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Donald Koehler Obituary
Donald M. Koehler, 84, of Bethlehem, died Sunday, April 18, 2010, in St. Lukes Hospital. He was the husband of Lorraine (Miller) Koehler. They celebrated their 62nd anniversary last November 8. Born in Bethlehem, he was a son of the late Forrest and Mary (Ritter) Koehler. A World War II veteran of the U. S. Navy, he served in the Pacific Theatre. Donald was a former member of St. Thomas U.C.C. Church, Bethlehem, and the Altonah Cemetery Board. He played in the Bethlehem Interchurch Dart Baseball League for many years. An avid hunter, he loved to cook and bake. Survivors: His wife, Lorraine; daughters, Donna Schwalm, and her husband Stephen of Harrisburg, and Karen Gotto, and her husband Ronald of Emmaus; brothers, Gerald and his wife Liesl, and Richard and his wife Linda, both of Bethlehem; five grandchildren, Craig Schwalm and wife Deanna, Carrie Wilson and husband Chris, Corey Schwalm, Lindsay Anderson and husband Paul, and Lauren Gotto. Services: Will be 11 a.m. Thursday in the Pearson Funeral Home, 1901 Linden Street, Bethlehem, followed by interment in Altonah Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to call 9:30 to 11 a.m. Thursday. Contributions: In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the American Lung Association, 2121 City Line Road, Bethlehem, PA 18017.
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Memories and Condolences
for Donald Koehler
Betty Miller, Jeanette and Steve Shade
April 25, 2010
Dear Lorraine, Donna, Karen and families,
We will surely miss Don and all of his laughs and jokes. He was a great friend to all of us and it was a great pleasure to have known him. Here's to all the great memories of when we all visited and played games together. He loved to hunt in the Hegins Valley and he was a great friend to Nevin who loved to hunt with him when he was well enough to do so. We will always remember him with a warm heart and smile which he always returned to us everytime we were together. Love and prayers to all of you.
Jeanette and Steve Shade
April 25, 2010
Dear Lorraine,
We were so sorry to hear about Don's passing. And also sorry that we could not be there for you during the difficult time. Please accept our sincere condolences and our love and prayers to you all. Don will surely be missed by us all.
Jeanette Shade
April 25, 2010
So sorry to hear of Don's passing. He was a great friend and I will remember him with fond memories. I will always remember his contagious laughter and smile. As a young girl vacationing with Donna and Karen, he always made me feel like one of the family. I will miss him.
April 24, 2010
Lorraine,Karen and Donna,
Our sympathy goes out to everyone for the loss of husband, father, grandfather. I remember many times as families we got together when we were all younger and the good times we had then. I especially remember the pinochle games that Lorraine, Donald, mom and dad played. How they all loved to play cards. They could entertain themselves for hours. I know that Doanld is in a better place and probably already have had a couple of pinochle marathons with mom and dad.
Take care and we wish you all well during these trying times,
Denny and Diane Frankenfield
April 24, 2010
Lorraine, Donna and Karen,
Our deepest sympathy for your loss of your husband and father. I remember many good times when the families got together and I know your father and mother were very good friends since childhood with my mom and dad. Donald will be missed by all but know he is in a better place. Probably already playing pinochle with mom and dad.
Denny and Diane Frankenfield
Racheline Sherron
April 21, 2010
My deepest sympathy for the loss of your beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. "Pappy" was very much loved by his family, as I know from Carrie and from ALL of Pappy's family. His generosity and devotion to his family was the evident from all the stories I heard and all the love he gave. I'm so glad I finally got to meet him at Carrie's wedding and remember thinking he was everything Carrie and all of you said he was...always a smile and very friendly.
I can only imagine how much you all will miss him.
Love, Racheline Sherron
Gwin Krouse
April 21, 2010
Karen and Ron--my deepest sympathies on your loss.
Carrie Ketchum
April 20, 2010
My sincere sympathy goes out to Mammy and the entire family; Pappy you have been such a warmhearted and kind person from the time I met you and Mammy. Words cannot express how much you are missed, you are loved by so many and will never be forgotten. It has been a true blessing&fortune to have met and spent time with you and your amazing family. Much love to you as you are missed so dearly.
Carrie Wilson
April 20, 2010
Pappy, I'm going to miss you so much. You were the grandfather everyone wanted to have. You lit up every room you entered, never hesitated to drop what you were doing to help others, and in the end, always put your family first. My most memorable moments with you were waking up every Christmas morning at your house for over 18 years. You truly will be missed. I'm not going to say goodbye, instead, I will meet up with you someday.
BLAIR FRANKENFIELD
April 20, 2010
OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO LORRAINE AND HER FAMILY. DON WAS A GREAT PERSON AND ALWAYS HAD A SMILE ON HIS FACE. GOOD STORY TELLER AND LOVED CHILDREN. OUR ANGEL HAS BEEN CALLED.
Christopher Wilson
April 20, 2010
I'm going to miss you Pappy. If it wasn't for you & Mammy I would never have gotten to meet my lovely wife Carrie or have been blessed to know you & Mammy. You were a straight shooter and I really do appreciate all the words of wisdom and all the advice you have given to me from your years of experience. I will truly miss coming to Bethlehem and seeing you. Since my Grandfather lives so far away coming to see you was like coming to see another Grandfather and wonderful part of my family. I will truly miss you and I will do my best to get to Bethlehem with Carrie to help look after Mammy and cherish the times. I know you would want that. You are in now in the hands and the almighty presence of the Lord and there could be no better place. You will always be greatly loved, adored, and missed by us all. Godspeed Pappy until I get to see you again.
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