Catasauqua Press

Ruth O. Derhammer, 93, of Danielsville, died June 27, 2017. She was the wife of the late Owen O. Derhammer for 31 years.

Born in Upper Nazareth Township, she was a daughter of the late Robert F. Sr. and Pearl (Keiper) Werkheiser.

She, along with her husband, owned and operated a Texaco gas station in Danielsville for 32 years before she retired.

She was a member of Salem United Methodist Church, Danielsville.

John “Jack” W. Illigash Jr., 69, of Coplay and formerly of Catasauqua, died June 29, 2017, at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Muhlenberg. He was the husband of Carole L. (Mushlitz) Illigash for 46 years.

He was a son of the late John W. Sr. and Esther H. (Haftl) Illigash.

He was a graduate of Catasauqua High School.

He served in Vietnam with the U.S. Army from 1968 to 1969 during the Vietnam War.

He was a foreman with Iron Workers Union Local 36, Easton, until he retired after working for many years.

Pansy J. Heffelfinger, 77, of Danielsville, died June 27, 2017, at St. Luke’s Hospital and Health Network, Bethlehem. She was the wife of the late Earl Heffelfinger.

Born in Palmerton, she was a daughter of the late Mahlon N. Bollinger and the late Vinetta J. (Eckhart) Bollinger.

She was a sewing machine operator for the former D-Ville Blouse Factory, Danielsville, for 15 years until she retired in 1988.

She was a member of Christ United Church of Christ, Danielsville.

She was a former member of the Red Hat Society, Danielsville.

Harold R. Smith, 91, of Whitehall, died July 1, 2017. He was the husband of June A. (Sokol) Smith for 66 years.

Born in Allentown, he was a son of the late Russell and Irene (Good) Smith.

He was a draftsman for Fuller Company — GATX for 35 years.

He was a member of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Whitehall.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Elaine and her husband Dean Fink of Whitehall and Caroline and her husband Bernard Nauroth of Allentown; and two granddaughters, Alyssa Fink and Megan Nauroth.

Sharon L. Danner, 60, of Laurys Station, died June 22, 2017, at ManorCare Health Services I, Bethlehem.

Born in Easton, she was a daughter of the late William and Doris (Bertrand) Shellenberger.

She was a nurse’s aide for Maximum Care Inc., Whitehall, for four years until she became ill, and previously at the former Northampton Village.

Joan Kathleen (Schnaitman) Butz, 75, of Macungie, died peacefully June 25, 2017, surrounded by her loving family. She was the wife of Larry Ira Butz. They were married for 55 years.

Born in Catasauqua, she was the daughter of the late George and Julia (Yuschak) Schnaitman.

She graduated from Catasauqua High School, Class of 1959.

She worked at the Topton Lutheran Home for 20 years, retiring in 2010.

Marie E. Kemmerer, 92, of Hellertown and formerly of Whitehall, died June 22, 2017, at St. Luke’s Hospital, Fountain Hill. She was the wife of the late Franklin J. Kemmerer.

Born in Bethlehem, she was a daughter of the late Layton T. and Flossie E. (Nagle) Faust.

She was an examiner and trimmer at the former Cross Country Clothes, Egypt and Northampton, for 28 years until she retired in 1984.

She was a member of Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Egypt, where she was a volunteer with the ladies auxiliary.

Rose M. Loder, 96, of Northampton, died June 22, 2017, at Westminster Village, Allentown. She was the wife of the late Adolph J. Loder.

Born in Northampton, she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Mary (Eberhardt) Radakovits.

She was a seamstress at Coplay Dress Factory and Penn Dress over the years.

She was a member of Queenship of Mary Church.

She is survived by two daughters, Rosalie and her husband Walter Klem and Mary Catherine and her husband Michael Lynch; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and a sister, Anna Nederostek.

Harold P. Smith, 90, of Northampton, died June 20, 2017, at Sacred Heart Senior Living, Northampton.

Born in Northampton, he was a son of the late Clarence J. and Helen M. (Hoffman) Smith.

He worked for Kotsch’s Meat Market and retired in 1989 after 20 years.

He was a member of Zion’s Stone United Church of Christ, Kreidersville, where he was on the consistory for 53 years.

He was a member and a past president of Northampton Area Historical Society. He was a member of Phoebe Home Board for 16 years and Blue Lodge Chapman for 56 years.

Lester H. Snyder, 86, of Cherryville, died June 23, 2017, at his son Peter’s residence. He was the husband of the late MaryAnn (Antonition) Snyder for 52 years.

Born in Danielsville, he was a son of the late Howard and Emily (Longenbach) Snyder.

He was in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

He was a truck driver for 50 years until he retired.

He was a member of International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 773, Allentown.