Pearson Funeral Home, Inc.

02/23/2026

On this day in History, February 23, 1945, this iconic photo was taken during the Battle for Iwo Jima. U.S. Marines. Marine photographer Louis Lowery, who was with the U.S. Marines from 3rd Platoon, E Company 2nd Battalion, recorded the event. Americans fighting for control of Suribachi’s slopes cheered the raising of the flag. This iconic photo, seen worldwide, represents the determination, sacrifice, and loyalty of those who serve and have served in our military. Funeral Home, Inc.

02/21/2026

Allison Rankis, 40, of Bethlehem, PA, formerly of Washington, New Jersey, passed away on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2026, after a courageous battle with stage IV metastatic breast cancer. A devoted mother, daughter, sister, teacher, and friend, Allison leaves behind a legacy of strength, compassion, and unwavering faith that will continue to influence the many lives she touched.

A 2004 graduate of Bethlehem Catholic High School, Allison excelled both in and out of the classroom as a proud two-sport athlete who competed in field hockey and track & field. She went on to earn her Bachelor’s Degree in education from East Stroudsburg University, while later achieving her Master’s in Education from Lehigh University- a reflection of her love for learning and her commitment to helping others.

Allison dedicated her life to special education, serving students in the Jim Thorpe School District (K–12) with patience, passion, and kindness. Even while bravely fighting her final stages of cancer, she continued to work as a behavioral specialist consultant, remaining deeply committed to supporting children with special needs. Her students, colleagues, and community will remember her as a tireless advocate whose heart guided her every step.

To know Allison was to know a warrior resilient, faith-filled, and steadfast. She approached every challenge with grace and purpose, inspiring all around her. Her final message to loved ones, a reflection of her deep spirituality, was the prayer “I said a prayer for you today.” Pearson Funeral Home, Inc.

Allison Rankis, 40, of Bethlehem, PA, formerly of Washington, New Jersey, passed away on Valentines Day, February 14, 2026, after a courageous battle with stage IV metastatic breast cancer. A devoted mother, daughter, sister, teacher, and friend, Allison leaves behind a legacy of strength, compassio...

02/17/2026

Today is one of the favorite days of the year in this area! Fastnacht Day....which means "fast" and "night" in German. Here's hoping that you'll be able to get out and get some of these local, tasty, Pennsylvania Dutch treats! A bit of history, in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland .......Fastnacht represents an entire season of festivities leading up to Shrove Tuesday. The traditions are rooted in the same pre-Lenten celebrations that have taken place for centuries. Those fasting for Lent used up all the rich foods that they would be giving up. Pearson Funeral Home, Inc.

02/16/2026

On the third Monday in February, the United States celebrates the federal holiday known as Presidents Day. The day takes place during the birth month of the country's two most prominent presidents, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Pearson Funeral Home, Inc.

02/15/2026

Cecilia M. Pannepacker (née Leichner), 85, passed away peacefully on February 10, 2026, in Kirkland Village, Bethlehem, surrounded by members of her loving family.

She was the wife of Vincent J. Pannepacker, Jr. for 53 years. Born in Philadelphia she was the daughter of the late Theodore F. Sr. and Cecilia M. (Leyrer) Leichner.

Cecilia was a 1957 graduate of Little Flower Catholic High School for Girls in Philadelphia. She began her career in 1956 as a part-time clerk at the Times Chronicle Co. in Jenkintown, PA. Upon an acquisition by the Montgomery Publishing Company, Cecilia was promoted to Chief Accounting Clerk in their Fort Washington office. In 1960 she moved to ESB-Reeves Corporation in Glenside as Secretary to the President, Director of Research, and Sales Manager of the Electric Storage Battery Company. In 1964 she transferred to the company’s international division in Philadelphia as Executive Secretary to the Controller where she had active engagement with the general managers of all foreign offices.

Cecillia later moved to Arndt, Preston, Chapin Lamb and Keen advertising agency in their offices on Walnut Street in Philadelphia as the Executive Secretary to both the President and Executive Vice President. She was promoted to Administrative Assistant in charge of Human Resource activities. She worked in this role until she married when her priorities shifted to her husband, stepchildren, and future children.

In later years, when her children were older, Cecilia worked with her husband at Penny’s Flowers in Glenside. Pearson Funeral Home, Inc.

Cecilia M. Pannepacker ne Leichner, 85, passed away peacefully on February 10, 2026, in Kirkland Village, Bethlehem, surrounded by members of her loving family. She was the wife of Vincent J. Pannepacker, Jr. for 53 years. Born in Philadelphia she was the daughter of the late Theodore F. Sr. and

02/13/2026

Thoughts for a Friday….

“A happy life consists not in the absence, but in the mastery of hardships.” Helen Keller
Pearson Funeral Home, Inc.

02/10/2026

Dr. Joseph Lindley Hall, 90, of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully on February 6, 2026, surrounded by loved ones.

Joe married the love his life, Nancy King Hall, on June 18, 1961. Together they shared more than 64 years of marriage, making their home and raising their family in Basking Ridge, New Jersey. They lived in Basking Ridge for more than 50 years before moving to Bethlehem Pennsylvania.

Joe was born in Boston on January 22, 1936, to Sarah Redfern Hall and eminent RADAR scientist Dr. William Mott Hall. He grew up with his two brothers in Lexington, Massachusetts, graduating from Lexington High in 1953. Summers were spent at his grandfather's summer home in Charlotte, Vermont, on the coast of Lake Champlain. He had a deep love for music, playing in the band in high school, joining his college Glee Club, and singing in choirs into his late 70s. He was particularly proud to have achieved the honor of Eagle Scout.

Joe was a graduate of Williams College, where he majored in physics. He received his Masters and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and completed his post-doctoral work at Johns Hopkins University Medical School. During these years Joe developed his lifelong passion for hearing and auditory processing and perception, which he continued professionally for 35 years at AT&T Bell Laboratories in Murray Hill, New Jersey.
Pearson Funeral Home, Inc.

Dr. Joseph Lindley Hall, 90, of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully on February 6, 2026, surrounded by loved ones. Joe married the love his life, Nancy King Hall, on June 18, 1961. Together they shared more than 64 years of marriage, making their home and raising their family in Basking

02/06/2026

Donald Alexander Squair, 89, passed away peacefully on January 15, 2026, at Kirkland Village. He was married to Virginia Beeks Squair for 62 years.

Don was born in York, PA to Mr. and Mrs. Alexander M. Squair. He attended local public schools where he excelled in academics. He was a member of the National Honor Society and focused his interest in science through a hobby building and firing rockets.

He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from Johns Hopkins University in 1958 where he was a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. By graduation he was accepted into the Bethlehem Steel Company’s summer employment program and soon entered the company’s management training program.

Don remained in Baltimore, MD until 1963 when he was transferred to company headquarters in Bethlehem. He assumed the roles of computer systems administrator and later financial analysis.

He was a member of Saucon Valley Country Club and served on the Board of Governors and various committees. He was very active in Historic Bethlehem Inc. and also served as President. Other civic memberships include the American Institute of Industrial Engineers, the International Correspondence of Corkscrew Addicts, and the American Wine Society where he was a founding member of the Lehigh and Northampton County Chapter.

Throughout his life Don stayed active playing tennis which he learned to love at an early age from his champion father. A later avocation for Don was the study and teaching of wine and wine appreciation. He founded and led a friendly tasting group in Bethlehem for over 50 years and organized tastings more recently at Kirkland Village. Pearson Funeral Home, Inc.

Donald Alexander Squair, 89, passed away peacefully on January 15, 2026, at Kirkland Village. He was married to Virginia Beeks Squair for 62 years. Don was born in York, PA to Mr. and Mrs. Alexander M. Squair. He attended local public schools where he excelled in academics. He was a

02/03/2026

Priscilla Ann Brekus, 97, passed away peacefully on January 25, 2026, at Kirkland Village in Bethlehem, where she had made her home for more than 20 years.

Born April 7, 1928, in Harrison, N.Y., she was the daughter of the late James Jr. and Elizabeth (Ames) Humphry. She was the beloved wife of Charles Henry “Charlie” Brekus, who died in 1978.

Priscilla was a woman of intelligence, independence and curiosity. She attended Wheelock College and the Katharine Gibbs School in Boston before beginning her career in New York City. She later earned her bachelor’s degree from Cedar Crest College in Allentown.

After moving to Bethlehem with her husband in 1969, she worked as a real estate agent and served her community as a member of the Hanover Township Planning Commission. She was also a devoted parishioner of St. Anne’s Catholic Church and an active participant in committees at Kirkland Village.

For many years Priscilla and Charlie enjoyed sailing their ocean-going 36-foot sailboat, the “Cilla Ann,” from its base on the Jersey shore along the Eastern Seaboard and up to Maine. Later in life she enjoyed boating with her sons on nearby Lake Nockamixon. Pearson Funeral Home, Inc.

Priscilla Ann Brekus, 97, passed away peacefully on January 25, 2026, at Kirkland Village in Bethlehem, where she had made her home for more than 20 years. Born April 7, 1928, in Harrison, N.Y., she was the daughter of the late James Jr. and Elizabeth Ames Humphry. She was the

02/02/2026

Six more weeks of winter, Phil? I think we knew that! Pearson Funeral Home, Inc.

02/01/2026

What will February bring? More cold weather? More snow? We know for sure that It will bring some of Pennsylvania's favorite celebrations, like Fasnachts Day, Groundhog Day, and Valentine's Day. It might be the shortest month of the year but it's moving us ever closer toward Spring. Pearson Funeral Home, Inc.

01/28/2026

Helena Kathryn Ross Lindquist, Age 82, crossed over to her new Life on 1/22/26. Born in Providence, RI in 1943, she grew up in Maryland and came to PA when she began attending Penn State University to study interior design.

She worked in various roles within the banking industry for 24 years, working her way from Line Teller at Merchants Bank to Vice President and Regional Community Reinvestment Act Officer at First Fidelity Bank. Her banking career gave Helena the opportunity to work with several Lehigh Valley charities and non-profits that enabled her to continue to help the community in the next phase of her career.

After retiring from the bank, Helena became the Executive Director of a start-up non-profit that arranged partnerships between businesses and schools in lower Bucks County. The objective was to help students understand, through classroom presentations, tours and shadowing experiences, what their curriculum could qualify them for in their adult life.

Later, she moved into writing and staging fundraising events. After retirement, she focused her efforts on her family, favorite pastimes, and her church affiliations, including both her local church and the national Synod level. Pearson Funeral Home, Inc.

Helena Kathryn Ross Lindquist, Age 82, crossed over to her new Life on 1/22/26. Born in Providence, RI in 1943, she grew up in Maryland and came to PA when she began attending Penn State University to study interior design. She worked in various roles within the banking industry for