Doris Esslinger
OBITUARY
Doris Esslinger, 89, of Bethlehem, died on April 4, 2026. She was born in Cincinnati, Ohio to Rose and Edwin Ullmann and raised with an older sister, Shirley (Brethauer). Although she moved several times during her life, she had a life-long love of Cincinnati, Cincinnati chili and Graeter’s ice cream. Education was valued in her family and she graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education with a Major in Math from Miami University in Ohio. Five days after graduation, she married the Rev. Dr. Donald Esslinger. His memorial service was held on their 60th wedding anniversary. Doris supported him through Seminary by teaching math at Hixson Junior High and it was in Germantown, Ohio, where the first church Donald served was, that their two children, Denis and Denise (Phil Parizeau), were born. They then moved to upstate New York where Doris was involved in the community and worked as a teacher’s aide in the high school. The church and community of Bethlehem was Doris’ favorite. She continued to volunteer and worked at Moravian Seminary under Dean Matz. They remained in Bethlehem, even after retirement, to be close to their grandchildren, Kelly and Kevin. Giving of her time and energy has been a lifelong commitment. Doris began volunteering as a candy striper in a hospital when she was a teenager and continued to volunteer throughout her life. Even at the end of her life, when her health was failing, she continued corresponding with a student pen pal.
SERVICES: A Memorial Service will be held at 11 A.M. on Saturday, April 25, 2026 at Blessed Trinity Lutheran Church at Rosemont, 1705 West Broad Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018, with a reception to follow. Doris’ services have been entrusted to Cantelmi Long Funeral Home, Bethlehem. A memory tribute may be placed at www.cantelmifuneralhome.com.
CONTRIBUTIONS: In lieu of flowers, please consider spending an hour or two volunteering or sharing an act of kindness.