Sophia C. (Makoski) Kutzera, 92, of Hellertown passed away March 25, 2022. She was the loving wife of the late Joseph S. Kutzera. Born in Hellertown, she was the daughter of the late Adam and Antonina (Kroll) Makoski. Sophia graduated from Hellertown High School and then from Sacred Heart School of Nursing, Allentown in 1951. She worked as a nurse for many years, retiring from Holy Family Manor. She was a member of Holy Ghost Catholic Church and formerly the Red Hat Society. Sophia was very social and enjoyed meeting her classmates from nursing school for lunches for over 70 years. She will be deeply missed.

Survivors: children- Marie Dieter of Bethlehem, Joseph Kutzera and wife Barbara of Hellertown, Carole Mazzeo and husband Stephen of Sunbury, Stephen Kutzera and wife Bonnie of Hellertown, Michael Kutzera of Washington, DC; 10 grandchildren; 3 great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her siblings- Joseph and Vincent Makoski, Cecelia Jamiolkowski, Stella Makoski, and daughter-in-law Lynn Kutzera.

A calling time will be held on Saturday, April 2nd 9-11AM in Downing Funeral Home, Inc. 1002 W. Broad St. Bethlehem, PA 18018. Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 12PM in Holy Ghost Catholic Church 417 Carlton Ave Bethlehem, PA 18015. Burial to follow in Holy Saviour Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Holy Ghost Catholic Church or to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

With deep sadness, we announce the passing of Theresa M. Kranyecz (nee Krenos) of Bethlehem, on December 20, 2021, at Holy Family Manor. She was the wife of Joseph S. Kranyecz with whom she shared over 51 years of marriage.
Born in Allentown, she was the daughter of Frank and Rose (Eberhardt) Krenos and stepmother Therese (Horvath) Krenos. She was a 1963 graduate of Allentown Central Catholic High School.
After high school, Theresa worked at Grammes and Company in the real estate department. She later worked at Walker, Walker, Thomas & Karess with Martin J. Karess, Esq. She ended her legal secretary career at Fonzone & Ashley, working with Charles J. Fonzone, Esq.
While her daughters were young, she volunteered at dance recitals and competitions, Girl Scouts, and she had been an early participant and volunteer for Bethlehem’s live Christmas pageant.
Theresa was an avid reader. She enjoyed book sales, her family book club, basket bingo, Scrabble, crossword and jigsaw puzzles, vacationing in Strathmere, NJ, and Saturday ice cream dates with her husband and soulmate, Joe. She loved animals, her “granddogs and grandcats,” and especially her dear dog Marble.
Theresa is survived by her loving husband, Joseph S. Kranyecz; daughters, Amy McGarr, wife of Richard McGarr of Hanover Township, and Rorie Van Vliet, wife of Greg Van Vliet of Macungie; her beloved grandchildren, Ava Costa, Joseph Van Vliet, and Jenna McGarr; sisters, Frances Rekai and husband Edward Rekai, Pauline Baker, and Carolyn Krenos-Bodnar and her husband Richard Bodnar; and numerous nieces and nephews who were all dearly loved by their Aunt Teci.
She was predeceased by her sister, Rosemarie Bishop and brother-in-law, John Bishop.
A viewing will be held on Monday, December 27th 9:30-10:30 with a Service at 10:30AM in Downing Funeral Home, Inc. 1002 W. Broad St. Bethlehem, PA 18018. Masks are mandatory for attendance due to continued COVID-19 concerns. Burial to follow in Holy Saviour Cemetery.
Contributions may be made to Holy Family Manor, Bethlehem.

Leo Charles Kehs, 71, of Bethlehem, passed away Tuesday, November 2, 2021. Born in Allentown, he was the son of the late Lawrence L. and Margaret (Ward) Kehs.
Leo grew up in Bethlehem and was a 1968 graduate of Bethlehem Catholic High School. He attended the Career Academy School of Broadcasting in Houston, Texas, graduating in 1970, before starting as a radio announcer at WGPA in Bethlehem. Known on air as “Lee Casey,” his career took him to cities nationwide, from KNOM in Nome, Alaska, to WHUE in Boston.
He later returned to the Lehigh Valley, where his voice was heard on commercials on local radio stations. More recently, he worked as a chauffeur, including for Siegfried Chauffeur Services of Allentown.
He was a train buff who spent much time model railroading. He was also a licensed ham radio operator with the call sign K3EHS. His other pastimes included photography and making balloon animals.
Leo attended church at St. Francis Retreat House in Bethlehem Township, where he was very active. He will be remembered for his infectious laugh, and deeply missed by all those who knew him.
Survivors: sister, Margaret Mary; niece, nephew and great-niece.
A viewing will be held Tuesday, November 9 from 6-7:30 PM in Downing Funeral Home, Inc., 1002 W. Broad St. Bethlehem, PA 18018.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Leo’s memory to the Valley of Good St. Anne, 175 Nazareth Pike, Bethlehem, PA 18020.

Irene (Koren) Kokosky, age 91, of Bethlehem, passed away in the comfort of her home on Thursday, August 19, 2021. She was the loving wife of 60 years to Michael J. Kokosky who passed on March 27, 2020. Born in Hazleton, PA, Irene was the daughter of the late Joseph and Susan Koren (Greno).
Irene was a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Bethlehem. She loved her family and Grandchildren. She enjoyed window shopping, cooking, baking, polka music and her lipstick.
Irene is survived by her sons, Michael D. Kokosky, Gary J. Kokosky and his wife Shannon, Richard S. Kokosky and daughter-in-law Angelic, grandchildren, Sam, Michael, Gina, Alex, Natalia and Jackie. Sisters, Elaine Solvino and Joan Wilt. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband and parents, Irene is preceded in death by her sister Mary Brand and brother Michael Koren.
A Calling Time will be held on Saturday, August 28th 9-10AM with a Service for Irene and her husband Michael to follow at 10AM in Downing Funeral Home, Inc. 1002 W. Broad St. Bethlehem, PA 18018. Entombment to follow at Holy Savior Cemetery. Michael’s Obituary may be read online at www.DowningFuneralHome.com.

Louisa ‘Rhodi’ Reed Kushner, 83, of Bethlehem, PA passed away March 6, 2021, surrounded by her family. Her husband of 45 years, John Kushner, predeceased her August 19, 2020.
Louisa was born in Bethlehem and was the fifth of 9 children of William and Helen (Kiefer) Reed. She was a 1951 graduate of St. Simon and St. Jude. There she got the nickname ‘Rhodi’, when she played the state of Rhode Island in a play about the 13 original colonies!
She was 1955 graduate of Allentown Central Catholic.

Louisa is survived by her only child, Theresa (Terri) DiGiovanni, of Newport, RI.
She has two grandchildren, Mary Kate Gough, of Brooklyn, NY and Garrett Gough, of Newport,
RI. She has four surviving siblings, Elizabeth Zobb of Bethlehem, Charles Reed of Fogelsville, Michael Reed (Stephanie)of Coopersburg and Mary Young (Timothy Schneider) of Philadelphia. She is predeceased by brothers William, James, Thomas and a sister Adelaide Kirschman.

Louisa lived in California, Colorado, Virginia, India, Philippines as an adult but returned to Bethlehem in 1997. Louisa loved to laugh, had a wonderful sense of humor and excelled at the art of telling jokes. She was a great writer and enjoyed writing poetry and still wrote letters despite the technology of email. Louisa enjoyed reading, playing bingo, and organizing family events, which she was great at.

In Lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to St Luke’s Hospice House, who provided care
in her final days.

Internment arrangements are coordinated through Downing Funeral Home.
Family and friends are invited for Louisa’s internment on April 23, 2021,
at 1 PM at Cedar Hill Memorial Park, Allentown PA,

Joyce E. (Weidman) Kirk, 82, of Hanover Twp, passed away February 28, 2021. She was the loving wife of over 50 years to the late Edward J. Kirk. Joyce was an avid pet lover. She enjoyed antiquing, attending church and raising her family. She will be deeply missed.
Survivors: children- Marian Keenan, Andrew Brown, Leonard Brown, Jean Prewitt, Joan Holecz and Joseph Kirk; 7 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her son Michael Kirk and many sisters and brothers.
Services will be Private.
Contributions can be made to help toward her son/caregiver Joseph Kirk’s future life expenses care of Downing Funeral Home, Inc.

Janet L. (Condor) Kelly, 91, of Bethlehem, passed away peacefully at Holy Family Manor on January 12, 2021. She was the loving wife of the late Andrew R. Kelly. Born in Harrisburg, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Josephine (Acri) Condor. She was of the Catholic faith. Janet was a homemaker and will be remembered as a loving mother and grandmother. She loved spending time with her grandchildren as they grew up, and enjoyed going on many fun filled day trips with them. She loved to go shopping and had many special shopping and luncheon trips to Promeroy’s in Harrisburg and Hess’s in Allentown with her daughter. She lived next door to the Westgate Mall where she would walk to almost every day, and got to know many of the store clerks throughout the mall. She also loved to go to Antique Shops and collect Thomas Kinkade, Limoge, miniature tea sets, Beanie Babies, and anything Italian or Irish related, and display these throughout her apartment, She also collected racing memorabilia, Hess trucks, dolls, and nutcrackers for her children and grandchildren. Janet also enjoyed going to the Bell Telephone Pioneer Dinners and Picnics, traveling to Florida, and going on cruises with her late husband Andrew. She was a hugger and a kisser, and will be greatly missed by her family.
Survivors: daughter- Patricia Marakovits and husband Tim of Kutztown; Michael Kelly of Bethlehem, Brian Kelly and wife Nancy of Bethlehem; grandchildren- Justin Kelly, Nick Marakovits, Hannah Marakovits; great grandchildren- Makayla and Sienna Kelly; brother- Gilbert Condor and wife Roseanne.
Services will be Private care of Downing Funeral Home, Inc.
Contributions can be made in Janet’s memory to Holy Family Manor.

John J. “Jack” Kushner, 85, of Bethlehem, passed away August 19, 2020. He was the loving husband of 45 years to Louisa E. (Reed) Kushner. Born in Allentown, he was the son of the late John and Margaret (Hoffman) Kushner. John was a 1953 graduate of Liberty High School. John served in the U.S. Army. He had worked for the former Lehigh Engineering in Bethlehem and then as a mechanical contractor in California for 19 years. John attended Ss Simon and Jude Catholic Church.

Survivors: wife- Louisa; daughter- Susan M. wife of Ret. Lt Col John Bokor of Las Cruces, NM; step-daughter- Theresa DiGiovanni of Newport, RI; granddaughter- Jessica Bokor-Sapyta of KY; step-grandchildren- Mary Kate Gough of Brooklyn, NY and Garrett S. Gough of Newport, RI.

No Services will be held. Arrangements are entrusted to Downing Funeral Home, Inc.