Patricia A. Smith, 79, of Bethlehem, died on October 12, 2020.
Pat was a great listener who was deeply perceptive and gave wise advice, but only when you asked for it. She was also very silly, always looked forward to lunch with the girls and could probably beat you at Yahtzee nine times out of 10.
Among the skills her daughters wish they’d inherited from her were her keen eye for interior design, her ability to solve even the hardest puzzles and word games and her gift for bringing so many friends and family members together for Sunday dinners, summer picnics and Thanksgiving.
Pat was married to Jack “Hank” Smith for 52 years until his passing in 2012. Together, they enjoyed remodeling their home, rides around the countryside and dinners at old favorites like The Cove Inn in Bethlehem. But they were happiest catching lots of flounder on their annual vacations to Chincoteague Island, Virginia. Their ashes will be spread together on Chesapeake Bay.
The family wishes to extend their sincere thanks to the many loved ones who showed Pat their continual love, support and compassion in immeasurable ways during her illness. They’re also deeply grateful to the staff of Abington Manor for their ongoing care, particularly during this difficult time.
Survivors: Pat is survived by her two adoring daughters and son-in-laws, Christine and Tom Guro of Hellertown and Valarie Smith and Brian Libby of Portland, Oregon; three grandchildren and their spouses, Julie Nuttall of Hellertown, Michael and Jessica Kolesnik of Hamilton, NJ, and Sean and Kierstin Guro of Hellertown; her great-grandsons Michael John and Joseph James Kolesnik, of Hamilton, NJ; her sisters and brothers-in-law, Linda and Sam D’Amico of Bethlehem and Emma and Bill Chavera of Las Vegas, NV; and her brother and sister-in-law, Frederick and Eva Anderson, of Bethlehem. She was preceded in death by her sister and brother-in-law, Shelby and Edward Sitler of Bethlehem, PA, and will be remembered with love by her nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.
Services: Private services will be held at Downing Funeral Home.
Contributions: In lieu of flowers, the family suggests you donate to a charity of your choice.

Martin G. Seglets, 72, of Coopersburg, passed away March 9, 2020. Born in Bethlehem, he was the son of the late Martin J. and Mary Rose (Sides) Seglets. He graduated from Bethlehem Catholic High School. Martin worked previously for Mack Trucks, then B. Braun and then in Security for DeSales University. He was of the Catholic faith. Martin was supporter of many charitable organizations, listening to Piano and Polka music, especially Jolly Joe Timmer. He enjoyed fishing, target shooting and watching Westerns on TV. Martin was also a member of the Ridge & Valley Gun Club.

Survivors: daughter- Amy Dress and husband David Dress of Coopersburg; son- Jim Seglets and wife Joy Lamb-Seglets of Coopersburg; 6 grandsons- Matthew, Dylan and Evan Dress and Shane, Zachary and Jacob Seglets; sister- Mary Werley of Alburtis; brother- David Seglets of Whitehall; loving nieces and nephews; former spouse and good friend- Beverly Martinez.

A calling time will be held on Saturday, March 14th 9:30-11:00AM with a Memorial Service to follow at 11AM in Downing Funeral Home, Inc. 1002 W. Broad St. Bethlehem, PA 18018. Burial to follow in Holy Ghost Catholic Cemetery, Bethlehem.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Martin’s memory to Father Flanagan's Boys Home care of the funeral home.

Margaret (Kaufmann) Sewald, 88, of Bethlehem passed away January 29, 2020 in Gracedale Nursing Home. She was the loving wife of the late Deacon Richard T. Sewald Sr. who passed away in 2008. Born in Bethlehem, she was the daughter of the late Lawrence and Sophia (Copf) Kaufmann. Margaret worked for 21 years, before her retirement, as a Supervisor in the Cafeteria for Muhlenberg Hospital. She was a member of Notre Dame of Bethlehem Catholic Church.

Survivors: son- Richard T. Sewald Jr. and wife Deborah of Bethlehem; daughters- Diane M. Kemper and late husband Charles of Waynesboro, Kathleen A. Herencia and late husband Roger of Cambridge Springs; grandchildren- Richard and wife Kim Sewald, Ryan and wife Renea Sewald, Crista and husband Patrick Brawley, Rachel and husband Adam Dries; great grandchildren- Hailey and Damon Sewald, Ashley, Jenna and Cody Sewald, Madelyn and Hunter Brawley, Ceclia and Joshua Dries. She was predeceased by 12 siblings.

A calling time will be held Saturday, February 8th 9:30-11AM with Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11AM in Notre Dame of Bethlehem Catholic Church 1861 Catasauqua Rd. Bethlehem, PA 18018. Burial to follow in Holy Saviour Cemetery. Arrangements are entrusted to Downing Funeral Home, Inc.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Notre Dame of Bethlehem Catholic Church.

Dorothy Anne (Huber) Strohm, 93, of Bethlehem, passed away December 1, 2019. She was the loving wife of the late Maynard “Bob” V. Strohm. Born in Cementon, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Anna (Emerich) Huber. Dorothy graduated from Allentown Central Catholic and was an original member of Notre Dame of Bethlehem Catholic Church. She was also a member of the Third Order of the Dominicans, the Legion of Mary and Notre Dame’s 55+ Club. Dorothy was at her happiest when her small home and large heart were overflowing with family and friends. In her later years, when she couldn’t be there for everyone else, she offered her day up in prayer.

Survivors: Children- Jeffrey Strohm and companion Beverly Ferguson of Bethlehem, Robert Strohm and wife Marialuisa of Bethlehem, Josanne Fries and husband Donald of Berwick, Thomas Strohm and wife Patricia of Bethlehem Twp, Sallyann Laidacker and husband Jeffrey of Lower Nazareth; Grandchildren- Heather Strohm, Jacob Ferguson, Brent Strohm, Courtney Taggart, Stephanie Alicea, Ugo Bolognesi, Donald Fries, Benjamin Fries, Alexandria Fries, Daniel Strohm, Allison Strohm, Chole Birk, Jacob Birk, Seth Laidacker, and Ethan Laidacker; Great Grandchildren- Skylar Taggart, Cameron Taggart, Liam Fries, Scarlett Verga, Theodore Fries, Giovanni Garcia and Natalee Alicea; brother- Richard Huber; sisters- Sr. Josanne Huber, M.S.C. and Maryanne Pohl. She was predeceased by daughter- Loriann Tarsi, grandchildren- Bradley Strohm and Jacqueline Fries, brothers- Joseph and Ernest Huber.

A viewing will be held on Thursday, December 5th 6-8PM in Downing Funeral Home, Inc 1002 W. Broad St. Bethlehem, PA 18018. A viewing will be held on Friday, December 6th 10-10:30 with 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 Holy Saviour Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers contributions can be made in Dorothy’s memory to the Catholic Charities or to the M.S. Society c/o the funeral home.

Earl F. Stralo, 76, of Bethlehem, passed away November 4, 2019 surrounded by his loving family. He was the loving husband of 55 years to Sue A. (Snyder) Stralo. Born in Fountain Hill, he was the son of the late Veronica (Drozda) and Rollin G. Stralo Sr. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Cuban Missile Crisis aboard the aircraft carrier- the USS Lake Champlain. Earl worked for 30 years as a stock chaser and receiver for Mack Trucks before his retirement. He was a member of Bethany UCC in Bethlehem. He enjoyed fishing, golfing, bowling, wood working and was an expert in home improvements. Earl was also an avid Eagles fan. He loved spending time with his grandson- Matthew aka “Spudders.”
Survivors: wife- Sue A. Stralo; sons- Michael S. Stralo and companion Melanie Fluck, Tod Matthew Stralo and wife Kimberly Ann Stralo; grandchildren- Matthew Earl Stralo, Kaitlyn Elizabeth Rivera and Felicia Moreno; brother- Rollin Stralo Sr.; sisters- Dorothy Rudis and Barbara Marsteller. He was predeceased by his brothers- Ronald, Richard and Paul Stralo and sister- Gladys Stralo.
A viewing will be held on Saturday, November 9th 10-11:30AM with a Service at 11:30AM in Downing Funeral Home, Inc. 1002 W. Broad St. Bethlehem, PA 18018. Burial to follow in Nisky Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Earl’s memory to a charity of one’s choice.

Philamay Theresa (nee Wadzinki) Swiderski, our beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother passed away May 7, 2019. Born in Nanticoke, Luzerne County, PA on July 25, 1921, Philamay was the youngest child of John and Katherine “Katie”(nee Olshefski) Wadzinski. She graduated from Nanticoke High School in 1939, attended Wilkes College and graduated from Wilkes Barre Business School where she received The Palmer Method of Business Writing Certificate (Advanced Course) for Superior Ability in Rapid Legible Commercial Penmanship. Her handwriting was beautiful.
Philamay married John S. Swiderski Sr. on May 8, 1948 in St. Stanislaus R.C. Church, Nanticoke. The newlyweds moved to Allentown and then Bethlehem. In November 1956, Philamay and John purchased a house on Stonington Road, Bethlehem where they resided for 54 years. After John’s death on July 25, 2010 Philamay lived here for another 7 years. 61 years in the same house. It was and still is a wonderful neighborhood.
During World War II, Philamay worked as a riveter at the US Navy Yard, Philadelphia. After the war she worked in the business office at Retreat State Hospital, Hunlock Creek, Luzerne County, PA. Early in her marriage she was employed by A.C. Kendall Co., Bethlehem. In 1960, after ten years as a stay at home mom, she went to work at Hess Brothers Department Store as an accounts payable clerk. She retired from Hess’s in 1985.
In retirement Philamay and John traveled extensively in the United States and Canada. They enjoyed beach vacations with their grandchildren, visiting her sister Beatrice in New York and Florida, attending Penn State football games and Army Fifth Engineer Combat Battalion reunions. For their golden wedding anniversary, she and John traveled to England, Scotland and Wales. Philamay also enjoyed solo trips to Italy, Ireland and Israel. For many years, she and John were members at the Bethlehem YMCA where they participated in coed hydro dynamic classes and made many new friends. In September 2011, she was inducted into the Pennsylvania Voter Hall of Fame in recognition of outstanding citizenship demonstrated by her participation in every November election for 50 consecutive years. Philamay was an avid reader—a trait she passed on to her daughter and granddaughter.
She was a member of Notre Dame of Bethlehem R. C. Church for 63 years and an active member of the parish’s 55+ Club for many years.
Philamay was predeceased by her husband, her parents, and siblings Frank, Sophie Pleskash and Beatrice McKenzie. She is survived by her daughter Catherine and her husband Greg Csencsitz, Northampton, PA, son John and his wife Jane (nee Harris), Bethlehem, PA and Shawnee, KS, grandson Samuel Swiderski and his wife Suzie Weng, Los Alamitos, CA, granddaughter Samantha Swiderski Higley and her husband Robert, Lenexa, KS, great-grandchildren Kate and Ben Higley, nephews John Wadzinski, Myrtle Beach, SC and Charles Arnone, Glendale, AZ, goddaughter and niece Ann Marie Swiderski Harris, Mt. Pocono, PA, godson Roger Day, Horsham, PA and cousin Norman Krauser, Nanticoke, PA.

Services will be at Notre Dame of Bethlehem Church, 1861 Catasauqua Rd., Bethlehem, PA 18018 on Tuesday, June 25, 2019 with visitation from 9:30 am to 10:30 am and a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30. Burial will be in Holy Savior Cemetery, Linden St., Bethlehem immediately following the Mass. Arrangements entrusted to Downing Funeral Home Inc.
Contributions may be made to Notre Dame Church or Northampton Area Public Library, 1615 Laubach Avenue, Northampton, PA 18067.

Rachel R. (Ernst) Skoutelas, 65, of Bethlehem, passed away March 29, 2019. She was the loving wife of the late Nicholas Skoutelas. Born in Allentown, she was the daughter of the late Gustave and Mamie (Crist) Ernst. Rachel had worked previously for Moravian College in their food court and helped her husband in Vallos Bakery for many years. She will be deeply missed.

Survivors: siblings- Barbara Dederick (Charles), Loretta Ernst, Kenneth Ernst, Rosemary Washburn (Ronald), Roberta Bader (Willard), Rebecca Ernst, Teresa Roncolato, Joseph Ernst, David Ernst (Elizabeth), Brenda Lapeta and Amanda Rutkowski (Richard); 26 nieces and nephews, 28 great nieces and nephews and 1 great great niece. She was predeceased by siblings- Joan Miller and Margaret Ernst.

A viewing will be held Thursday, April 4th 10-11AM with a Service to follow at 11AM in Downing Funeral Home, Inc. 1002 W Broad St Bethlehem, PA 18018. Burial to follow in Cedar Hill Memorial Park.

Doris L. (Gwilliam) Shemanski, 95, of Bethlehem, passed away January 4, 2019 peacefully in her home. Born in Plymouth, England, she was the daughter of the late Robert and Edith (Mewhort) Gwilliam. Doris served in the English Navy where she met and married her “Timo” Chester Shemanski. They were married for 64 years before his passing in 2009. Doris was a dedicated member of Saints Simon and Jude Catholic Church, where she volunteered and participated in many activities and fundraisers. She was a member of the SS Simon and Jude Seniors, the choir and their Sodality. Doris enjoyed gardening, sewing, wallpapering, baking and having afternoon tea with her best friend Eileen.
Survivors: daughter- Kathleen Wiesner spouse of the late Alan; son- Chester Shemanski Jr. and spouse Susan; daughter- Carla Mojica and spouse Roberto; son- Richard Shemanski and spouse Judy; grandchildren- Sean, Kelly, Michael, Cassie, Jason and Heather; great grandchildren- Madalyn, Grace and Miley; step-grandchildren- Betty Jo, AJ and Sean; step- great grandchildren- Brianna, Elise, Colette, Molly and Audrey. She was predeceased by her sister- Kathleen Rowe and brother- Robert Gwilliam of England.
A viewing will be held on Wednesday, January 9th 9:45-10:45AM in church with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11AM all in Saints Simon and Jude Catholic Church 730 W. Broad St Bethlehem, PA 18018. Entombment to follow in Holy Saviour Cemetery, Bethlehem.
Contributions can be made in Doris’s memory to Lehigh Valley Hospice care of Downing Funeral Home, Inc.