Julius Paul Barkis

Julius Paul Barkis of Bethlehem who participated, endured, & survived The Battle of the Bulge often referred to as the greatest land battle ever fought by the United States Army, from December 16, 1944 - January 25, 1945 as a Medic, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, died Sunday morning in Kirkland Village. He was the recipient of many military World War II honors including the bronze star for heroic achievement.

"The Coach" or "Al," enjoyed his friends; an avid golfer, a baseball pitcher, a skilled woodworker, a hunter and a fisherman, thrived with a wonderful sense of humor. Fleet supervisor for the UGI for 35 years and a charter member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, he was active in their Senior Fellowship Group, the Bethlehem YMCA Athletic Club for over 25 years, the Muhlenberg Hospital Card Club, Silver Creek Country Club, the American Legion, and the Lehigh Valley Chapter of Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge.

Throughout his life, our Dad and Grandfather taught us the selfless true meaning of family and he will truly be missed by his wife of 63 years, Helen Louise Drozd Barkis, his daughters, Michele and Susan, his son-in-law's William Hillpot and David Shaffer, and his grandchildren Shannon Hillpot Seaberg and Michael Seaberg of Stowe, VT, Joshua Shaffer of San Jose, CA, Scott Hillpot of Scottsdale, AZ, and Samantha Shaffer of New York, NY. Stories about our grandfather can be shared at www.thecoach@gmail.com and would be greatly appreciated.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held Wednesday, September 15th at 1:00 pm at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, 3219 Santee Road, Bethlehem, PA followed by full military honors at Holy Savior Cemetery. The family will receive relatives and friends preceding mass from 12:30 to 1:00 p.m. at the church or after mass at Holy Saviour Cemetery to celebrate a life well lived.

Memorials may be made to the J.P. Barkis Memorial Fund, established to benefit Lehigh Valley Sports c/o Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, 74 West Broad Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018.

Julius was preceded in death by his parents Albert & Theresa Barkis, a sister Helen and brothers, Bill and Al, and has a surviving brother Ed. Connell Funeral Home of Bethlehem has been entrusted with handling the funeral arrangements.