Published May 26. 2026 03:18PM
About 30 people attended the 35th annual Lehigh Valley Workers’ Memorial program April 26 in Bethlehem’s Rose Garden. The memorial sculpture at the site was dedicated April 28, 1991 and since that dedication, 180 area workers have perished while on the job according to John Werkheiser, chairman of the Lehigh Valley Workers’ Memorial.
Ron Ennis of the Lehigh Valley Workers’ Memorial marked this year’s 40th anniversary of the 1st National Bank of Bath shooting on June 6, 1986 memorializing the names of bank employees Janice Confer, Hazel Evans, Jane Hartman and Marcia Hauser. John Weiss rang a bell at the mention of each name.
Ennis also remembered three local fatalities that happened since April 2025, April Lubenetski, Steven Gill and James Akins, with Weiss once again marking their deaths with a bell ring.
Robert Hawke played Taps to conclude the service, which was followed by a reception in the D.A.R. House at the Rose Garden.
Press photos by Dana GrubbOrganizers John Weiss, John Werkheiser and Ron Ennis recognized local fatalities that occurred since April 2025, while standing next to the Lehigh Valley Workers. Memorial.
In remembrance of local workers’ fatalities, Veteran Robert Hawke plays Taps at the conclusion of the program.
