Karen (Clingman) A. Richards
OBITUARY
Karen A. (Clingman) Richards, 61, of Breinigsville, passed peacefully in her sleep at home on September 2, 2026. Born in South Amboy, New Jersey, she was the daughter of the late Edward B. Clingman, Jr. and the late Frances D. (Molesky) Clingman. Karen was a 1983 graduate of Emmaus High School and a 1987 graduate of Millersville University. She began her teaching career at Whitehall-Coplay School District, later teaching at The Swain School and lastly at First Presbyterian Church Allentown as a Weekday Pre-school teacher. Karen was a long-time member of First Presbyterian Church Allentown, serving as a Deacon, a Stephen Minister and a long-time Sunday School teacher. Years ago, she also volunteered at the Parkland Community Library. Karen loved volunteering, helping others, reading, doing puzzles and making her exceptional pies. She was a die-hard fan of Tom Petty and Johnny Depp. She was adventurous, finding herself on trips to Israel, Estonia, Guatemala and spur of the moment skydiving. Above all else, she was a wonderful mother and loving friend who was always willing to listen and help those who needed it most.
Karen will be lovingly remembered by her daughter, Janelle Richards, wife of Niall Lawson, of Edinburgh, Scotland; son, David Richards, husband of Hannah Trauger, of Conshohocken, PA; son, Garrett Richards, of Coplay, PA; former husband, Scott Richards, of Coplay, PA; sister, Sharon “Lynn” Clingman and Eric Eisenbud, of Charleston, SC; uncle and aunt, Edwin and Anne Miller, of Allentown, PA; cousins, Dr. Elizabeth Miller, wife of Jeremy Saks and family, of Pelham, NY; cousins, Kristen McEntire, wife of Jeremy McEntire and family, of Mechanicsville, VA; sister and brother-in-law, Liane Meli and Stephen Meli; niece, Abbigael Meli; nephew, Ethaen Meli; and mother-in-law, Betty Jo Richards, of Coplay, PA.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on October 10, 2026 at 10:00 A.M. at the First Presbyterian Church of Allentown, 3231 W. Tilghman St. Allentown. Arrangements are being handled by J.S. Burkholder Funeral Home, Allentown. Condolences may be offered at: www.jsburkholder.com
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to First Presbyterian Church Allentown, 3231 W. Tilghman Street Allentown, PA 18104 or the Parkland Community Library, 4422 Walbert Avenue Allentown, PA 18104.