Earl R. Werner

Werner, Earl REarl R. Werner, 86, formerly of Linden St in Bethlehem, was surrounded by the love of his family when he passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 16, 2014, at Atria Senior Living, Hanover Township. He was the loving husband of Ida Werner, with whom he shared over 58 years of marriage. Born in Bethlehem, he was the son of the late Herman and Florence Werner. He was a US Navy veteran of WWII, and was present at the atomic bomb test at Bikini Atoll, where he was a radio operator onboard the USS Panamint Flag Ship. He also served aboard the USS Eldorado amphibious flag ship. He became a groundskeeper and gardener for several private estates in the Lehigh Valley, and also worked for Bethlehem Steel Corp. and for Moravian College, where he retired as Head Groundskeeper in 1990. Earl was an active member of the H. Stanley Goodwin Lodge #648 of Free and Accepted Masons, as well as the Tall Cedars #61, Lehigh Consistory (32nd degree), Rajah Shriners Temple in Reading, the Shrine Club in Bethlehem, Bethlehem High 12 Club, and the hospital service unit for the Shriners. He would often drive children and their parents to the Shriner's Burn Center in Philadelphia. Earl was a member of the NRA, and was a dedicated Match Shooter at many local clubs, including the Guthsville Rod & Gun Club, Steel City Rod & Gun Club, East Bath Rod & Gun Club, Palmerton Rod & Gun Club, Petersville Rod & Gun Club, and the Northend Wanderers Athletic Association. He was a member of St. Thomas UCC church. Survivors: His loving wife Ida; daughters Joanne Coffin and her husband Gordon of Bethlehem, Susan Clark of Tuscon, AZ; sons Jeffrey Werner and his wife Suzanne of Upper Nazareth Township, Wayne Werner and his wife Marie of Coopersburg; brother Leo Werner of Hanover Township; sister Geraldine Keller of Bethlehem; 5 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; 8 great-great grandchildren. Earl was predeceased by his sister Arlene Kuklis. Services: A Masonic Service in memory of Earl will be held at 10:45AM on Tuesday, August 19, followed by a Funeral Service at 11:00 AM in the Long Funeral Home, 500 Linden St., Bethlehem, 18018. Friends may call from 10:00 AM until time of services. A memory tribute may be placed at www.longfuneralhome.com Contributions: Shriners Hospitals for Children, Office of Development, 2900 Rocky Point Dr, Tampa, FL 33607