Whitehall-Coplay Press

Roger R. Bodnar, 75, of Northampton, died Dec. 17, 2018, in his home. He was the husband of the late Anna Marie (Erschen) Bodnar.

Born in Northampton, he was a son of the late Charles and Nesttie (Kyra) Bodnar.

He was in the 1st battalion, 19th infantry and 24th infantry divisions of the U.S. Army from 1962 to 1964.

He was a machinist for many years for Bethlehem Steel and Lehigh Valley Heavy Forge Company.

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

Josephine “Betty” E. (Reeser) Schwartz, 97, of North Whitehall Township, died Dec. 17, 2018. She was the wife of the late Kenneth P. Schwartz.

Born in Allentown, she was a daughter of the late Joseph M. and Matilda A.E. (Riedy) Reeser.

She was a seamstress for the former Schneider Manufacturing for 22 years before retiring in 1984.

She was a lifelong member of Salem United Methodist Church, Allentown, where she was a member of the choir, the Clicking Needles group, Sunday school teacher and a former president of United Methodist Women.

Garnetta E. Haney, 100, of Fellowship Community, died Dec. 7, 2018. She was the wife of the late Marvin “Schnitz” C. Haney.

Born in Steubenville, Ohio, she was a daughter of the late Donald and Catherine (Schmidt) Kirkpatrick.

She was a member of the Church of the Manger, Bethlehem.

Russell “Buppy” D. Kromer, 88, of Danielsville, died Dec. 9, 2018, at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest. He was the husband of Lucille M. (Hall) Kromer for 55 years.

Born in Danielsville, he was a son of the late Anna (Heydt) Sheckler.

He was a Lehigh Township High School graduate.

He was employed by the former Reichard-Coulston Paint Mill, Bethlehem, where he worked for 30 years until 1985. He later worked in the housekeeping department at Gracedale until he retired in 1995.

He was a member of Hope Lutheran Church, Cherryville.

Elsa “Elsie” J. Hoenl, 91, of Alburtis and formerly of Coplay, died Dec. 8, 2018, at Cedarbrook Nursing Home, Allentown. She was the wife of Ernest P. Hoenl for 65 years.

Born in Coplay, she was a daughter of the late Samuel J. Sr. and Julia (Perl) Hoanzl.

She worked for the former General Electric, Allentown.

She was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Coplay, where she taught Sunday school.

Denise M. Harry, 63, died Dec. 11, 2018, at St. Luke’s Hospital, Bethlehem. She was the wife of Carl Harry for 43 years.

She was a daughter of the late Carl and Nancy Moats.

She was a 1973 graduate of Whitehall High School. She earned a degree in nursing from St. Luke’s Hospital School of Nursing.

She was home nurse for Rx Home Care. She co-owned Bethlehem Ice Service.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by two children, Melissa and Carl Jr.; and two granddaughters, Kira and Hailee.

She was predeceased by a brother, Douglas Moats.

Russell W. Schirmacher, 83, of Whitehall, died Dec. 10, 2018, at Lehigh Valley Hospice, Allentown. He was the husband of Joyce C. (Harring) Schirmacher for 61 years.

Born in Hokendauqua, he was a son of the late Paul and Helen (Berger) Schirmacher.

He was a crane operator for the former Bethlehem Steel for many years before retiring.

Anne “Anna Mae” Krupa, 96, died Dec. 15, 2018, in Allentown. She was the wife of the late Frank Krupa.

Born in Fountain Hill, she was the daughter of the late Alexander and Barbara (Diaczun) Pierok.

She was a graduate of Bethlehem Business School.

She was a secretary for Bethlehem Steel.

Janet Anne Rothdeutsch Ryan, 75, of Laguna Hills, Calif., died Nov. 8, 2018, at home.

Born in Northampton, she was a daughter of the late Frank and Hilda Rothdeutsch of Whitehall.

She was a graduate of Central Catholic High School, Allentown.

She was an elementary education teacher for Allentown Diocese.

She is survived by two daughters, Susan Chanel and Jennifer; a son, Patrick; and a granddaughter, Grace Victoria, all of California; a sister, Rosemary Snyder; and a sister-in-law, Antoinette Rothdeutsch, both of Whitehall.

Frank S. Kovacs, 77, of Northampton, died Nov. 29, 2018, at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Muhlenberg. He was the husband of the late Judith A. (Gaugler) Kovacs for 38 years.

Born in Northampton, he was a son of the late Frank and Mary (Jacob) Kovacs.

He was a 1959 Central Catholic graduate and earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Kutztown State College and a master’s degree in education from Lehigh University.