Carol Jane Kreitz, 70, of Bethlehem, died Dec. 18, 2016, at her home. She was the wife of William C. Kreitz, of Hampson, Mower, Kreitz Insurance Agency, Bethlehem.

Married Nov. 21, 1970, they celebrated their 46th wedding anniversary in November.

Born December 9, 1946, in Allentown, she was the only child of the late Paul J. Smith and the late Renae P. (Leibenguth) Smith.

She graduated from Parkland High School, and from the former Kutztown State College, now Kutztown University, with a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education and an M.Ed. degree in elementary guidance and counseling.

Before retiring in 1998, she was an elementary teacher in the Governor Wolf Elementary School in the Bethlehem Area School District for 21 years.

This was preceded by three years as the school district’s homebound instructor.

Prior to that she began her teaching career in the Boyertown School District where she was employed for six years at the New Hanover-Upper Frederick Elementary School.

She was a member of Bethany United Church of Christ, Bethlehem, since 1999.

Before joining Bethany, she was a lifelong member of Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity, Northampton, where she was baptized, confirmed and married.

She was a lifelong member of the NEA, and belonged to the PSEA-R and PASR.

In addition to activities within her church, she enjoyed reading and discussing books with her book club friends, and was a member of the College Hill Moravian Tai Chi Practice group.

She was an avid animal lover and supported numerous pet and wildlife organizations.

She treasured her friends and extended family, and her deep relationship with God.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by cousins.

Contributions may be made in her memory to Animals in Distress, P.O. Box 609 Coopersburg, PA. 18036, the American Cancer Society, Lehigh Valley Chapter or to Bethany UCC, all c/o Schisler Funeral Home.

Condolences may be offered at schislerfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements made by Schisler Funeral Home, Northampton.