Paul Falatek, 95, Earned Purple Heart in WWII

Paul J Falatek, 95, of Bethlehem, died on Tuesday at Country Meadows, Bethlehem Twp.

He was born December 11, 1917; son of the late John and Anna (Anderko) Falatek.

Paul proudly served as a private in the U.S. Army Infantry during World War II. He earned a Purple Heart while being captured by German forces and held as a prisoner of war at prison camp 59 Ascoli Picenzo Italy 43-13.

After the war, he returned to the states where he worked as a Loader in the Beam Yard of the Bethlehem Steel Corp. until his retirement in 1979 after 38 years of service. He was a member of the United Steelworkers AFL-CIO local 2599.

He is survived by his niece, Denise Janenko; his nephew Francis Tumpey as well as his great nieces, Paula and Marcia and his sister-in-law, Betty Falatek.

Paul was preceded in death by his sisters, Theresa Strommer; Margaret Kost; Agnes Kaldy and Catherine Falatek and his brother, Francis Falatek and his niece, Agnes K. Tumpey.

Paul was a parishioner of Incarnation of Our Lord Parish. He was a member of the National Sokols, Tammany Democratic Association and DAV of Allentown.

A visitation will be held at The Connell Funeral Home 245 E. Broad St. on Saturday, from 9 to 10 a.m. with a service to immediately follow in the funeral home. Burial will be held at SS. Cyril & Methodius Cemetery. 

Memorial contributions may be made to the Incarnation of Our Lord Parish 617 Pierce St. Bethlehem, PA 18015.