All Obituaries

Clifford J. Bechtel, 92 formerly of 3219 McKently Street, Laureldale, died July 15, 2019 in the Keystone Villa at Fleetwood. He was married March 8, 1947 to Arlene C. “Fritz” (Brown) Bechtel, who died December 20, 2013. Born in Muhlenberg Township, on November 10, 1926, he was a son of the late John C. and Helen M. (Heckman) Bechtel. Cliff was a 1944 graduate of Muhlenberg High School. He was a member of Rosedale United Church of Christ, Laureldale. Cliff was employed 33 years as...

Robert Keehn Reinert, 86, of Oley, passed away July 13, 2019 at his home, surrounded by his loving family. He was the husband of Pauline (Handwerk) Reinert, with whom he would have celebrated 64 years of marriage in August. Born May 28, 1933 in Phillipsburg, NJ, he was a son of the late Rev. Webster and Mary (Levengood) Reinert. Robert proudly served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. He was a member of Friedens Evangelical Lutheran Church, where he taught Sunday school and was...

Mary E. Martin, 83, of Wernersville, passed away peacefully in her home on July 13, 2019 with her loving family by her side. She is the wife of Chester A. Martin, Jr., they would have celebrated 66 years of marriage in September.  Mary would have celebrated her 84th birthday this week. Born July 16, 1935 in Reading, she was a daughter of the late Robert and Queena (Bohn) Ulrich.   She was employed by Lower Heidelberg School as a lunch aide and library assistant for 30...

Robert Daniel Shipe, III, 74 of Temple died July 7, 2019 at Tower Health-Reading Hospital. He was the husband of Lyndell C. (Rentschler) Shipe, to whom he was married November 25, 1967. Born in Reading, he was a son of the late Robert D., Jr. and Gladys M. (Yiengst) Shipe. Bob was a 1962 graduate of Muhlenberg High School and a 1966 graduate of Kutztown State College, where he received a B.S. in education.  He also went on to earn his Master’s Degree. He taught with Reading...

Petrina B. Yonchuk, 80, of Pennsburg, died July 2, 2019 at Pennsburg Manor. Born November 28, 1938 in West Reading, she was a daughter of the late Anthony and Antoinette (Natoli) Bruno. Petrina was a 1957 graduate of Reading High School.  She was employed in various occupations over the years from banking, to retail, to being an administrative assistant. Petrina’s pride and joy was her grandson who she cared for full-time in his early life.  She also loved the beach,...

            Robert L. Bankes, 95 of Muhlenberg Township died on Saturday June 29, 2019.  He was the husband of the late Betty R (Fritz) Bankes.  Born in Reading, he was the son of the late William C. and Jennie (Fritz) Bankes.  He is survived by two daughters, Terrylyn M.D. wife of Michael J. Mullery of Sarasota, FL and Lori, wife of Robert J. Michalsky, Chester Springs,...

Florence Nagle, former resident of Selinsgrove, passed away June 29, 2019 at the age of 69, following a brief stay at Garden Spring Center, Willow Grove, PA. Florence was born August 3, 1949, in Emmaus, PA and was a daughter of Woodrow and Bertha Nagle, who preceded her in death. Florence loved to socialize and readily made friends with most people she met. She had a wonderful sense of humor. Her deep chuckle and hearty laugh were contagious. Florence brightened the lives of many...

Lynn Austin Schmeck, 74, of Reading, passed away June 28, 2019 at the Berkshire Center. Born, June 1, 1945, in West Reading, he was a son of the late Austin and Grace Minerva (Ulrich) Schmeck. Lynn was a 1963 graduate of Muhlenberg High School. He served in the U.S. Army from 1968-1971. Lynn was employed as a truck mechanic for Windsor Service, Muhlenberg Township, for 17 years, and also Clover Farms, Muhlenberg Township, for 26 ½ years, retiring in July 2011. In addition, he...

Harold William Bewley, 79, of Reading, died June 26, 2019 at Berks Heim, Bern Township. He was the loving husband of Verna May (Fry) Bewley, to whom he was married September 6, 1969. Born, June 8, 1940, in West Reading, he was a son of the late Christian Shirk and Clara Virginia (Boyd) Bewley. Harold attended West Reading High School. He served in the U.S. Army from 1957-1959. Harold was employed in the shipping department of Dick Brothers, Reading; then Luden’s Candy Factory,...

Mary Belle Connolly, 81, formerly of Reading, died June 26, 2019 at Laurel Center, Tilden Township.   Born, August 18, 1937, in Philadelphia, she was a daughter of the late Thomas Francis Connolly, Sr. and Marian A. (Smalley) Crist.   She was a graduate of Muhlenberg High School.   Mary Belle was employed as an insurance adjuster with CNA Insurance Company for over 44 years.   She enjoyed gardening, listening to gospel music and traveling.   A lover of...