Obituaries by LocationJuly 29, 1997
Mrs. Irene Viola Zellers
Mrs. Irene Viola Zellers, 85, of 600 E. Main St., Lititz, Lancaster County, formerly of Bowmanstown, died Monday in Luther Acres, Lititz. She was the widow of Burton F. Zellers.
She was a seamstress for the Wilmer Fashion Company, Bowmanstown, before retiring in 1979.
Born in Bowmanstown, she was a daughter of the late Nathan and Maggie (Yeck) Meckes.
She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Bowmanstown, where she sang in the choir and served on the chapel committee. She was also a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church, Lancaster.
Mrs. Zellers was chairwoman of the clothing fair and the floor representative for the apartments at Lehigh Acres.
Surviving are two sons, Donald B. and Edward C., both of Lancaster; a sister Ruth, wife of Willard Whiteman of Bowmanstown; five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
James J. Kline
James J. Kline, 68, of 1509 Jill St., Bethlehem, died Sunday in the St. Luke Hospital, Fountain Hill, Bethlehem. He was the husband of Ruth E. (Turkovsky) Kline. They observed their 47th wedding anniversary last November.
He was a truck driver for the North Penn Company for 22 years before retiring in 1991.
Born in Palmerton, he was a son of the late John H. and Otilla (Peters) Kline.
He was a member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Bethlehem.
Kline was a member of F. & A.M. Lodge No. 283, Bethlehem, and the Lehigh Consistory, Allentown.
He also belonged to the Heights Athletic Association, Bethlehem.
Surviving in addition to his widow are two sons, Lannie of Palmerton and James M. of Bethlehem; a daughter, Fayette Csaszar of Lansdale; six grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
He was also preceded in death by a son John.
Richard Rettew
Richard Rettew, 84, of Robesonia R.1, Berks County, formerly of the Allentown area, died Sunday in his home. He was the husband of Dorothy M. (Kern-Kistler) Rettew.
He was president of Rettew Automation, Inc., in the Lebanon area for 30 years before retiring. During that time, he designed and built custom machinery for many industries and completely automated some, including the wooden casket industry.
Previously, he owned and operated a printing business with his wife in Lebanon; was vice president and general manager of the Slatington Machine Tool Company, a division of General Aviation, New York City; and was a supervisor for General Aviation plants in Great Neck, Long Island, N.Y., and Catawissa, Columbia County.
During World War II, he produced war materials in a small woodworking shop he started in Lebanon.
Rettew was granted patents for several of his inventions. He wrote articles for trade and technical journals and was listed in "Who's Who in America."
Born in Lebanon, he was a son of the late Charles W. and Ella D. (Brubaker) Rettew.
He was a member of St. Paul United Church of Christ, Millbach, Lebanon County, and a former member of the American Society of Tool Engineers and the Steitz Club, Lebanon.
Surviving in addition to his widow are two daughters, Deborah Lin McCrea of Robesonia R.1, and Dawn L. Wise of Lebanon; two sons, Gary R. of Lebanon and Ronald L. of Harrisburg; a sister, Verna Forgasty of Harrisburg; and 12 grandchildren.
Mrs. Minnie R. Hummel
Mrs. Minnie R. Hummel, 94, of 3276 W. Walker Road, Moore Township, died Monday in the Muhlenberg Rehabilitation Center, Bethlehem. She was the wife of Clarence H. Hummel.
At one time, she was a cook at the Petersville Rod and Gun Club.
Born in Lehigh Township, she was a daughter of the late Daniel E. and Vesta J. (Klopp) Mertz.
She was a member of Christ Little Moore Church, Danielsville, and the Edgemont American Legion Auxiliary, Danielsville.
Surviving are a son, Earl H.D. of Moore Township; three sisters, Stella I., wife of Kenneth Beers of Slatington, Betty J., wife of Leon Creyer of Beersville, and Naomi P., wife of Bert Beil of Moore Township; nine grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Esther M. Kemmerer.
Mrs. Elden Clemens
Mrs. Fern Clemens, 67, of Quakake, died Monday in the Hazleton General Hospital. She was the wife of Elden Clemens. They observed their 48th wedding anniversary last November.
Prior to retiring, she was a seamstress at several area garment factories.
Born in Quakake, she was a daughter of the late Roy and Theresa (Bachert) Croll.
She was a member of Ascension Lutheran Church, Quakake, where she was a pianist for over 40 years.
Mrs. Clemens also belonged to the Pilgrim Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star, Tamaqua, the Quakake Fire Company and the International Ladies Garment Workers Union.
Surviving in addition to her husband are several nieces and nephews.
She was also preceded in death by a sister Shirley and two brothers, Curtis and Carroll "Moon."
The Lamar Christ Funeral Home, Hometown, is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. William Haberchak
Mrs. Jane F. Haberchak, 58, of White Haven, died Sunday morning in the Christiana Hospital, Newark, Del. She was the wife of William Haberchak.
She worked as a secretary and bookkeeper and was employed by the former Sharp's Bakery, Freeland; the former First Eastern Bank, Wilkes-Barre, and most recently by Pocono Craftsmen, Inc., of White Haven.
Born in Freeland, she was a daughter of the late Wilbur and Mary (Boyle) Spaide.
Surviving in addition to her husband are a stepson William of Clearwater, Fla.; a brother William of Macungie; a sister Ann, wife of William Potzner of Beaver Meadows; three nieces and a nephew.
Mrs. Sallie H. Long
Mrs. Sallie H. (Shoemaker) Long, 97, of Tamaqua R.3, formerly of New Ringgold R.1, died Tuesday morning in the Miners Memorial Medical Center, Coaldale. She was the widow of Elias H. Long, who died Aug. 6, 1980.
The Robert S. Nester Funeral Home, Rt. 309, Snyders, is in charge of the arrangements.
Joseph F. Stianchie
Joseph F. "Al" Stianchie, 74, of 232 E. Center St., Nesquehoning, died Monday in the Gnaden Huetten Memorial Hospital, Lehighton. He was the husband of Beatrice E. (Kibler) Stianchie.
He worked for the former Bundy Tubing Company, Hometown, before retiring in 1980.
Born in Hauto, he was a son of the late John and Elizabeth (Imerchak) Stianchie, and was a lifelong resident of the community.
He was a corporal in the Army during World War II, having served with the 346th Infantry, 87th Division.
Stianchie was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, the V.F.W. Post, American Legion Post and the Sokol Citizens Club, all of Nesquehoning.
Surviving in addition to his widow are three daughters, Joann Davenport of Nesquehoning, Bernice, wife of James McIntyre of Pittsburgh, and Mary Kruczek of Lansford; two brothers, Michael and John, both of Hauto; and five grandchildren.
He was also preceded in death by a brother Steve; and three sisters, Gizella, Anna and Antoinette.
The Joseph S. Blazosky Funeral Home, 81 E. Catawissa St., Nesquehoning, is in charge of the arrangements.
Joseph J.Bankes
Joseph J. Bankes, 66, of 258 W. Ludlow St., Summit Hill, died Monday in the Miners Memorial Medical Center, Coaldale.
Prior to retiring, he was employed as a utility man for Johns Manville.
Born in Lansford, he was a son of the late Stanley and Mary (Kastrava) Bankes.
He was an Army veteran of the Korean Conflict.
Bankes was a member of SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, the American Legion, AMVETS, BPO Elks and Italian Club, all of Lansford.
Surviving are a brother, Stanley J. of Summit Hill; and a longtime companion, Anna Marie Whitenight, with whom he resided.
He was also preceded in death by two sisters, Mary Trusa and Catherine Slog; and a brother Andrew F.
The Holmes-Griffiths Funeral Home, 200 E. Bertsch St., Lansford, is in charge of the arrangements.
Michael F. Babinetz
Michael F. Babinetz, 60, of 155 First St., Coaldale, died this morning in his home after a lengthy illness. He was the husband of Paula (Kintz) Babinetz.
He was last employed at Mack Trucks in Macungie.
Born in Coaldale, he was the son of Helen (Paslawsky) Babinetz and the late Frank Babinetz.
He was a member of St. Nicholas Orthodox Greek Catholic Orthodox Church, Lansford.
He served with the U.S. Army for two years, in peace time, in Germany.
Surviving with his widow and mother is a son Michael Jr. of Coaldale; three daughters, Anastasia, wife of Brian Bonner, Jacqueline, wife of Russell Jaso, and Mary Babinetz all of Coaldale; two step-sons, Nicholas Digiglio of Lansford; Charles Digigilio at home; one step-daughter, Melissa, wfe of Kenneth Busch of Coaldale and seven grandchildren.
He was also preceded in death by a sister Jacqueline Starry.
The August M. Gulla Funeral Home, 130 E. Ridge St., Coaldale, is in charge of arrangements.
