Whitehall-Coplay Press

Janice L. Wasko, 71, of Whitehall, died April 3, 2018, in Lehigh Valley Hospital-Muhlenberg. She was the wife of Paul G. Wasko Jr. for 46 years.

Born in Kalamazoo, Mich., she was a daughter of the late Merrit and Stella (Hayes) Needham.

She was a senior project manager at Parexel International, where she had worked for 25 years.

She was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church.

Dorith Allen Riggall, 88, of Whitehall, died March 30, 2018, at Fellowship Manor. She was the wife of the late Rev. Russell T. Allen and Rev. John H. Riggall.

Born in Quakertown, she was a daughter of Paul and Viola Stoneback.

She is survived by four children, Cheryl, David, Daniel and Cherene; grandchildren; and great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by two sisters, Velma Shelly and Ruth Stoneback.

Arrangements were made by Robert C. Weir Funeral Home, Allentown.

Mary Solderich, 98, died March 27, 2018, in her home in Coplay. She was the wife of the late Edward J. Solderich.

Born in Northampton, she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Caroline (Deutsch) Wandler.

She was a sewing machine operator for several local garment mills before retiring.

She was a member of St. Peter Roman Catholic Church, Coplay, where she made pierogies. She was a member of the Altar and Rosary Society.

She was part of the Coplay Senior Citizens group.

Gary R. Townsend, 62, of Bethlehem, died March 28, 2018, at his residence.

Born in Salisbury, Md., he was a son of the late Russell Townsend and Margaret “Peggy” (Christopher) Townsend of Northampton.

He was a final technician for Mack Trucks for 32 years before retiring in 2006.

He was a former member of Fraternal Order of Eagles, Bethlehem. He renovated houses and apartments.

Willard A. Gower Sr., 84, formerly of Whitehall, died April 4, 2018, at the Phoebe Home, Allentown. He was the husband of Miriam A. (Delahunty) Gower for 63 years.

Born in West Pittston, he was a son of the late Otto and Pearl (Traher) Bower.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and philosophy from Washington & Jefferson College.

He was in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War era.

He was a systems engineer at IBM in both Philadelphia and Poughkeepsie, N.Y., for 25 years before he retired in 1989.

Michael J. Tomcics, 72, of Allentown, died March 25, 2018, at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest. He was the husband of Ellen D. (Daniel) Tomcics.

Born in Whitehall, he was a son of the late John and Hilda (Dunbar) Tomcics.

He was an U.S. Army veteran.

He worked for many years with Executive Cleaning in janitorial services before retiring.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, Michael J. Jr.; a stepson, Robert Earl Eltz; three brothers, Joseph, James and Edward Tomcics; two grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Doris M. Smicker, 88, of West Catasauqua, died March 27, 2018. She was the wife of the late Adam Smicker.

Born in East Mauch Chunk, she was a daughter of the late James and Margaret (Fronheiser) O’Donnell.

She was a member of St. Michael the Archangel Byzantine Catholic Church, Allentown.

Lloyd W. Moats, 94, of Walnutport, died March 26, 2018, at his home. He was the husband of Loretta (Leiby) Moats for 66 years.

He was a son of the late Lloyd and Eva (Hepner) Moats.

He was an U.S. Navy veteran of World War II.

He owned and operated a hardwood floor contracting business. He and his wife owned and operated a motel and a public parking lot in Wildwood, N.J.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Lori and her husband Eddie Carson; a granddaughter; and two great-granddaughters.

Bernice B. Hillegass, 84, of Catasauqua, died March 28, 2018, at home. She was the wife of the late Warren A. Hillegass.

Born in Allentown, she was a daughter of the late Henry C. and Helen L. (Shive) Boehm.

She was an information operator for the former Bell Telephone Company.

She is survived by a daughter, Carol Hrebin; three grandchildren, Eugene P. Hrebin, Julia M. Hrebin and John P. Werley; and six great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by a son, Scott Hillegass; and a brother, Maynard C. Boehm.

Peter D. Rusiewicz, 59, of Northampton, died March 28, 2018, at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest.

Born in Allentown, he was the son of Bernard “Buddy” and Alverta “Woo” (Lapachak) Rusiewicz of Northampton.

He was a 1976 graduate of Northampton High School.

He worked for Good Year Tire Company for 13 years. He previously worked in construction.

He was a member of St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church, Northampton.

In addition to his parents, he is survived by his companion, Evelyn Billy; and many cousins.