Allan J. Wilkins, 77, of Bethlehem, died December 16, 2020, in St. Luke’s University Hospital-Bethlehem after a brief illness. Born in Tyringham, England, he was a son of the late Albert E. and Daisy Joan (Davis).He was the husband of Rita Plotnicki for 35 years.

He grew up in Burlington, N.J. and was a graduate of Burlington HS and Temple University. He retrained at the University of Pennsylvania.

He was a sports reporter for the Trenton Times. He later was an editor for various newspapers in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, including the Bethlehem Globe-Times. He also contributed editorial cartoons to the Bethlehem Press.

He worked in information technology for several organizations and companies, including Lehigh County, Lehigh University, Dun & Bradstreet and Reeb Millwork.

He was a past member of the advisory council to the Pennsylvania Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services. He was on the board of directors of the former Radprin/WRSS, a radio reading service for the visually impaired.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, the Rev. Tara Wilkins of Lake Oswego, Oregon; four grandchildren; Kristina Dowell of Gresham, Oregon; Nicole Button of Lake Oswego; Katie Heim, of Troutdale, Oregon; and CPO James Button of Virginia Beach, Va.; five great-grandchildren, Madison, Makaley, Lillyan, Grayson and Evan; a brother, Michael of Levittown; and a niece, Michelle of Columbus, New Jersey.

Contributions may be made to AWSOM (Animal Welfare Society of Monroe), P.O. Box13, Stroudsburg, PA 18360

Arrangements were made by Cantelmi-Long Funeral Home Inc., Bethlehem.