Loretta M. (Erspamer) Behler

Loretta M. (Erspamer) Behler, age 93, passed away peacefully at home on October 1, 2019. Ken, her loving husband of 71 years was by her side. She was born in West Hazleton, Pennsylvania on February 24, 1926, the second daughter of Condido and Katherine (Magagna) Erspamer.

Loretta was a 1944 graduate of West Hazleton High School. She furthered her education at St. Joseph's Hospital in Reading, PA in the nurses training program. She practiced her trade at St. Joseph's Hospital and the Hamburg Sanitarium and served in the United States Cadet Nurse Corp.

She married Kenneth Alvin Behler on April 3, 1948, and resided in Hamburg and Deer Lake, Pennsylvania.

Her Catholic faith was very important to her. She practiced this in many ways, attending daily mass at St. Ambrose, serving as Eucharistic Minister, and being a member of both the St. Ambrose Church Sodality and the Rosary Guild. She could always be found in the cook shed at the annual church picnic, at the baked goods stand at the Christmas bazaar, and anywhere else she was needed.

She was also active in the community as a member of the Soroptomist International Organization, Women Who Care, and the Orwigsburg Business and Professional Association. She also served as an election Poll Worker for Deer Lake for many years and was a lifetime member of the Deer Lake & West Brunswick Fire Company. When her children were younger she served as a coach for the Midget Football Cheerleaders and as a Den Mother for the Cub Scouts.

She was preceded in death by a son, Donald E. Behler, husband of Darlene, Deer Lake, PA in 2018. Also by a brother, John J. Mollick, in 2006, a sister, Adeline Stashefski, in 2007 and a sister Margaret Menghini in May of this year.

Loretta is survived by two sons, Kerry A. Behler, Middletown, NJ and Thomas E. Behler, husband of Aida, Deer Lake, PA. She is also survived by eight grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, October 7, 2019 at 10:30 AM at St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church, Schuylkill Haven, with visitation from 9:15 to 10:15 AM. Interment will follow at St. Ambrose Masoleum.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church, 201 Randel Street, Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972.

Hamilton Breiner Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc, Orwigsburg, is in charge of the arrangements.

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