Mr. Alton E. Kehm

Alton E. Kehm, 92, formerly of Bowers, PA, passed away on Saturday, April 6, 2024 in Keystone Villa, Blandon, where he was a resident for two years. He was the widower of Shirley Mae (Oswald) Kehm, who died October 12, 2023. The couple would have spent 75 happy years of marriage on June 25, 2024.

Born in Seisholtzville, PA, Alton was a son of the late Raymond C. and Mary (Merkel) Kehm. Alton was a member of Christ (DeLong) United Church of Christ, Bowers, where he was a former member of the church consistory. Alton and his late wife Shirley were the owners and operators of the former Kehm's Market in Bowers, and later, Kehm's Catering, for 33 years until their retirement in 1989.

The couple served on the United Associated Grocers Convention Committee for several years. Alton also served as director and treasurer of the United Association of Grocers from 1967-1988; was a member and past charter president (1971) of Bowers Lion’s Club; was a past president of Berks County Retail Grocers Association (1965); served on the advisory board for the Bank of Pennsylvania, Topton; member of Huguenot Lodge No. 377 F.&A.M., Kutztown; charter president of Camp Bow-Top Hunting Camp, Lycoming County; and served as Treasurer of the Board of Directors of Pine Valley Mobile Home Corp, Rehoboth, DE. Alton enjoyed hunting, golfing, traveling and clamming.

Alton is survived by his three children, Bernice L. (Kehm), widow of Ronald C. Mest, Zellwood, FL, Diane J. (Kehm), wife of Francis E.J. Berletic, Denver, PA, and Dalton S., husband of Deborah A. (Solt) Kehm, Bowers; six grandchildren, Michele McNamara, Michael Mest, Matthew Mest, Benjamin Wright, Brenden Kehm and Elizabeth Kehm; 13 great - grandchildren, Brandon Mest, Michael Mest, Jr., Rebecca Mest, Jacob Mest, Lucas Mest, Madison Mest, Nora McNamara, Henry Wright, Samuel Wright, Madeline Wright, Alden Wright, Cooper Kehm and Calliope Kehm; and seven great-great-grandchildren. Along with his wife and parents, Alton was predeceased by a grandson, Bryan Wright; and siblings, Robert Kehm, Ernest Kehm, Roy Kehm, Mary Ann (Kehm) Peckert and Carolyn (Kehm) Stettler.

A funeral service to celebrate and honor Alton's life will be held on Friday, April 12, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. in Christ (DeLong) United Church of Christ, 63 Old Bowers Road, Bowers, PA, with The Reverend Crystal Angstadt officiating. Burial will follow in Union Cemetery of Bowers. Relatives and friends are invited to a viewing on Friday morning from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. in the church. A masonic service by Huguenot Lodge No. 377, F.&A.M., Kutztown, will begin promptly at 10:45 a.m.

The family requests contributions be made in Alton’s memory to Christ (DeLong) UCC, P. O. Box 99, Bowers, PA 19511.

Ludwick Funeral Homes and Cremation Care, Inc., Topton, PA is in charge of arrangements. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.Ludwickfh.com.