Robert Molchan, 85, of Bethlehem, passed away in his home on July 7, 2025. He was the son of the late Stephen and Elizabeth Molchan. He was a loving husband to Alice Molchan and the late Ellen (Shreiber) Molchan. Robert was a graduate of Allentown High School in 1958. He then served in the U.S. Marine Corp for four years including two years aboard the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid. Robert spent much of his work career at Mack Trucks in Allentown before retiring in 2003. He remained active throughout his life, enjoying baseball, golf, and bowling. But his true passion was being the lead singer in “The Steel City Band” with his friends, Al Toth, Jim Brekus and Edgie & Jeremy Kittek.
He is survived by his daughters- Jacqueline Wister and Barbara Molchan, stepson- Joseph Scavo and his wife Linda, granddaughters- Afton Howard and her husband Mike and Coryn Figueroa and her husband Matt, great grandchildren- Abraham, Adalynn, Atticus and Augustus, brothers- Stephen, Thomas and James.
Bob would like to thank all the wonderful friends he met who supported him and to all his special friends he leaves: C’est Ma Chanson (This is My Song).
He would be so touched to have those who knew and loved him, join us for a heartfelt Celebration of Life on Sunday, July 27th, from 1:00 to 4:00 PM in the social hall at St. John the Baptist Slovak Catholic Church, 924 N. Front St., Allentown, PA 18102. Military Honors will take place outside of the church at 1:30PM followed by a formal lunch. Arrangements are entrusted to Kohut Funeral Home, Inc.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Bob’s memory to The Department of Veteran Affairs.
Dominik Kalata
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
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.