Dolores “Lori” Ronca Bianco Ottesen, 94, of Bethlehem, passed peacefully on February 20, 2026. Born in 1931 in Fountain Hill, Lori was one of nine children of Philip and Anna Ronca. Raised in a large, spirited Italian family home filled with homemade pasta, pastries, laughter, and storytelling, she carried that warmth and welcoming spirit with her throughout her life.

After graduating from Fountain Hill High School, where she excelled academically and cheered with enthusiasm, Lori attended Millersville University. She paused her studies to care for her beloved sister, Dorothy, before earning her Bachelor’s degree in Education. She began her teaching career in New York and continued for more than 40 years in the Bethlehem Area School District, shaping young lives with patience, intelligence, and kindness. She spoke of those years with lasting pride and affection.

Lori married Frank Bianco, President and Owner of Pembroke Dress Co., and lovingly raised their five children in Stafore Estates, a neighborhood she was especially proud of, as it was built by her father, Philip Ronca. Her twin sister, Maryanne Werpehowski, lived nearby, and together they raised their children. As some of the earliest residents of Stafore, the family became part of a close-knit community that fostered lifelong friendships. Lori was also a longtime member of Saucon Valley Country Club.

Bright, stylish, and entrepreneurial, Lori had a keen eye for real estate and interior design, always making her homes feel warm, beautiful, and welcoming. A devout Catholic and member of Notre Dame Church in Bethlehem, faith and family were at the heart of everything she did.

In 1990, Lori married Peter Ottesen, Technology Executive and Author, and began a joyful new chapter filled with global travel, companionship, and shared passions. Lori loved tennis, golf, and staying active, always relishing time spent with Peter. Together, they enjoyed playing duplicate bridge and earned the level of Bridge Life Masters, finding great delight in the intricacies of the game. They spent winters in their Boca Raton, Florida home, enjoying their hobbies and lifestyle at The Polo Club, where they made wonderful friends.

A lover of the arts, Lori was active with the Pennsylvania Playhouse, often performing alongside her children. She was also a dedicated member of the American Association of University Women, supporting educational and charitable causes. Music filled her home — especially show tunes sung around the piano, with Lori leading the way.

An excellent seamstress and gracious host, Lori delighted in cooking and baking for family and friends. Holidays were joyful, summers by the pool were lively, and no one ever left her home without feeling full and cared for. Lori had a rare gift for making everyone feel seen and special. With her quick wit, radiant smile, and infectious laugh, she lit up every room. She wished most to be remembered for her kindness, and that is exactly how she will be remembered: vibrant, loving, fabulous, and unforgettable. A beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, daughter, and aunt, she will be missed every day, but her sparkle will continue to shine brightly in the hearts of all who love her.

Lori is lovingly remembered by her five children: Kathleen (Gerard) McNally; Francine Bianco Tax and her late husband Gregory; Lisa (Troy) Guth; Kristine Eckenrode; and Joseph Bianco. She was blessed with nine grandchildren: Brian and Brendan McNally; Clayton Tax; Natasha (Anthony) Lacken; Tyler (fiancée Sara Bain) and Colby Guth; Emory and Skyla Eckenrode; Brianna Bianco; and one cherished great-grandchild, Joseph Lacken.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, February 28, at 10:00 a.m. at Notre Dame Church, 1861 Catasauqua Road, Bethlehem, PA 18018.

Adelaide M. Ortwein, 98, of Bethlehem, passed away peacefully February 14, 2026. She was born in Bethlehem to the late Angela C. Hoffstetter and John F. Meis. She was predeceased by her parents, her husband Robert J. Ormiston, son Michael Ormiston, stepgrandson Derek Kehoe, husband Leonard Ortwein and also her siblings Anna Marie Minarik, John L. Meis and Joan Andrews.
Adelaide graduated from Allentown Central Catholic High School. Prior to raising a family she worked as a stenographer at Bethlehem Steel. After the loss of her first husband she was employed with Lehigh University and also worked as a sales clerk at Ramballs Jewelery Store.
Adelaide had a deep and strong faith and family was very important to her. She was an avid reader who also enjoyed crossword puzzles, playing bridge and traveling abroad. Adelaide was full of life and enjoyed hosting parties, dancing and singing around the piano. She had a gift of making people feel welcome in her home.
She is survived by her children Lois Kehoe (Kevin) of Bethlehem, Robert Ormiston (Alysia) of Zion Grove, stepchildren Martha Tirpak (John) of Allentown, Regina Kohlmeier (Joe) of Allentown, Kathleen Weaver (Keith) of Dundee, NY, 4 grandchildren & 6 great grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
A Calling time will be held on Saturday, February 21st 9-10AM with a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10AM all 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 Holy Family Senior Living 1200 Spring St. Bethlehem, PA 18018 or to St. Lukes Hospice 240 Union Station Plaza Bethlehem, PA 18015.

Edward A. O’Donnell, age 98 years, of Albrightsville, PA, died on Sunday evening, June 25, 2023. Born in Wilkes-Barre, PA, October 23, 1924, he was the son of late Patrick and Celia (Pissott) O’Donnell. He was a proud Staff Sergeant of the United States Marine Corps and veteran of World War II participating in the Pacific Campaign serving on Iwo Jima and Guam. He was recalled to service during the Korean War and was assigned as a Drill Instructor at Parris Island, SC.
He was a graduate of NYU and went on to work in the railroad and transportation industries, later run several different businesses and was a courier for the Gift of Life Donor Program.
He was an active member of the Marine Corps Detachment 1039 and the Pocono Irish-American Club. He received numerous accolades and recognition for his service in both organizations. One of his proudest and happiest moments was being the Grand Marshall of the 2023 Stroudsburg St. Patrick’s Day parade.
Ed is pre-deceased by his wife Barbara June O’Donnell, Sister Helen (Harry), and Brothers, Pvt. Thomas, Joseph (Mary), and James (Rosemary).
Many nieces and nephews, along with even more great-nieces and nephews all over the country survive Ed.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on July 27, 2023, 11:00 am with a Calling Time from 10:00-11:00 am all in Saints Simon and Jude Church, 730 W Broad St, Bethlehem, PA 18018, Bethlehem, PA. Interment will be in Holy Saviour Cemetery, 2575 Linden St, Bethlehem, PA 18017.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Toys-For-Tots or Valor Clinic Foundation, https://valorclinic.org/ in memory of Staff Sergeant Edward O’Donnell, USMC. Arrangements are entrusted to Downing Funeral Home, Inc.

Leonard R. Ortwein, 94, of Bethlehem, passed away September 20, 2021. He was the loving husband of Adelaide (Mies) Ortwein and previously to Marie (Simon) Ortwein until her passing. Leonard served in the U.S. Navy during WWII. He worked in the Open Hearth and then the BOF at Bethlehem Steel for 38 years before his retirement in 1986. He enjoyed completing crossword puzzles with his wife and was an avid reader, walker, hiker, kayaker, biker and had completed the Century Run with the Lehigh Wheel Men. Leonard will be deeply missed.
Survivors: wife- Adelaide Ortwein, children- Martha Tirpak and husband John, Regina Kohlmeier husband Joseph, Kathleen Weaver and husband Keith; stepchildren- Lois Kehoe and husband Kevin, Robert J. Ormiston and wife Alysia; 6 grandchildren; 3 great grandchildren; brother- Kenneth Ortwein. He was predeceased by his brothers- Donald, Edward and Richard Ortwein.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, Sept 28th at 10:30AM in Holy Ghost Catholic Church 417 Carlton Ave Bethlehem, PA 18015. The family requests that guests wear masks and participate in social distancing in accordance with COVID-19 guidelines.

Olive M. O’Hora, 97, of Bethlehem, passed away October 25, 2019. Olive was born to Olive (McIntyre) and Joseph O’Hora in Dunmore, PA. Her family moved to Bethlehem in 1937. She graduated from Liberty High School class of 1941. She worked in the Metalgurical Dept. of Bethlehem Steel for 40 years and retired in 1982. Olive was very active in Saints Simon and Jude Catholic Church, a chairperson of the Building Campaign, the Seniors travelers and crafts. Olive enjoyed oil painting, making clothes and traveling with her sister Mary.

Olive is survived by her nieces and nephews- Dave & Jennifer Caplinger, Anna & Betsy, Kyle & Miriam Martin and family, Daniel Wise & Ariel Gonzalez and family, Nathaniel and Priscilla Wise and family, Gabriel Wise; cousins- Margaret Young, Kathy Young & Patty Adams; wonderful neighbors and Sherri. She was predeceased by her brothers- Edward, Joseph and William and her sister- Mary.

A viewing will be held Saturday, November 2nd 10-11AM with Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11AM in Ss Simon and Jude Catholic Church 730 W. Broad St. Bethlehem, PA 18018. Burial will take place in Holy Saviour Cemetery.

Contributions can be made in Olive’s memory to the St Vincent De Paul Society care of Downing Funeral Home, Inc.

Olive was very grateful for the services and care of Oasis and Lehigh Valley Home Care and Hospice.

Luciano Ortiz, 87, of Bethlehem, passed away November 19, 2018 surrounded by his loving family. He was the loving husband of the late Cristina (Rodriguez) Ortiz. Born in Puerto Rico, he was the son of the late Jose and Juana (Santiago) Ortiz. Luciano loved his family and will be deeply missed.

Survivors:
Children- Luis Ortiz of Allentown, Juanita Ortiz of Bethlehem, Israel Ortiz and wife Angela Marino-Ortiz of Delray Beach, FL, Everaldo Ortiz of Allentown, Migdalia Rosado and husband Antonio of Florida, Maria Colon and husband Jimmy of Allentown, Edda Diaz of Bethlehem, Norma Ortiz of Bethlehem; 25 grandchildren; 42 great grandchildren; 3 brothers; 4 sisters and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by 3 children, 2 sisters and 2 brothers.

A viewing will be held Saturday November 24th 10-11AM with a Service at 11AM in Downing Funeral Home, Inc. 1002 W. Broad St. Bethlehem, PA 18018. Burial to follow in Holy Saviour Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the funeral home toward the funeral expenses.

Edward P. O’Hora, 88, of Bethlehem, passed away October 16, 2018. Edward was the son of the late Olive M (McIntyre) and Joseph O’Hora of Dunmore, PA. The family came to Bethlehem in 1937. Edward graduated from Liberty High School, Class of 1949.
Edward served his country well during the Korean War as a member of the Air Force- Military Police, a member of the Air Police Team from Shepherds Grove, England, representing the United Kingdom. He won first place with the M-1 rifle. Edward worked as a manager for Almart Department Store of Bethlehem. He enjoyed gardening, feeding the birds, and making country crafts along with his dear friend Dot.

He is survived by his sister- Olive, cousins, nieces and nephews, great neighbors and his health aide- Sherri. He was predeceased by his sister- Mary and brothers- Joseph and William.

A viewing will be held on Monday, October 22nd, 10-11AM with a Service to follow at 11AM in Downing Funeral Home, Inc. Burial to follow.

Contributions can be made in Edward’s memory to the Friends of the Mounted Unit or the K-9 Unit for the Bethlehem Police care of the funeral home.

Rosemarie “Rose” C. (Peters) Ortwein, 97, of Fountain Hill, passed away October 1, 2018. She was the wife of the late James J. Ortwein. Born in Bethlehem, she was the daughter of the late George P. and Anna I. (Mingora) Peters. Rose worked for the former Browns Flower Shop. She was a member of St. Ursula Catholic Church and the Golden Hillers.

Survivors: daughter- Beverly wife of the late Warren Ruppert of Macungie; grandchildren- Deborah Eberts, Denise Ryerson and Warren Ruppert Jr.; 7 great grandchildren; great grandson- Damien; brother- Charles Peters of Bethlehem. She was predeceased by her sister- Mary Malinski and brothers- John, George and Edward Peters.

A viewing will be held Saturday, October 6th 9:15-9:45AM with Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10AM in St. Ursula Catholic Church 1300 Broadway Fountain Hill, PA 18015. Burial to follow in Holy Saviour Cemetery, Bethlehem. Arrangements entrusted to Downing Funeral Home, Inc.

Contributions can be made in Rose’s memory to the church.