Michael D. Thomas, 62, of Bethlehem, passed away December 21, 2021. He was a graduate of Nazareth High School. He had worked with VIA for many years. Michael loved trains, watching dirt racing and stock racing. He had a vast collection of Kinects that he enjoyed playing with. Michael was very knowledgeable with directions and music and had a wide collection of records, cds and videos. He will be deeply missed.
Survivors: foster parents- Gloria and Floyd Bauder, Aunt Rose and Uncle Butch Solderich, many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father- Donald Thomas.
A viewing will be held on Tuesday, December 28th 10-11AM with a Service at 11AM in Downing Funeral Home, Inc. 1002 W. Broad St. Bethlehem, PA 18018. Burial to follow in Friedens Cemetery.
Contributions can be made in Michael’s memory to VIA.
Erna Toth
Erna (Skultety) Toth, 93, of Bethlehem Twp, passed away October 19, 2021. She was the loving wife of the late William Toth. Born in Steelton, she was the daughter of the late Samuel and Anna (Ferlan) Skultety. She was a graduate of Hellertown High School. Erna was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Miller Heights. She enjoyed reading in her spare time. She will be deeply missed.
Survivors: daughter- Cynthia McConnell and husband David, son- Larry Toth, granddaughter- Brittany Koncz, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her infant son- William and her brother- Edward Skultety.
Services will be Private for the family care of Downing Funeral Home, Inc.
Contributions can be made in Erna’s memory to the Feline Urban Rescue and Rehab PO Box 144 Stewartsville, NJ 08886.
Katherine Taylor
Katherine V. (Harris) Taylor, 80, of New Castle, DE passed away August 29, 2021 after a lengthy illness. She was the loving wife of the late Charles F. Taylor. Born in Kearny, NJ, Katherine was the daughter of the late William A. and Clarissa (Van Camp) Harris. Katherine loved children and earned her Masters in Education from Wilmington College. She retired as a PreSchool teacher from Our Lady of Fatima Elementary School. She attended Bible Fellowship Church of Newark. Katherine enjoyed classical music and singing with Blue Rocks Chorus and the SongBirds at the Newark Senior Center, where she was also an active volunteer. She enjoyed reading, knitting, music, tai chi, and being a museum guide for the Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends.
Survivors: children- Michael C. Taylor (Mary Margaret) of Bethlehem, PA, Thomas D. Taylor of New Castle, DE, Amanda L. Kunzeman (Brian) of Madison, CT; grandchildren- Bridget Sullivan, Daniel Taylor, Freddie Taylor, Jonathan Kunzeman, Grace Kunzeman, Kaitlyn Kunzeman; 2 great grandchildren; sister- Clarissa L. MacIntosh of Hellertown, PA. She was predeceased by her siblings- William P. Harris, Charles H. Harris and Alice Ann Snowman.
A Calling Time will be held 10-11AM with a Memorial Service at 11AM on Saturday, October 30 in Bible Fellowship Church 808 Old Baltimore Pike Newark, DE 19702. A luncheon will follow for friends and family.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Katherine's memory to Newark Senior Center to 200 White Chapel Dr, Newark, DE 19713.
Jose Tinajero
Jose Daniel Tinajero, 31, of Bethlehem, passed away August 27, 2021. Born in Los Angeles, CA he was the son of Leonarda Rabelero and the late Ruben Tinajero Cervantes. He had worked for Vitalic and attended Holy Infancy Catholic Church. He enjoyed playing video games, reading comic books, listening to music (especially the Beatles) and fishing. He will be deeply missed by friends and family.
Survivors: mother- Leonarda Rabelero; brother- Carlos Tinajero; cousins- Eduardo “Lalo” Fernandez, Jimmy Leal; Aunt- Senorina Ravelero; Uncles- Pedro Tinajero, Ernesto Rabelero and many other Aunts, Uncles and Cousins.
A Calling Time will be held on Friday, September 3rd 9-10AM with a Memorial Service to follow at 10AM in Downing Funeral Home, Inc. 1002 W. Broad St. Bethlehem, PA 18018. Interment to follow in Woodlawn Memorial Park, Allentown.
Contributions can be made in Jose’s memory to Gift of Life Family House 401 Callowhill Street Philadelphia, PA 19123.
Ruben Tinajero Cervantes
Ruben Tinajero Cervantes, 63, of Bethlehem, passed away October 2, 2020. He was the loving husband to Leonarda Rabelero. Born in Mexico, he was the son of the late Juan and Maria (Del Rosario) Tinajero. Ruben was a member of Holy Infancy Catholic Church. He enjoyed soccer, traveling, fishing and camping with his family. He will be deeply missed.
Survivors: wife- Leonarda; sons- Ruben E. Tinajero, Carlos Tinajero, Jose D. Tinajero; 5 brothers and 6 sisters.
A calling time will be held on Friday, October 9th 9-10AM with a Memorial Service at 10AM in Downing Funeral Home, Inc. 1002 W. Broad St. Bethlehem, PA 18018. Burial to follow in Woodlawn Memorial Park.
Contributions can be made in Ruben’s memory to the American Cancer Society.
Shirley Trump
Shirley A. (Chiz) Trump, 76, of Allentown, passed away February 24, 2020. She was the loving wife of 57 years to James C. Trump. Born in Bethlehem, she was the daughter of the late John Chiz and Florence (Wilson) Saurwein. She graduated from Liberty High School. Shirley worked for many years as the secretary at Olivet Church in Bethlehem. She enjoyed camping and fishing with her family. Shirley was a talented baker, cook and crotchetier. She loved spending time with her family and treasured her grandchildren.
Survivors: husband- James C. Trump; daughters- Tami D. Smith and husband Jack of Easton, Teri L. Wisser and husband Michael of Slatington; grandchildren- Alyssa, Shane, Megan and Michael; great grandchildren- Justin, Elijah, Mikayla and Carter; sister- Elizabeth Panik; brothers- Harold Sauerwein and James Sauerwein. She was predeceased by her brother- John Chiz and sister- Geraldine Beahm.
A viewing will be held on Friday, February 28th 9:30-11:30AM with a Service to follow at 11:30AM in Downing Funeral Home, Inc. 1002 W. Broad St. Bethlehem, PA 18018. Burial will be Private at the convenience of the family.
Elizabeth Turzanski
Elizabeth “Josephine” (Steinbacher) Turzanski, 91, of Bethlehem, passed away July 10, 2019. She was the loving wife of the late Merl J. Turzanski. Born in Williamsport, she was the daughter of the late Irvin and Miriam (Fargus) Steinbacher. Josephine earned her B.S. in Nursing Education from Misericordia University and worked previously at Mercy Hospital in Scranton, PA and as a Nursing Instructor for Williamsport Hospital. She was a founding member of Notre Dame of Bethlehem Catholic Church. She also volunteered with the Boy Scouts for over 25 years. She was South Mountain District Advancement Chairman for 17 years. A Silver Beaver recipient, she also received many other Scouting awards.
Survivors: Son- Michael Turzanski and wife Susan Peloquin of Burlingame, CA; Daughters- Mary Konek of Oakmont, PA , Ann Souzer of Grove City, Elizabeth and husband George Kost of Berwick, Margaret and husband Norman “Pete” LaCoe Jr. of Clark Summit; 7 Grandchildren; 8 Great Grandchildren. She was predeceased by her brother- John P. Steinbacher.
A viewing will be held Friday, July 19th 9:30-10:30AM with Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 10:30AM in Notre Dame of Bethlehem Catholic Church 1861 Catasauqua Rd Bethlehem, PA 18018. Burial to follow in Holy Saviour Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Downing Funeral Home, Inc.
Hulme W. Thomas, Jr.
Hulme W. Thomas Jr., 76, of Bethlehem, passed away January 7, 2019 in Lake Harmony, surrounded by his loving family. He was the loving husband of 50 years to Paula Marie (Meixell) Thomas. Born in Carmel, CA, he was the son of the late Elizabeth (Wolf) and Hulme W. Thomas Sr. Hulme served in the 101st Airborne Division of the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He then worked as a Field Engineer for IBM and upon retirement worked for Hampton Lanes. Hulme was a problem solver and enjoyed helping others. He was very talented and could build or fix anything. He also enjoyed doing photography privately.
Survivors: wife- Paula Marie Thomas; sons- Hulme W. Thomas III “Bill” and his wife Rhiannon, David Thomas and his wife Sandi; grandchildren- Savannah, Daniel, Benjamin, Annabelle and Caleb.
A viewing will be held on Saturday, January 12th 9-11AM with a Service at 11AM in Downing Funeral Home, Inc. 1002 W. Broad St. Bethlehem, PA 18018. Burial to follow in Zion Cemetery in Kriedersville.