Cheryl “Cheri” A. Buonanno, 66, of Bethlehem, passed away February 5, 2026. She was the loving wife and soul mate of 10 years to James “Jim” Buonanno, whom she had known for over 17 years. Born in Allentown, she was the daughter of Barbara (Sinsky) Hood and the late Ron Brobst. Cheri served in the U.S. Army. She then worked as a Nurse for 27 years. After her retirement she worked at Weis Markets for a few years. Cheri was a mentally and physically tough woman. She also was a very intelligent and creative woman who when she wanted anything, she made sure she got it. She was very determined. She was fantastic in the kitchen where she would make everything taste so delicious. Cheri was a great researcher. Cheri had a beautiful spirit, very caring towards others especially those who needed consolation. Cheri would do just about anything for anybody. She was an extremely generous person for sure! Beautiful heart and soul! Her dog Toby, which she picked out online from Lancaster, will miss her. Cheri loved playing and walking Toby with her rollator. She made many friends along the way walking Toby. She taught Toby very well. Cheri was well known in our neighborhood. Heaven has a gem of a woman!
Survivors: husband- Jim Buonanno, mother- Barbara Hood, daughter- Angela Zemlansky, sister- Donna Van Etten, aunt- Ginny Haas, cousin- Mike Haas, mother-in-law- Benita C. Buonanno. She was predeceased by her brother- Robert Hood.
A Calling Time will be held on Friday, February 13th 5-7PM with a Memorial Service at 7PM in Downing Funeral Home, Inc. 1002 W. Broad St. Bethlehem, PA 18018.

Anna M. (Schlaner) Blackwood, 68, of Bethlehem, passed away January 6, 2026. She was the loving wife of the late John Blackwood, III. Born in Allentown, she was the daughter of the late Anna (Stoudt) and John Schlaner. Anna graduated from Southern Lehigh High School in 1975. She was a long-time volunteer for the Celtic Cultural Alliance at the Celtic Classic. She was the ultimate sports mom, attending all of her son’s sporting events when they were young. Anna loved music and going to concerts with her husband, especially Meatloaf and Jimmy Buffett. She also enjoyed going on cruises, her favorite being the American Virgin Islands. Anna loved the color purple, butterflies, frogs and dogs, her most recent dog rescue being her best friend, Milo. She will be deeply missed.
Survivors: sons- John Blackwood, IV and his wife Tara Blackwood of Annapolis, MD and Jeramy D. Blackwood and his wife Danielle Blackwood of Rock Island, IL; grandchildren- J. Gifford, Jase and Bo Blackwood; brothers- John, Richard and Frank Schlaner.
A viewing will be held on Monday, January 12th 5-7PM and Tuesday, January 13th 9:15-10:00AM with a Service to follow at 10:00AM in Downing Funeral Home, Inc. 1002 W. Broad St. Bethlehem, PA 18018. Burial to follow in St. Paul’s Blue Church Cemetery, Coopersburg.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Lehigh Valley Humane Society 640 Dixon St. Allentown, PA 18103.

Anne M. (Murphy) Bowser, 78, of Bethlehem, passed away December 4, 2025. She was the loving wife of over 55 years to Ronald S. Bowser. Born in Bethlehem, she was the daughter of the late Richard E. and Virginia M. (Byrem) Murphy. She was a 1965 graduate of Liberty High School and worked as a Dental Assistant for many years.

Anne had a warm and welcoming personality and home - the back door was always open. As matriarch of the neighborhood “kool-aid house”, she opened her home not only to her friends and family, but to her kids’ friends as well. Many have called her their “second mom”. She loved working in her beautiful garden and spending time outside. She could often be found sitting on the patio on a summer evening chatting with someone from the neighborhood that had come to visit. Anne liked music and loved to dance and enjoyed spending time in Beach Haven on LBI, which was her happy place. She also loved playing games both on the computer and with family, as well as doing Wordle, working on puzzles and doing crosswords. But most of all, Anne loved being a wife, a mom and especially a grandmother. Spending time with her four granddaughters was the highlight of her life. She will be deeply missed.

Survivors: husband- Ronald Bowser, daughter- Erica Eynon and husband Jeff, son- Ronnie Bowser and wife Mary, granddaughters- Ruby Anne, McKenna, Kacey and Cecilia, brother- Richard Murphy and wife Ariel, sister- Kathleen Murphy and husband Terry Magliane, several nieces and nephews.

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

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Anne’s memory to the American Heart Association or the American Diabetes Association.

Eileen A. (Hollendersky) Burkhardt, 81, of Bethlehem, passed away peacefully September 9, 2025. She was the loving wife of the late William A. Burkhardt, who passed in 2002. Born in Bethlehem, she was the daughter of the late George and Anna (Hugya) Hollendersky. Eileen graduated from Central Catholic High School and worked for many years in bookkeeping, retiring from Lehigh Valley Humane Society where she had worked as their front desk manager. She was a member of Saints Simon and Jude Catholic Church. Eileen enjoyed baking, knitting and walking her dog. She will be deeply missed.

Survivors: children- Tammymarie Burkhardt, Todd A. Burkhardt husband of Demeisa, Stephanie M. Skyriotis wife of the late Peter; grandchildren- Brittany, Lauren, Bobby, Abigail, Evi and Ellie; great grandson- Matixx; sister- Maryjane Pickard; brother-in-law- Bernard Kita. She was predeceased by her brother- George Hollendersky, sister- Anna Mae Kita, granddaughter- Lauren Burkhardt.

Services will be Private.

Robert J. Butcher, affectionately known as Bob, passed away on January 27, 2025, at the age of 88. Born in McAdoo, Pennsylvania, to the late Andrew and Mary (Halko) Butcher, Bob’s life took an interesting turn after high school when he served in the Navy Reserves for six dedicated years.
Bob was a true Renaissance man, excelling in various fields throughout his career. He spent many years as a skilled machinist at RCA before embarking on a series of diverse occupations. His final role was as a security officer at Princeton University, where he retired at the age of 70.
A devout Catholic, Bob dedicated the last 30+ years of his life to Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Morrisville, Pennsylvania. There, he purchased a house with a magnificent swimming pool, which became a cherished gathering place for his friends and family during the summer months.
Beyond his professional achievements, Bob was also an avid photographer, an enthusiast of classic cars, particularly his beloved 1972 Pontiac, affectionately named “Yellowbird.” These passions were complemented by his numerous summer trips to the ocean with his soulmate, Barbara Thornton.
Bob’s witty nature and infectious laughter will leave an indelible mark on the hearts of those who knew him. He is survived by his younger brother, Andrew Butcher, and their nephews, David Shott, Brian Shott, Kenneth Shott, Russel Onderko, and Richard Onderko. He is also survived by his nieces, Rosalynne Letcavage and Christine Pribish, and his stepdaughters, Lynn Anne Szczeck (Robert), Susan Eaton (Sean), and numerous step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Robert is also predeceased by his lifelong companion, Barbara M. Thornton, his sisters, Eleanor Shott and Rose Onderko.
A viewing will be held on Monday, February 3rd, from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM at Saints Simon and Jude Catholic Church, located at 730 W Broad St in Bethlehem, PA 18018. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:30AM. The burial will take place at St. Michael’s Byzantine Catholic Cemetery in McAdoo.
Downing Funeral Home, Inc. in Bethlehem, PA, is entrusted with the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Robert’s memory in support of the Morrisville Senior Center, located at 31E Cleveland Avenue in Morrisville, PA 19067.

Jill R. (Yarney) Boddie, 85, of Bethlehem passed away November 15, 2024. She was the loving wife of 55 years to the late Gavin L. Boddie. Born in Eastleigh, England she was the daughter of the late Albert and Dorothy (McGaw) Yarney. Jill worked as a bookkeeper and in insurance for many years until her retirement. She had been a member of the Red Hat Society and enjoyed doing needlework, crocheting, sewing and knitting. Most of all, Jill loved reminiscing and telling stories of her life growing up in England. She will be deeply missed.
Survivors: sons- Howard Boddie and his wife Cyndee, Simon Boddie and his wife Anne; 4 grandchildren; sister- Yvonne Dewire. She was predeceased by her sister- Valerie Terrell.
A memorial will be held November 24, 2024. Contact Downing Funeral Home for more information.

Dudley Berta, 83, of Allentown, passed away November 7, 2024. He was the loving husband of Loretta (Adam) Berta. Born in Allentown, he was the son of the late John A. and Alma T. (Wolf) Berta. Dudley worked in electrical maintenance for many years, retiring from Coca-Cola. He will be deeply missed.
Survivors: wife- Loretta Berta; sons- Dale Berta and wife Penny, Daniel Berta and wife Christine, Drew Berta and wife Lorie, Dennis Berta and wife Brandy; step-son- Jason Adam and wife Ella; 9 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his half-brother- John Berta.
Services will be Private care of Downing Funeral Home, Inc.

Frances (Cinquemani) Bauerlein, 79, of Bethlehem, passed away February 8, 2024. She was the loving wife of 57 years to Albert P. Bauerlein. Born in Brooklyn, NY, she was the daughter of the late Leonard and Marie (Arcuri) Cinquemani. She had worked for the Home Insurance Company in Manhattan. Fran was a member of Notre Dame of Bethlehem Catholic Church and was a lifelong volunteer with the Mother’s Guild at her children’s grammar school, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, and at Holy Family Manor. She enjoyed participating in activities at the Hanover Twp. Community Center Fran liked to bake, go shopping for “odds and ends” that she would buy for her family because she was always thinking of them, do crafts, and most of all spend time with her family. She will be deeply missed.
Survivors: husband - Albert P. Bauerlein; children - Lynn Orrico and husband Russ, Jeff Bauerlein and wife Kristy, Jill Boland and husband Justin; grandchildren - Jacob, Emily, Hannah, Sarah; twin sister - Phyllis Stout; brother - Paul Cinquemani.

A viewing will be held on Saturday, February 17th 9-10AM with a Service at 10AM, all in Downing Funeral Home, Inc. 1002 W. Broad St. Bethlehem, PA 18018. Burial to follow in Holy Saviour Cemetery, Bethlehem.

Contributions can be made in Fran’s memory to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation P.O. Box 414238 Boston, MA 02241-4238.