Obituaries

Nicholas Gatanis, 86, of Bethlehem, PA, passed away peacefully on March 3, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Nick was the devoted husband of Carol (Ramonis) Gatanis, his childhood sweetheart, with whom he shared almost 64 wonderful years of marriage. Born in Bethlehem on September 16, 1938, he was the son of the late George and Estelle (Baras) Gatanis. A 1956 graduate of Liberty High School and a member of the Liberty Lads. Nick remained active with  his class as reunion

Robert E. Toro, Jr. 92 of Long Pond, PA, formally of Hackettstown, NJ passed away on February 25, 2025 at Bethlehem North Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. Robert was born in the Bronx, NY on July 24, 1932 son of the late Robert and Mercedes (Ortiz) Toro, Sr. He served in the US Navy during the Korean War. He was the Operations Manager for a Food Warehouse and later was a security guard at Mount Airy Casino for 10 years. He was of the Catholic faith, and was a life time member

Jacob Y. Kazakia (Iakovos) passed away on February 20th, 2025 in Bethlehem, PA from heart complications. He was born on February 27, 1945 in Istanbul, the son of Saleh and Galateia (Nikolaidou).  He attended the Greek Orthodox Parochial High School Zografeion and the Istanbul Technical University where he obtained an MS degree in Civil Engineering in 1968. In January 1969 he came to the US, and in 1972 he received his Ph.D. in Applied Mechanics from Lehigh University. Soon af

On Monday, February 17, 2025, Catherine Chaconas, 97, our beloved “Thea Nini” passed away peacefully surrounded by her loved ones. Catherine was born in the Bronx, New York in 1927, the daughter of the late George Chaconas and Stella Triantafilopoulos, and was the second youngest of six children. Catherine worked for  Equitable/Cigna Life Insurance Data Center in New York and later in Easton retiring after forty years, receiving numerous awards and recognition for her dedicat

Marie E. Herman, 78   of Nazareth formerly of Allentown passed away at home on February 16, 2025. She was the wife of Edward J. Herman, they were married 56 years on January 11th. Marie was born in Allentown on September 23, 1946, daughter of the late Robert E. and Florence (Kingcaid) Bauer. Marie was a registered nurse at Sacred Heart Hospital  and the Phoebe Home for many years until she Retired. Marie was a member of St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Allentown, serving as a Eu

James Warren Frank passed away at the age of 85.  The son of William and Mary Frank of Glendon, Easton, Jim graduated from Wilson Area High School and went on to earn a degree in business from Moravian University. He married Jane Hinz, and they had four children. After graduation, Jim worked for the Hartford Insurance Company and later became a partner in an insurance agency. Jim loved sports and seemed to play them all: football, basketball, baseball, softball, and golf.  He

Georgia K. McKenney, 79 of Bethlehem passed away on February 12, 2025. Georgia was born in Phillipsburg, NJ daughter of the late Johnathan and Josephine (Merlo) Cicero. She worked for Northampton County retiring after many years. Survivors:  Sons Scott and Thomas.

Daniel C. Wells, 83, passed away on February 10, 2025, in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Born on October 6, 1941, in Evanston, Illinois, Dan was a man of intellect, quick wit, and an undeniable presence. He graduated from Evanston High School before earning a Bachelor of Science degree from Northwestern University. He later received an M.B.A. from the University of Michigan, setting the foundation for a distinguished career in marketing and advertising. Dan began his professional j

Nicholas  M. Zanakos, 93 of Bethlehem passed away at home on February 6, 2025.  He was the husband of Argiro (Petrakis) Zanakos for 69 years until her passing on January 22, 2025. Nick was born in Bethlehem on September 11, 1931 son of the late Michael and Kyriaki (Bourlakis) Zanakos Andralis. He graduated from Liberty High School in 1949, in 1953 graduated from Lehigh University and in 1957 he graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Law School.  He served as an Assista

Evelyn A. Mohr, 95 of Allentown passed away on January 27, 2025 at Cedar Crest Post Acute in Allentown. Evelyn was born in Allentown on April 9, 1929 daughter of the late Scott and Eleanor (DeFanti) Zabotti. She graduated from William Allen High School in 1947. She was the co-owner of A&W Root Beer on the Southside in Allentown in the 1960’s  and later was a hostess/waitress for the Trivet Restuarants in the Lehigh Valley. Survivors:   Son William R. Mohr of Allentown, daught

Louis P. Michelin, age 92, of Bethlehem, went home to the Lord on January 25, 2025.  Lou was born in Bethlehem, to parents Peter and Angela.  A lifetime resident of Bethlehem, Lou graduated from Liberty High School in 1949.  From there, Lou went on to study at Moravian College. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Social Studies, Lou married Joyce Salasky and enlisted with the United States Army in 1953, where he was ultimately discharged as a 1st  L

Joyce Elaine George, 91 of Bethlehem passed away on January 24, 2025.  She was the wife of  Christ George for 57 years until his passing on October 27, 2011. Joyce was born in Northampton on February 3, 1933 daughter of the late Woodrow and Helen (Sabo) McFetridge. Joyce’s pride and joy in life was taking care of and raising her family. She also worked at Western Electric, Fashion Colony, John Wanamaker’s, and as a buyer for Orr’s Department Store. She enjoyed gourmet cooking

Loretta A. Stout, 87 of Bethlehem died on January 24, 2020. Wife of Kenneth W. Stout they were married 67 years on August 9th. Loretta was born in Bethlehem on July 28, 1932, daughter of the late Ambrose and Hattie (Unangst) Shock. Survivors: Husband Kenneth, daughter Deborah M. Kuronya, son David A. Stout, brother Harry Unangst, 5 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Service: Private, arrangement by the John F. Herron Funeral Home in Bethlehem. Contributions: To American

Argiro P. Zanakos, 90 of Bethlehem passed away on January 22, 2025.  She was the wife of Nicholas M. Zanakos, they would have been married 69 years on August 27th. Argiro was born in Bethlehem on October 15, 1934 daughter of the late George and Angeline (Nafpliotis) Petrakis. She graduated from Liberty  High School and then studied at Moore Institute of Art in Philadelphia. She was a lifelong member of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral.  She sang  soprano in the Cathedral

Amelia Castellano, of Bethlehem, PA passed away on January 20, 2025 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Bethlehem. She was 75 years old. Amelia was born Utuado, Puerto Rico on July 30, 1949 daughter of the late Clotile and Ana Maria (Fuentes) Otero. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her sister Norma Otero. Amelia will lovingly be remembered by her son Edwin R. Marrero (Carmen), daughters Elieen R. Marrero (Alexi), Elia E. Marrero (Gilberto) , and Enid R. Marrero (Jamil

Donna F. Dobbins, 69 of Bethlehem passed away on January 18, 2025 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Fountain Hill. Donna was born in Sharon, PA daughter of the  late Joseph Edward and Vivian Hope (Martin) Campbell. She was a member of Central Assembly of God in Bethlehem. Survivors:  sons Winfred L. Dobbins, Jr. and Joehan A. Dobbins, daughters Vivian J. Dobbins-Pryce, Keya Dobbins and Mia K. Dobbins, 14 grandchildren,  7 great-grandchildren, sisters Iris Brent and Elizabeth(Campbell

Elizabeth Kaminski, of Allentown, PA, died on January 17, 2025. She was forty-eight. She was the daughter of the late Stanley L. and Genevieve (Pawlikowski) Kaminski. Liz was predeceased by her partner, Robert M. Belisonzi, who died on October 9, 2022.Born in Ridgewood, NJ, Liz was raised in Ramsey, NJ and Warwick, NY, where her family resided. She attended Warwick High School and excelled in soccer and track and field. Liz attended SUNY Plattsburgh where she played soccer. L

Renelisa Cousins,  of Bethlehem passed away on January 16, 2025 at Gracedale Nursing Home in Nazareth. Renelisa was born in the Bronx, NY on January 13, 1952 daughter of the late Dorothy (Neal) Cousins. She was a member of Second Baptist Church in Bethlehem. Survivors:  Her children Jericho Blackhart, Kenmar Cousins, Sabrina Baker, Kintara Cousins, Xyaria Cousins  and a brother Gilbert Cousins. Viewing & Service:   Wednesday January 22, 2025, viewing 2PM to 3PM followed by th

Maria D. Manessis, 80 of Bethlehem passed away on January 14, 2025 at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest.  She was the wife of the late Dennis N. Manessis who passed on February 1, 2000. Marie  grew up in Piraeus, Greece  with her parent’s the late Haralambros and Frangiska (Drakaloukis) Voutsina  and her older siblings Georgios and Angeliki. Maria loved hospitality and enjoyed serving meals to guests that would come to her home.  The smallest gestures in life meant the world

Philomae Baldo , 94 of Bethlehem passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on January 14, 2025.  Philomae was born in Nanticoke, PA on December 10, 1930, daughter of the late John and Sophie (Janacek) Skalla. Philomae was the wife of Frank Baldo for 58 years until his passing on  July 15, 2016. In 1955 she graduated from Kings County School of Nursing in New York.  Philomae was a Registered Nurse at Lehigh Valley Hospital and Holy Family Manor for many years until she r