Richard O. Benner, Sr., 100, of Lower Saucon Twp. died Friday, December 17, 2021 surrounded by his children. He is the husband of the late Joyce A. (Bechdolt) Benner, who died Sept. 21, 2015. Richard was born in Bethlehem on November 6, 1921 to the late Harry and Margaret (McFadden) Benner. He was a Contract Analyst at the former Bethlehem Steel for 25 years and also worked as a Northampton County Voting Registrar for 20 years. Richard is a member of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Roman Catholic Church, Bethlehem and was a proud member of the Pennsylvania Voter Hall of Fame. He truly enjoyed gardening. Richard, as being a full-blooded Irishman, thrived on St. Patrick’s Day. Known throughout the Lehigh Valley for dressing up as a leprechaun and handing out gold coins to children was his great joy. While visiting numerous business’s, churches and government facilities, he would bring happiness and his Irish good luck to everyone. It was truly his day to shine. We will all miss his repertoire of Irish jokes.
SURVIVORS:
Children: Dennis E. Benner of Center Valley, David T. (Joan E.) Benner of Bethlehem, Kathleen "Kathy" M. Barth of Bethlehem; daughter-in-law: Deanna Benner of Lower Saucon Twp.; 8 grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren. Predeceased by children: Richard O. Benner, Jr., Eileen M. Landis & Bruce M. Benner.
SERVICE:
Family and friends are invited to call 8:45 - 10:15 a.m. Wednesday, December 22, 2021 at the Heintzelman Funeral Home, Inc. 326 Main Street – Hellertown followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. at his church, 4101 Old Bethlehem Pike, Bethlehem. The interment will conclude services at Holy Saviour Cemetery, Bethlehem. Make positive choices following CDC guidelines. Online expressions of sympathy can be recorded at: www.heintzelmancares.com.
CONTRIBUTIONS:
In lieu of flowers, memorials to his Church and or American Cancer Society.
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