Obituaries by LocationDecember 24, 1996
Mrs. Lillian E. Gabel
Mrs. Lillian E. Gabel, 83, formerly of Quakertown Avenue, Pennsburg, died Sunday in the Luther Crest Health Center, South Whitehall Township. She was the widow of LeRoy L. Gabel.
A registered nurse, she worked for the Visiting Nurses Association in the Upper Perkiomen Valley area for several years.
Born in Lehighton, she was a daughter of the late Milton and Gertie (Green) Diehl.
She was a member of St. Mark Lutheran Church, Pennsburg, and the Perkiomen Chapter No. 318, Order of Eastern Star, Red Hill.
Surviving are a son Kenneth of Wyomissing, Berks County; a daughter Susan, wife of Richard Carmosin of Trumbauersville; and five grandchildren.
Francis M. Bramich Jr.
Francis M. Bramich Jr., 55, of Coplay, died Monday in his home. He was the husband of Gwen B. (Callery) Czekner Bramich. They observed their eighth wedding anniversary last April.
He was a laborer for Jaindl's Turkey Farm, Orefield, for nine years before retiring due to disability.
Born in Allentown, he was a son of the late Francis M. Sr. and Lillian G. (Stephens) Bramich.
He was a social member of the Egypt V.F.W. Post.
Surviving in addition to his widow are two sons, Frank III of Doylestown and David of Coplay; three daughters, Lillian of Trexlertown, Hilda, wife of William Lambert in California, and Beverly, wife of Juan Grona of Allentown; a stepson, James Czekner of Allentown; a brother Larry of Walnutport; three sisters, Betty, wife of Daniel Jujsa of Coplay, Janet Wieand of Schnecksville and Donna, wife of Stanley Torbey of Whitehall; six grandchildren and three step-grandchildren.
Douglas R. Rea
Douglas R. Rea, 54, of 5303 Thompson St., Germansville, died Sunday in his home. He was the husband of Glynnis (Procter) Rea.
He was a title insurance officer for the Land Title Insurance Company in Alaska for 12 years until 1984.
Born in West Reading, he was a son of the late Donald E. Rea and Bertha M. (Zieber) Rea Hoster and a stepson of Joseph Hoster Sr. of Mohnton, Berks County.
He was a Navy veteran and a member of the Lehigh Valley APPLE Users Group and a precision benchrest shooter.
Surviving in addition to his widow and stepfather are a son, David B. of Allentown; a sister, Deborah J., wife of Enrico Gatto of Wernersville, Berks County; a stepson, Christopher C. Limpar of Coplay; and a grandson.
Mrs. Hilda A. Andrews
Mrs. Hilda A. Andrews, 87, formerly of West Bowmans, died Monday in the Mahoning Valley Nursing and Convalescent Center, Mahoning Township. She was the widow of Morris H. Andrews.
A member of the Palmerton Hospital Auxiliary, she worked at its Nearly New Shop, Palmerton, for 15 years.
Born in Walnutport, she was a daughter of the late Harry and Hannah (Buck) Bachman.
She was a member of St. John Towamensing Lutheran Church, Palmerton, and was a volunteer for the Project Tuesday of Bowmanstown of the Willing Workers of West Bowmans.
Surviving are two daughters, Jean Heiney of Kresgeville and Phyllis, wife of Robert Balliet of Lehighton; two sons, Sherwood of Walnutport and Robert of Lehighton; 10 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
The Thomas K. Thomas Funeral Home, 145 Delaware Ave., Palmerton, is in charge of the arrangements.
Donald J. Stephens
Donald J. Stephens, 78, of 1408 W. Broad St., Bethlehem, died Sunday in ManorCare Health Services, Salisbury Township. He was the husband of Elizabeth B. (Gibbons) Stephens of Allentown, formerly of Bethlehem.
He was a machinist for Mack Trucks, Inc., Allentown, for 42 years before retiring in 1982.
Born in Allentown, he was a son of the late Fred Sr. and Edna (Zimmerman) Stephens.
He was a member of Notre Dame of Bethlehem Catholic Church, and a life member of its Holy Name Society.
A 4th degree Knight of Columbus, he was a charter member of Holy Cross Council No. 4754, Bethlehem, and a life member of the Lehigh Valley Assembly, Knights of Columbus.
Stephens was an Army veteran of World War II.
He was a shop steward for the United Auto Workers Union in the 1960s and 1970s and a coach and manager of the Lehigh Little League, Bethlehem, in the 1960s.
Surviving in addition to his widow are two sons, Scott of St. Cloud, Fla., and Kevin of Walnutport; a daughter Beth, wife of Terry Sell of Orefield; two brothers, Fred Jr. of Slatington and Edgar W. of Bethlehem; two sisters, Pauline Landis and Barbara Glick, both of Allentown; and three grandchildren.
Mrs. Grace V. Hawk
Mrs. Grace V. Hawk, 75, of 233 S. Third St., Lehighton, died Monday in the Gnaden Huetten Memorial Hospital, Lehighton. She was the widow of Champ C. Hawk, who died June 26, 1978.
She was employed as an aid for the Carbon County Day Care Center, Fourth and Mahoning streets, Lehighton, and previously was a sewing machine operator for the former Barson & Company, Lehighton.
Born in the Big Creek area of Franklin Township, she was a daughter of the late William and Blanche (Cameron) Diehl.
She was a member of the Auxiliary of the Shoemaker-Haydt American Legion Post 314, Lehighton.
Surviving are three daughters, Janice, wife of Ronald Rehrig, Donna, wife of Thomas Walk, and Kim, wife of Bruce Werley, all of Lehighton; five sons, Kenneth and Dr. Clark, both of Lehighton, Stanley of Jamesburg, N.J., Gerald of Andreas and David of Franklin Township; two brothers, Clifford of Philadelphia and Mark of Lehighton; for sisters, Mrs. Thelma Frank, Elva, wife of Warren Reichard, Mrs. Olive Cunfer and Mrs. Mildred Meyers, all of Lehighton; 19 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
She was also preceded in death by a granddaughter, Susan M. Hawk, and a sister, Mrs. Ruth Brown.
The Mayes-Melber Funeral Home, 200 Franklin St., Weissport, is in charge of the arrangements.
John E. Duffy III
John E. Duffy III, 49, of 737 Main St., Bethlehem, died Sunday in the St. Luke Hospital, Fountain Hill.
A member of the United Cerebral Palsy Bell Choir and the 4-Leaf Clover Bowling League at Jordan Lanes, Whitehall Township, he was also involved in swimming at the Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital, Allentown.
Surviving in addition to his mother are two brothers, Alan of Bath and Michael of Bethlehem; two sisters, Nancy, wife of David Roman of Northampton, and Cheryl, wife of Richard David of Danielsville; and nieces and nephews.
