Italo J. Bartera

Italo J. Bartera, 80, of Bethlehem, died on Friday, November 18, 2011 at the Hospice House of St. Luke's in Lower Saucon Twp. surrounded by his loving family.

He was born in Bethlehem; the son of the late Rudolpho and Carmela Saltarelli Bartera. He was the loving husband of Eleanor Marcantognini Bartera.

Italo worked as a draftsman with the Eaton Corporation for 47 years.

He served his country in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. Throughout the years, he volunteered much of his time with the Boy Scouts at St. Anne's Catholic Church and was a member of St. Bernard's Social Club.

He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Eleanor, daughter, Anita, wife of Curt Firestine of Downingtown; sons, Joseph Bartera and his wife, Cynthia, of Macungie; David Bartera and his wife, Lisa, of Bethlehem; and his three grandchildren, Eric and Julia Firestine and Emily Bartera and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Teresa Fantasia, and his brother, Mariano Bartera.

Services: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held, Monday, November 21st at 10 a.m. at St. Anne's Catholic Church, 450 Washington Ave., Bethlehem, PA 18017.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, from 7-9 p.m. and again on Monday, from

8:30-9:30 a.m. at Connell Funeral Home, Inc., 245 E. Broad St., Bethlehem. Burial will be at Holy Saviour Cemetery in Bethlehem.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice House of St. Luke's, 1510 Valley Center Parkway, Suite 200, Bethlehem, PA 18017.