Mary Ann Bungerz

Mary Ann Bungerz, former long time executive director of the Lehigh Valley Convention and Visitor's Bureau died Tuesday, April 16, 2024 in her 96th year. Residing in Macungie, she had lived with her family for almost 40 years at Wehr's Dam in South Whitehall Township. Born July 26, 1928 in Joplin Missouri, she was the youngest of three daughters born to James L. and Katherine May (Harley) Skaggs. She was the wife of the late Karl Bungerz, Jr. They were married nearly 60 years prior to his death in August of 2008. She was the valedictorian of her 1946 class of Chestertown (Maryland) High School where she received the Reader's Digest high academic scholarship. Her college choice was Washington College also in Chestertown, Maryland. After her parents relocated to a large farm in Lyon Valley near New Tripoli, PA, she attended Cedar Crest College. Along with her close friend Ruth Kemp, she owned and operated Personal Tours, a booking agency for visitors and conventions coming to this and the surrounding areas of Pennsylvania. In 1985, she became the executive director of the Lehigh County Tourist and Convention Bureau. During the growth of the bureau, under her leadership, it grew rapidly and finally merged with Northampton County to become known as what is now the Lehigh Valley Convention and Visitor's Bureau. While at the bureau, she received many mayoral, governmental and presidential certificates and accolades regarding national and local tourism. She was one of the organizers and a charter member of the South Whitehall Township Parks and Recreation Board, hence The Mary Ann Bungerz Pavilion at Wehr's Dam Park. Mary Ann was a long time board member of the Miss Pennsylvania pageant and an associate board member of Muhlenberg College. In her later years, her last board involvement was with Four Seasons at Farmington in Macungie where she had resided. Of all her involvements, perhaps her favorite was the Junior Aides of the Allentown Hospital, where she also had been past president. This old organization later merged with the Lehigh Valley Hospital Auxiliary where she was recording secretary for many years. She was a 75 year member of First Presbyterian Church of Allentown. Of all her accomplishments, she was most proud of being married in the old church by the late Rev. Dr. Walter H. Eastwood and that he baptized all four of her children. Survivors are friend and former caregiver Peninah “Penny” Olal; son, Robert A. and his partner, Allen Brandstein of Allentown and San Francisco. There are two grandsons, three granddaughters. She was predeceased by her daughter, Mary Elizabeth and sons, Karl Stephen and James Sterling, sisters, Katherine Louise Elison, Frances G. Stearns and her cousin (as a brother) Donald Lee Harley. A closed casket calling hour will begin at 10:00 AM with services at 11:00 AM, Thursday, April 25 at First Presbyterian Church of Allentown, 3231 Tilghman St, Allentown, PA 18104. Burial to follow at Grandview Cemetery, Allentown. Memorials can be considered to First Presbyterian Church of Allentown or Lehigh Valley Health Network, memo line: Reilly Children’s Hosp. and mailed c/o the funeral home. Arrangements by Trexler Funeral Home, 1625 W. Highland St., Allentown, PA 18102.