Rev. Harlan Breininger

Rev. Harlan A. “Salty” Breininger, 82, of Saucon Valley Manor, and formerly of Jim Thorpe, concluded his journey in this life to go to his Heavenly Home with his Lord on Monday, November 16, 2009 at the Lehigh Valley Hospital - Muhlenberg. He was the beloved husband of Jane Marie (Reeder) Breininger who celebrated 60 years of marriage in June. Born in Weisenberg Township, he was a son of the late Wilson and Mary Ellen (Rupp) Breininger. He graduated from Allentown High School in 1944; received a B.A. from Franklin and Marshall in 1948; received a Bachelor of Divinity from Lancaster Theological Seminary in 1950; and his Master’s Degree in 1976. He was pastor of Lower Saucon United Church of Christ, Hellertown from 1966-1986. Throughout his ministry, he was extensively involved in both the Synod and East Penn Conference of the United Church of Christ, serving on many committees, as well as on the Board of East Penn Camps, and twice as a delegate to the General Synod of the United Church of Christ. In addition, he was a founding member of the Saucon Valley Watershed Association along with serving as the President of the Northampton County Prison Ministerium and on the Citizen’s Advisory Board of the Northampton County Community College. After leaving Lower Saucon, he entered semi-retirement, serving a church in Weissport, PA and as Chaplain for the Carbon County Prison. Survivors: along with his wife, is a son, Randal, and his wife, Paulette, of Richlandtown; and a daughter, Mary Jane, wife of John Fridman of Bloomsburg; siblings, Ruth Wesner of Hamburg, Lillian Folk of Allentown, and Charles Breininger of Fogelsville; 3 grandchildren, Owen Breininger, Katie Smith, and Joshua Fridman; and 2 great-grandchildren, Keedaysha and Zachariah. He was pre-deceased by brothers: Henry, Paul, Ira, Alton, Wesley, Leroy, Robert, and Kermit; and a sister, Mary Raber. Services: Memorial Services will be on Saturday at 11 AM at the Lower Saucon United Church of Christ, 1375 Third Avenue, Hellertown. Friends may call from 10-11 AM Saturday at church. The Falk Funeral Homes & Crematory, Hellertown, is in charge of arrangements. For additional information or to offer on-line condolences, please visit www.falkfuneralhomes.com. Contributions: Lower Saucon UCC, 1375 Third Avenue, Hellertown, PA 18055, or the Multiple Sclerosis Society, 1 Reed Street, Suite 200, Philadelphia, PA 19147..