Reverend Dominik P. Kalata, Pastor Emeritus of Saint John the Baptist Parish, Allentown died on 30 June 2025 at Holy Family Senior Living, Bethlehem. He was 84 years of age.
Born in Nowa Biała, Slovakia, Father Kalata is the son of the late Dominik Kalata and the late Anna (Klimczak) Kalata.
Father Kalata attended schools in Nowa Biała and Jabłonka, Poland. He prepared for the priesthood at the Metropolitan Seminary of Warsaw and completed his studies at the Catholic University of Lublin.
He was ordained to the Priesthood on 27 May 1965 by His Eminence, Blessed Stefan Cardinal Wyszyński at the Archcathedral Basilica of Saint John the Baptist, in service to the Archdiocese of Warsaw.
Father Kalata served as Parochial Vicar in several parishes and was Prefect of the Youth Office of the Archdiocese of Warsaw before his service in the Diocese of Allentown. He served as Parochial Vicar at Saint John the Baptist, Allentown. Father Kalata’s first Pastoral assignment was Pastor, Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Frackville, and Saint Ann Parish, Frackville, Most Blessed Trinity Parish, Tremont, Saint John the Baptist Parish, Allentown and Administrator of Saints Peter and Paul Parish, Allentown.
Father Kalata was named Pastor Emeritus, Saint John the Baptist Parish, Allentown, on 20 June 2017.
He had a deep love for family and enjoyed spending time with them whenever possible. Father Kalata also enjoyed skiing, reading, and traveling. He visited many places around the world including Africa where he built a school for children in honor of his parents. He will be deeply missed.
Father Kalata is survived by brothers John Kalata and his wife Stasia, Frank Kalata and his wife Maria, and his sister Anna Mus; nieces Aurelia Hamlett, Marcela Kalata, and Maria Jaworski; nephews Darius Kalata, Mark Kalata, Jaroslav Mus, Mark Mus, and Daniel Miskowicz; many great and great-grand nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his cousin, Revered Józef Bednarczyk of Niedzice, Poland as well as several other cousins who reside in the United States, Canada, and throughout Europe.
In addition to his parents, Father Kalata was predeceased by his sister Sophia Miskowicz, brother-in-law John Miskowicz, brother-in-law Stephan Mus, and cousin, the Most Reverend Dominik Kalata, S.J., Titular Bishop of Semta.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Father Kalata will be celebrated at Saint John the Baptist Parish, 924 North Front Street, Allentown, Pennsylvania on Saturday, 12 July 2025 at 11:00a.m. by Reverend Monsignor Daniel J. Yenushosky, Vicar General of the Diocese of Allentown and Pastor, Holy Trinity Parish, Whitehall. Principal Concelebrants include Reverend Keith A. Mathur, Chancellor of the Diocese of Allentown; Reverend Monsignor Donald Cieniewicz, Vicar Forane of the Lehigh Deanery and Pastor, Cathedral of Saint Catharine of Siena Parish, Allentown; Reverend Speratus Kamanzi, A.J., Pastor, Saint John the Baptist Parish, Allentown; Reverend Monsignor Robert F. Kozel, Pastor Emeritus, Saint John the Baptist Parish, Allentown.
The Vigil for the Deceased will be held at Saint John the Baptist Parish, Allentown on Friday, 11 July 2025, at 7:00p.m. The Reverend Monsignor Donald Cieniewicz, V.F. will preside, and Reverend Adam C. Sedar will serve as the Homilist.
Calling hours will be held at the Church on Friday, 11 July 2025 from 5:00p.m. – 7:00p.m. And on Saturday, 12 July 2025 from 9:00AM-11:00AM.
Will take place in Saint John the Baptist Parish Cemetery, Allentown, Pennsylvania, immediately following the funeral.
Arrangements are entrusted to Kohut Funeral Home, Inc.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Father Kalata’s memory to Apostles of Jesus care of Kohut Funeral Home, Inc.

Mary Beller, 84, of Bethlehem, passed away June 11, 2025. She was the loving wife of the late Ronald E. Beller. Born in Lansford, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Veronica (Duncavage) Pekarik. Mary was a member of St. John the Baptist Slovak Catholic Church in Allentown. She was the Director of the Northampton Area Public Library for many years. Mary enjoyed reading, sewing, latch hooking, baking and traveling. But most of all she treasured her time with her family, especially spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She will be deeply missed.
Survivors: daughters- Diane DeVivo and her husband Joe, Catherine Beller Meinhart and her late husband Dennis, Rita Beller; grandchildren- Andrew DeVivo, Amy Callaghan and her husband Mike, Emily Fortenberry and her husband Monty, Zachary Meinhart and his wife Sarah; great grandchildren- Nolan Callaghan, Lucas and Benjamin Meinhart; sister- JoAnne Pekarik and friend- Marge Santore. She was predeceased by her sister- Margaret Pekarik.
A Calling Time will be held on Monday, June 30th 9:30-10:30AM in Kohut Funeral Home, Inc. 950 N. Front St. Allentown, PA 18102. Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11AM in St. John the Baptist Slovak Catholic Church 924 N. Front St. Allentown, PA 18102. Inurnment to follow in the parish cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Mary’s memory to Northampton Area Public Library care of the funeral home.

Howard A. Clinese Jr., 84, of Pen Argyl, passed away on May 26, 2025. He was the loving husband to Peggy L. (Walker) Clinese, celebrating their 50th Anniversary March 1, 2025. Born in Allentown, he was the son of the late Howard and Anna (Billowitch) Clinese. He was a graduate of Allentown Central Catholic High School, class of ’59, and served in the U.S. Navy. Howard was a member of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church in Pen Argyl. For many years, he was employed by Johnson Wax as a restaurant sales rep.
He was an avid bowler and cherished the camaraderie of his social clubs, as a dedicated member of the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), the Jednota Club, and Cross Keys Social Club. However, his true passion was baseball. He was a constant and enthusiastic presence at all of his sons' games throughout their careers, a testament to his unwavering support and love. Many would also fondly remember seeing him sitting on his front porch, listening intently to New York Yankees games. His love for sports extended to college football, where he was a devoted fan of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, and he also found great pleasure in fishing.
He will be remembered as a strong, loving, and passionate man who had a remarkable ability to connect with others, striking up conversations with anyone he met. He also had great compassion for animals, having loved numerous pets throughout his lifetime and caring for the backyard wildlife.
He is survived by his wife, Peggy L. Clinese; his sons, Howie, Philip and Patrick, and their wives/partners. He was a proud grandfather to Delaney, Cooper, Brady, Harper, Kayla and Joey. He is also survived by his sister Elaine and was preceded in death by sister Dolores.
A viewing will be held on Monday, June 2, 10:30-11:30AM with a Service at 11:30AM in Kohut Funeral Home, Inc., 950 N. Front St., Allentown, PA 18102. Burial will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Whitehall.
Contributions: In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Howard’s memory to Animals in Distress, Coopersburg, PA.

Janice A. (Kirkpatrick) Gurgick, 89, of Nazareth, passed away May 12, 2025. She was the loving wife of the late Thomas Steven Gurgick Sr. Born in Allentown, she was the daughter of the late Telford and Laurene (Hoffman) Kirkpatrick. Janice was a graduate of Allentown High School and attended Northampton Community College. She retired from AT&T and Lucent Tech. after many years of service. She was a member of St. John the Baptist Slovak Catholic Church, the Red Hat Society and AARP Local # 3915. Janice enjoyed doing ceramics, traveling, playing Bingo, baking and most of all attending her grandchildren’s sporting events. Janice had volunteered for 26 years at Gracedale Nursing Home in Nazareth. She will be deeply missed.
Survivors: children- Sherry Makuta of Allentown, Jane Miller and husband Dennis of Bethlehem, Thomas Gurgick Jr. and wife Marie of Nazareth; grandchildren- Laurie, Daniel, Dana, Brad, Tiffany, Gina, Stephanie, Thomas III; 5 great grandsons; sister- Donna Sook of Bethlehem; many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her daughter- Barbara Wells, sister- Kathleen Kuntz, brother- Dale Kirkpatrick and companion- Frank Holena.
A viewing will be held Monday, May 19th 9-10:30AM in Kohut Funeral Home, Inc. 950 N. Front St. Allentown, PA 18102. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday at 11AM in St. John the Baptist Slovak Catholic Church 924 N. Front St. Allentown, PA 18102. Burial to follow in Holy Saviour Cemetery, Bethlehem.
Donations can be made in Janice’s memory to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or the National Parkinson Foundation care of Kohut Funeral Home, Inc.

James R. DeWalt, 78 years old, of Bethlehem, passed away peacefully on May 10th at home with his family by his side. He was born December 1, 1946 in Allentown, son of the late Anna (Cavallin) DeWalt and the late William DeWalt. Jimmy was married to his loving wife, Elizabeth (Kruk) DeWalt for 47 years. He was a 1964 graduate of Louis E. Dieruff High School. Jimmy was an ironworker for 34 years, a past president, vice president, and executive board member of Ironworkers Local 36. Family was important to Jimmy and he cherished being with them. He enjoyed golfing, reading, and spending the winter months in Florida. Jimmy will be lovingly remembered for his positive outlook on life.
Jimmy will be dearly missed by his wife, Elizabeth; son, Todd; mother-in-law, Justyna Kruk; brothers, Thomas DeWalt and wife Stella, Robert DeWalt and wife Susan, Daniel DeWalt and wife Jane; brother-in-law, Edward Kruk; sister-in-laws, Christine Kruk and partner Dean, Caroline Bobyak and husband Michael, Sharon Kruk; loving nieces and nephews, Rachel, Victoria, Olivia, Lauren, Annie, Elizabeth, William and Jason; seven great nieces and great nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, his father-in-law Stanley Kruk and brother-in-law Richard Kruk.
Calling Hours will be held on Friday, May 16th 10AM-12PM with a Christian Mass to follow at 12PM all in St. John the Baptist Slovak Catholic Church 924 N. Front St. Allentown, PA 18102.
Memorial contributions can be made to the church or to St. Luke’s Hospital- Sacred Heart Cancer Center care of Kohut Funeral Home, Inc.

Margaret Rose (Stano) Braun, 85, of Whitehall and formerly of Quakertown, passed away April 24, 2025. Born in Allentown, she was the daughter of the late Thomas and Hilda (Goldschmidt) Stano. Margaret graduated from Allentown Central Catholic High School in 1957 and then from St. Joseph’s School of Nursing in Reading. She was a member of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church. When she was younger, she had played the organ for the Cathedral of St. Catherine of Sienna Catholic Church. Margaret was very dedicated to her profession of Nursing and spent her time caring for her family as needed. But above all she treasured her time with her grandchildren. She will be deeply missed.
Survivors: son- Kurt and wife Linda Braun, grandchildren- Matthew and Angela, nieces- Carol Poplawski, Nadine Martinez and Donna Weaver, nephew- Mark Glose. She was predeceased by her sisters- Dolores Stano and Dorothy Mae Martinez and nephew- Robert Glose.
A calling time will be held Thursday, May 8th 9-10AM with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 10AM all in St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church 618 Fullerton Ave Whitehall, PA 18052. Inurnment to follow in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Whitehall. Arrangements are entrusted to Kohut Funeral Home, Inc.

Barbara Ann (Hessinger) Fernandes, 85, of Allentown, passed away April 1, 2025. She was the loving wife of the late Joseph J. Fernandes Sr. Born in Allentown, she was the daughter of the late Patrick Richard and Rita T. (Obereker) Hessinger. Barbara enjoyed antiquing and traveling. She was a wonderful mother and Oma to all. She loved to paint and she loved animals. She will be deeply missed.

Survivors: children- Joseph J. Fernandes Jr. and wife Debra, Christian Fernandes and wife Stephanie, Maria Myers and husband John; grandchildren- Joseph Fernandes III, Deolinda Myers, John Myers Jr., Madolyn Fernandes, Christian Fernandes Jr.; great grandchildren- Auriella Jade Holman and Jameson Hubich; niece- Lisa-Jon Lepeta; nephews- Joseph Lepeta II, Chad Cope and Luke Hessinger; brother- Richard Hessinger and wife Susan; beloved Parrot- Bojangles. She was predeceased by her granddaughter- Jaimie-Jo Fernandes and sister- Mary Elizabeth Hessinger Lepeta.
A Calling Time will be held on Saturday, April 5th 10-11AM with a Service at 11AM all at Kohut Funeral Home, Inc 950 N. Front St. Allentown, PA 18102. Burial to follow in Resurrection Cemetery, Allentown.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Barbara’s memory to The Sanctuary at Haafsville PO Box 921 Fogelsville, PA 18051.

Ilona Ann (Lorenz) Leanch, 84, of Allentown, passed away March 30, 2025. She was the loving wife of the late Nicholas E. Leanch Jr. Born in Northampton, she was the daughter of the late John and Anna (Kometic) Lorenz. She was a member of St. John the Baptist Slovak Catholic Church where she and her husband enjoyed volunteering for the church activities. They also enjoyed traveling together and spending time with their family. Our beautiful mother will be deeply missed.
Survivors: children- Kenneth “Kenny” Leanch, Teresa “Terri” Rom and husband John, Christine “Tina” Giacobbe and husband Michael; grandchildren- Amanda, Tyler, Gianna and Abigail; great grandchildren- Carter and Peyton; brother- John Lorenz; sister- Mary Panik. She was predeceased by her sister- Patricia Flynn.
A Calling Time will be held on Thursday, April 3rd 9-10AM in Kohut Funeral Home Inc. 950 N. Front St. Allentown, PA 18102. Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 10:30AM in St. John the Baptist Slovak Catholic Church 924 N. Front St. Allentown, PA 18102. Burial to follow in Laurel Cemetery, Whitehall.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Ilona’s memory to Lehigh Valley Hospice or to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church care of the funeral home.