Whitehall-Coplay Press

Dorothy Susan Kratzer, 84, of Northampton, died at home Feb. 2, 2020. She was the wife of Roland Kratzer Jr. for 61 years.

Born in Hokendauqua, she was a daughter of the late John Frank and Susan (Matika) Kovalchick.

She worked at Fuller Sportswear for 18 years.

She was a member of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, Northampton.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by a son, John; and a sister, Caroline Rogers.

She was predeceased by three brothers, John, Edward and Andrew; and two sisters, Anna Klusarits and Mary Hallman.

Richard L. Oplinger, 90, of Fellowship Community, Whitehall, formerly of Lower Macungie Township, died Jan. 27, 2020. He was the husband of Marie (Mazziotta) Oplinger.

Born in Allentown, he was the son of the late Martin K. and Leoda (Mohry) Oplinger.

He was a graduate of Allentown High School and Penn State University Extension with a certificate in accounting.

He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War.

Irene M. Gollatz, 93, of Northampton, died Feb. 4, 2020, at Holy Family Manor, Bethlehem. She was the wife of the late Raymond J. Gollatz.

Born in Cementon, she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Johanna (Stranzel) Schatz.

She worked at General Electric for many years.

She was a member of St. Peter Roman Catholic Church, Coplay.

She was a member of the Friendly Fifties and bowled at the Coplay Saengerbund.

Richard J. Greb, 83, of Lewisburg and formerly of Northampton, died Feb. 2, 2020, in Lewisburg Buffalo Valley Lutheran Village. He was the husband of Shirley (Brownmiller) Greb for 63 years.

Born in Whitehall, he was a son of the late Ignatz and Emma (Pammer) Greb.

He was an electrician for and retired from Albarell Electric.

He was a member of Queenship of Mary Catholic Church, formerly Our Lady of Hungary, in Northampton, where he was a member of the Holy Name Society and was a church volunteer.

Metro Kutianski, 88, of Walnutport, died Jan. 26, 2020, in his home. He was the husband of Dolores M. (Moll) Kutianski for 55 years.

Born in Seemsville, he was a son of the late Gregory and Carolina (Gregorchuk) Kutianski.

He was in the military for 22 years and was a staff sergeant in the Army Air Corps, Korea. He served in the Coast Guard during the Vietnam era and earned the rank of ENC E-7.

He was a mechanic in the engineering lab of the Mack Trucks Corporation, Allentown, for more than 10 years until he retired.

Betty L. Handwerk, 85, of Allentown and formerly of Walnutport, died Jan. 27, 2020, at Phoebe Home, Allentown. She was the wife of the late Louis L. Handwerk.

Born in Coplay, she was a daughter of the late Harold and Helen (Dute) Hantz.

She was a sewing machine operator for 10 years at the former ADJ Fashions, Cherryville, until she retired in 1996. Before that, she worked in the same capacity for 10 years at Scotty’s Fashions at both the Treichlers and Little Gap locations.

She was a longtime member of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Indianland.

Sandra Lee Kromer, 70, of Coplay, died Jan. 15, 2020, at Phoebe Home, Allentown. She was the wife of the late Leonard L. Kromer.

Born in Allentown, she was the daughter of the late Joseph V. and Doris J. (Kerchner) Stengel.

She was a food service worker before retiring.

She is survived by three children, Gary Kromer of Allentown and Marcie Kelley and Lisa Morgan, both of Gilbertsville; a sister, Joanne Pawluk of Emmaus; a brother, Ronald J. Stengel of Whitehall; five grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.

Joseph J. Padlaszek, 96, of Kintnersville, died Jan. 29, 2020, at Saucon Valley Manor, Hellertown. He was the husband of the late Elvira J. (Dorka) Padlaszek.

Born in Philadelphia, he was a son of the late Walter and Margaret (Pecukevich) Padlaszek.

He was in the U.S. Army during World War II.

He was a machinist for Fischer and Porter Company for many years.

He was a union member and a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3094, Hellertown.

David E. Heist, 53, of Slatington, died Jan. 28, 2020, in hospice at Lehigh Valley-Cedar Crest, after a battle with cancer. He was the husband of Susan M. (Weller) Heist for 25 years.

Born in Allentown, he was a son of Kathleen (Fries) and the late Richard E. Heist of Walnutport.

He was a 1985 graduate of Northampton High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from Pennsylvania State University.

He was the finance director for the former Wood Company, now Sodexo, for almost 30 years.

He was of the Catholic faith.

William C. Kilian, 71, of Schnecksville and formerly of Woodstown, N.J., died Jan. 25, 2020, at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township. He was the husband of Marolyn J. (Foster) Kilian for 47 years.

Born in Southwest Philadelphia, he was the son of the late David W. Sr. and Mary E. (Paylor) Kilian.