George Schmidt, 73, of New Tripoli, PA. passed away at home on May 26, 2020. He was the husband of Ruth E. (Schaeffer) Schmidt, with whom he celebrated 55 years of marriage in March 2020. He was born in New Tripoli, a son of the late George J. and Eugene (Gittinger) Schmidt. George was the owner of the George Schmidt Berry Farm in New Tripoli, where he worked alongside his family for most of his life. He was a contributing member of the Germansville and New Tripoli Fire Companies. In...

Patricia L. Erickson, 73, of Allentown, PA., formerly of New Tripoli, PA., died May 22, 2020 at 2:00 PM in the Lehigh Valley Hospital Cedar Crest, Allentown, PA. She was the beloved wife of Sven G. Erickson for 52 years. Born in Levittown, NY., she was the daughter of the late Raymond and Esther Leugers. Patricia was employed as an office manager for Rodale Press in Emmaus until retiring. She was a member of New Life Evangelical Lutheran Church in New Tripoli. In addition to her loving...

Herman S. Holben, 68, of Kutztown, PA. passed away at home on May 13, 2020. He was born in Allentown, PA., a son of the late Sterling N. and Lillian M. (Young) Holben. Herman attended Northwestern Lehigh High School and later became a truck driver, having last worked for Moyer Transport, LLC., New Tripoli, PA. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and spending time at the casino with his friends and family. Survivors include his daughter, Dana L. Holben of Tafton, PA.; son, Nathan S. Holben of...

Carol M. O’Donnell, 65, of Bath, PA. passed away in the Lehigh Valley Hospital Cedar Crest on May 12, 2020. She was the wife of Leo. G. O’Donnell, with whom she celebrated 40 years of marriage in November 2019. Born in Allentown, PA., she was the daughter of the late Conrad M. and Eva M. (Hamm) Chroust. Carol was a 1972 graduate of Northampton Area High School, where she then worked as a secretary for 35 years until retiring in 2016. She was a member of the Emmanuel Lutheran...

Lester F. Koch, 78, of Catasauqua, PA. passed away at home on May 3, 2020. He was the husband of Debra A. (Matthias) Koch, with whom he celebrated 15 years of marriage in April 2020. Lester was born in Pottsville, PA., a son of the late Carl and Claire (Mills) Koch. He was a veteran, having served in the US Army.  Lester was a 1959 graduate of Tamaqua High School and was later employed as a truck driver for Penske Trucking, Allentown, PA. until retirement. In addition to his loving...

Richard D. Held, 94, of New Tripoli, PA. passed away at home surrounded by his loving family on May 1, 2020. He was married to the late Gladys J. Held for over 66 years, until her passing on April 1, 2018.  He was born in Allentown, PA., a son of the late Alvin J. and Ettamay (LaBarre) Held. Richard was a WWII veteran, having served in the US Navy from 1942-1946. He was a truck driver for Consolidated Freight Ways of Mt. Pocono, PA. until retiring in 1996. He was a member of Ebenezer...

Kirk J. Watson, 61, of New Tripoli, PA. passed away in the Lehigh Valley Hospital Cedar Crest, Allentown, PA. on May 1, 2020. He was born in Abington, PA., a son of the late Andrew J. and Donna (Hurd) Watson, Sr. Kirk was a 1976 graduate of Northwestern Lehigh High School and later worked as a painter and carpenter for his family’s business, AJW, Inc., in New Tripoli for many years. Kirk enjoyed collecting antiques and Indian artifacts. Survivors include his sister, Donna L. wife of...

Robert R. (Bobby) Follweiler, 85, of Lenhartsville, PA. passed away at home surrounded by his loving family on April 17, 2020. He was the husband of Eleanor M. (Dietrich) Follweiler. They would have celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary on April 29, 2020. Born in Kempton, PA., he was the son of the late Robert W. and Florence (Kemmerling) Follweiler. He was a 1952 graduate of Slatington High School, and a member of Friedens Church of Lenhartsville. Bob was a Korean War Veteran, having...

Kevin Joseph Keefe, 65, of Kempton, Pennsylvania, died on Sunday, April 12, 2020.  He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend to many, and will be missed dearly. Kevin was born in Atlantic City, NJ in 1954 and lived in Bethlehem, PA for much of his life. He was a graduate of Freedom High School in Bethlehem and Kutztown University. He loved many things, but what he cherished most was his time with family and friends. He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Terri Knoll;...

Lee F. Hummel, 87, of Kempton, PA. passed away at home, surrounded by his loving family, on April 8, 2020. He was the husband of Anna Pearl (Oldt) Hummel, with whom he celebrated 65 years of marriage in April of 2019. Born in Kutztown, PA., he was the son of the late Clarence J. and Evelyn (Smith) Hummel. Lee was a Korean War Veteran, having served in the US Army. He was employed as a heavy equipment operator for Kempton Excavating until retiring in 2001. Lee was a member, former councilman...