John B. Linkert

John B. Linkert passed away on December 28, 2025. Born in Lakewood, OH on April 6, 1946, he studied in Indiana and New York state, receiving his bachelor's degree in art from SUNY Brockport. He followed his sister AnneMarie Whildin and his nephew Chris W. Briggs to the Lehigh Valley, PA in 1977 and put down strong roots in the community.
Although John was too modest to boast, his proud accomplishments include:
39 years of marriage to the love of his life, Ruth E. Maletz.
Founding member in 1984 of South Side Brass.
Owner/operator of a home repair business for many years starting in the 90's.
John was a passionate musician. He studied trombone performance as an undergrad and continued playing trombone throughout his life. Not only a founding member of South Side Brass, he was also their librarian and music arranger. He carefully selected music in advance of each Sunday rehearsal based on the exact number of players who confirmed their attendance, gnashing his teeth at late cancellations because he refused to rehearse a piece with only 6 players if he had arranged it for 8 instruments.
Leveraging his musical talent to find love, John met Ruth when they were both singing in Camerata Singers. At 6 feet, 6 inches tall, John towered over 5 foot, 2 inch Ruth, but their love easily surmounted the difference. Together, they raised 3 children and at least 7 cats. Eldest Sam Johnston often thinks of John's sense of humor and love of music. Daughter Erica Johnston Cover hears John's voice saying, "If you're gonna do something, do it RIGHT!" anytime she encounters a shoddily thrown-together product or project. As a child, youngest Elliott J. Linkert proudly exclaimed to a family friend "My dad can fix anything!"
After early years working in retail hardware and auto parts inventory management, John launched a home repair business in the mid 90's. This gave him just the excuse he needed to make use of the myriad of meticulously-organized tools in his basement, many of which had been inherited from his father and uncle. John always preferred old tools, saying they were more precise, worked better, and lasted longer than new ones. If anyone is interested in tools from the 40's, 50's, or 60's, any member of the family will eagerly offload them on you.
Soft-spoken, and a man of few words, John could occasionally fade into the background in large gatherings. Rest assured, he was paying close attention to the frenzy around him, awaiting the perfect opportunity to offer his carefully thought-through opinion, in concise vocabulary and with clever wit. Alas, his remarks have come to their final pause.
A graveside service will be held on Friday, January 2, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. in the Green Meadow at Fountain Hill Cemetery, 1121 Graham St., Fountain Hill, PA. Arrangements are being handled by the Cantelmi Long Funeral Home of Bethlehem. John's family welcomes receiving additional memories of him at www.cantelmifuneralhome.com.