Whitehall-Coplay Press

Walter “Tom” T. Jones Jr., 76, of Catasauqua, died Sept. 18, 2018, at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest. He was the husband of Gloria (Faust) Jones for 56 years.

Born in Allentown, he was a son of the late Walter Sr. and Esther (Gerhard) Jones.

He was a Catasauqua High School graduate.

He was an U.S. Navy veteran and was an aviation boatswain’s mate during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He is a plank owner of the USS Enterprise CVA(N)65.

He was a 41-year employee of Mack Trucks where, after his retirement, he was an ambassador.

He was of the Lutheran faith.

Eugenia D. Bruchak, 82, of Catasauqua, died Sept. 16, 2018, at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Muhlenberg. She was the wife of Edward Bruchak for 57 years.

Born in Swoyersville, she was a daughter of the late Philip J. and Evelyn (Rydzewski) Brennan.

She graduated from St. Mary’s High School, Wilkes-Barre, and earned a teaching degree from Mansfield College.

She was a member of the Annunciation Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church, Catasauqua.

Mae J. Peacock, 82, of Whitehall, died Sept. 13, 2018, at home. She was the wife of the late Russell W. Peacock Jr.

Born in Whitehall, she was a daughter of the late Albert and Clara (Bartholomew) Oswald.

She was a member of Grace Episcopal Church, Allentown, where she volunteered with the food pantry and assisted with church services.

She was a manager for more than 30 years at McDonald’s, MacArthur Road, until she retired in 1991.

Dianne A. Smith- Kmieczak, 72, of Bath, died Sept. 23, 2018, at home. She was the wife of the late James P. Smith for 35 years and of Donald N. Kmieczak for 13 years.

Born in Bethlehem, she was a daughter of the late Elmer O. and Dorothy H. (Hess) Kist.

She was a 1964 graduate of Northampton High School.

She was a self-employed bookkeeper for James P. Smith Plastering and Stucco for 35 years. She then owned and operated The Barn House Village, Bath, for 12 years.

Stella F. Nederostek, 96, of Jim Thorpe, died Sept. 17, 2018, at home. She was the wife of the late Jacob E. Nederostek.

Born in Ormrod, she was a daughter of the late John and Josephine (Zima) Strongowski.

She was a member of Immaculate Conception Church, Jim Thorpe.

Joseph J. Matika, 55, of Northampton, died Sept. 30, 2018, at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Muhlenberg, Bethlehem. He was the husband of Brenda E. (Boddy) Matika for nine years.

Born in Allentown, he was a son of the late Joseph P. and Loretta A. (Frisch) Matika.

He was a caregiver for ARC of Lehigh and Northampton counties and worked for Access Services of Lehigh Valley. He was previously a garment spreader and cutter for the former Cross Country Clothes-Botany 500 group, Northampton.

Frank Joseph Karweta, 64, of Northampton, died Sept. 19, 2018, at St. Luke’s Hospital, Bethlehem. He was the husband of the late Maryann (Manziano) Karweta for 28 years.

Born in Wilkes Barre, he was a son of the late Frank and Lottie (Brzyski) Karweta.

He attended Gate of Heaven School and was a Dallas (Pennsylvania) High School graduate. In 1977, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in law enforcement and corrections at Pennsylvania State University.

He was an adult probation and parole officer for Lehigh County for 25 years.

Victoria Ann Hanzl, 55, of Coplay, died Sept. 20, 2018, at home. She was the wife of Barry Hanzl.

Born in Bethlehem, she was a daughter of the late Francis Stephen Sweetz and Dorothy Agnes Wargo.

She earned an associate degree at Allentown Business School.

She was an office assistant at Cedar Crest College.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by a daughter, Stacy; an aunt, Barbara Singmaster; nieces; and nephews.

She was predeceased by a sister, Phyllis Owens.

Contributions may be made to an animal charity of one’s choice.

Clifford J. Steckroth, 74, of Coplay, died Sept. 21, 2018, in his home.

Born in Allentown, he was a son of the late Carl H. and Theresa R. (Tretter) Steckroth.

He was a 1961 graduate of Dieruff High School, Allentown.

He was a self-employed electrical contractor for many years until he retired in 2008.

Gloria Katherine Tobey, 97, of Catasauqua, died Sept. 20, 2018, at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Muhlenberg, Bethlehem. She was the wife of the late Hal C. Tobey.

Born in Cicero, Ill., she was a daughter of the late Edward and Bessie (Hansa) Baumruck.

She was a graduate of Sterling Morton High School in Cicero, Ill.

She was an office clerk during World War II in a munitions factory in the Chicago area. In 1965, she was a World Book Encyclopedia sales person.