Natalie Regina Keating, 1931 – 2024, age 92, a retired PPL accountant, faithful member of Holy Infancy Church and much-loved sister and aunt, passed away peacefully on January 18, 2024 at Moravian Hall Square, where she called home since 2012. A beloved daughter of the late Miles J. Keating Jr. and Genevieve G. Keating (Conway), dear sister of Jane Doran (Arthur) of Virginia, and the late Miles J. Keating (Helen), the late Geraldine Foote (Spencer) and the late Ann Marie Shevlin (Jim). She is survived by her devoted nieces Carol and Betsy and nephews Patrick, Tim, Larry, David and Matt along with 14 great nieces and nephews and three great -great nieces/nephews. Her nephew, Joe Keating, pre-deceased her. Natalie graduated from Bethlehem Catholic High School in 1949 after which she began her 44 year career at the former PP&L. Post retirement she volunteered for another 20 years at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Muhlenberg. Family and friends are invited Monday, January 29th to a funeral service beginning at 10AM at Downing Funeral Home, 1002 West Broad Street, Bethlehem and Christian burial to follow at Holy Saviour Cemetery. Contributions in Natalie's name can be made to Family Pillars Hospice, 3910 Adler Place, Suite 130, Bethlehem or Holy Infancy Church, 312 E. 4th St., Bethlehem.
Helen Kutz
Helen A. (Kascar) Kutz, 80, of Whitehall, (where she had resided with her daughter) passed away May 22, 2023 in Phoebe Home Allentown. She was the loving wife of the late John Kutz. Born in Fountain Hill, she was the daughter of the late George and Margaret (Soos) Barthold. Helen retired from Phoebe Home in 2000 as a certified nurse’s aide. She was a member of the former St. John Capistrano Catholic Church. Formerly a member of the Ontelaunee Rod & Gun Club and the Hellertown Sports Club. Helen enjoyed going to flea markets and hunting with her husband. Also enjoyed time with family & friends, trips to Las Vegas, bird & deer watching. She will be deeply missed by family and friends.
Survivors: daughter- Helen and her husband Charles Kaltenbach, son-in-law- Dan Gallagher, grandchildren- Tara and husband Matthew Zentner, Michael Kaltenbach, Gunner Gallagher, Gabrielle Gallagher.
She was predeceased by her daughters- Rebecca Ann Kutz and Lori Ann Gallagher.
A viewing will be held on Thursday, June 1st 12:30-1:30PM with a Service at 1:30PM all in Downing Funeral Home, Inc. 1002 W. Broad St. Bethlehem, PA 18018. Burial to follow in Holy Saviour Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Helen’s memory to St. Luke’s Hospice, Phoebe Home or to the Lehigh Valley Therapy Dogs.
John King
John King, 82, of Bethlehem, passed away January 29, 2023 at Phoebe Home in Allentown. He was the loving husband of the late Jacqueline H. (Ramer) King. Born in Queens, NY he was the son of the late John and Marie (LaPort) King. John served in the U.S. Army. He worked for many years as a maintenance manager at Lehigh Plaza Apartments. He will be missed immensely by family, friends, former coworkers and complex residents.
John is survived by his daughter, Coleen Celentano, her husband Frank, their twins, Sean and Jessica and his son, Kevin and his sons, Cameron and Nolan.
Services will be Private for the family care of Downing Funeral Home, Inc. Donations in John’s name may be made to St. Luke’s Hospice.
Leona Kahl
Leona “Lee” M. (Makovsky) Kahl, 93, of Bethlehem, passed away November 26, 2022. She was the wife of the late John F. Kahl and first husband Paul Harvey. Born in Whitehall, she was the daughter of the late Anthony and Mary (Gallik) Makovsky. Lee graduated from Allentown Central Catholic High School. She was a member of Notre Dame of Bethlehem Catholic Church for 58 years, where she served as an eucharistic minister. Lee volunteered at Holy Family Manor and was a past President of the Catasauqua Jr. Women’s Club. She enjoyed traveling, played in various bridge groups, and was an avid reader. She will be deeply missed by her family.
Survivors: children- Jeffrey Kahl and husband Bobby Gibson, Judy Kahl, Keith Kahl, Karen Kahl and husband Todd Wilson; grandchildren- Thomas, Peter, Brian, Kaitlynn, Erin, David, Nicholas, and Alyssa; 14 great grandchildren; sister- Constance Buss. She was predeceased by her children- James Kahl, John Kahl Jr., Carol Stupak and husband Thomas Stupak; grandson- Mark Abdallah; 4 sisters and 2 brothers.
A calling time will be held Saturday, December 3rd 9-10AM with a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10AM in Notre Dame of Bethlehem Catholic Church 1861 Catasauqua Rd Bethlehem, PA 18018. Burial to follow in Holy Saviour Cemetery. Arrangements are entrusted to Downing Funeral Home, Inc.
Contributions can be made in Lee’s memory to St. Luke’s Hospice House, 2455 Black River Road, Bethlehem.
Barbara Kelly
Barbara S. Kelly of Allentown died Sunday, October 2, peacefully at LVHN Hospital Cedar Crest. Born March 5, 1928 in Plainfield, NJ, she was the daughter of the late John Donald and Helen (McPhillips) Shreve and younger sister of Wister, John Donald Jr, and James who predeceased her. She was the wife of the late Edward W. Kelly, married 44 years before his passing in 1997. She was a resident of Country Meadows in Allentown for the past three plus years after 66 years in her home on Elliott Ave., Bethlehem. She was a graduate of Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School in Scotch Plains, NJ where three of her grandchildren were also graduates. She worked at several positions for AT&T in New York City and Allentown (where her and Ed met) before raising two sons. Barb had positions in several medical offices and the physical therapy department of the Holy Family Manor, all in Bethlehem. She and Ed were foster parents to near 20 children over the years through the Allentown Diocese, some as young as newborns, and was in touch with many of them after they were placed permanently. She volunteered for many years at 17th St. Allentown Lehigh Valley Health Network hospital hospice, following in the footsteps of her mother. She was a member of Ss. Simon and Jude Church of Bethlehem where she coached the girls’ CYO basketball and volleyball teams for many years. Her passions were sports (Phillies, Eagles and Georgetown basketball) and knitting/crocheting anything for which a pattern was available. In addition to sweaters, scarves, mittens, christening outfits, baby and afghan blankets, it is estimated that she knit some 500 personalized Christmas stockings for family and friends during her lifetime. She is survived by her two sons, Michael (Mary) of Fanwood, NJ and Paul (Carolyn) of Orefield, PA, five grandchildren, Dr. Meaghan Kelly (Kyle Rowbothom)) of Annandale, VA, who was born in the same hospital as her grandmother, Bridget Kelly of Fanwood, NJ, Conor Kelly of Columbia, MD, Julie Feeney (Christopher) of Galway, Ireland and Lauren Siegfried (Drew) of Orefield, PA and four great grandchildren, Landon, Liam and Blake Siegfried, all of Orefield and Zoey Rowbothom of Annandale, VA. Services are being arranged by the Downing Funeral Home on Broad Street in Bethlehem for Tuesday, October 11 with a viewing from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM and Mass of Christian burial at 11:00 AM, both at SS Simon & Jude Church (730 W Broad St, Bethlehem, PA 18018). She will be then interred with her husband at Holy Savior Cemetery in Bethlehem. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to either Lehigh Valley Families Together at 928 Union Blvd. First Floor, Allentown, PA 18109, a foster care organization, or the Lehigh Valley Hospice at Lehigh Valley Health Network addressed to the LVHN, Office of Philanthropy, P.O. Box 1883, Allentown, PA 18105 (https://www.lvhn.org/give/gifts-honor-and-memorial).
Sophia Kutzera
Sophia C. (Makoski) Kutzera, 92, of Hellertown passed away March 25, 2022. She was the loving wife of the late Joseph S. Kutzera. Born in Hellertown, she was the daughter of the late Adam and Antonina (Kroll) Makoski. Sophia graduated from Hellertown High School and then from Sacred Heart School of Nursing, Allentown in 1951. She worked as a nurse for many years, retiring from Holy Family Manor. She was a member of Holy Ghost Catholic Church and formerly the Red Hat Society. Sophia was very social and enjoyed meeting her classmates from nursing school for lunches for over 70 years. She will be deeply missed.
Survivors: children- Marie Dieter of Bethlehem, Joseph Kutzera and wife Barbara of Hellertown, Carole Mazzeo and husband Stephen of Sunbury, Stephen Kutzera and wife Bonnie of Hellertown, Michael Kutzera of Washington, DC; 10 grandchildren; 3 great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her siblings- Joseph and Vincent Makoski, Cecelia Jamiolkowski, Stella Makoski, and daughter-in-law Lynn Kutzera.
A calling time will be held on Saturday, April 2nd 9-11AM in Downing Funeral Home, Inc. 1002 W. Broad St. Bethlehem, PA 18018. Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 12PM in Holy Ghost Catholic Church 417 Carlton Ave Bethlehem, PA 18015. Burial to follow in Holy Saviour Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Holy Ghost Catholic Church or to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
Theresa Kranyecz
With deep sadness, we announce the passing of Theresa M. Kranyecz (nee Krenos) of Bethlehem, on December 20, 2021, at Holy Family Manor. She was the wife of Joseph S. Kranyecz with whom she shared over 51 years of marriage.
Born in Allentown, she was the daughter of Frank and Rose (Eberhardt) Krenos and stepmother Therese (Horvath) Krenos. She was a 1963 graduate of Allentown Central Catholic High School.
After high school, Theresa worked at Grammes and Company in the real estate department. She later worked at Walker, Walker, Thomas & Karess with Martin J. Karess, Esq. She ended her legal secretary career at Fonzone & Ashley, working with Charles J. Fonzone, Esq.
While her daughters were young, she volunteered at dance recitals and competitions, Girl Scouts, and she had been an early participant and volunteer for Bethlehem’s live Christmas pageant.
Theresa was an avid reader. She enjoyed book sales, her family book club, basket bingo, Scrabble, crossword and jigsaw puzzles, vacationing in Strathmere, NJ, and Saturday ice cream dates with her husband and soulmate, Joe. She loved animals, her “granddogs and grandcats,” and especially her dear dog Marble.
Theresa is survived by her loving husband, Joseph S. Kranyecz; daughters, Amy McGarr, wife of Richard McGarr of Hanover Township, and Rorie Van Vliet, wife of Greg Van Vliet of Macungie; her beloved grandchildren, Ava Costa, Joseph Van Vliet, and Jenna McGarr; sisters, Frances Rekai and husband Edward Rekai, Pauline Baker, and Carolyn Krenos-Bodnar and her husband Richard Bodnar; and numerous nieces and nephews who were all dearly loved by their Aunt Teci.
She was predeceased by her sister, Rosemarie Bishop and brother-in-law, John Bishop.
A viewing will be held on Monday, December 27th 9:30-10:30 with a Service at 10:30AM in Downing Funeral Home, Inc. 1002 W. Broad St. Bethlehem, PA 18018. Masks are mandatory for attendance due to continued COVID-19 concerns. Burial to follow in Holy Saviour Cemetery.
Contributions may be made to Holy Family Manor, Bethlehem.
Leo Kehs
Leo Charles Kehs, 71, of Bethlehem, passed away Tuesday, November 2, 2021. Born in Allentown, he was the son of the late Lawrence L. and Margaret (Ward) Kehs.
Leo grew up in Bethlehem and was a 1968 graduate of Bethlehem Catholic High School. He attended the Career Academy School of Broadcasting in Houston, Texas, graduating in 1970, before starting as a radio announcer at WGPA in Bethlehem. Known on air as “Lee Casey,” his career took him to cities nationwide, from KNOM in Nome, Alaska, to WHUE in Boston.
He later returned to the Lehigh Valley, where his voice was heard on commercials on local radio stations. More recently, he worked as a chauffeur, including for Siegfried Chauffeur Services of Allentown.
He was a train buff who spent much time model railroading. He was also a licensed ham radio operator with the call sign K3EHS. His other pastimes included photography and making balloon animals.
Leo attended church at St. Francis Retreat House in Bethlehem Township, where he was very active. He will be remembered for his infectious laugh, and deeply missed by all those who knew him.
Survivors: sister, Margaret Mary; niece, nephew and great-niece.
A viewing will be held Tuesday, November 9 from 6-7:30 PM in Downing Funeral Home, Inc., 1002 W. Broad St. Bethlehem, PA 18018.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Leo’s memory to the Valley of Good St. Anne, 175 Nazareth Pike, Bethlehem, PA 18020.