worked as a Field Engineer for IBM and upon retirement worked for Hampton Lanes. Hulme was a problem solver and enjoyed helping others. He was very talented and could build or fix anything. He also enjoyed doing photography privately.

Survivors: wife- Paula Marie Thomas; sons- Hulme W. Thomas III “Bill” and his wife Rhiannon, David Thomas and his wife Sandi; grandchildren- Savannah, Daniel, Benjamin, Annabelle and Caleb.

A viewing will be held on Saturday, January 12th 9-11AM with a Service at 11AM in Downing Funeral Home, Inc. 1002 W. Broad St. Bethlehem, PA 18018. Burial to follow in Zion Cemetery in Kriedersville.

Richard Rodriguez, 47, of Bethlehem, passed away January 5, 2019. Born in Bethlehem, he was the son of Edwin Rodriguez and Elizabeth (Huertas) Hothouse. He will be deeply missed and loved.
Survivors: father- Edwin Rodriguez and companion Catherine Weiss and her daughter Michele; mother- Elizabeth and husband Everett Hothouse and his children Kathy, Marisol and Everett III; son- Richard Rodriguez and his mother Elizabeth Diaz; maternal grandfather- Luis Huertas; paternal grandmother- Nerida Molina; brother- Raymond Rodriguez and fiancé Denise; companion- Dana Sykes; aunts- Mercedes, Maria, Mary, Diane, Rosemary and family; uncle- Trini, Freddie and wife Betsy; cousin-Nina and husband James; nieces- Jasmine, Elizabeth and Lea; nephew- Raymond Rodriguez Jr.; many other nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was predeceased by his brother- Edwin Rodriguez and grandfather- Luis Ramos.
A calling time will be held on Friday, January 11th 8:30-10:30AM with a Service to follow at 10:30AM in Downing Funeral Home, Inc. 1002 W. Broad St. Bethlehem, PA 18018. Burial to follow in Nisky Hill Cemetery, Bethlehem.

Doris L. (Gwilliam) Shemanski, 95, of Bethlehem, passed away January 4, 2019 peacefully in her home. Born in Plymouth, England, she was the daughter of the late Robert and Edith (Mewhort) Gwilliam. Doris served in the English Navy where she met and married her “Timo” Chester Shemanski. They were married for 64 years before his passing in 2009. Doris was a dedicated member of Saints Simon and Jude Catholic Church, where she volunteered and participated in many activities and fundraisers. She was a member of the SS Simon and Jude Seniors, the choir and their Sodality. Doris enjoyed gardening, sewing, wallpapering, baking and having afternoon tea with her best friend Eileen.
Survivors: daughter- Kathleen Wiesner spouse of the late Alan; son- Chester Shemanski Jr. and spouse Susan; daughter- Carla Mojica and spouse Roberto; son- Richard Shemanski and spouse Judy; grandchildren- Sean, Kelly, Michael, Cassie, Jason and Heather; great grandchildren- Madalyn, Grace and Miley; step-grandchildren- Betty Jo, AJ and Sean; step- great grandchildren- Brianna, Elise, Colette, Molly and Audrey. She was predeceased by her sister- Kathleen Rowe and brother- Robert Gwilliam of England.
A viewing will be held on Wednesday, January 9th 9:45-10:45AM in church with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11AM all in Saints Simon and Jude Catholic Church 730 W. Broad St Bethlehem, PA 18018. Entombment to follow in Holy Saviour Cemetery, Bethlehem.
Contributions can be made in Doris’s memory to Lehigh Valley Hospice care of Downing Funeral Home, Inc.