Mary (Dudash) Beaver, 90, of Nazareth, passed away January 19, 2024. She was the loving wife of the late Edward Millard Beaver. Born in Schoentown, Pa., she was the daughter of the late John and Mary (Wargo) Dudash. Mary worked for Bell Atlantic and then retired from Western Electric. She was a member of the former Church of the Manger in Bethlehem and most recently a member of St. Thomas United Church of Christ. Mary enjoyed playing Bingo, doing crafts, going to the casino, playing with the grandchildren, watching the birds and taking care of plants and flowers. She was a member of the Red Hat Society and AARP of Northampton. She will be deeply missed.
Survivors: children- Kenneth E. Beaver and wife Frances, Diane Kresh and husband Thomas; grandchildren- April, Christine, Jessica, Nicole and Tommy; great grandchildren- Greyson, Jayden, Kyleigh and Braxton; brother- Alex Dudash; sister- Nellie Faust and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her siblings- Bertha Ptaszkowski, Phillip Dudash, Theresa Kistler and Anna Burnham.
A Service will be held Friday, Januray 26th at 11:00AM in the Mausoleum in Cedar Hill Memorial Park 1700 Airport Rd. Allentown, PA 18109.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Mary’s name to www.ALivingTribute.com to have a tree planted in her memory.

Joseph L. Bauer, 69, of Bethlehem, passed away April 3, 2023. Born in Bethlehem, he was the son of the late Leonard and Pauline (Brauchle) Bauer. Joseph graduated from Bethlehem Catholic High School and retired as a quality inspector at Lehigh Valley Plastics. He loved spending time with his young grandchildren and making the earliest tee time at the golf course.

Survivors: Son - Jonathan Bauer (Lauren), 3 grandchildren, sister - Barbara Bruni (David), brother - Tony Bauer (Susan), and nieces and nephews.

A calling time will be held Saturday April 15th 10-11AM with a Memorial Service to follow at 11AM all in Downing Funeral Home, Inc. 1002 W. Broad St. Bethlehem, PA 18018.

Gary L. Briggs, 77, of Bethlehem, passed away January 13, 2023. He was the loving husband of 51 years to Mary Ann (Brancadora) Briggs. Born in Fountain Hill, he was the son of the late William and Arlene (Erb) Briggs. Gary graduated from Liberty High School in 1963 and attended Northampton County Community College. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. Gary was hard working and retired as Assistant Chief of the Bethlehem Fire Dept. after 27 years of service while also working for 20 years at Miller Keystone Blood Center as a Mobile Unit Attendant. Gary was a member of Notre Dame of Bethlehem Catholic Church. He was an Eagle Scout, a dedicated blood donor, a well respected friend and mentor and a loving family man. He will be deeply missed.

Survivors: wife- Mary Ann Briggs; daughters- Christina Marie Schiffer, Lisa Marie Briggs and wife Lori Gross, Teresa Rose Hughes and husband Ernest Hughes Jr.; grandchildren- Jared, Jason, Olivia, Elaina and Ernie III.

A viewing will be held on Wednesday, January 18th 6-8PM in Downing Funeral Home, Inc. 1002 W. Broad St. Bethlehem, PA 18018. A viewing will be held in church on Thursday, January 19th 9:30-10:30 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 to follow in Cedar Hill Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, Miller Keystone Blood Center or Notre Dame of Bethlehem Catholic Church care of Downing Funeral Home, Inc.

Gavin Lionel Boddie, 89, of Bethlehem, passed away November 25, 2022. He was the loving husband of 55 years to Jill (Yarney) Boddie. Born in Portsmouth, England, he was the son of the late Sidney and Dorothy (Dymock) Boddie. At the University level, Gavin studied chemistry, and later electronics, earning his certification from the Institute of Electrical and Radio Engineers in 1973. While still in the UK, Gavin worked for British Aircraft Corp and was then recruited by Texas Instruments, resulting in his relocation to the DFW area in Texas in 1979. After 11 years in Texas, Gavin relocated to the Lehigh Valley. He worked as an electrical engineer for Bell & Howell and Polymer Dynamics prior to retiring in 2007. Gavin was a quiet, thoughtful man who thoroughly enjoyed gardening and was very dedicated to his family. He will be deeply missed. Aside from his wife Jill, he is survived by sons- Howard and his wife Cyndee; Simon and his wife Anne; and 4 grandchildren.
A memorial service is planned for 11:00 am to 1:00pm on Saturday December 10, 2022 at Downing Funeral Home, 1002 West Broad St, Bethlehem, PA 18018. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to St. Lukes Hospice 801 Ostrum St. Bethlehem, PA 18015.

On November 2, 2022 Bertha “Bert” Butkowski, 90, took her long desired journey home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! How we all rejoice with her and for her! Bert was born 9/25/1932 on Staten Island, NY. She was married to Andrew Butkowski for 42 years until his death in 1993. Together they raised 9 wonderful and entertaining children. Bert was a devoted wife and mother. She loved all babies- but especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Bert had a great sense of humor, a contagious laugh, and a generous spirit. She was an avid reader, played a mean game of Scrabble, was always up for a party, and loved to dance at celebrations!
She is survived by her 9 children. Her 5 loving daughters: Cathy Graf (Mike), Joan Sergi (Rick), Anne Schoepple (Steve), Mary Sarisky (Joe), Maggie Post (Ryan). Her 4 Butkowski sons: Charles (Angela), Richard (Rita), Peter (Susan), John (Anita). Bert had 21 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.
Services: A viewing will be held on Friday, Nov 11th from 6-7:30PM with a funeral service at 7:30PM in Downing Funeral Home, Inc. 1002 W. Broad St. Bethlehem, PA 18018. A viewing will be held Saturday, Nov 12th 9:30-10:30AM with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30AM all in Notre Dame of Bethlehem Catholic Church 1861 Catasauqua Rd Bethlehem, PA 18018 where Bert was a 52-year member. Interment at Holy Saviour Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, Bert’s heart’s desires were donations to Bright Hope Pregnancy Support Centers 2200 Hamilton St. Suite 108 Allentown, PA 18109 and Mary’s Shelter 615 Kenhorst Blvd Reading, PA 19611.

Dorothy A. Billman, 91, formerly of Bethlehem, passed away early Friday, May 20, in Phoebe Home. Dorothy was born July 17, 1930 in Allentown, PA, daughter of the late Roland and Viola (Kuhns) Correll. She was the wife of the late John E. Billman who passed away December 3, 2020. Until her vision failed, she enjoyed crossword puzzles, the daily cryptoquote, and watching Turner Classic Movies.
Dorothy is survived by sons Richard E. and wife Andi of Phoenix, AZ; Edward A. of Pensacola, FL; and daughter Lauri S. and husband Jeffrey Moser of Allentown, PA; brother Glenn and his wife Ruth of Birdsboro, PA. Her grandchildren Christopher and Jessica Billman will deeply miss her. She is predeceased by sister Maryann, and brothers Rolly, Paul and Ozzie.
Dorothy’s family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Phoebe for their love and tender care over the past two plus years she lived there. Appreciation is given to Bayada Hospice during her final weeks.
Services will be private and are entrusted to Downing Funeral Home, Inc.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to phoebe.org.

Philip J. Bold, 88, of Bethlehem, passed away January 31, 2022 surrounded by his loving family. He was a devoted husband to the late Mary Jean Sefter. Born in Fountain Hill, he was the son of the late Frank and Mary (Egan) Bold. Philip served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. Until his retirement, Philip had worked for the U.S. Postal Service for 29 years. He was a member of Notre Dame of Bethlehem Catholic Church. Philip was an avid sports fan and took pride in caring for his home. He was always delighted to see his grandchildren and great grandchildren. His family was his priority and he always put them first. He cared for his wife until her passing and spoke fondly of her everyday until his own. He will be deeply missed.

Survivors: children- Ann E. Haymaker and husband Thomas of Hellertown, Mary Ellen Waas and husband Gene of Hellertown, Thomas J. Bold and wife Patricia of Narragansett, RI, James A. Bold and spouse Peter Verrecchia of Philadelphia; daughter- in- law- Susan Bold of Bethlehem; 10 grandchildren; 1 great granddaughter; 2 great grandsons. He was predeceased by his sons- Joseph F. and Michael J. Bold and grandson- Eric Waas.

A viewing will be held on Friday, February 4th 10-11AM with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11AM 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 Philip’s memory to St. Luke’s Hospice 801 Ostrum St. Bethlehem, PA 18015. Arrangements entrusted to Downing Funeral Home, Inc.

Michael G. Barbour Sr., 69, of Bethlehem, passed away January 24, 2022. He was the son of the late John and Madelyn (Hartigan) Barbour. Michael was the loving husband of 21 years to Carlene P. (Beahn) Barbour. He had worked for Bethlehem Steel, Walmart and then retired from Fisher Pharmaceutical. He will be deeply missed.
Survivors: wife- Carlene P. Barbour, son- Michael G. Barbour Jr., daughter- Patricia Barbour, step-children- Ann Kincaid, Gina Fizer, April Kulp and Danielle Beatty; 13 step-grandchildren and 2 great step-grandchildren. He was predeceased by a brother.
A Graveside service will be held on Friday, January 28th at 10AM in Cedar Hill Memorial Park 1700 Airport Rd. Allentown, PA 18018. Arrangements are entrusted to Downing Funeral Home, Inc.