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Kermit J. Gilbert
May 4, 1917 – Feb. 17, 2013
Kermit J. Gilbert, 95, of Bethlehem, a long-time resident of the Chapman Quarries area, died Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013 in the VNA Hospice of St. Luke’s, Lower Saucon Township. He was the husband of Lillie (George) Gilbert.
A World War II veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, Mr. Gilbert was in the 5th Marine Division deployed to the South Pacific. During the Battle of Iwo Jima, he witnessed the flag raising on top of Mt. Suribachi (depicted in the famous photo and the United States Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington, Va.)
Kermit worked at the Bethlehem Steel for 35 years, retiring in 1981. After retiring, he became an accomplished wood refinisher, bringing countless pieces of worn antique furniture back to their original life and beauty.
Besides his wife, he is survived by three children, Mary, Lois and Tom; a brother, Quentin; sister-in-law, Gertrude; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service was held on Saturday, Feb. 23 in Chapman Quarries United Methodist Church. There were no calling hours. Interment was private. Arrangements were made by the George G. Bensing Funeral Home, Moorestown.
Betty Jane Jacoby w/Photo
July 2, 1933 –March 16, 2013
Betty Jane Jacoby, 79, formerly of Danielsville and a native of Bath, died Saturday, March 16 at Gracedale. She was the wife of the late Erwin F. Jacoby, who died last month on February 13.
She was a 1951 graduate of Nazareth High School. Early in her career, Betty was employed in the garment industry, where she worked as a sewing machine operator at various blouse mills in the area.
Born July 2, 1933 in Bath, she was a daughter of the late Robert L. Henning and Mabel H. (Trauer) Mussley.
Betty was very active in Cub Scouts with her children, having formerly served as a den mother. She was also an active member of the senior center at Hope Lutheran Church, Cherryville, as well as a member of Salem U.C.C. Church, Moorestown.
Surviving are three sons, David L. Jacoby of Easton, Donald E. Jacoby of Bushkill Township, and Dale P. Jacoby; a daughter, Doreen Moser, of Bath; 12 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; three brothers, The Rev. Harold Henning of Berks County, Warren Henning of Northampton County, and Robert Henning of Delaware; a sister, Jean Ruch, of East Allen Township; a sister-in-law, Helen Henning, of Northampton County; and many nieces and nephews.
Preceding her in death were a son, Daniel Jacoby; a daughter, Debbie Teske, and a brother, Paul Henning.
Services were held on Wednesday evening in the George G. Bensing Funeral Home, Moorestown. Interment will be private.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Life Choice Hospice, 10 Zion Church Rd., Suite 204, Shoemakersville, PA 19555, attn.: Tracy Mason.
John J. Mescavage, Jr.
John J. “Jack” Mescavage, Jr., 74, of Northampton lost his battle with pulmonary fibrosis on Tuesday, March 12, 2013. He was the husband of Elizabeth “Betsy” Mescavage.
He served in the U.S. Navy from 1958 to 1962 and attended the Naval Electrical School in Great Lakes, Mich. He spent his naval years aboard the heavy cruiser U.AS.S. Newport News. After the Navy, Jack became a member of the IBEW Local #375 in Allentown and worked in the electrical construction trade for 324 years. He used his skills to build many of the buildings and industrial facilities we still rely on today.
Born in Shenandoah, Pa., he was the son of the late John J. Mescavage, Sr. and Elizabeth A. (Czerkan) Mescavage.
He loved golf and was a member of the Willowbrook Duffers Golf League in Catasauqua. After retiring, he was a member and regular attendee of the Northampton Recreation Center. He was a member of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary R.C. Church, Northampton.
Public graveside services were held on Friday, March 15 at the Green Meadows at Fountain Hill Cemetery in Bethlehem.
Donations are being accepted for the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 230 E. Ohio St., Suite 304, Chicago, IL 60611.
A celebration of life memorial service will be held at a later date.
Helen M. Romano
Helen M. Romano, 76, of Lehigh Township died Monday, March 11, 2013 at Fellowship Community in Whitehall. She was the wife of the late Frank D. Romano, who died April 25, 1992.
Helen had a 25-year career in the textile community, starting in 1954 as a button sewer for the former DeeVille Blouse Co., Danielsville, and working her way to bookkeeper. She went on to become an influential member of the textile community as owner of Winmar Fashions, Danielsville; Robby Sue Sportswear, Slatington; Jim Thorpe Casuals; Brunswick Apparel; Annville Apparel; and Jonestown Apparel. Her final step in the fashion world was creating Lorali Fashions in New York City. After a successful career in the fashion industry, she and her husband Frank opened Romano’s Riverside Inn, Northampton, in 1979 and continued serving the public until their retirement in 1989.
Born in Lehigh Township, she was a daughter of the late Alex and Anna (Konkolics) Zelinski.
She was a member of Hope Lutheran Church, Cherryville.
Surviving are two daughters, Karen A. Young of Northampton and Sheila A. (Romano) Silfies of Danielsville; a step-daughter, Susan L. Randolph, of Reisterstown, Md.; two sisters, Margaret Schell, of Bird in Hand, Pa., and Elizabeth Wissinger of Garden City Park, N.Y.; a brother, Lawrence Zelinski, of Roseto; fiancé and companion, E. Thomas Raber, of Northampton; four grandchildren, David Young of Bethlehem, Jennifer Andrews of Walnutport, Iris Helene Kish of Philadelphia, and Ethan F. Silfies of Danielsville; a step-grandson, Gregory Randolph, of Medford, Ore.; and two great-granddaughters, Victoria and Rebecca.
Services were held Monday morning in the Schisler Funeral Home, Northampton, with The Rev. Jami Possinger officiating. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family.
Contributions may be made to The Peaceable Kingdom, c/o the funeral home at 2119 Washington Ave., Northampton, PA 18067.
Matthias G. Schweitzer
Aug. 25, 1918 – March 17, 2013
Matthias G. “Matt” Schweitzer, 94, of Moore Township died on Sunday, March 17 in Lehigh Valley Hospital-Muhlenberg, Bethlehem. He was the husband of Anna M. “Hans” (Dlugos) Schweitzer.
A 1938 graduate of Liberty High School in Bethlehem, he was employed by the former Taylor-Wharton Co. of Easton as a wood pattern maker for 30 years. Prior to retiring, he was self-employed as a wood pattern maker for 20 years.
Born August 25, 1918 in Elizabeth, N.J., he was a son of the late Anton, Sr. and Barbara (Reider) Schweitzer.
Matt served as a volunteer for Meals on Wheels of Northampton County. He was a member of the Moore Township Lions Club and the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Bath.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Anton Schweitzer, Jr.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated this (Thursday) morning in the Sacred Heart Church, following calling hours at the George G. Bensing Funeral Home, Moorestown. Interment was in the parish cemetery in Bath.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, 210 E. Northampton St., Bath, PA 18014.
Isabelle B. Shook w/Photo
July 18, 1921 – March 15, 2013
Isabelle B. Shook, 91, formerly of Bushkill Township, died Friday, March 15 in the VNA Hospice House of St. Luke’s, in Lower Saucon Township. She was the wife of the late Earl F. Shook, who died in 1986.
She worked in the garment industry at various blouse mills in the Slate Belt area before retiring from the former Nazareth Waist Mill as a presser.
Born July 18, 1921 in Moore Township, she was a daughter of the late Victor J. and Beulah (Beers) Andrews.
She was an active member of the Clearfield Bible Holiness Church (formerly the Clearfield Interdenominational Church), where she served as custodian and treasurer as well as Sunday school teacher of youth and adult classes for many years. On January 15, 2000, in appreciation of Isabelle’s faithful service to the church, she was recognized for 50 years of outstanding and dedicated service as custodian and treasurer.
Surviving are a son, Daniel P. Shook, with whom she resided; a grandson, J. T. Shook, of Wilson Borough; nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a sister, Melva Laudenbach, in 2011.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday morning in Clearfield Bible Holiness Church, Bushkill Township. Interment followed in Holy Cross Lutheran Cemetery, Bushkill Township. Arrangements were by the George G. Bensing Funeral Home, Moorestown.
Memorial contributions may be made to Clearfield Bible Holiness Church, 1502 Bushkill Center Rd., Wind Gap, PA 18091.
Hermina R. Weigl
Hermina Rose Weigl, 88, formerly of Northampton, died on Thursday, March 14, 2013 in Gracedale. She was the wife of the late Edward S. Weigl.
Raised in Nazareth, the oldest of six children, she worked at the Bethlehem Steel during World War II. She worked as a merrow machine operator at various garment mills and retired from Tama Mfg. With 21 years of service.
Born in Coplay, “Minnie” was a daughter of the late Julius and Hermina (Yost) Kroboth.
She was a member of Queenship of Mary Catholic Church; the Liederkranz in Northampton, and Coplay Saengerbund.
Preceding her in death were two brothers, Julius and Alfred.
Surviving are daughters, Pat Burns of Northampton and Rose Roberts of Bath; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; sisters Mary Drovich and Julia Morykan; and brother Joseph Kroboth.
Services were held on Tuesday morning in the Reichel Funeral Home, Northampton, followed by burial in Our Lady of Hungary parish cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Assoc., Delaware Valley Chapter, 399 Market St., Suite 102, Philadelphia, PA 19106, and Heartland Hospice, 881 Marcon Blvd., Allentown, PA 18109.
(P) JUSTIN M. ROBERTS
May 22, 1988 – March 15, 2013
Justin M. Roberts, 24, of East Allen Township, died Friday, March 15, 2013 from injuries he sustained in an automobile accident. Justin was a graduate of Northampton High School class of 2006 and later attended Northampton Community College. He was actively involved with playing and later coaching for the Bath Lions Football team.
Born in Fountain Hill on May 22, 1988, he was the son of Kris T. Walden with whom he resided and Randolph D. “Randy” Roberts and his wife, Catherine of Bethlehem.
Justin was constantly curious about nature, science and the universe. He was a lover of movies, music and sports, a loyal Buffalo Bills, Sabres and Virginia Tech fan. He also enjoyed playing street hockey with goaltending being his forte. Characterized as free-spirited, intelligent, and easy to get along with, Justin will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered by his family and friends.
In addition to his loving parents, he is survived by his maternal grandparents, Jerry and Phillis (Curtis) Walden of East Allen Township; paternal grandmother, Elizabeth (Painter) Colley and her husband, Pat of Altamont, Missouri; maternal great-grandfather, Arthur Kuhlman of Alton, Illinois; three sisters, Jaclyn Roberts of Oxford, England, Jessica Roberts and Corinne Roberts both of East Allen Township; niece and newphew; aunts, Dianna Walden of East Allen Township, Pamela Panko of Slatington, Carol Matula of Coaldale, and Elizabeth Billig of Cherryville; uncles, Glenn Walden of Sterling, VA, Denton Roberts of Norfolk, VA, and Gaylen Roberts of St. Joseph, MO; many cousins.
Services will be held on Friday, March 22, at 12:00 p.m. in the Lehigh Valley Grace Brethren Church, 580 Bridle Path Road, (Hanover Township) Bethlehem, PA 18017. A closed casket viewing for friends and relatives will be held on Thursday evening from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. and Friday morning from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the church. Interment will be private. Arrangements are under the care and direction of the George G. Bensing Funeral Home, Inc., Moorestown – Bath. Contributions: may be made in memory of Justin to American Cancer Society, 3893 Adler Place, Suite 170, Bethlehem, PA 18017.
JANE E. SCHMALZER
June 5, 1938 – March 18, 2013
Jane E. Schmalzer, 74, of East Allen Township, died on March 18, 2013 at the Muhlenberg Campus of Lehigh Valley Hospital. She was the wife of Carmie U. Schmalzer with whom she shared 53 years of marriage last November 19th.
Jane was a graduate of Northampton High School class of 1956. She was employed by Mary Fashion, Bath for 29 years before retiring as a supervisor in 2003. Previously, she served as a practical nurse at Gracedale. Jane was a member of the International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union and served as a union steward. Jane was a life-member of the Northampton Raccoon Club, and a member of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Bath.
Born in Northampton on June 05, 1938, she was a daughter of the late Clifford and Grace (Smith) Wuchter.
In addition to her loving husband, Carmie, she is survived by her children; daughters, Ann Bayout of Yorktown, VA and Susan Heffelfinger of Seemsville; sons, Alan Schmalzer of Danielsville and Andy Schmalzer of Whitehall; eleven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; brothers, George Wuchter of Kreidersville and Galen Wuchter of Moore Township; sisters, Barbara Creamens of Colorado Springs, CO, Susan Wuchter and Judy Wuchter both of Bethlehem. She was preceded in death by a brother, Franklin Werner. Services will be private, at the convenience of the family. There will be no calling hours. Arrangements have been entrusted to the George G. Bensing Funeral Home, Inc., Moorestown – Bath.
Carl E. “Dizz” Meyers
November 18, 1933 – March 18, 2013
Carl E. “Dizz” Meyers, 79, of Northampton, died Monday, March 18, 2013, at Fellowship Manor, Whitehall. He was a mechanic for the Bethlehem Steel Company for over forty years before retiring in 1995 and was a member of the United Steel Workers Union, Local #2599. Dizz was a member of Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity, Northampton and the Lehigh Valley Postcard Club.
Born November 18, 1933 in Allentown, he was the son of the late Earl and Miriam (Jacobs) Meyers and husband of the late Patricia A. (Bartholomew) Meyers.
He is survived by sons; Lee C. Meyers of Danielsville, Jeffrey Meyers of Atlanta, Ga., daughter Cheryl Fordyce of Weissport, companion Betty Abel of Northampton, sister Colleen Davis of Allentown, four grandchildren and one great-grandson.
Arrangements are being handled by Schisler Funeral Home, Inc., Northampton., where the family will receive friends from 9 to 11 a.m. today (Thursday.) Services will be at Schisler Funeral Home at 11 a.m.
Interment will be at Highland Park Cemetery, Allentown. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Parkinson Disease Association in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be made at www.schislerfuneralhomes.com
