John C. Ardinger

John C. "Jack" Ardinger, of Bethlehem, passed away on May 24, 2026. Born in Allentown on December 29, 1934, he was the son of the late C. William Ardinger and Kathryn (Kresge) Unger.

Jack was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather (or "Pop-Pop") whose life was centered around his family, his faith, and helping others. Selfless by nature, he was known for his loving heart, strong will, sharp mind, and wonderful sense of humor. He deeply cherished time spent with his family, especially simple moments together with the people he cared about most.

Jack proudly served his country in the United States Air Force. He was employed for 30 years as a sales manager for Brown & Williamson Tobacco. While working there full-time, Jack attended night school for eight years to earn his Bachelor's Degree in Economics and Business Administration from what was then Moravian College. Following his retirement, he continued his professional life as the operator of a Spring Green Lawn Care franchise for several years. He also worked as a shuttle driver for Faulkner car dealerships well into his 80s.

Jack met his future wife, Anne D. (Ulrich) Ardinger, in 1957, and the two were married for 57 years prior to her death in 2018. Together, they started a large family which was so important to Jack. He decorated a lawn tractor at Halloween and drove his children in the local parade and would also take them on drives to admire the autumn leaves. Later in life, he cherished spending time with his family members out to dinner on Friday and Saturday nights and for breakfasts on Sunday mornings. He also spent many years on week-long trips with his extended family at Ocean City, MD every summer. More recently, he enjoyed game nights with his children and grandchildren and attending events centered around his great-grandchildren.

A man ahead of his time in many ways, Jack had a lifelong appreciation for electronics and technology. Early in life, he repaired televisions and electronics, and later even built his own computer. Jack was always very interested in photography, particularly nature photography. He served as the family photographer, always with camera equipment in hand, documenting the lives of his family. His many other hobbies included building and flying model airplanes; listening to music, especially Pink Floyd and Herb Alpert; taking drives in his Cadillac; and completing cryptograms and other puzzles. Jack also enjoyed reading and imparted that passion to his grandchildren by gifting them a book every Christmas.

Jack was a longtime parishioner of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, where he faithfully served as a lector for many years. His faith remained a guiding force throughout his life.

He is survived by his daughters, Janice Keppel and her husband, Paul; Mary Beach and her husband, Robert Jr.; his sons, Michael Ardinger and Brian Ardinger and his wife, Beth; daughter-in-law, Lynn Ardinger-Stenlake (Glenn); his grandchildren, Sarah Keppel, Chelsea Welk (Tyler), Patrick Keppel, Robert J. Beach (Kristin), Tyler Ardinger (fiancée, Liz), Jordan Ardinger (Dillon), and L.E.M.; two great-grandchildren; and brother, Thomas Unger.

Besides his wife, Jack was preceded in death by his son, James "Jim" Ardinger; parents, Julius and Kathryn Unger and C. William and Lillian "Betty" Ardinger; and brother, Robert Ardinger.

The family will receive guests on Monday, June 1, 2026, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Connell Funeral Home, 245 E. Broad St. Bethlehem, PA 18018. A second visitation will be held Tuesday morning from 9 to 9:45 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 1817 1st Street, Bethlehem, PA 18020.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial with military honors will follow at Holy Saviour Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the church.

Condolences may be offered at connellfuneral.com.