Catasauqua Press

David Paul Kemp, 55, of Wescosville, died Dec. 5, 2019, in his home. He was the longtime companion of Lisa Morris.

Born in Allentown, he was a son of Judith (Paxson) Reddekopp and her husband Thomas of Columbia, S.C., and Irvin Kemp Jr. and his wife Madelyn of Northampton.

He was a 1981 graduate of Dieruff High School. He worked at National Auto for many years.

In addition to his parents and companion, he is survived by a son, Troy, at home; a brother, Paul of Easton; a stepbrother, Stephen Kromer of Walnutport; a niece; and nephews.

Stella Mary Fried, 89, of Allentown, died Nov. 12, 2019, in her home. She was the wife of the late Robert Daniel Fried.

Born in Coplay, she was a daughter of the late Stephen and Mary (Steltzer) Gasper.

She was a member of Cathedral of St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, Allentown.

She was a seamstress for Modern Clothing and retired in 1985.

Francis Holena, 89, of Stiles and of Nazareth, died Dec. 10, 2019. He was the husband of the late Rose Marie (Berner) Holena and the longtime companion of Janice Gurgick.

Born in North Catasauqua, he was a son of the late Joseph and Anna (Marakovits) Holena.

He was in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean conflict.

He worked at Phoenix Forging Company, Catasauqua, for 42 years.

He is survived by a son, Louis and his wife Tracie; a grandson, Jaryd; a sister, Joanne Kraynick; nieces; and nephews.

He was predeceased by two brothers, Albert and Joseph.

Margaret “Peggy” M. Bartholomew, 95, formerly of Fullerton, died Dec. 13, 2019. She was the wife of the late Harold A. Bartholomew for 62 years.

Born in Vera Cruz, she was a daughter of the late John and Anna (Yureck) Balascak.

She was a 1942 Emmaus High School graduate.

She was a longtime sales associate at Hess’s, downtown Allentown.

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

Shirley A. McBride, 82, of Allentown, died Dec. 10, 2019, in The Gardens at Easton Nursing Home. She was the wife of James C. McBride for 61 years.

Born in Allentown, she was a daughter of the late Curtis S. and Anna (Kincaid) Stephen.

She was a William Allen High School graduate.

She worked in microfilm for Penn Treaty Insurance Company until she retired in 2009.

She is survived by a brother, Curtis K. Stephen; nieces; nephews; great-nieces; and great-nephews.

She was predeceased by a sister, Dorothy Mack.

Services are private.

Joseph A. Sandova, 82, of Hokendauqua, died Dec. 7, 2019, at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest. He was the husband of Gertrude (Dougherty) Sandova for 56 years.

Born in Hokendauqua, he was a son of the late Joseph and Elizabeth (Matis) Sandova.

He was a 1955 graduate of Whitehall High School.

He was in the U.S. Air Force from 1956 to 1962 and spent more than half of that time overseas as a cartographer with the 6007th Reconnaissance Group at the Yokota Air Force Base in Fussa, Japan.

Rosemarie T. Gilbert, 65, of Northampton, died Dec. 11, 2019, at Lehigh Valley Hospice, Allentown. She was the wife of Raymond T. Gilbert Sr. for 34 years.

Born in Northampton, she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Theresa (Feiller) Tukovits.

She was a member of Bethany Wesleyan Church, Cherryville.

Alfred “Fritz” Martin Kroboth, 93, of Nazareth, died Dec. 12, 2019. He was the husband of the late Katie Kroboth.

Born in Stiles, he was a son of the late Frank and Pauline (Yost) Kroboth.

He worked at Durkee, Lehigh Structural Steel and Hood Chemical.

He was an usher at Holy Family Catholic Church, Nazareth, for more than 30 years.

He is survived by a brother, Martin and his wife Marie; a sister, Pauline Schloffer and her husband Ivy; nieces; nephews; and dear friends, Al and Mitzi Stangl.

He was predeceased by three brothers, Frank, John and Joseph.

Thomas M. Schuyler, 70, of Northampton, died Dec. 14, 2019, at home.

Born in Allentown, he was a son of the late Marshall R. and Helen (Krchnavi) Schuyler.

He was a 1967 Catasauqua High School graduate.

He was in the U.S. Army, serving in army intelligence, stationed in Osaka, Japan, and the Aleutian Islands, Alaska.

He worked in packaging for Cori Acres Inc. for many years and later for the Packaging Corporation of America until he retired.

Mervin W. Peters Sr., 87, of Walnutport and formerly of Schnecksville, died Dec. 8, 2019, at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest. He was the husband of Emilie R. (Schoener) Peters for 62 years.

Born in Egypt, he was a son of the late William J.C. and Naomi I. (Oswald) Peters.

He was in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War era.

He was a master carpenter for Union Local 167, Allentown, for more than 40 years before he retired.

He was a member of Union United Church of Christ, Neffs, and formerly served on the consistory.