Harold C. Balthaser

Harold C. Balthaser, 91, of Hamburg, passed away on Wednesday evening in the Reading Hospital. Born in Perry Township, on January 27, 1922, he was the son of the late Myers A. and Florence M. (Kline) Balthaser. Harold was a 1941 graduate of Kutztown High School and proudly served his country in the Navy during WWII. He was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, Hamburg. Harold was the owner and operator of Balthaser Motors Inc. and NAPA Auto Parts, Hamburg, for 50 years and retired in 1992. He was very active in the community and was a member of the following organizations for over 50 years: the Hamburg Exchange Club, where he served as Past President; the Hugonot Lodge #377 F & AM Kutztown and its Reading Consistory; and the Rajah Shrine. He also belonged to the Antique Auto Club of America and the Hamburg and Virginville Fire Companies. Harold is survived by his wife, Emily M. (Sonon), to whom he was married for 40 years; son, David H. Balthaser, of Tilden Township; step-daughter, Karen J. (Bailey) Wolff, of Burlington, VT; and grandsons, Gregg and Matthew Wolff. Services will be held at Burkey and Driscoll Funeral Home, Inc., 38 S. 4th St., Hamburg on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Willard Uhler officiating. A viewing will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service in the funeral home. Interment will follow in St. John's Cemetery. The family requests memorial contributions in Harold's name be sent to the American Heart Association, 212 East Broad St., Bethlehem, PA 18018 and St. John's Lutheran Church, Memorial Fund, Church and Pine Sts., Hamburg, PA 19526. Burkey & Driscoll Funeral Home, Inc., Hamburg, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.burkeydriscoll.com