Frances R. Binder

Frances R. (Kaplan) Binder , 93, formerly of Franklin Avenue, Palmerton, Pennsylvania, died peacefully late Sunday evening, December 6, 2020, at Mahoning Valley Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Lehighton.  She was the wife of the late Philip C. Binder who passed in 1960.  Born in Palmerton, she was a daughter of the late John C. and Monika A. (Horvath) Kaplan.  John Charles came from Lynch, Czechoslovakia, and Monika from Trinova Bratislach, Czechoslovakia.

Frances graduated from the Stephen S. Palmer High School in Palmerton.  She was employed by the former W.T. Grant Department Store, Palmerton, as a sales clerk.  She was also employed in the Palmerton Garment Industry as a presser and folder, the Carbon County Welfare Office, Jim Thorpe, and as a waitress at the former Hess' Patio, Allentown, the Palmerton Diner, and Bright's Restaurant, Lehighton.  She was a devoted member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Palmerton, and the Auxiliary of the American Legion, Lehighton Post #314. She was a member of the Palmerton Hospital Auxiliary, Sokol Lodge #214, the 8/40, and Salon #182 Northampton. She prayed the rosary every day, and was a devout Catholic.

She could have been a Slovak Interpreter because she spoke and wrote fluently for people who came from Czechoslovakia, but her parents would not let her travel there.  She also entered the W.T. Grants Beauty Contest, with 2,000 stores in the US, and won 7th place.  She worked at the polls and was honored for voting a straight 50 years.  She loved to cook, play bingo, and dance polkas.  She belonged to the Weight Watcher's were she lost 70 pounds and received the key for success.  She worked for the Palmerton American Legion as a waitress, when the boys came home from the service.  She was a secretary for the Sokol Lodge #214.  She was selected as Girl Scout Grandmother, and helped organizations for the handicapped and veterans.

Survivors: Daughters, Frances M. wife of Thomas Keener of Lehighton, Deborah A. wife of Philip Hard of Bedford, and Monica M. wife of Allan Poplin of Palmerton.  Son, Philip J. and wife Carla of Palmerton.  8 grandchildren; Frances Rosemarie (Keener) Eltringham and husband Scott, John Hard and wife Mary (Awad), Philip Joseph Hard, Johnette (Poplin) Walck and husband Paul, Christopher Poplin, Thomas Poplin, Sarah Binder, and John Binder.  5 great-grandchildren; Page Elizabeth Eltringham, Hailey Hard, Christian Poplin, Becky Walck, and Dylan Walck.  1 great-great-grandson, Wyatt Hunsicker.  Several nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by son, John, in 1953, and sisters, Anna Duris (Steve), and Mary T. Gulla (Frank), and great-grandchildren, Katelyn Houser and Michael Houser.

Services: Mass of Christian Burial, 11 a.m., Friday, December 11, 2020, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 243 Lafayette Avenue, Palmerton, PA 18071.  Private Family Call.  Interment, Parish's Old Cemetery, 3rd Street, Palmerton.  Arrangements are by Campton Funeral Home, Palmerton.  Online Condolences may be left for the family at: www.schislerfuneralhomes.com .

Contributions: May be made in her memory to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church Memorial Fund.