Richard J. Mortimer Sr., 83, of Coplay, died Nov. 8, 2020, at Lehigh Valley Hospital - Muhlenberg Campus, Bethlehem. Born in Coplay, he was a son of the late Joshua and Bessie (Bennett) Mortimer. He was the husband of Hilda (Deutsch) Mortimer for 61 years.

He was a 1955 graduate of the former Coplay HS. He earned a bachelor’s degree in education from the former Kutztown State Teacher’s College and earned a master’s degree in education from Lehigh University.

He was a Bethlehem Area School District educator for 38 years. He was an elementary school teacher at the Buchanan School and then taught at Northeast Middle School until he retired in 1997.

He was a long standing member of the Coplay Borough Council. He was a life member of both the Coplay American Club and the Coplay Saengerbund and a member of the Coplay American Legion Post #426. He was a member of the Coplay Lions Club, where he was formerly a president, treasurer and district zone chairman. He received the 2008 Melvin Jones Award, the Lions highest award. He was a former Cubmaster for the Cub Scout Troop at St. Peter’s R.C. Church, Coplay. He was a former member of the former Blue Ridge Country Club, Palmerton.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Christine and her husband Alan Schmall of Northampton; three sons, Richard J. Jr. and his wife Corinne, Russell, and Matthew and his wife Roberta, all of Whitehall; seven grandchildren, Lindsay, Caitlin, Ian, Evan, Elliot, Lauren and Amanda; and a great-granddaughter, Arya Violet.

He was predeceased by three sisters, Shirley, Jean and Dorothy; and two brothers, Thomas and Joshua.

Services will be private.

Contributions may be made to the Coplay Lions Club, c/o Schisler Funeral Home Inc., 2119 Washington Ave., Northampton, 18067

Arrangements were made by Schisler Funeral Home Inc., Northampton.