All Obituaries

Paul E. Rea, 53, of Orwigsburg, passed away on Sunday, February 5, 2023, surrounded by his loving family at his home. Born April 11, 1969 in Los Angeles, California, Paul was the son of Carol M. (Bressler) Bainbridge, wife of Richard R. "Bobby" Bainbridge, Pottsville, and the late Clarence F. Rea. He and his wife, Deanna C. (Herman) Rea, have been together for 28 years and were married on March 3, 2018 in Orwigsburg. Paul worked for over 30 years as a dispatcher for Berks...

Darryl H. Adam, 69, of Mertztown, passed away on Wednesday, February 1, 2023 at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township, PA. Born September 29, 1953 in West Reading, he was the son of the late Harvey J. and Dorothy H. (Dietrich) Adam. He and the love of his life, his wife of 44 years, Barbara K. (Kunkel) Adam, were married on June 10, 1978 at Mount Zion Lutheran Church, Krumsville. Darryl worked for many years in maintenance and as an electrician for East Penn Manufacturing Co, Inc....

Gary W. Steppler, 76, of Hazleton, passed away, surrounded by his loving family, on Tuesday, January 31, 2023. Born September 7, 1946 in Bryn Mawr, PA, he was the son of the late Rensley Steppler and Frances Fear Steppler. He and the love of his life, his wife of 55 years, Hope (Houston) Steppler, were married on January 27, 1968 in Pink Hill, North Carolina. Gary served his country honorably and faithfully as a Sergeant in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He served in the...

Patrick Anthony Phyrillas, 22, of Mount Penn, passed away on Sunday, January 29, 2023, from injuries sustained in a traffic accident in Lehigh County. He was the son of Tony and Soula (Happas) Phyrillas. Born in Reading Hospital, he was a 2018 graduate of Antietam Middle-Senior High School and attended some classes at Reading Area Community College. Patrick participated in numerous musical productions while in high school, earning the nickname of "Pappy G." Patrick worked as a...

Esther Garcia, 71, of Reading, passed away on Sunday, January 29, 2023 at Tower Health, Reading Hospital, West Reading, PA. Born July 6, 1951 in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, she was the daughter of Sofia (Guzman) Santiago, Reading, and the late Rev. Prudencio E. Garcia. Esther worked most recently as a park ranger in Florida. Prior to that, she was a home health aide and a traffic officer for the NYPD in New York City, NY. Esther loved all animals, especially dogs and turtles, but most of all,...

Thomas James "T.J." Weber, 22, of Oley, passed away suddenly on Friday, January 27, 2023 at his home. Born December 12, 2000 in West Reading, he was the son of David P. and Cari L. (Tomevi) Weber, Oley. T.J. was an avid train enthusiast and owned and operated two railroad related businesses. He owned Belt Line Productions, which specializes in railroad documentaries, and Oley Valley Rail Car, where he used 3D printing technology to make model rail cars. In addition to his...

Douglas C. "Bumpy" Thompson, 78, of Gilbertsville, passed away on Thursday, January 26, 2023 in Plymouth Meeting, PA. Born June 24, 1944 in Quincy, Massachusetts, he was the son of the late David E. and Florence L. (Wilson) Thompson. He and the love of his life, his wife of 56 years, Carol J. (Kress) Thompson, were married on November 4, 1966 in Hingham, Massachusetts. Bumpy served his country honorably and faithfully as a member of the United States Air Force during the Vietnam...

Ronald P. Hess, Sr., 73, of Kutztown,passed away, surrounded by his loving family, on Tuesday, January 24, 2023 at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township, PA. Born March 19, 1949 in West Reading, he was the son of the late Alfred J. and Lulu M. (Manmiller) Hess. His former wife, Patricia A. Hess, passed away on January 17, 2023. Ron served his country honorably and faithfully as a Specialist in the United States Army duing the Vietnam War. Ron worked for over 56 years as a heavy...

Mrs. Patricia M. (Lewis) Holtz, 69, of Mertztown, passed away, surrounded by her loving family, on Wednesday morning, January 18, 2023, at her home. Born March 2, 1953 in Passaic, New Jersey, Patricia was the daughter of the late Patricia M. (Sweeney) and Robert W. Lewis Sr. She and her husband of 20 years, Dennis J. Holtz, were married in Cape May, New Jersey on March 23, 2002. Patty worked for many years for Catholic Charities as an assistant for special projects, first in the Diocese of...

Patricia A. (Lawrence) Hess, 71, of Kutztown, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, January 17, 2023 at her home. Born January 28, 1951 in Reading, PA, she was the daughter of the late Thomas R. and Constance A. (Gerstle) Lawrence. Patricia worked for 30 years in the banking industry. She worked for the Bank of Pennsylvania finance department operations center in Muhlenberg for over 20 years. She was a member of Maidencreek Church, Blandon. Patricia was a 1968 graduate of Fleetwood Area High...