Ralph Burton Bordner

R. Burton “Burt” Bordner, 86, of Topton, died July 19, 2008 in Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township. He was the husband of Barbara (Miller) Keller Bordner. They were married September 20, 1986. His first wife, Fay M. (Mohler) Bordner died November 9, 1974.

Born in Kutztown, he was a son of the late Professor George C. and Mary M. (Berger) Bordner. He was a member of Saint Paul’s United Church of Christ Church, Kutztown. He was a US Army veteran of World War II. As a member of the armed forces, he served in combat as an Artillery Officer with the 131 ^st Field Artillery Battalion, 36 ^th Infantry Division in the ETO. His combat experience included action in Italy at Monte Cassino, the Anzio Beachhead and he was among the first American troops to arrive in Rome. His service in France included being in the first wave of troops to arrive in southern France and thereafter was engaged in many battles in the Rhone Valley. His many actions in Germany included the Battle of the Bulge, the liberation of a Prisoner of War Concentration Camp in Austria and serving in the Army of Occupation. For these various actions he was a recipient of the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart and four bronze battle stars and a bronze arrowhead. Following active service he served with the Pennsylvania National Guard as a staff officer with the 213 ^th AAA group in Allentown where he attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He was a member of the Honorary First Defenders.

Mr. Bordner was a 1939 graduate of Kutztown Area High School and attended Kutztown State Teachers College prior to military service in WWII. After military service he graduated from Lehigh University in 1948 with a degree in Industrial Engineering. He was employed as a senior engineer by Western Electric Company, Allentown, for 33 years until his retirement in 1984. He was a 32 ^nd degree Mason with Huguenot Lodge #377, F.&A.M., Kutztown. He was a life member of Ray A. Master, Post #217, American Legion, Topton. He was also a life member of the Telephone Pioneers of America.

He is survived by Wife, Daughter, Gretchen R. (Bordner) wife of James D. Bender, Breinigsville; Son, David A. Bordner, Egypt, PA; Stepdaughter, Patricia E. (Keller) wife of Robert W. Bieber, Orefield; Stepson, Dr. Peter Keller husband of Signe, Newport Coast, CA. There is also a Sister, Elizabeth Bordner, Macungie. In addition, there are 3 Grandchildren, 6 Step-Grandchildren, 4 Great Grandchildren and 5 Step-Great Grandchildren. He was predeceased by eight brothers and sisters.

Funeral Services are Wednesday, July 23, 2008, 10:30 a.m. from Ludwick Funeral Home, 333 Greenwich Street, Kutztown. Interment with military honors provided by Ray A. Master, Post #217, American Legion, Topton, in Longswamp Union Cemetery, Mertztown. Friends may call Wednesday, from 9:30 to10:30 AM.

The family requests contributions to the The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Donor Services, P.O. Box 4072, Pittsfield, MA 01202. Arrangements are by the Ludwick Funeral Home, Kutztown, PA.