Richard W. Erdman, Jr., 79, of Allentown, passed away September 30, 2023. Born in Allentown, he was the son of the late Richard and Loraine S. (Saeger) Erdman. Richard retired as a Director of Special Education and was a school psychologist. He was a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Allentown. Richard participated in foster care and adoption programs. Spirituality and family meant a lot to Richard and music was his passion. He will be deeply missed.
Survivors: sons- Allan C. Erdman, Eric Raymond, Brian C. Erdman; grandchildren; brother- Harvey S. Erdman; sister- Peggy Anne Lenox; niece- Lielsel.
A viewing will be held on Friday October 6th 10-11AM with a Funeral Service at 11AM in Downing Funeral Home, Inc. 1002 W. Broad St. Bethlehem, PA 18018. Burial to follow in Greenwood Cemetery, Allentown.

Andrea R. "Punky" (Groves) Edwards, 87, of Moore Twp, passed away November 6, 2021. She was the loving wife of the late Robert Edwards. Born in Washington, NJ she was the daughter of the late Cornelius “Bud” Groves and the late Cula (Freeman) Merritt. Andrea had worked previously for Bell Howell and Woodcraft in NJ. She was a founding member of the Resurrected Life Community Church, UCC. She was a loving mother and grandmother who loved to laugh and enjoyed cooking, talking on the phone, doing crosswords and watching the Hallmark channel. She will be deeply missed.
Survivors: son- Robert Edwards Jr.; daughters- Cula “Macky” Furman, Gwendolyn Jones, Jacqueline Cummings; 12 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; 9 great great grandchildren; sister- Constance “Connie” Robinson. She was predeceased by her sister- Jacqueline Ayers.
A viewing will be held on Saturday, November 13th 9-11AM with a Service at 11AM at the Resurrected Life Community Church, UCC 144 N 9th St. Allentown, PA 18102. Burial to follow in Resurrection Cemetery, Allentown. Contributions can be made in Andrea’s name to Resurrected Life Community Church, UCC. Arrangements are entrusted to Downing Funeral Home, Inc.

Benita S. (Schmidt) Eckert, 86, of Allentown, passed away October 10, 2019. She was the loving wife of the late Emanuel C. Eckert. Born in Jeffersonville, IN she was the daughter of the late Edward H. and Margaret A. (Chapman) Schmidt. Benita worked for many years as an office manager at Carlon. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Cedar Crest College in Allentown, PA in 1980. She was a member of St. Stephens Lutheran Church, where was church secretary and sang in the choir. Benita was also a member of the Pocono Wood Carvers, the Campbell Folk School and was a talented hobby artist.


Survivors: daughter- Kathleen Hartzell and husband Will Wallen of Wind Gap, son- Wayne Snyder and wife Peggy of Hagerstown, MD, grandchildren- Christine Espinoza of Nazareth and Jessica Snyder of Hagerstown, MD.



Services will be Private at the convenience of the family. Bonnie requested, in lieu of flowers, that a charitable donation be made to Smile Train!

D. Yvonne (Deiter) Earich, 84, of Bethlehem, passed away April 13, 2018. She was the loving wife of late Glenn Earich, who passed away in December. Born in Bethlehem, she was the last of the Deiter family and the daughter of the late Ferdinand and Mary Deiter. Yvonne retired from Bethlehem Steel as a telephone operator. She loved spending time watching sports, especially football.

Survivors: children- Michelle Foldes-Slack wife of Michael, Lisa Sigley, Peter Earich and Todd Earich all of Bethlehem; grandchildren- Stacey, Justin, Bryan, Devon, Bradley and Nicholas; great grandson- Kodey. She was predeceased by her brother Ferdinand Deiter Jr.

A viewing will be held for family on Friday, April 20th 10:30-11AM with a service at 11AM in Downing Funeral Home, Inc. 1002 W. Broad St. Bethlehem, PA 18018. Interment to follow in Bethlehem Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Yvonne’s memory to the American Lung Assoc. or the Center for Animal Health and Welfare care of Downing Funeral Home, Inc., Bethlehem.

Glenn A. Earich, 85, of Bethlehem, passed away December 21, 2017 in his home. He was the husband of 61 years to D. Yvonne (Deiter) Earich. He served in the U.S. Marine Corp during the Korean War. Glenn retired as an EMT for Bethlehem Steel after many years of service.

Survivors: wife- D. Yvonne Earich; children- Michelle Foldes-Slack wife of Michael, Lisa Sigley, Peter Earich and Todd Earich all of Bethlehem; grandchildren- Stacey, Justin, Bryan, Devon, Bradley and Nicholas; great grandson- Kodey.

Services will be Private.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Glenn’s memory to the American Cancer Society or the Center for Animal Health and Welfare care of Downing Funeral Home, Inc., Bethlehem.

Joan L. Eisele, 91, of Allentown, died February 5, 2017 at Cedarbrook Nursing Home. She was the wife of James C. Eisele who died in 1986. Joan was a graduate of Cedar Crest College, Class of 1946. She taught school for several years and was a secretary for 19 years for Ecolaire Corp in Easton (formerly Mosser Industries in Allentown), retiring in 1990. She was the daughter of the late John and Anna (Knauss) Fukan. Joan was a member of Zion’s Reformed United Church of Christ, Allentown, a member of the Consistory and taught Sunday School.

Survivors: Daughters- Rebecca wife of Craig Kahle, Kathleen wife of the late Richard Snyder, Susan wife of Jordan Goldman; Son- James Eisele husband of Brigid; 8 Grandchildren and 8 Great Grandchildren; Sister- In- Law- Jane Eisele LaPour. She was predeceased by her sisters- Marjorie Hebhardt and Marilyn Long.

Services will be held Friday at 11AM in the Masoleum at Grandview Cemetery 2735 Walbert Ave Allentown, PA 18104. Arrangements care of Downing Funeral Home, Inc.

Contributions can be made in Joan’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 501 St Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105.

Margaret M. (Brunner) Eharth, 92, of Bethlehem, passed away March 17, 2016 in Holy Family Manor. Born in Bethlehem, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Elizabeth (Grim) Brunner. Margaret worked for many years at Synthetic Thread. She was a member of Holy Ghost Catholic Church, their Seniors Group and the SS Simon and Jude Seniors. Margaret also volunteered for Holy Ghost’s PreSchool and loved to take bus trips to various sites.

Survivors:
Sons- Joseph Eharth and wife Carol of Palmer Twp, Gary Eharth of Bethlehem; Grandchildren- Rebecca Huber and husband Michael Huber of Bushkill Twp, Matthew Eharth and wife Janelle Eharth of Bushkill Twp; Great Grandchildren- Matthew James Eharth and Kaden Michael Huber. She was predeceased by her siblings- Joseph J. Brunner and Elizabeth Brunner of Bethlehem.

A calling time will be held on Monday 11:30AM-12PM with a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 12PM in Holy Family Manor’s St. Anne Chapel 1200 Spring St. Bethlehem (using the Prospect Ave entrance). Burial to follow in Holy Saviour Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Downing Funeral Home, Inc.

Contributions can be made in Margaret’s memory to Holy Family Manor- Long Term Care Unit.

Mary M. Evans, 54, of Bethlehem passed away on September 20, 2015. Wife of Michael Evans. They were married for 27 years. She was born in Kansas City Missouri, to the late James M. Watson and Regina (Wiley) Watson. She was a graduate of Bethlehem Catholic High School. Mary had a passion for animals and was previously employed as a Veterinary Technician. She was also involved with the Brookline Labrador Retriever Rescue. Her volunteer work helped to place many Labradors into loving caring homes.
She was a member of Notre Dame of Bethlehem Catholic Church.
Survivors: husband, Michael Evans and daughter Emily Evans of Bethlehem; mother, Regina Watson of Bethlehem; Sisters, Jane Watson of Cumming, GA and Jennifer (Watson) Edwards of Tulsa, OK.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday September 25th at 10AM in Notre Dame of Bethlehem Catholic Church 1861 Catasauqua Ave Bethlehem. Burial to follow in Holy Saviour Cemetery. The family would like to invite friends to gather at the family home following the burial. Arrangements care of Downing Funeral Home, Inc.

Contributions in lieu of flowers can be made to Brookline Labrador Retriever Rescue at: P.O. Box 638 Warrington, PA 18976-0638.