Bernard B. “Bernie” Payonk, 83, of Salisbury Township, died Dec. 15, 2016, at Holy Family Manor. He was the husband of Irene (Kloo) Payonk. They were married 55 years. Born in Cementon, he was a son of the late John and Catherine (Emerick) Payonk.

He proudly served in the U.S. Navy Seabees during the Korean War.

He was a graduate of Whitehall High School, where he played basketball and earned his associate degree in engineering from Penn State.

He worked for Pittsburgh Plate, Ingersoll Rand and later Bethlehem Steel in the fabricated steel division, retiring after 30 years.

He was a member and former bartender at the Fearless Fire Co. An avid golfer, he enjoyed hunting and woodworking.

He was a parishioner of St. Ursula Catholic Church, Fountain Hill and a member of the Golden Hillers.

He is survived by his wife; children, David and his wife Lori, of Alburtis; John and his wife Ann, of Schwenksville; Susan, of Hamburg; Thomas, of Bethlehem; brother, John, of Whitehall; sister, Carolyn Hodel, of Arizona; five grandchildren, Jason, Joleen, Adam, Sarah and Ben; great-granddaughter, Lennon; many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother, Frederick F.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Stroke Assoc., P.O. Box 15120, Chicago, Ill. 60693 or to the church.

Arrangements were made by the Connell Funeral Home, Bethlehem.