Obituaries by LocationDecember 19, 1996
Mrs. Katie I. Stiles
Mrs. Katie I. Stiles, 92, of 95 Vista Court, Palmerton, died Tuesday in the Palmerton Hospital. She was the widow of Paul J. Stiles, who died Jan. 16, 1969.
She was last employed on the mill floor at the former Seling Furniture Company, Railroad, York County.
Born in Springfield Township, York County, she was a daughter of the late Jacob and Flossie E. (Strickhouser) Bowman.
She was a member of St. Peter (Yellow) United Church of Christ, Seven Valleys, York County.
Surviving are a son, Gene L. Stiles of Palmerton; three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren,
The Geiple Funeral Home, 53 Main St., Glen Rock, York County, is in charge of the arrangements.
Robert M. Klotz
Robert M. 'Bob' Klotz, 89, of Chandler Estates, Walnutport, died Wednesday in Gracedale Upper Nazareth Township. He was the husband of the late Florence E. (Gower) Klotz.
He was a musician for most of his life, starting at the age of 14 when he was a pianist with a Northampton dance band at the Odd Fellows Hall. When he turned 16, he was a fill-in silent film pianist at the Lyric Theater, Northampton's first movie theater.
He then played for the London Criterions band for five years, performing mostly at Mealy's in Allentown, a dance hall near Fourth and Hamilton streets. Later, he joined the Paul Hasser Orchestra and performed at a dance hall at 10th and Walnut streets, Allentown.
Klotz performed with other bands in the Roseland Ballroom, New York; Steel Pier, Atlantic City; Frolics Ballroom, Allentown; Saylor's Lake and other Pocono resorts; Budd Lake, N.J.; and in Vermont, Mich.
The Bud Rader Orchestra was his home band, and he stayed with it for over 40 years until its final performance in 1984 at the Saucon Valley Country Club. He also played for the Rotary Club for 42 years and the Northampton Area Retired Men's Club.
The deceased was a driver-salesman for the former Drake's Cakes, Inc., Bethlehem, now Borden's, for 13 years before retiring in 1968. Previously, he owned and operated Klotz's Bakery, Northampton, for many years.
Born in Whitehall Township, he was a son of the late William J. and Annie C. (Miller) Klotz.
He was a member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Northampton, where he was a pianist for the Sunday school classes and taught the adult Bible class.
Klotz was a scoutmaster and committee man for Boy Scout Troop 26 for over 45 years.
He was a past president of the Northampton Rotary Club and in 1992 received an honorary Rotarian.
He attended Lehigh University.
Surviving are three sons, William A. of Walnutport, James R. of Northampton and Thomas R. of Kunkletown; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Margaret Beil
Mrs. Margaret Beil, 72, of Northampton, died Tuesday in her home. She was the widow of Stewart J. Beil.
She was employed by the former Sutton Shirt Company for many years and also had worked for the former New Jersey Zinc Company, Palmerton.
She was a daughter of the late Jan and Anna (Ozdinec) Haronka.
She was a member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Northampton.
Surviving are a brother John of Boise, Idaho; and a sister, Mrs. Helen Weaver of Allentown.
Rev. Harold Hufford
The Rev. Harold Hufford, 85, of Inverness, Fla., formerly of Center Valley, died Dec. 10 in the Mariner Health Care Center, Inverness. He was the husband of Ethel (Green) Hufford. They were married for 33 years.
He was a Baptist minister, having served for many years in Belmond, Iowa. He was founder of the Joy Hour Evangelical Meetings for children, which were held in Baptist churches in the United States.
After retiring from the ministry, he was a piano tuner and owner of Hufford Piano Service, Center Valley, from 1976 until retiring in 1990.
Born in Larksville, Luzerne County, he was a son of the late Henry J. and Ida (McKeel) Hufford.
He was a member of the New Testament Baptist Church, Floral City, Fla.
Surviving in addition to his widow are four daughters, Ethel Alice Aungst and Lilly LaBell, both of Bethlehem, Judy Veszpremi of Nazareth and Barbara Chamberlain of Walnutport; a sister, Edna Richardson of Newark, Del.; 12 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandson.
Mrs. Ruth I. Keegan
Mrs. Ruth I. Keegan, 98, formerly of 10 Second Ave., Lehighton, died Tuesday in Weatherwood, Weatherly. She was the widow of Fred P. Keegan, who died in 1972.
She was a teller for the former Bank of Lehighton before retiring in 1965 after 18 years of service.
Born in Lehighton, she was a daughter of the late Guswine and Ellen Nothstine.
She was a member of Zion United Church of Christ, Lehighton.
There are no immediate survivors.
The Kenneth N. Phifer Funeral Home, Third and Alum streets, Lehighton, is in charge of the arrangements.
William B. Handwerk
William Bail Handwerk, 75, of 25600 Oak Alley, Leesburg, Fla., died Tuesday in the Leesburg Regional Medical Center. He was the husband of Jeanette Z. Handwerk.
Born in Palmerton, he was an engineer for Crutcher Resources, Houston, Tex., before retiring.
He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Leesburg.
Handwerk was an Army Air Corps veteran of World War II.
Surviving in addition to his widow are two sons, Todd B. of Southlake, Tex., and W. Chris of Houston; a daughter, Jeanette Z. Lynne of Carrollton, Tex.; a brother, Robert H. of Royersford, Montgomery County; and three grandchildren.
Russell P. Krell
Russell P. Krell, 81, formerly of Salisbury Township, died Wednesday in the Phoebe Home, Allentown. He was the husband of the late Irene H. (Hoppes) Krell.
He was a custodian at Salisbury High School for 18 years before retiring in 1980.
Born in Tamaqua, he was a son of the late William J. Krell and Clara (Beck) Krell Dunkelberger.
He was a member of Trinity Memorial Lutheran Church, Allentown.
Krell was an Army veteran of World War II, having been stationed at the Scofield barracks during the Pearl Harbor attack.
Surviving are a brother Richard and a sister Carolyn, wife of Walter Shindler, both of Lehighton.
The K.V. Knopp Funeral Home, 46 E. Susquehanna St., Allentown, is in charge of arrangements.
John N. Pantazis
John N. Pantazis, 84, of 146 S. Laurel St., Hazleton, died Tuesday in the Hazleton-St. Joseph Medical Center. He was the husband of Lucy (Depos) Pantazis, formerly of Tamaqua. They were married for 50 years.
Prior to retiring in 1972, he was a co-owner of the Blue Comet Restaurant, Hazleton.
Born in Andros, Greece, he was a son of the late Nicholas L. and Froso (Aregeros) Pantazis.
He was a member of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, Wilkes-Barre.
Pantazis was a past president of the Order of Ahepa, Steve J. Depos Chapter No. 109, Tamaqua and Hazleton, serving in that capacity for several years, and also belonged to the Andros Society of New York City.
He graduated from high school in Greece.
Surviving in addition to his widow are a son, Dr. Nicholas J. of Iowa City, Iowa; a daughter Frances, wife of George Manolas of Bath; two sisters, Irene Manalas and Maria Karpouzias, both of Athens, Greece; five grandchildren and nieces and nephews.
He was also preceded in death by a brother, Louis N., who died in 1993; and a sister, Evanthia Giannsis, who died in 1995.
George Matrician
George Matrician, 80, of 229 10th St., Easton, formerly of Coaldale, died Tuesday in the Easton Hospital. He was the husband of Amelia (Tomasovich) Matrician.
He was the band director for the former Coaldale High School and later was the first band director at the Panther Valley High School. Afterwards, he was band director at the Easton Junior High School before retiring.
He composed the Panther Valley High School Alma Mater and other pep songs for the school.
Born in Summit Hill, he was a son of the late John and Helen (Mlechick) Matrician.
He was a member of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, Easton.
A graduate of the former Summit Hill High School, he received a bachelor's degree in music from Mansfield University and a master's degree from Ithaca University.
Matrician was an Army veteran of World War II, having served in the South Pacific.
He was a 50-year member of the Coaldale American Legion Post.
Surviving in addition to his widow are four sisters, Susan, wife of Emil Krazinski of Middletown, Anna Solak and Mary Stival, both of Summit Hill, and Helen McGuire of Jim Thorpe.
The August M. Gulla Funeral Home, 130 E. Ridge St., Coaldale, is in charge of the arrangements.
