Bernice E. M. (Laible) Breidenbach, 83, of Bethlehem, passed away December 6, 2017. She was the loving wife of 64 years to Richard S. C. Breidenbach. She worked for over 32 years in various sewing factories in the Lehigh Valley. Her greatest joy was her family.

Survivors: husband- Richard Breidenbach; son- Kenneth Breidenbach; grandson- Joshua Breidenbach; siblings- Phyllis Becker and Richard Laible. She was predeceased by her daughter-in-law- Jamie Breidenbach.

A viewing will be held Monday, Dec 11th 10-11AM with a service to follow at 11AM all in Downing Funeral Home, Inc. 1002 W. Broad St. Bethlehem, PA 18018. Burial to follow in Cedar Hill Memorial Park, Allentown.

David E. Braxmeyer, 67, of Bethlehem, passed away June 12, 2017. Born in Bethlehem, he was the son of the late Donald and Katherine (McLaughlin) Braxmeyer. David worked for Bethlehem Steel for over 20 years and then worked for Dorney Park as a mechanic.

Survivors: Sisters- Joan Weiss and Anne Connors of Bethlehem; Nephews- Matt and Stephen; Niece- Katie; Aunt- Mary Jane Bold of Bethlehem.

Services will be private care of Downing Funeral Home, Inc.

Mitchell J. Brown III, affectionately known as “Downtown,” passed on Sunday, April 30th, 2017 with his family by his side. Mitch was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend whose keen wit and selfless generosity guided him along a less beaten path. He was the quintessential romantic and an eccentric optimist whose passion for revelry was second only to his love for his family and friends. As a career wordsmith and grammarian, “Downtown” had a special appreciation for the beauty and power of language as he evidenced through his love of storytelling, humor, and most of all, irony. His leisure pursuits were as eclectic as they were unconventional; he enjoyed wagering, wood-splitting, watering holes, and the back porch. “Downtown” will be sorely missed by all those he touched and is survived by the love of his life Eileen, four children, six grandchildren, and countless extended family members and friends.

Paul G. Bringenberg, 95, formerly of Bethlehem, passed away February 17, 2017. He was the loving husband of the late Mary (Farkas) Bringenberg. Born in Bethlehem, he was the son of the late Lawrence G. and Eleanor (McGinley) Bringenberg. Paul served in the U.S. Army Air Corp. during WWII. He retired from Bethlehem Steel after 42 years of service. Paul was a member of St. Ursula’s Catholic Church where he served as an Eucharistic Minister. He was also a member of the MORA club of Bethlehem, the Fountain Exchange Club, CBI, Knights of Columbus Trinity Council 313 as a 4th Degree Knight, the Holy Name Society, Fountain Hill American Legion and the Golden Hillers.

Survivors: Children- Patrick Briggs and wife Celine of Toronto Ontario, Michael Takacs and wife Elizabeth of Pittsgrove, NJ, Barbara Becker and husband Charles of Douglassville, PA with whom he resided, Frances Sharpless and husband James of Houston, TX, Jean Cech and husband David of Marietta, OH, Eileen Hofstetter and husband Frank of Citrus Springs, FL; 19 Grandchildren; 21 Great Grandchildren; Siblings- Trudy Fenton of Nazareth, Thomas Bringenberg of Jim Thorpe, Fred Bringenberg of Bethlehem, Sister Eleanor Mary of Flourtown, Rita Kent of Pomona, CA. He was predeceased by his son- Paul Bringenberg, daughter- Kathleen Bringenberg and brothers- Larry, Leonard, Vincent and Carl Bringenberg.

A viewing will be held Thursday 6-8PM in Downing Funeral Home, Inc. 1002 W Broad St. Bethlehem, PA 18018. A church viewing will be held Friday 9-10AM with Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10AM in St. Ursula’s Catholic Church 1300 Broadway Bethlehem, PA 18015. Burial to follow in Holy Saviour Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to St. Ursula’s Catholic Church Memorial Fund.

Helen M. (Walsh) Bitterlich, 89, of Bethlehem, passed away October 18, 2016. She was the loving wife of the late Harry C. Bitterlich. Born in Port Carbon, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Helen (Yakubonis) Walsh. Helen retired in 1987, after 29 years of service, from AT&T. She was a member of Notre Dame of Bethlehem Catholic Church and was part of their choir.

Survivors:
Grandchildren- William E. Bitterlich Jr., Autumn D. (Bitterlich) Mucha, Emily Helen Bitterlich and Adam D. Bitterlich. Siblings- Kathleen A. (Walsh) Dowling, Marie T. Goss, Joseph E. Walsh, John F. Walsh. Survived also by many nieces and nephews. She was beloved by all.
She was predeceased by her two sons- William and Harry Bitterlich and two younger brothers Vincent and William Walsh.

A calling time will be held on Saturday Oct 29th 9-10AM with Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 10AM all in Notre Dame of Bethlehem Catholic Church 1861 Catasauqua Rd Bethlehem. Downing Funeral Home, Inc. is entrusted with the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in the church or directly to Cure International or to the charity of your choice.

Thomas E. Boyer Sr., 85, of Bethlehem, passed away July 4, 2016. He was the loving husband of 59 years to Margaret H. (Klucsarits) Boyer. Born in Bethlehem, he was the son of the late Carl Boyer and M. Ruth (Myrtle) Bailey. Thomas worked previously for the City of Bethlehem and Everson Electric.

Survivors: Wife- Margaret Boyer; Children- Deborah Gaydos of Bethlehem, Barbara Boyer of Bethlehem, Kathleen Boyer of Seattle, WA; Thomas Boyer of Idyllwild, CA; 2 Grandsons; 2 Granddaughters; 1 Great Granddaughter; 1 Brother; 2 Sisters. He was predeceased by his first wife- Victoria (Markovic) Boyer and 2 Sisters.

Services will be private at the convenience of the family care of Downing Funeral Home, Inc.

Martha (Halko) Bogunovich, 95, of Bethlehem, passed away March 3, 2016 in Holy Family Manor. She was the loving wife of the late George M. Bogunovich for 73 years. Born in Hazelton, she was the daughter of the late Mary (Gulas) and John Halko. Martha was a member of Notre Dame of Bethlehem Catholic Church.

Survivors:
Children- Georgine Gladstone, Daniel Bogunovich, Mark husband of the late Marianne Bogunovich, Richard and wife Terry Bogunovich and Jane and husband Casey Stengel; 15 Grandchildren; 7 Great Grandchildren. She was predeceased by her Son- George Bogunovich Jr. and Daughter- Maryann Bogunovich.

A Calling time will be held on Friday 9:00- 9:30AM in Downing Funeral Home, Inc. 1002 W. Broad St. Bethlehem, PA 18018. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00AM Friday 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 Martha’s memory to The Resident Activity Fund at Holy Family Manor, 1200 Spring St, Bethlehem, PA 18018.

The Reverend Michael F. Briggman, Pastor Emeritus of Most Blessed Sacrament Church, Bally, Pennsylvania, died on Friday, 26 February 2016, at Holy Family Villa for Priests, Bethlehem, at the age of 73.

Born in Pottsville, Father Briggman was the son of the late Joseph and Irene (Novacki) Briggman. He is survived by his sister, Mary Kay Mullen and her husband Lee, of Pennsylvania; brothers, Joseph Briggman and wife, Kathleen, of Westford, Massachusetts, and John “Jack” Briggman, of Charlotte, North Carolina; nephews, Lee Mullen and wife, Clare, Michael Mullen, and Salvador Briggman; grandnephews, Thomas and Michael.

Father Briggman attended elementary school at Saint Patrick School and is a graduate Nativity Blessed Virgin Mary High School, both in Pottsville. He attended Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, Overbrook, where he received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy, and The Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome, where he received a Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology.

He was ordained to the Priesthood on 6 April 1968 in Rome by The Most Reverend Francis F. Reh, then-Rector of the Pontifical North American College, Rome, Italy.

Father Briggman’s first priestly assignment was Parochial Vicar, Sacred Heart Church, West Reading, followed by Parochial Vicar, Saint Joseph Church, Easton, and Parochial Vicar, Saint Ignatius Loyola Church, Whitfield.

His first Pastoral assignment was at the former Saint Francis de Sales Church, Mount Carbon. Father Briggman was then named Pastor of Saint Joseph Church, Easton, followed by Pastor, Most Blessed Sacrament Church, Bally, where he served until his retirement on 28 January 1997 and was named Pastor Emeritus.

During the course of his Priestly Ministry, Father Briggman served as Regional Director of Vocations for Berks County; Member, Priests’ Choir; Associate Professor, Notre Dame High School, Easton; Chaplain, Boy Scouts Minsi Trail Council, Easton; Member, Council of Priests; Advocate and Notary, Diocesan Tribunal; Regional Director, American Catholic Overseas Aid, Berks County; Chaplain, Pottsville Hospital; Chaplain, Serra Club Forks of the Delaware Chapter; Member, Budget Board, Notre Dame High School, Easton; Member, Advisory Board, Notre Dame High School, Easton; President, Advisory Board, Notre Dame High School, Easton; Member, Budget and Audit Review Board, Reading Central Catholic High School, Reading; Member, Council of Priests; Spiritual Director, Holy Name Society, Lehigh Deanery; Retired Priests Representative, Council of Priests and was involved with Cursillo Retreat Program.

Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, March 1, 2016 in Saints Simon and Jude Church, 730 West Broad Street, Bethlehem, from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM with a Vigil Service at 7:30 PM. The Reverend Monsignor Stephen J. Radocha, Pastor, Saint Jane Frances de Chantal Church, Easton, and Dean of Northampton Deanery, will preside. The Homilist will be Deacon William F. Urbine. Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, March 2, 2016 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM in Saints Simon and Jude Church. Mass of Christian Burial for Father Briggman will be celebrated at Saints Simon and Jude Church Wednesday, March 2, 2016 at 11:00 AM by His Excellency, The Most Reverend John O. Barres, D.D., Bishop of Allentown. The Homilist will be the Reverend Monsignor John J. Martin, Pastor, Saint Peter Church, Coplay. Interment will take place in Calvary Cemetery, Pottsville, on Thursday, March 3, 2016 at 11AM. Arrangements care of Downing Funeral Home, Inc., Bethlehem.