Joseph P. Polaha, 91, died peacefully on the morning of Thursday, November 21, 2019, surrounded by family at his home in Allentown. Born in Allentown, PA, he was the son of the late Joseph and Mary (Brezina) Polaha. He was the loving husband of the late Theresa (Stubits) Polaha who preceded him in death on December 25, 2013.
Joe was a life-long member of St. John the Baptist Slovak Church in Allentown where he also attended elementary and middle school. He graduated in 1945 from Allentown Central Catholic High School where he was a member of the 1945 State Championship basketball team. After high school, he served in the U.S. Navy, stationed in Washington, D.C. He played minor league baseball for the St. Louis Browns organization until a shoulder injury brought him back to his family and his sweetheart to settle down in Allentown. Joe and Tessie were married on November 4, 1950 and shared 63 years together with their ever growing family. Joe was devoted husband who held many different jobs, most recently as a milk truck driver for Freeman’s Dairy. He retired in 1992 and enjoyed spending his retirement years with his wife playing Scrabble, completing crossword (and other) puzzles, going out to eat and watching his grandkids. Joe was a fantastic athlete who excelled at many sports including basketball, baseball, bowling and golf. He always enjoyed participating in golf outings with his children, even as recently as this past October. He was a loving father that had so much pride and adoration for his family and supported his children and grandchildren in all of their endeavors. Joe also enjoyed spending time with friends, playing cards, listening to polkas, working on cars or having a drink at St. John’s, St. Nick’s or more recently, American Legion Post 367, Fullerton, PA. Leaving his family home on Fullerton Avenue in April 2019, he moved in with his granddaughter, Kelly, who quickly became his new “sweetheart”, loving confidant, and personal chauffer and caregiver.
Survivors: Joe is survived by four sons, Thomas P. and wife, Connie, of Allentown, Joseph P. and wife, Frances, of Allentown, Paul M. and wife, Lisa, of Allentown, Michael P. and wife, Doreen, of Newport, CA; one daughter, Janice M. Myers and husband, Andrew, of Breinigsville; one brother, William Polaha (“Wild Willy”) and wife, Dorothy, of Coplay; one brother-in-law, Edward Kametz of Whitehall; one sister-in-law, Jackie Stubits of Fernandina Beach, FL; four grandsons, Thomas Polaha (Tara), Brian Polaha (Selene), Nathan Myers and Luke Myers; seven granddaughters, Rachel Moore (Kevin), Christine Kane (Sean), Amanda Polaha, Kelly Polaha (with whom he resided), Megan Polaha, Victoria Polaha and Rebecca Polaha and eight great-grandchildren, Thomas J. Polaha, Tyler Polaha, Brayden Polaha, Holden Polaha, Ellyn Moore, Liam Moore, Teagan Moore and Clare Kane. Along with his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his two sisters Dorothy Lichman and Mary Kametz.
Services: Catholic Mass, Monday, November 25, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Slovak Church, 924 N. Front St., Allentown. Arrangements by Kohut Funeral Home, Inc., Allentown. Contributions: In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. John the Baptist Slovak Church or American Legion Post 367, Fullerton, PA.

Jerry Petrycia, 71, of Easton, passed away November 10, 2019. He was the son of the late Michael and Justina Petrycia. Jerry worked for many years as a mechanic at Jimmy Pagats Garage on Freemansburg Ave and was a member of the Lappawinzo Fish and Game Club.
Survivors: sons- Justin and wife Cora, Jude and wife Crystal; 4 grandchildren; brother- James.
A viewing will be held on Saturday, November 16th 10-11AM with a Service at 11AM in Kohut Funeral Home, Inc. 950 N. Front St. Allentown, PA 18102. Burial to follow in St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery, Northampton.

Theresa L. (Cech) Petruska, 97, of Whitehall, passed away peacefully Saturday, October 5, 2019. She was the loving wife of the late Stephen A. Petruska. Born in Allentown, she was the daughter of the late Lukas and Anna (Pinter) Cech. She graduated from Allentown Central Catholic High School and retired from Penn State Mills. Theresa was a member of St. John the Baptist Slovak Catholic Church.

Survivors: daughter- Janis wife of John Fels of Schnecksville; son- Stephen Petruska husband of Yvonne of Florida; grandchildren- Jeffrey Harrich, Lisa Brunner-Devers, Lori wife of Chris Jones; 9 great grandchildren; 8 great great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her sisters- Anna, Pauline and Mary and her brother- Joseph.

A viewing will be held on Saturday October 12th 8:30-9:30AM in Kohut Funeral Home, Inc. 950 N. Front St. Allentown, PA 18102. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 AM in St. John the Baptist Slovak Catholic Church 924 N. Front St. Allentown, PA 18102. Burial to follow in Woodlawn Memorial Park.

Ronald P. Pekarik, 66, of Allentown, passed away August 9, 2019. He was the loving husband of the late Diane Pekarik. Born in Allentown, he was the son of the late Julius and Ivy (Brown) Pekarik. He retired from Sam Adams Beer Company. He was a member of St. John the Baptist Slovak Catholic Church, and Hogans Social Club. Ronald enjoyed fishing and watching Turner Classic Movies in his free time. He was an avid Philadelphia Sports Fan.

Survivors: daughter- Tricia; brothers- Robert and wife Norma, Richard and wife Linda; sister- Julianne and husband William Snyder; many nieces and nephews.

A viewing will be held on Friday, August 16th 9-10AM in Kohut Funeral Home, Inc. 950 N. Front St. Allentown, PA 18102. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday at 10:30AM in St. John the Baptist Slovak Catholic Church 924 N. Front St. Allentown, PA 18102.

Contributions can be made in Ronald’s memory to St. John the Baptist Slovak Catholic Church.

Olga (Belzecky) Petrowsky, 87, of Allentown, passed away April 3, 2018. She was the loving wife of the late Stefan Ihor Petrowsky. Born in Ukraine, she was the daughter of the late Petro and Osypa Belzecky. Olga was a member of St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Church.

Survivors: Children- Dorothy Sobkiw wife of Bohdan of Carneys Point, NJ, Lillian Reinhard of Allentown, Raymond Petrowsky husband of Leeann Vogel-Petrowsky of Allentown; Grandchildren- Christine Lindenmuth, Bohdan Sobkiw Jr., Andrew Behler, Nicholas Behler, Nicole Petrowsky, Timothy Petrowsky, Taylor Petrowsky; 6 Great Grandchildren.

A calling time will be held Monday, April 9th 10-11AM with a service to follow at 11AM in Kohut Funeral Home, Inc. 950 N. Front St. Allentown, PA 18102. Burial to follow in St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery.

Contributions can be made in Olga’s memory to St. Josaphat’s Ukrainian Catholic Church care of the funeral home.

Claire Pecka, 92, of Allentown, passed away November 2, 2017. Born July 11, 1925 to Mary Bender and Samuel Hayne, in Bath, PA. She was the wife of the late Frank J. Pecka, who passed away in 1983. In her younger days she worked for Bell Telephone. She then spent her time as a homemaker. In 1987 she began volunteer work for Muhlenberg Hospital, now LVHN- Muhlenberg. She volunteered at the front desk there for 26 years. She and her best friend, Jeanne Sickar, received the Theresa Muhr volunteer award. They couldn’t give the award to one and not the other. She will be lovingly and fondly remembered for her love of life, her quick wit, and her love of family. She was the final survivor of 8 siblings. She was predeceased by her son, Paul Pecka.

Surviving are daughter Mary Ann Falk, husband John Falk, of Allentown and daughter in law, Glenda Pecka. Grandsons Anthony, and wife Julia Pecka, Frank, and wife Amanda Pecka, and great grandson Caleb Pecka of Houston, TX. And Grandsons, Benjamin, wife Kristie Falk, Jeffrey, wife Betsy Falk, and great grandsons, Jackson, Joshua, Gideon and Spencer Falk.

A viewing will be held Monday, Nov. 6th 9-11AM in Kohut Funeral Home, Inc. 950 N. Front St. Allentown, PA 18102. Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11:30AM in St. John the Baptist Slovak Catholic Church 924 N. Front St. Allentown. Burial will follow in the parish cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in Claire’s memory to LVHN Volunteer Fund PO Box 1883 Allentown, PA 18105.

George A. Panik, 85, of Allentown, passed away March 24, 2017. He was the loving husband of 59 years to Mary (Lorenz) Panik. Born in Allentown, he was the son of the late George and Margaret Panik. George served in the U.S. Army. He retired from Lehigh Structural Steel.

Survivors: Wife; Children- James Panik, Sharon and husband James Laudenslager; Grandchildren- Sarah Rose, James Jr, Elisa, Aaron, and Liana; Sisters- Millie Fliszar and Betty Gallagher.

Visitation Wednesday 10:30-11AM with Mass to follow in St. John the Baptist Slovak Catholic Church 924 N. Front St. Allentown. Entombment to follow in Cedar Hill Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in George’s memory to the church c/o Kohut Funeral Home, Inc.

Stephen F. Persa of Moore Township, passed away peacefully at home on May 12th, surrounded by his family.
Stephen was born on July 6th, 1940 in Allentown, PA to the late Steve Persa Jr. and Evelyn (Holoska) Persa.
Stephen retired from Bethlehem Steel after 30 years of dedicated service in the Rebar Division. He then went on to form Persa Auto Repair with his son and remained a partner there for 15 years.

Stephen is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Mary Fraind Persa, son Stephen Persa and wife Kerri, son David Persa and wife Adele, daughter Lynn Persa Zampella and husband Robert. Stephen was also a loving grandfather to five grandchildren and five great granddaughters. Stephen was preceded by two granddaughters.

Stephen was an avid sports fan and enjoyed playing golf with his family and friends.

In honoring Stephen’s request, there will be no visitation and interment will be private. Contributions in his memory may be made to St. John the Baptist Slovak Church, 924 North Front Street, Allentown, PA.