In honor of older Americans month, 15 Lehigh County residents were recognized recently at The Lehigh County Office of Aging and Adult Services' 13th annual tribute to unsung heroes. This tribute, held annually, recognizes older adults in the Valley who have exhibited exceptional generosity with their time and talents to enrich the lives of others in the community.

Some of the honorees at the tribute included Margaret Teitsworth, a resident of Phoebe Terrace, Allentown; Dean Cunfer, of Slatington; Paul Barna, of Coplay; Barbara Quigg and Barbara Wolfgang, both of Whitehall; Marlene Bergstresser, of Lower Macungie; and Jim Palmquist, of Macungie.

Teitsworth, 91, received the award for her work as an Abider volunteer and spiritual leader at Phoebe Ministries in Allentown.

As an Abider, Teitsworth sits at the bedside of a dying person, reading scriptures or poems, offering prayer, playing soft music or simply holding the person's hand.

"It is a privilege to have been an Abider volunteer at Phoebe Home," Teistworth told The Press at the tribute.

"It is a joy to help people make the final step to their next life, relaxed and unafraid," she said. "It brought great joy to my life. It has been a passion for me for many years." Teitsworth said she has worked in the field of death and dying for 30 years since she retired at the age of 61.

Cunfer, also known as "Chubby" Cunfer also spoke with The Press. "I was thrilled to win this honor," Cunfer said. "I did not expect it." Cunfer, after graduating from Slatington High School, enlisted in the United States Navy where he became a First Class Quartermaster.

After he was released from active duty with the Navy in 1955, he enrolled for three years at the Thaddeus Stevens Trade School in Lancaster, and in June of 1958 graduated as a master carpenter. Cunfer's carpenter skills have been used to repair things all around his church, St. John's Lutheran Church.

For over 10 years, he drove the Lehigh County Medical Van, providing transportation for residents in the Slatington area to medical appointments and dialysis treatments. For the past 12 years, he has delivered meals to seniors with Lehigh Meals on Wheels.

Barna, was also honored for his dedication to the medical field and starting North Whitehall Ambulance Corps in Ormrod.

As a first aid and EMT instructor, Barna has trained many first responders throughout the Lehigh Valley. For 20 years, he served as president, vice-president and treasurer of the ambulance corps.

He also helped introduce Medivac and paramedic services to the Valley.

Barna was also recognized for his help with taking his tractor and clearing the Ironton Rail Trail in its inception.

Today, at the young age of 77 and battling Parkinson's disease, Barna on occasion still goes out and removes twigs and branches from the trail.

When asked to comment on his honor, Barna said "it is a great opportunity and honor."

Quigg was honored for her active volunteering at Westminster Village and the Village gift shop.

Quigg, orphaned as a child and raised by her grandparents and aunts, worked 33 years at the Lehigh Valley Trust Company and attended First Presbyterian Church in Hokendauqua. In 1998, Quigg accepted a volunteer position on the Westminster Village Allentown Auxiliary Board and continues to serve there in many capacities.

Wolfgang, a retired social worker from New York City, was honored for her eight years of volunteer work with Turning Point of the Lehigh Valley.

Her volunteering does not stop at Turning Point, answering the 24-hour helpline and helping callers about domestic abuse, but she is also the legislative liaison for American Association of Retired Persons.

Wolfgang has also volunteered for the past 15 years with the Lehigh County Senior Center.

Bergstresser was recognized for creating the Care Team Ministry, a group of people who provide prayer, meals and visits to individuals in hospitals, facilities or are homebound at Jerusalem Western Salisbury Church. She is also a Stephen Ministry Leader, and oversees and directs a team of trained Stephen Ministers, who reach out to people who are experiencing a crisis in their lives.

Bergstresser takes food to a local food bank and purchases meat for meals at the Daybreak Drop-in-Center for mentally challenged adults with money contributed by church members.

Palmquist, a former Naval Aviator, was honored for his numerous volunteering roles. He has re-energized the efforts to bring walkways on main roads in Lower Macungie, help lead the Lehigh Valley Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union and is currently working with the City of Allentown on police hiring issues.

He is also active in many groups including the Emmaus Rotary Club, American Lung Association of the Lehigh Valley and the Affirmation United Methodist Church.

Palmquist also volunteers as an occasional adult Sunday school teacher at Asbury United Methodist Church, South Whitehall Township.

Prior to recipients and guests enjoying cake and punch in the lobby of the government center, Ann M. O'Keefe, supervisor with the Lehigh County Office of Aging and Adult Services M.A., closed the tribute by congratulating the 15 Lehigh County residents honored at the tribute.