Russel P. Pacala, 90, of Hellertown, formerly of Bethlehem, died Sunday, July 3, 2016 at his daughter and son-in-law’s residence.
He was the husband of the late Evelyn A. (Hahn) Pacala for 34 years and Mary Ramano for 8 years. He was born in Cementon on March 7, 1926 to the late Theodore and Justina (Michalak) Pacala. Russel served our country faithfully in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II (Sept. 9, 1944 to Dec. 13, 1945) and served at Shepherd and Pampa Fields, Tex., Keesler Field, Miss., and Scott Field, Ill. He worked on the 48 inch rolling mill for 40 years, retiring in 1985 as head roller at the former Bethlehem Steel Corp. and first in seniority in the Steelworkers Union. Russel was a 1944 graduate of Liberty High School. He was a member of Christ Lutheran Church of Lower Saucon, United Steel Workers SOAR, Jeffs Democratic Club, Bethlehem, and an associate member of the Battle of the Bulge Veterans Group. Russel was an avid bowler and treasurer for many local bowling leagues, and was inducted into the Lehigh Valley Bowler’s Hall of Fame in 2002.
SURVIVORS
Children: Justina R. wife of Neil N. McCardle of Hellertown, Russel P. Jr. and his wife Beverly A. of Bethlehem, Eric W. and his wife Joan of Bethlehem Township; sister: Olga Gritz of Lansdale; grandchildren: Stewart McCardle and his wife of Michelle, Christopher McCardle and his wife Wanda, Kevin McCardle and his fiancée, Jessica Savage, Ryan and Rachel Pacala; great-grandchildren: Marcus, Liam and Mia McCardle. He was predeceased by brothers: Bohdan and Myron Pacala.
SERVICE
Family and friends are invited to call from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 6, 2016 at the Heintzelman Funeral Home Inc., 326 Main St., Hellertown, and from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday at Christ Lutheran Church of Lower Saucon, 2190 Easton Road, Bethlehem. The Thursday morning calling hour will be followed by the service at 11 a.m. The interment will conclude services with military honors at Cedar Hill Memorial Park, Allentown. Online expressions of sympathy can be recorded at www.heintzelmancares.com.
