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David James Oberholzer

David James Oberholzer obituary, Bethlehem, PA

FUNERAL HOME

James Funeral Home & Cremation Service, PC - Bethlehem

527 Center St

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

UPCOMING SERVICE

Visitation

Jul. 25, 2025

6:00 p.m.

James Funeral Home & Cremation Service, PC

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David Oberholzer Obituary

David J. Oberholzer, Captain United States Navy (Ret.), 91, of Bethlehem died peacefully on Saturday, July 19, 2025 at his residence. He is the husband of Barbara A. (Hanily) Oberholzer with whom he celebrated 62 loving years of marriage. He was born in Philadelphia on February 14, 1934 to the late Francis Joseph Oberholzer and Marianna Gertrude (Munday) Oberholzer. David graduated from Coopersburg High School and then graduated from Villanova University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and Lafayette College with a degree in Electrical Engineering. After college, he was commissioned in the Navy and reported aboard the destroyer USS Haynsworth in the Atlantic Fleet. While on active duty, he visited many ports in Europe, the Persian Gulf, Africa and North Atlantic. He retired from the Navy Reserve after 30 years of service with the rank of Captain. David began his career in engineering at Western Electric Co. in Allentown where he held various engineering and management roles and retired from the company which became Lucent Bell Laboratories after 40 years of service. He was awarded two U.S. Patents in the area of LASER technology. David was a 50 year active member of Notre Dame of Bethlehem Catholic Church where he served as a Eucharistic Minister. He was also a member of ASME, IEEE, Tau Beta Pi and Eta Kappa Nu Engineering Honor Societies and worked as a licensed electrician and assisted with the electrical restoration work at Bushkill Park after the Bushkill Creek floods. David enjoyed reading, sailing, woodworking and traveling. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Barbara; daughter Ann (John) Coffey of Ardmore, PA and children, Clare, Julian, John Jr. (Elizabeth), Joseph, George, Vincent, Rex, and Martha, and great grandchildren John III, June and William; sons Joseph (Kristie) of Dallastown, PA and child Ilse; David Jr. of Olney, MD and children, Erin, Ava, Addison, and David III; and Michael (Anjanette) Of Bethlehem and children, Hudson, Francesca, and Emery. He loved his children and sixteen grandchildren and three great grandchildren dearly. He was preceded in death by his Mother and Father and sister Mary Gertrude Moore, brothers Francis Joseph Jr., John (Cecelia), and Richard. Services: A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Saturday, July 26, 2025 at Notre Dame of Bethlehem Church, 1861 Catasauqua Road, Bethlehem, PA 18018. Viewing will be from 6 to 8pm Friday at JAMES FUNERAL HOME, 527 Center St., Bethlehem and 9 to 9:45am Saturday at the Church. Interment will be at Holy Saviour Cemetery, Bethlehem following the Mass. Contributions: Memorial contributions may be made to the Church or to Catholic Charities, PO Box F, Allentown PA 18105 The Mass will be live-streamed. To watch the Mass, please click on the "Photo and Video" tab or scroll down to Webcast and click on the button. The service will go live at 10:00AM on Saturday, July 26th. Please be aware that the video is time delayed.

To plant trees in memory, please visit theĀ Sympathy Store.

Published by WFMZ-TV 69 News on Jul. 21, 2025.

Memorial Events
for David Oberholzer

Jul

25

Visitation

6:00 p.m.

James Funeral Home & Cremation Service, PC

527 Center Street, BETHLEHEM, PA 18018

Jul

26

Service

9:00 a.m.

Notre Dame of Bethlehem R. C. Church

1861 Catasauqua Rd., BETHLEHEM, PA 18017

Jul

26

Service

10:00 a.m.

Notre Dame of Bethlehem R. C. Church

1861 Catasauqua Rd., BETHLEHEM, PA 18017

Funeral services provided by:

James Funeral Home & Cremation Service, PC - Bethlehem

527 Center St, Bethlehem, PA 18018

Memories and Condolences
for David Oberholzer

Not sure what to say?





2 Entries

Grateful

July 22, 2025

David,
Thank You for Your service to our country.

God Bless You!
God be with your family!

Sincerely,
A Grateful American

Robert J. Miklas, USN.

July 22, 2025

Captain, you are now relieved from your watch. A job well done fellow navy veteran. America thanks you for your service to our country in the defense of freedom. The USS Haynesworth is now on station preparing for your final journey. The final volley has sounded and taps is about to begin, ending a successful career as a nation“s defender. Smooth sailing shipmate.

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