Richard E. Stetch, 91, of Northampton, passed away on Monday, June 28, 2021, in Lehigh Valley Hospital, Cedar Crest. Born on March 6, 1930, in Allentown, he was a son of the late Barbara (Cyktor) Stetch. Richard was a faithful and devoted member of St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church in Northampton, where he loved to sing and direct parishioners in singing during Divine Liturgy. In the 1950s and 1960s, he accompanied the assistant pastor of the church to the homes of parishioners to bless the traditional Easter foods. On Pentecost Sunday, he assisted at the parish cemetery by singing the Panachyda during the blessing of the graves.

He was employed for 31 years with Mack Trucks, Inc., Engineering and Development Test Center in Allentown until his retirement in 1986. During his employment at Mack Trucks, he taught for a short period at St. John's School. In 1963, Richard opened a small bakery, where he baked ethnic foods, sold Ukrainian crafts, cookbooks, and baking supplies. He was known for making pompushki – filled like a doughnut with cabbage and potato filling, which was his best seller. At Easter, he would bake the traditional paska. For many years, he had prepared "prosphora" the alter bread for Holy Communion, which was used at the Divine Liturgy in the Eastern Rite Churches in the Lehigh Valley and Philadelphia Diocese. Another specialty is korovai, which is an elaborately decorated braided bread served at weddings and significant anniversaries. Richard enjoyed making intricately decorated Ukrainian pysanky eggs and during Lent, every Sunday, he would go to various churches and organizations to teach people how to make them. Richard had a good heart and shared many of his baked goods with the church and his fellow members of the Friendly Fifties. Richard was also a member of the Apostleship of Prayer Society for many years and served as president from 1963 to 1989. In addition, he was a member of the Northampton County polling and election for the 4 ^th Ward in Northampton for many years.

Richard enjoyed growing flowers in his garden. On the holyday, August 15, Holy Dormition, it was a tradition for parishioners of the Ukrainian Eastern Rite Church to bless flowers. He would make an average of 100 bouquets and bring them to church, they were blessed by the Priest and distributed to the faithful that did not have flowers, he did this for many years.

Survivors: Richard is survived by brother-in-law, sister-in-law, and several nieces and nephews.

Services: A Divine Liturgy will be held on Tuesday, July 6 ^th at 10:00 a.m. in the church, 1343 Newport Ave., Northampton. Family and friends may call on Tuesday from 8:15 a.m. until 9:15 a.m. in the Reichel Funeral Home, 326 E. 21 ^st St., Northampton. Interment will be in the parish cemetery. Online condolences may be offered below.

Memorials: Contributions may be made to the church in loving memory of Richard.