George W. Hoffert, Jr., 86, of Bethlehem, passed away September 5, 2015. He was the husband of 62 years to Dolores E. (Jones) Hoffert. Born in Bethlehem, he was the son of the late Katie (Oberly) and George W. Hoffert, Sr. George retired from Bethlehem Steel after 36 years of service and also worked part time for Lawns by George.

Survivors: Wife- Dolores Hoffert; Children- Debra Patton and husband Ron of Bethlehem, Randy Hoffert of Bethlehem, Kathy Walker and husband George of Schuylkill County, Krisann Szvetecz and husband Phillip of Bethlehem; Grandchildren- Michael and Matthew Patton, Jordan Hoffert, Skylar and Hailey Szvetecz; Great Granddaughter- Ryleigh Patton; Furry Companions- Sade, Kenzi, and Roxie; Brother- James Hoffert and wife Jean of Bath. He was predeceased by 6 siblings.

Services: Services will be Private care of Downing Funeral Home, Inc.

Contributions: Contributions can be made in George's memory to any charity of your choice.

Kathleen M. Hartigan "Kathy" of Bethlehem, Pa, passed away on Wednesday, July 1, 2015. Born January 30, 1938 in Hellertown, Pa., the daughter of the late John and Tressie Dugan, sister of Georgine Matey (deceased) and Mary Jane Figuli. She is survived by her husband of 8 years, Thomas Hartigan; her daughters: Jill (Joseph Krystofinski), grandchildren Paige and Michael; Joan (Jeffrey Vasko), grandchild Katlyn; and Kathy (Barry Daugherty) and grandchild Dillon. She is also survived by her husband's sons: Thomas (Maryann) Hartigan, their children, Katie, Maggie and Tori; Craig (Kevin) Hartigan, their children, Erin and Cara; Sean (Holly) Hartigan and their child, Morgan.
Kathy attended the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing through 1958, she continued her education at and graduated from the School of Nursing at St. Luke's Hospital in 1974. Over the years her career pursuits allowed her to work as a registered nurse, nurse supervisor, nurse manager and critical care nurse. Kathy worked at St. Luke's in Bethlehem, Southwest Florida Regional and Cape Coral Hospital, in Florida.
While in Florida Kathy had the opportunity to meet Gunnars Sturans, an artist in Cape Coral Florida, as a result of this meeting she was able to fulfill her lifelong dream of drawing and painting. With birds and wildlife as her predominate subjects she started with watercolors and progressed to acrylics. She sold her paintings in the Florida Keys and Pennsylvania. Kathy assisted her daughter Jill with the painting of a mural at Lehigh Valley Health Network at Cedar Crest.
When she retired from nursing she moved to the Florida Keys, where she was active in local politics, served on the Layton City Council; was a member of the Layton Red Hat Society and the Purple Isle Art Guild.
Kathy was an avid reader and served as a library volunteer in everywhere she lived: from Limeport, Pa, to Islamorada Fl, to Amarillo, Tx and Bethlehem Pa. She enjoyed traveling throughout her life, but most of all with her husband Tom, who took her to every corner of the earth.
Services are scheduled from from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., Wednesday, July 8th at Downing Funeral Home, 1002 West Broad Street, Bethlehem, Pa.; followed by Mass at St. Simon and Jude Catholic Church, 730 West Broad Street, Bethlehem, Pa and burial at Holy Savior Cemetery, 2575 Linden Street, Bethlehem, Pa.
Contributions can be made in Kathy’s memory to a charity of one’s choice.`

Lilian M. (Zaremba) Husser, 85, of Bethlehem, passed away December 18, 2014. She was the loving wife of the late Joseph E. Husser. Born in Brooklyn, NY she was the daughter of the late Ethel (John) Zaremba. She was retired from the Ladies Garment Workers Union. Lilian was of the Catholic faith. She enjoyed going to the casinos with her daughter-in-law Stephanie and going out to eat.

Survivors:
Son- Joseph "Skip" and wife Stephanie Husser of Bethlehem; Grandchildren- Todd of Bethlehem and Jennifer of Parkville, MD; Great Grandchildren- Ashley, Caleb and Abigail. She was predeceased by her daughter- Debi and sister- Dorothy Deltido.

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

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Lilian’s memory to One by One Cat Rescue PO Box 226 Kutztown, PA 19530.

Edward Lee Hearn, 92, of Macungie, passed away July 3, 2014 in Lehigh Center. He was the loving husband of the late Betty (Generose) Hearn. Born in John Y, WV, he was the son of the late John and Myrtle (Kisner) Hearn. Edward served in the U.S. Army Air Corp. during WWII. He was a founding member of Notre Dame of Bethlehem Catholic Church. Edward retired from Western Electric/ AT&T after 32 years of service. He was a lifetime member of IBEW, a member of the AT&T Telephone Pioneers and the MORA Club. Edward was an avid dancer and loved spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Survivors: Sons- Edward J. and wife Susan of Bethlehem Twp. Mark E. and wife Suzette of Cape Corral, FL Thomas and companion Julie Davidson of Macungie Daughters- Liz and husband Curtis Pass of Bethlehem Mary Moyer of Catasauqua Dolores and late husband Andrew Dalrymple of Allentown 10 Grandchildren 5 Great Grandchildren He was predeceased by his sisters Betty Julian and Leona Hearn and grandson- Christopher Lee. A viewing will be held Tuesday 6-8PM in Downing Funeral Home, Inc. 1002 W. Broad St. Bethlehem 18018. A viewing will be held Wednesday in the church 9:45-10:30AM with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30AM in Notre Dame of Bethlehem Catholic Church 1861 Catasauqua Rd Bethlehem 18017. Burial to follow in Cedar Hill Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Edwards name to the Multiple Sclerosis Society or the National Kidney Foundation care of Downing Funeral Home, Inc.

Florence E. (Croll) Hagenbuch, 90, of Bethlehem, passed away May 9, 2014, in Gracedale Nursing Home. She was the loving wife of the late Paul A. Hagenbuch, Sr. Born in Lehighton, she was the daughter of the late Chester and Regina (Simonson) Croll. She was a member of the Bath Senior Center and enjoyed doing stained glass, quilting, ceramics, knitting and traveling. Florence previously worked for George's Food Liner and Western Electric. Survivors: Survivors: Sons- Paul A. Hagenbuch Jr. and wife Patricia, Bruce A. Hagenbuch and wife Carol; 5 Grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren She was predeceased by her daughter, Renee Balutis, 4 brothers: William, Bud, Dwayne, and Donald, 4 sisters: Janet Croll, Eleanor Roth, Rita Brindell, and Ruth DeRosa. Services: Services will be private at the convenience of the family care of Downing Funeral Home, Inc. Contributions: Memorial Contributions may be made in her name to St. Luke's Hospice, 1510 Valley Center Parkway, Suite 200, Bethlehem, PA 18017.

Edith M.Edith M. (Frye) Hencke, age 90, of ALS, on April 24, 2014. Born Sept. 29, 1923 of German and Scotch-English ancestry of Piney Community, VA. Survived by 4 children: Dr. W. Richard of CA, Thomas R. "Randy" of NH, James E. of MA, and Judith Houston of CO; ten grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. "Edie" as member of the WWII generation women who worked to support the war effort and surrendered these positions to the returning servicemen, worked at Bakelite in New Brunswick, NJ as a research chemist during the war, and went home to start a family once married to Wm. R. "Bill" Hencke on Aug. 3, 1946. In addition to full-time homemaker, Edie dove into volunteer work with a passion -March of Dimes, PTA, Girl Scouts & Girl Guides, Boy Scouts, Lehigh University and active 24 years at Asbury Methodist Church, Allentown, PA. Of all of these, the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts was her highest devotion throughout the latter half of her life. Services: A Memorial Service will be held at Asbury Methodist Church, Allentown, PA, on Saturday, May 31, 2014, 2pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in Edie's memory may be made to: World Foundation for Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, Inc., PO Box 6457 - Dept. 276 Indianapolis, IN 46206.

Marybeth Hoag, 69, of Cape Vincent, passed away on April 5, 2014.



She was born on September 20, 1944 in Central Square, daughter of Lawrence and Virginia Mallory. She graduated from Paul V. Moore High School. Later in life, she earned an associate’s degree from Onondaga Community College and a bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University.



Marybeth worked in insurance for many years, but found her true passion in retirement when she opened her own quilting business. Her beautiful quilts can be found in the White House, the American embassy in France, and in homes across the United States. She taught many new quilters, and was an active participant in quilting guilds.



She was a devoted member of the church throughout her life and expressed her faith through music and children’s ministry.



Her family and friends will deeply miss her strength, laughter, and determination. She was always willing to share her faith, her talents, and her love.



She is survived by her husband Gordon; her son Ronald (Penny) Holbrook; her daughters Bonniesue (Frank) Oxford; Angela (Jeff) Griswell; Jennifer (Scott) Korin; Cyndy (Ben) Barlip; her step-sons Dale (Judy) Hoag; Scott Hoag; David Hoag; 18 adored grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother Ronald (Diane) Mallory; her sisters Margaret (Kenneth) Hare; Janet Mallory; Lorraine (Craig) O’Neill; and many beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews. She is pre-deceased by her sister Rose White and brother Thomas Mallory and her parents.



A memorial service in celebration of her life will be held at 3:00 pm on Saturday, May 3, 2014 at The River Community Church, 38844 Bartlett Point Road, Clayton, NY 13624. Donations to the church in lieu of flowers may be sent to the same address.

Arline (Reichenbach) Hoffman, 101 years, passed away Nov. 16 in Phoebe Nursing Home. Survivors: Daughter, Sylvia Krown & husband, Bruce; daughter-in-law, Mary Hoffman & families. Predeceased by husband, Melvin; son, George Hoffman. Services: Private. Downing Funeral Home handling arrangements.