It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of David John Anderson St. Hill, who died suddenly on Friday February 2nd. He is survived by his loving wife of 26 years, Melanie Patrice (Kloiber) and daughter Natalie Patrice; also by brother Steve St. Hill and wife Orlene and sister Lisa (St. Hill) Wilson and husband Jon; and his niece and nephews.

Dave was born in St. Michael’s Parish, Barbados, West Indies, to Carmen (Kirton) St. Hill (deceased) and John St. Hill (deceased). He fondly recalled his childhood experiences growing up in Barbados and later in Brooklyn, New York. A stand-out baseball player with both his high school and Bonnies Boys Club teams, Dave caught the eye of scouts from the LA Dodgers as a senior. Ultimately Frank Gianone, Long Island University-Brooklyn’s baseball coach, offered Dave a 4-year scholarship to continue his baseball career while earning his degree in Business Management.

Dave began a finance career in Manhattan before moving to San Diego, CA to start up and manage the guaranteed government securities division of Imperial Bank, where he was the first black Vice President in the company’s history. He relocated to South Whitehall with his young family in 2002, where he established himself both as a local businessman and youth sports volunteer.

“Coach Dave” was a fixture on softball fields throughout the Lehigh Valley. His lifelong passion for the game and especially its lessons of hard work, commitment, and teamwork inspired hundreds of girls on and off the field for the past 15 years. He became the face of Parkland Youth Center (PYC), serving on the board as the head of all baseball and softball programs. In addition to PYC, Dave also held coaching roles with Wm Allen and most recently Parkland High Schools. Dave also managed to seemingly meet everyone in South Whitehall Township, who he’d greet with a warm smile and firm handshake whether on a field, school, or at the part-time job he loved at Kohl’s.

A viewing will be held Thursday, February 8th 6-8PM and Friday, February 9th 9:30-11:00AM with a Funeral Service to follow at 11AM in Kohut Funeral Home, Inc. 950 N. Front St. Allentown, PA 18102. Entombment to follow at Grandview Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Dave St. Hill Memorial Foundation, established to honor Dave’s commitment to the development of youth athletics.

The Dave St. Hill Memorial Foundation
℅ Buckno Lisicky & Company
Two City Center
645 Hamilton St, Suite 204
Allentown, PA 18101

Attn: John S. Lisicky

Hilda (Unger) Sawka, 93, of Allentown, passed away December 29, 2023. She was the loving wife of the late Max Sawka. Born in Stiles, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Anna Unger. Hilda retired from the Allentown State Hospital. She was a past President of the Charlotte Schmoyer Crime Watch on the Eastside of Allentown. Hilda enjoyed cooking and baking and even had her own private catering business. She will be deeply missed.

She is survived by her son, John and his wife Susie, and 2 sisters. She was predeceased by a brother and two sisters.

A Calling Time will be held on Thursday, January 4th 11-11:30AM with a Service at 11:30AM in Kohut Funeral Home, Inc. 950 N. Front St. Allentown, PA 18102. Burial to follow in St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery, Northampton.

In Loving Memory of Bernadine M. Schumaker

Bernadine M. Schumaker, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother, passed away on the morning of December 17, 2023, at Lehigh Valley Hospital in Salisbury Township, Pennsylvania. She was 84. She and her husband, Donald R. Schumaker Sr of Orefield, shared 66 wonderful years of marriage since their union on November 16, 1957.

Born on January 17, 1939, in Allentown, Pennsylvania, Bernadine was the daughter of the late John P. and Marie C. Sutjak (Gurgick). She was a lifelong member of St. John the Baptist Slovak Catholic Church in Allentown. She attended St. John the Baptist Church grade school and graduated from Allentown Central Catholic High School in 1956.

Bernadine began her professional journey as a key punch operator at Mack Trucks. Later, she pursued a career in computer programming, earning her degree from Lehigh Carbon Community College. She went on to have a successful career contributing her skills to the Capital Blue Cross, Gould Inc., and Harleysville Insurance companies.

A dedicated member of the service community, Bernadine was a member of the Kuhnsville Area Lioness Club and served as treasurer for several years.

Bernadine was an avid ballroom dancer, participating with her husband in the Cotillion Dance Club and the US Amateur Ballroom Dancers Association. Together, they enjoyed the art of dance and created lasting memories together on the dance floor.

Her adventurous spirit led her to travel the world, embracing diverse cultures and creating cherished moments with her family.

Bernadine was a loving sister to Marion J. O'Neil (Dennis) and brother John S. Sutjak (Rebecca), and she was predeceased by her sister Johanna Malinowski (Stanley).

In her cherished role as a dedicated mother, Bernadine is survived by her children: Donald R. Schumaker Jr., Melodie M. Stinner (Edward), Richard J. Schumaker, and Mary K. Cargo (James).

She leaves behind a profound legacy of love and warmth that extends to her beloved grandchildren: Donald Jr.’s children—Donald R. Schumaker III (Tiffani), Gavin R. Schumaker, and Abigail R. Schumaker; Melodie’s children—Deanna M. Stinner Moussa (Ramie) and Kyle E. Stinner; Richard’s son—Keith R. Schumaker (Tasha); and Mary’s son—Alexander J. Cargo.

Her great-grandchildren include Keith’s daughters—Hailey and Addalyne—and Donald III’s children—David, Reagyn, Kylor and Lita. The most recent addition to the family is Bernadine's great-great-grandchild, Jasper Park, son of David.

In the final years of her life, Bernadine faced the challenges of Parkinson's Disease with strength and resilience. To honor her memory and contribute to the fight against Parkinson's, the family kindly requests donations to be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research or to St. John the Baptist Slovak Catholic Church care of Kohut Funeral Home.

Bernadine Schumaker will be remembered for her warmth, generosity, and unwavering love for her family. May she rest in peace, and may her legacy continue to inspire those who were fortunate enough to know her.

A viewing will be held from 6 to 8 PM on Tuesday, December 26, 2023 at the Kohut Funeral Home in Allentown. An additional viewing hour will be held on Wednesday, December 27, 2023 from 9 to 10 AM at St. John the Baptist Slovak Catholic Church, 924 N Front St, Allentown, PA 18102. The Funeral Mass will begin at 10 AM. Interment and Luncheon to follow.

Phillip J. Szvetecz, 83, of Hellertown, passed away September 20, 2023. Services were Private care of Downing Funeral Home, Inc.

Thomas J. Szczepanski Sr., 81, of Allentown, passed away June 12, 2023. He was the loving husband of the late Marjorie (Bickel) Szczepanski. Born in Allentown, he was the son of the late Edward W. Szczepanski Sr and Stella (Rish) Szczepanski. Thomas served in the U.S. Marine Corp, where he served as Presidential Guard and aboard the USS Constellation. He retired from Bethlehem Steel as a Forge Conditioner. Thomas enjoyed fishing and hunting. He will be deeply missed.
Survivors: children- Eleanor Schaeffer and husband Michael, Thomas J. Szczepanski Jr. and wife Susan, Jean Flickinger; grandchildren- Megan, Timothy and Thomas Szczepanski III.
A graveside service will be held on Friday, June 16th at 9AM in Resurrection Cemetery in Wescosville.
Contributions can be made in Thomas’s memory to your local Veterans Affairs office.

Marissa Leigh (Blauert) Sweitzer, 37, of Schwenksville, passed away May 20, 2023. She was the loving wife of nearly 10 years to Mark Sweitzer. Born in Philadelphia, she was the daughter of Peter and Mary Louise (Kohut) Blauert.
She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Summit University. Marissa had worked for Buckmans Inc. as an accounts payable clerk and operated Handmade Creative Solutions and Naptime Makers.
Marissa loved the Lord, and had the same love for people as Christ did for his children. She would always go out of her way to help people, no matter the situation and was truly selfless. She was a member of Journey Church in Phoenixville where she served as an usher and helped with Journey Kids & Hospitality teams.
Marissa enjoyed volunteering and helping her community. She loved traveling, skiing, snowboarding, vacationing, spending time with family and friends, and was an extremely talented seamstress.
Marissa will be deeply missed by her husband-Mark Sweitzer; parents- Peter and Mary Louise Blauert; children- Benjamin Mark Sweitzer and Olivia Ann Sweitzer; brother- Stephen K. Blauert, his wife Kate and their children Theodore and Winnie; brother- Jonathan P. Blauert, his wife Tiffany and their children Teagan and Lennan; close aunts- Annette McClatchy wife of Tom and Susan Cousounis wife of Jim; close cousins- Chris McClatchy, Nicole Cousounis, Shelby Redcay and Collin Sefcik.
A service will be held privately for the family on Friday. A public service will be announced for May 30that a later date.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Marissa’s memory to the Sweitzer Children’s Scholarship Fund c/o Mark Sweitzer or Venmo to @Kohut-FuneralHome.

Mary Avila Smith, 63, of Allentown, passed away November 10, 2022. Born in Allentown, she was the daughter of Ethel May (Gruber) Galgon and the late Joseph Galgon Sr. Mary worked for many years in Behavioral Health & Special Needs Services. She enjoyed spending time helping and caring for others. Mary liked going on trips to the beach and spending her time gardening and tending to flowers in her back yard. She loved her cats and had a heart for rescuing those without a home. Most of all Mary loved spending time with her family. She will be deeply missed.

Survivors: mother- Ethel Galgon; children- Mandi Abernathy and her husband Craig, Clinton Svitilla Jr. and Darnell Ferrell; grandchildren- Aria, Brielle & Emmalyn Abernathy and Adeline & Brysen Svitilla; siblings- Betty Turczyn, Joanne Nichol and Joe Galgon Jr.; and many other loving nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.

Services will be Private for the family care of Kohut Funeral Home, Inc.

Contributions can be made in Mary’s memory to Turning Point of Lehigh Valley 144 E. Susquehanna St. Allentown, PA 18103. https://www.turningpointlv.org/get-involved/donate/

Charles D. Seifert, 95, of Allentown, passed away February 4, 2022. He was the loving husband of almost 70 years to the late Irene R. (Sukenik) Seifert. Born in Allentown, he was the son of the late Charles and Bessie (Nagle) Seifert. Charles served in the U.S. Navy during WWII on the LST350 during the D-day landings. He retired from Bethlehem Steel. Charles was a member of the VFW #2124 and was part of the 8th Ward Block Watch. He received the City of Allentown Leonard Buck Award for Crime Prevention. He will be deeply missed.
Survivors: sons- David (Julie) and Richard (Kathy), grandchildren- Jessica Trulick, Alan, Daniel and James, 5 great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his sister- Harriet Kratzer and brother- Lewis.
A viewing will be held Thursday, February 10th 10-11AM with a Service at 11AM in Kohut Funeral Home, Inc. 950 N. Front St. Allentown, PA 18102. Interment to follow in Highland Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Charles’ memory to the American Cancer Society.