Irene Catherine Valek, 96, of North Catasauqua, passed away January 12, 2025. She was the loving wife of the late William S. Valek. They were married for 33 years before his passing in 1995, and lived in Allentown.

Born in Upper Macungie Township, she was the daughter of the late Stephen and Veronica (Hudak) Majercak and grew up in Stiles and Northampton.

Irene was a member of St John the Baptist Slovak Catholic Church in Allentown.

She was a housewife while her husband owned and operated the Allentown Floral Shop on Fullerton Avenue, and then was employed at the Schneider Mfg. Co. Inc. in Allentown for several years.

Irene loved to travel and go to the casinos and the Pocono Mountains, loved to sew, enjoyed polkas and going antique shopping, playing the lottery and bingo, rooted for the Philadelphia Phillies, and loved going to her Hudak family reunions in Cementon. She also treasured her family cats.

She is survived by daughters Mary Rose of Albany, NY and Kristina (Vincent) DiNino of North Catasauqua, and her grandchildren Adam Silverstein, Victoria Markowitz and Jacqueline Markowitz, and sister Rose (Dennis) O’Donnell of Mansfield, Texas.

Irene was predeceased by sisters Mary Kovach, Helen Tacker, Margaret Csulik, Josephine Krywczuk, and brothers Stephen Jr., William, John and Paul Majercak, many nieces, nephews and cousins in the Lehigh Valley, in Texas, and Lendak, Slovakia.

Funeral services will be private.
Contributions can be made in Irene’s memory to the Lehigh Valley Humane Society.

Mildred S. (Fletcher) Hajducko, 96, of Allentown, passed away December 26, 2024. She was the wife of the late Andrew Hajducko. They were married for 51 years in 2007. Mildren was born in NJ in April 1928, raised in Milton, PA, and graduated from Lewisburg High School in 1946. She attended Northampton Community College in Northampton, MA, while taking care of her grandparents in Amherst, MA. She was the daughter of the late Margaret (Fish) and Francis Fletcher. She worked as a bookkeeper and billing clerk in the offices of Lehigh Safety Shoe Co., Meyer and Sheldon Mehrman and Wrights Knit Wear all in Allentown, PA. She was a member of St. John the Baptist Slovak Catholic Church.
Survivors: daughter Andrea Hajducko of Allentown, PA, sister Linda Hayward of CA, nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by brothers Edward and Thomas, sisters Eleanor Strauss, Dorothy Burr, Ruth Miner, Barbara Lindstrom, Nancy and Judith Fletcher.
A Calling Time will be held on Tuesday, December 31st 10-11AM with a Service at 11AM all in Kohut Funeral Home, Inc. 950 N. Front St. Allentown, PA 18102. Burial to follow in Cedar Hill Memorial Park.
Donations may be made in Mildred’s memory to the church care of Kohut Funeral Home, Inc.

Leyda Luisa Avila Delgado, 90, of Metuchen, N.J. passed away on December 24, 2024. She was born on February 1, 1934, to the late Emiliano and Luisa Avila Delgado in the beautiful coastal city of Manta, Ecuador. In her earlier years, Leyda had a passion for playing the piano and carried a love for music throughout her life. In addition to raising her family, she worked as a seamstress and merchant before migrating to the United States in 1994. She was devoted to her Catholic faith and prayed the Chaplet of Divine Mercy daily. Leyda loved life and you could find her dancing, singing, and playing cards with her family and friends at Metuchen Senior Apartments where her home was the heart of social occasions. Her favorite activities included shopping, caring for her plants, and going on long car rides. She was a seasoned cook and known for making delicious coastal Ecuadorian delicacies in her kitchen loved by many. For years she attended Harmony Adult Medical Daycare Center in Piscataway, N.J. where she was a member of a loving adult community. Above all, Leyda treasured spending time with her family and creating memories with the multiple generations of grandchildren whom she joyfully watched grow. She will be deeply missed by those who remember her radiant spirit, zest for life, and compassionate heart.

She is survived by her children Jenny Ortiz and husband Rafael Ortiz, Jhonny Cabrera, Juan Carlos Cabrera and Marianela Cabrera. Grandchildren Gianino, Israel, Giancarlo, Paolo, Ronny, Ivan, Gianna, Yvette, Jennifer, Yasilis, Sayoha, Johnny Jr., Emily, Jose Ricardo, Juan Diego, Pablo Emilio, Paola, Kyle and Kayla; and 21 great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her son Andres Cabrera.

A viewing will be held Friday, January 3rd., 2025 at 6-8 PM in Kohut Funeral Home, Inc., 950 N. Front Street, Allentown, PA 18102

Mass of Catholic Burial will be celebrated on January 4th., 2025 at 10:00 AM in Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church at 380 Smith St., Perth Amboy, N.J. 08861. Burial to follow in Alpine City Cemetery, 703 Amboy Ave., Perth Amboy, N.J. 08861

Contributions can be made in Leyda’s memory to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in care of the funeral home

Ronald Peter Rega, 70, of Allentown, passed away December 16, 2024. Born in Allentown, he was the son of the late Peter and Rose (DeFaveri) Rega. Ronald worked in maintenance for many years. He enjoyed going to car shows and collecting matchbox cars. He will be deeply missed.
Survivors: sisters- Regina Ross and Johnna Yurick, niece- Emily Yurick and nephew- Nicholas Yurick.
A calling time will be held on Monday, December 23rd 10-10:30 with Service at 10:30AM in Kohut Funeral Home, Inc. 950 N. Front. St. Allentown, PA 18102. Burial to follow in Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Cemetery, Whitehall.
Contributions can be made in Ronald's memory to the Santuary at Haafsville care of the funeral home.

Helen Lileck, 100, passed away peacefully at home in Annville, Pennsylvania, surrounded by her loving family on November 20, 2024.
Helen was born on January 23, 1924, in Tuscarora, Pennsylvania. She was the second youngest of five beloved daughters born of Peter Meravage (Mielowicz) and Anna Bonk (Bak). She is preceded in death by her loving husband, George Lileck, her parents, and her four sisters: Stella Plocinik, Mary Fitzsimmons, Ann Davies, and Blanche Walko Lombardi.
She graduated from Tamaqua High School where she met her high school sweetheart and husband, George Lileck. She and George resided in Allentown for many years, and both worked at Western Electric from where she eventually retired to raise her family. The two shared 54 wonderful years of marriage before his passing. Together, they built a life centered on family and shared adventures. She resided in Allentown until April 2020, when she moved to Annville to live with her daughter.
She is survived by her son, Peter (Alison) of Fleetwood, PA; her daughter, Janice (Michael) of Annville, PA; and her cherished grandchildren, Summer Arnold of Las Cruces, NM, and George Hollick of Annville, PA.
Helen was a woman of many interests. She took great pride in her role as a homemaker, where she was an exceptional cook and caregiver, and was talented with crewel embroidery and crochet. She also loved to travel, exploring most of the 50 states and enjoying numerous trips to Europe.
She lived a long and fulfilling life, remaining in good health and bright spirits until her passing. She leaves behind a legacy of love, dedication, and cherished memories that her family and friends will forever hold close to their hearts.
A viewing will be held on Tuesday, November 26th 10-11 with a Service at 11AM all in Kohut Funeral Home, Inc. 950 N. Front St. Allentown, PA 18102. Entombment to follow in Grandview Cemetery, Allentown. At Helen’s request please refrain from wearing black to her funeral as she would like her life to be celebrated.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. John the Baptist Slovak Catholic Church or to the UBS Ukraine Relief Fund via the funeral home.

JoAnn E. (Butler) Korich, 87, of Allentown, passed away November 7, 2024 in Columbia, SC.

She was the loving wife of the late Stephen J. Korich. Born in Easton, she was the daughter of the late Kenneth and Miriam (Peifer) Butler. She was a member of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church.

JoAnn was a devoted mother and grandmother, and above all else she loved spending time with her family. She loved entertaining family and friends, often bringing many people together for gatherings in her home. JoAnn was artistically gifted in many ways including ceramics, silk flower displays, interior decorating, and notably ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging. Her caring and giving spirit brought the best out of everyone and everything she touched. She had a warm and positive aura, which gave her the special ability to connect with people across cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic levels. She had a passion for helping children, particularly those in need, throughout her life through volunteering and philanthropy. She had an incredible and playful sense of humor, loved to laugh, and always made people around her feel seen and special.

She leaves behind many loved ones, and so many more people who have been touched by her kind spirit.

Survivors: Her 4 children– Robin Stauffer and husband Larry Stauffer of Middletown, CT, Stephen Korich, Jr. and wife Julie McKenna of Lancaster, Dr. Jodi Korich and husband Dr. Kevin Cummings of Dryden, NY, Stacy Carns and husband (LTC-R) Timothy Carns of Columbia, SC; 7 grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren; and her sister, Wanda Fioca of Conyers, GA.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, November 16th, 2024, at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church, 618 Fullerton Ave Whitehall, PA 18052. A Calling Time will be held from 9:00 - 10:00 AM and Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:00 AM in the church. Entombment to follow in Assumption of BVM Catholic Cemetery in Northampton.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in JoAnn’s memory to the St. Joseph’s Indian School on the www.stjo.org website.

Shirley E. Miller, 70, of Allentown, passed away October 17, 2024 at Above and Beyond at the Knights. She was the loving wife of 52 years to Leonard Douglas Morgan. Born in Allentown, she was the daughter of the late Jack and Rachel (Kaufman) Miller. She retired from Durkey’s French Foods, after 21 years of service. Shirley enjoyed doing artwork, especially painting, and had attended Baum School of Art. She also enjoyed spending her time boating. She will be deeply missed.
Survivors: husband- Leonard Douglas Morgan, best friend- Judith Berg.
A Graveside Service will be held on Wednesday, October 23rd at 1PM in Greenwood Cemetery, Allentown.
Contributions can be made in Shirley’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association care of Kohut Funeral Home, Inc.

Helen D. (Brenkacs) Bogert, 91, peacefully passed away on Monday October 7, 2024. She was the loving wife of Andrew P. Bogert Jr. and was happily married for 48 years, prior to his passing in 2003. Born in Allentown, Helen was the daughter of the late John J. Sr. and Mary (Ference) Brenkacs. She was a faithful member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Allentown. For many years, Helen worked as a sewing machine operator for various clothing factories throughout the Lehigh Valley. Helen loved to play Bingo and adored her family, especially her grandchildren Craig, John and Mary. Surviving is her daughter: Diane wife of David Luksa. Brother: John J. Brenkacs Jr. Grandchildren: Craig Luksa and his wife Elizabeth, John Luksa and Mary Luksa. Helen was predeceased by her brother Robert F. Brenkacs. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:00AM on Monday October 14, 2024, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Allentown. Calling Hours will be 9:00-10:30AM in the Kohut Funeral Home, in Allentown.