Obituaries by LocationMarch 3, 1997
Florence Gallagher
Florence Gallagher, 74, of 343 W. Bertsch St., Lansford, died Sunday evening in the Hometown Nursing Home, Tamaqua R.2, following a lengthy illness.
Prior to retiring, she worked for the former Kiddie Kloes, Lansford.
Born in Lansford, she was a daughter of the late John L. and Elizabeth (Neyer) Gallagher.
She was a member of St. Ann Catholic Church, Lansford, the Blue Army of the church and the Panther Valley Golden Age Club, also of Lansford.
Surviving are an aunt and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was also preceded in death by two brothers, Edward and George.
The Roche Funeral Home-McNamara Chapel, 3 E. Bertsch St., Lansford, is in charge of the arrangements.
Sister M. Paulita Radocha
Sister M. Paulita Radocha, 76, of the Sisters of Saints Cyril and Methodius, died Friday evening in the Villa Sacred Heart, Danville.
Born in Coaldale, she was a daughter of the late Stephen and Veronica (Matula) Radocha.
She attended the former St. Mary and SS. Cyril and Methodius grade schools in Coaldale and the former St. Mary High School, Coaldale, and entered the religious congregation in 1937. She professed her vows in 1940 at Villa Sacred Heart.
Sr. Paulita received her bachelor of science degree in business administration from Marywood College and a masters degree in business education from Catholic University, Washington, D.C. She also studied at Charleston University, New York University and Misericordia College.
She taught in elementary and junior high schools in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, South Carolina and Connecticut, and also taught at Lourdes High School in Shamokin.
In 1970, she was elected to a six-year term in the central administration of her religious congregation. In other leadership roles, she served as principal and local superior at St. Michael's, Jessup, and as local superior at St. Joseph Convent, Hazleton.
After 50 years of full time active ministry, she transferred to St. Methodius Convent, Danville, where her ministry included library aide and general duties.
Surviving are a sister-in-law, a nephew and several nieces.
She was also preceded in death by three brothers, Rev. Joseph P., Stephen and Paul; and a sister Ann.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:45 a.m. Tuesday at the Basilica of SS. Cyril and Methodius, Motherhouse, with the Rev. Stephen Radocha officiating. Transfer of the body to the Motherhouse was this afternoon, followed by a wake service tonight at 6:30.
Mrs. Roy W. Hutchinson
Mrs. Grace Irene Hutchinson, 83, of 122 N. Walnut St., Macungie, formerly of Upper Milford Township, died Saturday in the Lehigh Manor, Lower Macungie Township. She was the wife of Roy W. Hutchinson. They observed their 50th wedding anniversary last July.
She was a cafeteria worker for the East Penn School District for eight years before retiring in 1977.
Born in Allentown, she was a daughter of the late William C. and Belle (Downing) Mitchell.
She attended Faith Evangelical Free Church, Trexlertown.
Surviving in addition to her husband are two sons, Gregory of Macungie and Ramon K. of Lititz, Lancaster County; a brother, William C. of Walnutport; a sister, Louise Kramer of Schnecksville; and five grandchildren.
John E. Messics Sr.
John E. Messics Sr., 69, of 1142 Woodlawn St., Allentown, died Saturday in the Sacred Heart Hospital, Allentown. He was the husband of Emma D. (Frankenfield) McDonnell Messics and the late Constance V. (Capwell) Messics. He and his second wife observed their 12th wedding anniversary last April.
He worked in the electrical department of the Bethlehem Steel Corporation for 37 years before retiring in 1990.
Born in Bethlehem, he was a son of the late Francis and Theresa (Makos) Messics.
Surviving are four sons, Dewey F., Thomas and William J. Sr., all of Bethlehem, and John E. Jr. of Walnutport; five daughters, Virginia L. Juder, Tina M., wife of Franklin Woodell, Joy L. and Donna R., all of Bethlehem, and Patricia B., wife of Joseph Arnold of Bath; a sister, Mary Jacoby of Allentown; two brothers, Louis of Lower Saucon Township and Joseph of Emmaus; two stepsons, Frank McConnell of Allentown and Sean McConnell of Boulder, Colo.; four stepdaughters, Peggy, wife of Rock Hodapp of Crockett, Calif., Donna Couch of Allentown, Theresa, wife of Robert Schmoyer of Emerald, and Michelle McDonnell of Darby, Delaware County; 30 grandchildren and a great-grandchild.
Mrs. Jane Kulick
Mrs. Jane "Jennie" Kulick, 84, of 312 Coal St., Nesquehoning, died Saturday in the Mountain City Convalescent Center, Hazleton. She was the widow of Andrew Kulick.
She was a cafeteria worker in the Panther Valley School District for about 13 years before retiring in 1977.
Born in Nesquehoning, she was a daughter of the late Howard and Jennie (Bonner) Richards.
She was a member of St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church, Nesquehoning.
Surviving are a son, Daniel F. of Nesquehoning; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by a son, John Richards; a brother Howard; and a sister, Elizabeth Lutz.
The Bruce A. Nalesnik Funeral Home, 57 W. Center St., Nesquehoning, is in charge of the arrangements.
Ricky L. Kotsch
Ricky L. Kotsch, 39, of 3619 Bayberry Drive, Danielsville, died Saturday in his home.
Born in Allentown, he was a son of Alfred Kotsch Sr. of Allentown and Betty L. (Ritter) Wertzberger of Danielsville.
Surviving in addition to his parents are his stepfather, Robert A. Wertzberger of Danielsville; a brother, Alfred Jr. of Wrightstown, N.J.; a sister, Christine Schuebel of Perkasie; a daughter Shannon of Lehighton; a son Eric of Zions Grove; and paternal grandmother, Mrs. Anna Kotsch of Whitehall Township.
Lizzie A. Billig
Lizzie A. Billig, 74, of 2998 Windy Road, Orefield, died Friday in the Allentown Osteopathic Medical Center.
She was a farmer in Lowhill Township for most of her life.
Born in Heidelberg Township, she was a daughter of the late Earling A. and Annie (Frey) Billig.
She was a member of Morgenland Lutheran Church, Orefield.
Surviving are a sister, Lillian V. Boger, at home; two brothers, Carl A. and Clarence G., both of Fogelsville; and nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Florence E. Englehart
Mrs. Florence E. Englehart, 93, of Somerville, N.J., formerly of Weatherly, died Thursday in the Somerset Medical Center. She was the widow of Adam S. Englehart, who died in 1978.
Prior to retiring in 1978, she worked as a clerk in the Somerset County surrogate's office. Prior to that, she was a sales clerk at The Gaston Store, Somerville, for 20 years.
Born in Weatherly, she was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Somerville and the church's choir. She was a Sunday school teacher.
She was a member of the Civic League of Somerville; a 25-year member of the Raritan Valley Grange, South Branch, N.J.; and the Legal Secretaries Association of Somerset County.
Surviving are a son, Samuel L. of Bridgewater, N.J.; a daughter, Jane E. Coleman of Branchburg Township, N.J.; three grandchildren and a great-grandchild.
She was also preceded in death by a sister, Irene Wasley, who died in 1996.
Edward M. Lupcho
Edward M. Lupcho, 57, of Mountain St., Weston, Luzerne County, died Sunday at the Hazleton-St. Joseph Medical Center.
He was owner and operator of Lupcho's Hauling and Sanitation, Weston.
Born in Weston, he was a son of the late Joseph and Hilda (Logar) Lupcho.
He was a lifetime resident of Weston and a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Weston.
Surviving are a son, Edward M. of Damascus, Md.; two daughters, Jean Ann, wife of George Herndon of Mount Airy, Md., and Laura, wife of Joseph Lemley of Damascus; two brothers, Joseph G. of Tamaqua and Eugene J. of Weston; six grandchildren and nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Irma S. Hamsher
Mrs. Irma S. Hamsher, 80, of Lenhartsville, died Friday in the Kutztown Manor. She was the widow of Kermit O. Hamsher.
She was a cafeteria worker in the Greenwich Township Elementary School for 17 years before retiring in 1974.
Born in Greenwich Township, she was a daughter of the late Samuel G. and Lizzie F. (Reinhart) Gruber.
She was a member of Mount Zion Lutheran Church, Krumsville, where she formerly sang in the choir.
Mrs. Hamsher was also a member of the Kutztown American Legion Auxiliary.
Surviving are a son Ronald of Lenhartsville; a sister, Mrs. Arlene Dietrich of New Tripoli; and a grandson.
