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Downing Funeral Home, Inc., 1002 W. Broad Street, Bethlehem, PA (2026)

03/05/2026

Brian W. Gaugler, 83, of Bethlehem, passed away February 28, 2026. He was the loving husband to Karen A. (Messick) Gaugler. Born in Bethlehem, he was the son of the late Marie (McCafferty) and Raymond Gaugler Sr. Brian graduated from Liberty High School and retired from Bethlehem Steel after 32 years of service. Brian was known for his quick wit, upbeat personality, and always lending a hand to help others. He loved riding his Harley Davidson through the Pocono Mountains and visiting his three daughters and grandchildren in Florida. He was an avid fan of the Philadelphia Eagles, Phillies, Flyers, 76ers and NASCAR. Brian enjoyed golfing, fishing and watching Clint Eastwood movies. He was also a lifetime member of various local social clubs and was committed to supporting their missions. He will be deeply missed.

Survivors: wife- Karen Gaugler; daughters- Robin Read and her children- Nicolas & Matthew Read, Tammy Read wife of Jeremy and their children- Bryan and Megan Read, Wendy Gaugler wife of Ray Lubomski; step-son- Charlie Kline Jr. He was predeceased by his brother- Raymond Gaugler Jr.

A viewing will be held on Wednesday, March 11th 10-11 with a Service at 11:15 in Downing Funeral Home, Inc. 1002 W. Broad St. Bethlehem, PA 18018. Burial to follow in Cedar Hill Memorial Park.

Contributions can be made in Brian’s memory to the American Cancer Society care of Downing Funeral Home, Inc.

02/27/2026

Edward J. Palenchar, 95, of Bethlehem, passed away February 23, 2026. He was the loving husband of the late Eleanor (Farkas) Palenchar. Born in Bethlehem, he was the son of the late Frank and Anna (Kostelnick) Palenchar. Edward worked as a painter for many years, retiring from Bethlehem Steel. He was a member of Saints Simon and Jude Catholic Church. He was a Golden Hiller, enjoyed traveling with his wife and was Lehigh University and Eagles and Phillies sports fan. He also enjoyed playing cards especially family favorite Pinochle. He will be deeply missed.

Survivors: sons- Thomas and wife Linda of Charleston, WV, Richard and wife Jennifer of Bethlehem, David of Easton, Robert and wife Tina, of Nazareth; grandchildren- Andrew, Nicole, Jason, Randy, Aubrey, Ashley, Joshua, Jordyn, Tayler and Madisyn; 13 great grandchildren; brother- Richard and wife Bonnie of Hellertown. He was predeceased by his brothers- William and Francis.

A viewing will be held on Wednesday, March 4th 9:30-10:30AM with a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10:30AM all in Saints Simon and Jude Catholic Church 730 W. Broad St. Bethlehem, PA 18018. Burial to follow in Holy Saviour Cemetery, Bethlehem.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or to Family Pillars Hospice care of Downing Funeral Home, Inc.

02/26/2026

Dolores “Lori” Ronca Bianco Ottesen, 94, of Bethlehem, passed peacefully on February 20, 2026. Born in 1931 in Fountain Hill, Lori was one of nine children of Philip and Anna Ronca. Raised in a large, spirited Italian family home filled with homemade pasta, pastries, laughter, and storytelling, she carried that warmth and welcoming spirit with her throughout her life.

After graduating from Fountain Hill High School, where she excelled academically and cheered with enthusiasm, Lori attended Millersville University. She paused her studies to care for her beloved sister, Dorothy, before earning her Bachelor’s degree in Education. She began her teaching career in New York and continued for more than 40 years in the Bethlehem Area School District, shaping young lives with patience, intelligence, and kindness. She spoke of those years with lasting pride and affection.

Lori married Frank Bianco, President and Owner of Pembroke Dress Co., and lovingly raised their five children in Stafore Estates, a neighborhood she was especially proud of, as it was built by her father, Philip Ronca. Her twin sister, Maryanne Werpehowski, lived nearby, and together they raised their children. As some of the earliest residents of Stafore, the family became part of a close-knit community that fostered lifelong friendships. Lori was also a longtime member of Saucon Valley Country Club.

Bright, stylish, and entrepreneurial, Lori had a keen eye for real estate and interior design, always making her homes feel warm, beautiful, and welcoming. A devout Catholic and member of Notre Dame Church in Bethlehem, faith and family were at the heart of everything she did.

In 1990, Lori married Peter Ottesen, Technology Executive and Author, and began a joyful new chapter filled with global travel, companionship, and shared passions. Lori loved tennis, golf, and staying active, always relishing time spent with Peter. Together, they enjoyed playing duplicate bridge and earned the level of Bridge Life Masters, finding great delight in the intricacies of the game. They spent winters in their Boca Raton, Florida home, enjoying their hobbies and lifestyle at The Polo Club, where they made wonderful friends.

A lover of the arts, Lori was active with the Pennsylvania Playhouse, often performing alongside her children. She was also a dedicated member of the American Association of University Women, supporting educational and charitable causes. Music filled her home — especially show tunes sung around the piano, with Lori leading the way.

An excellent seamstress and gracious host, Lori delighted in cooking and baking for family and friends. Holidays were joyful, summers by the pool were lively, and no one ever left her home without feeling full and cared for. Lori had a rare gift for making everyone feel seen and special. With her quick wit, radiant smile, and infectious laugh, she lit up every room. She wished most to be remembered for her kindness, and that is exactly how she will be remembered: vibrant, loving, fabulous, and unforgettable. A beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, daughter, and aunt, she will be missed every day, but her sparkle will continue to shine brightly in the hearts of all who love her.

Lori is lovingly remembered by her five children: Kathleen (Gerard) McNally; Francine Bianco Tax and her late husband Gregory; Lisa (Troy) Guth; Kristine Eckenrode; and Joseph Bianco. She was blessed with nine grandchildren: Brian and Brendan McNally; Clayton Tax; Natasha (Anthony) Lacken; Tyler (fiancée Sara Bain) and Colby Guth; Emory and Skyla Eckenrode; Brianna Bianco; and one cherished great-grandchild, Joseph Lacken.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, February 28, at 10:00 a.m. at Notre Dame Church, 1861 Catasauqua Road, Bethlehem, PA 18018.

02/09/2026

Cheryl “Cheri” A. Buonanno, 66, of Bethlehem, passed away February 5, 2026. She was the loving wife and soul mate of 10 years to James “Jim” Buonanno, whom she had known for over 17 years. Born in Allentown, she was the daughter of Barbara (Sinsky) Hood and the late Ron Brobst. Cheri served in the U.S. Army. She then worked as a Nurse for 27 years. After her retirement she worked at Weis Markets for a few years. Cheri was a mentally and physically tough woman. She also was a very intelligent and creative woman who when she wanted anything, she made sure she got it. She was very determined. She was fantastic in the kitchen where she would make everything taste so delicious. Cheri was a great researcher. Cheri had a beautiful spirit, very caring towards others especially those who needed consolation. Cheri would do just about anything for anybody. She was an extremely generous person for sure! Beautiful heart and soul! Her dog Toby, which she picked out online from Lancaster, will miss her. Cheri loved playing and walking Toby with her rollator. She made many friends along the way walking Toby. She taught Toby very well. Cheri was well known in our neighborhood. Heaven has a gem of a woman!
Survivors: husband- Jim Buonanno, mother- Barbara Hood, daughter- Angela Zemlansky, sister- Donna Van Etten, aunt- Ginny Haas, cousin- Mike Haas, mother-in-law- Benita C. Buonanno. She was predeceased by her brother- Robert Hood.
A Calling Time will be held on Friday, February 13th 5-7PM with a Memorial Service at 7PM in Downing Funeral Home, Inc. 1002 W. Broad St. Bethlehem, PA 18018.

01/23/2026

Michael T. Shaffer, 58, of Bethlehem, passed away on January 17, 2026. He was the loving husband of 35 years to Kathleen O’Malley and the dedicated father of Christopher, Ethan, and Matthew.

Born in Denville, NJ, he was the son of Katherine (Keim) Shaffer and the late Gilbert Shaffer. The youngest of five children (sister Cathy; brothers Steve, Greg, and Tim), Michael maintained a strong bond with his siblings throughout his life. He cherished their annual beach week at Long Beach Island that brought together his parents, siblings, and eventually, their spouses, children, nieces, and nephews year after year. In a very large and ever-growing family filled with big personalities, Michael’s joyous presence always stood out.

Michael moved to Bethlehem to attend Moravian University where he became an integral part of the campus community, well known and beloved by students and faculty alike. There, he made many lifelong friends, including the love of his life, Kathleen O’Malley. Michael and Kathy brought out the best in each other. They were inseparable and complemented each others’ personalities in every way. Michael and Kathy were a perfect fit. The two were joyfully married at the campus chapel and settled in their college town to start their family and careers. Michael continued on to earn his Master's Degree from Kutztown, all while working and raising his young children.

As Michael's boys grew, he was proud to support them in pursuing their interests while also introducing them to his own. Michael was an avid comic book collector and shared that passion with his children by introducing them to the characters, themes, and ideals that drew him in as a child. In exchange, he developed a passion for their interests as well. He took great joy in attending all of their events from the time they were young. Even in recent years, he always prioritized his sons’ soccer games and musical performances. Together, the family developed a shared love for cheering on Premier League and MLS soccer teams, listening to music, and watching TV and movies.

Michael also had a special place in his heart for his beloved dog, Jenny. And to Jenny, Michael was her person. She eagerly watched the door every day for him to get home. They spent their time together playing in the back yard and just enjoying each other’s company. On their daily walks, Michael was widely recognized in the neighborhood, always offering a welcoming hello and ready to listen and share with everyone around him. He made lifelong friends with many neighbors. Michael loved his community and shared it with others by hosting friends and family for events like Christkindlmarkt, the Parade of Shamrocks, and Musikfest.

Michael’s love for family and community extended far beyond his own. He dedicated his entire professional career to Pinebrook Family Answers, a nonprofit family services organization. Beginning in 1989 as a caseworker, Michael ultimately rose to serve as Chief Executive Officer. Over more than three decades, he became a steady, compassionate presence whose influence shaped the organization as deeply as his kindness touched the people within it. He will be long remembered for his ever‑present smile, his caring nature, the cheerful whistle that echoed through Pinebrook’s hallways, and even his endearing love of a bright parking vest—small but cherished reflections of his joyful spirit. Guided by a profound commitment to meeting families where they are, Michael strengthened Pinebrook’s mission and impact on countless children and families.

His dedication extended even further through his service with the Pool Fellowship for Health, the Pennsylvania Council of Children and Youth and Family Services, and the Project Child Advisory Committee of the Child Abuse Prevention Coalition of the Lehigh Valley, leaving a legacy of leadership, generosity, and heart.

Michael brought joy and happiness everywhere he went. He was well known for his big smile and infectious laugh. He will be deeply missed by many.

Michael is survived by his wife Kathy; mother Kay; sons Chris (Liz), Ethan (Annika), and Matt (Cait); siblings Cathy (Dave), Steve (Michele), Greg (Eleanor), and Tim (Jaqueline); and beloved dog Jenny. He also leaves a large family of in-laws, nieces, and nephews.

Services: On Friday, January 30th, a Calling Time will be held at Downing Funeral Home from 5:00-7:00PM. On Saturday, January 31st, a Calling Time will be held at Rosemont Lutheran Church from 9:00-10:00AM with a funeral service to follow.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to The Michael Shaffer Memorial Fund at Pinebrook Family Answers (www.pbfalv.org).

01/22/2026

David C. Muth, 68, of Emmaus, passed away in his home on January 21, 2026. He was the loving husband of nearly 43 years to Joan M. (Szvetecz) Muth, with whom he shared more than 50 years together.

Born in Allentown, Dave was the son of the late Charles and Betty Mae (Schmoyer) Muth. He was a 1975 graduate of Liberty High School and earned his Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from Moravian College in 1979.

Dave built a long and meaningful career in financial positions in the healthcare industry. He worked as an accountant at Lutheran Home at Topton, where he formed many lifelong friendships, and later served as Chief Financial Officer at New Vitae, Inc. He concluded his career at Concern, from which he retired.

In his younger years, Dave had a deep passion for music. He was a talented trombone player and a proud member of both the Pioneer Band and the American Legion Band. It was through music that David met the love of his life — Joan — while playing together in the marching band at Liberty High School. As their children grew older, Dave chose to step away from music so he could devote more time and energy to his family, a decision that reflected his lifelong priorities.

Above all else, Dave was a devoted family man who was always willing to help his children, grandchildren, and friends in any way he could. He took great pride in caring for his home and pool and was never afraid to take on a home improvement project. His home was a gathering place, where he enjoyed hosting friends and family at his annual summer pool party. He especially treasured his many cats and granddogs. Dave was a faithful member of Old Zionsville United Church of Christ and will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Dave is survived by his wife, Joan Muth; daughter, Kelly Kowalewski and her husband, Travis; son, Ryan Muth and his wife, Kimberly; grandchildren, Luke, Willow, Carter, and Ava.

A viewing will be held on Friday, January 30, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., followed by a service at 11:00 a.m., at Downing Funeral Home, Inc., 1002 W. Broad Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018. Burial will follow at Holy Saviour Cemetery, Bethlehem.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in David’s memory to Old Zionsville United Church of Christ, 5981 Fountain Road, Old Zionsville, PA 18068.

01/09/2026

Anna M. (Schlaner) Blackwood, 68, of Bethlehem, passed away January 6, 2026. She was the loving wife of the late John Blackwood, III. Born in Allentown, she was the daughter of the late Anna (Stoudt) and John Schlaner. Anna graduated from Southern Lehigh High School in 1975. She was a long-time volunteer for the Celtic Cultural Alliance at the Celtic Classic. She was the ultimate sports mom, attending all of her son’s sporting events when they were young. Anna loved music and going to concerts with her husband, especially Meatloaf and Jimmy Buffett. She also enjoyed going on cruises, her favorite being the American Virgin Islands. Anna loved the color purple, butterflies, frogs and dogs, her most recent dog rescue being her best friend, Milo. She will be deeply missed.
Survivors: sons- John Blackwood, IV and his wife Tara Blackwood of Annapolis, MD and Jeramy D. Blackwood and his wife Danielle Blackwood of Rock Island, IL; grandchildren- J. Gifford, Jase and Bo Blackwood; brothers- John, Richard and Frank Schlaner.
A viewing will be held on Monday, January 12th 5-7PM and Tuesday, January 13th 9:15-10:00AM with a Service to follow at 10:00AM in Downing Funeral Home, Inc. 1002 W. Broad St. Bethlehem, PA 18018. Burial to follow in St. Paul’s Blue Church Cemetery, Coopersburg.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Lehigh Valley Humane Society 640 Dixon St. Allentown, PA 18103.

12/31/2025

Walter F. Sullivan, Jr., 84, of Bethlehem, passed away at home on December 29, 2025. He was
the husband of the late Leslie (DeForest) Sullivan. They were married for 52 years. Born in
Staten Island, NY, he was the son of the late Kathryn (O’Brien) and Walter F. Sullivan, Sr. Walt
worked for Durkee Foods in Bethlehem for many years. He enjoyed traveling with family and
attending the sporting events and activities of his 6 grandchildren. He was a lifelong golfer and
an avid reader. He will be deeply missed.
Walt is survived by his children Kevin Sullivan and his wife Catherine, Ryan Sullivan and his
wife Becky, and Stacey Gowen and her husband Bob, and by grandchildren Aidan and Liam
Sullivan, Chloe and Quinn Sullivan and Caley and Sean Gowen. He is also survived by
brothers Brien Sullivan of NY and Quin Sullivan of VA. He was predeceased by sister Carol
Sullivan.
Services will be private for the family.
Contributions can be made in Walter’s memory to the Bethlehem Area Public Library.

12/08/2025

Anne M. (Murphy) Bowser, 78, of Bethlehem, passed away December 4, 2025. She was the loving wife of over 55 years to Ronald S. Bowser. Born in Bethlehem, she was the daughter of the late Richard E. and Virginia M. (Byrem) Murphy. She was a 1965 graduate of Liberty High School and worked as a Dental Assistant for many years.

Anne had a warm and welcoming personality and home - the back door was always open. As matriarch of the neighborhood “kool-aid house”, she opened her home not only to her friends and family, but to her kids’ friends as well. Many have called her their “second mom”. She loved working in her beautiful garden and spending time outside. She could often be found sitting on the patio on a summer evening chatting with someone from the neighborhood that had come to visit. Anne liked music and loved to dance and enjoyed spending time in Beach Haven on LBI, which was her happy place. She also loved playing games both on the computer and with family, as well as doing Wordle, working on puzzles and doing crosswords. But most of all, Anne loved being a wife, a mom and especially a grandmother. Spending time with her four granddaughters was the highlight of her life. She will be deeply missed.

Survivors: husband- Ronald Bowser, daughter- Erica Eynon and husband Jeff, son- Ronnie Bowser and wife Mary, granddaughters- Ruby Anne, McKenna, Kacey and Cecilia, brother- Richard Murphy and wife Ariel, sister- Kathleen Murphy and husband Terry Magliane, several nieces and nephews.

Services will be Private care of Downing Funeral Home, Inc.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Anne’s memory to the American Heart Association or the American Diabetes Association.

12/02/2025

John W. Check, 73, of Fountain Hill, passed away November 29, 2025. He was the loving husband of the late Marilyn Check. Born in Bethlehem, he was the son of the late John and Anna Check. John graduated from Liberty High School and was the original owner of the Broken Spoke Bicycle Shop in Easton. John enjoyed cycling, doing carpentry, horseback riding and was an animal lover. He will be deeply missed.

Survivors: sons- Chad Check and his late fiancé Sheila Kolesnik, Jesse Check and wife Christine, grandson- Ira Check, partner- Marion Amato, nephews- Frankie and Brian Szabo, Baker family members in Alabama and Fisher family members in Florida and pets Bo, Sherwood and Marley. He was predeceased by his sister- Janice Szabo.
Services will be Private for the family

Contributions can be made in John’s memory to Last Chance Ranch.

11/13/2025

Robert "Bob" Woroniak, 91, of Allentown went to heaven peacefully at LVHN Hospice on 11/12/25, surrounded by his loving family. He was the cherished husband of Sylvia (Taglioli) Woroniak,
with whom he shared over 68 years of mar-riage. He served in the U.S. Army for 3 years stationed in Alaska during peacetime. He subsequently trained to be an electri-cian, was a member of IBEW #375, and worked for Orlando Diefenderfer for 40 years. Upon retirement, he continued to volunteer his time, skills, and knowledge to anyone who needed assistance. He was a faithful member of St.Thomas More Catholic Church. Bob was an avid fisherman who never passed up an opportunity to be on the water with fishing buddies and his many fishing rods (some handmade). Summers were spent on Long Beach Island, NJ with his family, a tradition that continued for decades and grew to include his grandchildren. He enjoyed gardening and working on his extensive model train display which included hand-made models of each of his children's homes.
He is also survived by his 4 children, 8 grand-children, and 2 great-grandchildren. Daughter Karen (Woroniak) Goldner of Allentown, and her children Ally Schultz, Jason Goldner, Jill (Goldner) Leeb, her husband Ari, and her grandchildren Anna and Nathan Leeb. Daughter Debra (Woroniak) Nalbandian of Bethlehem and her children Martin and Noelle. Daughter Diane (Woroniak) Boyajian and her husband Robert of Upper Saddle River, NJ, and their children Katie and lulia. Son Robert Woroniak, Jr. and his wife Dawn-Marie of Harrisburg, and their daughter Trace (Woroniak) Tavlor and her husband
Justin. Bob was also loved and will be missed by countless extended family members and friends.
Services: Saturday, 11/15/25 at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 1046 W. Cedar Street, Allentown. Calling hour 9:00am to 10:00am at the church, followed by a Catholic Mass of remembrance at
10:00am.
Contributions: In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Lehigh Valley Hospice, 2024
Lehigh Street, Allentown, PA 18103

09/05/2025

Celeste Roney, 77, of Bethlehem, died peacefully on September 3, 2025 surrounded by her children. Born in Detroit, MI she was the daughter of the late Charles and Maureen (Cunningham) Roney. Celeste was a member of Notre Dame of Bethlehem Catholic Church and found much solace and grounding in her faith. She spent many years working for the Youthful You Program of the Lehigh Valley Health Network where she answered phones, scheduled massages, made lifelong friends and greeted everyone with warmth and kindness. She also spent her working days in advertising at WJBR in Detroit, as an aerobics instructor for the Jewish Community Center of Allentown and as a friendly, but no-nonsense bus driver for Northwestern Lehigh School District.
Raised in Detroit, Celeste lived for music. She was an avid participant in her drum circle class at Lutheran Manor. She sang and danced her way through life. And, in her later years, did so with a walker if she had to. She loved bird watching, road tripping and was the self-proclaimed #1 fan of Sir Paul McCartney. Her big blue eyes, and wide smile lit up a room and she was always the life of every party.
To say she will be missed would be the understatement of the century.
She is survived by her three children, Cynthia Ruckdeschel, Daniel John Ruckdeschel, Anne Marie Ruckdeschel; bonus daughter, Abby Feinstein; grandsons, Henry Daniel Feinstein and Murphy Charles Feinstein; sisters, Susan Roney Drennan and Marty Roney; niece, Maureen Drennan; and nephew, Paul Gagner. She was predeceased by her siblings, Mary Pellerito, Belle Henzel, Chickie Roney and Sara Roney.
Celeste was very clear that in the event of her death she would like a party. A gathering will be held on Sunday, September 14th from 2-5pm at Bicentennial Park, Pavillion A in East Allen Township. Address 5351 Park West Lane, Bethlehem, PA 18017. Bring your stories and dancing shoes.

Downing Funeral Home, Inc.

03/05/2026

02/27/2026

02/26/2026

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01/23/2026

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01/09/2026

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