Obituary

Harold (Bud) Jacob Singer, Jr. passed away at the age of 90 on January 20, 2026 at his home in Johnstown, PA.  Bud was born on January 4, 1936 in Johnstown, son of Harold and Dorothy Singer.

Bud is survived by his wife of 61 years, Michalene (Katchmeric), whom he adored. He is also survived by their three daughters, Dana Singer (Lisa), Danielle Dally (Frank) and Dawn Richardson (David d. 2025), of whom he was immensely proud. He is further survived by six grandchildren, Corinne, Kara (Jake), Jacob, Samantha, Andrew and Tyler, who brought him great joy, and he was delighted by the remarkable young adults they’ve become. In addition, he is remembered by his sister-in-law, Mary Louise Zett; his brother-in-law, Denis Katchmeric, and Denis’s wife, Elizabeth; his niece, Julie Joyce; and his nephews, Richard Zett and Robert and Greg Lakatos. He was preceded in death by his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Robert and Nancy Lakatos, and by his brother-in-law, Richard (Dick) Zett.

After working in his father’s garage and gas station in Geistown, Bud was a supervisor in the computer programming department of Bethlehem Steel for 28 years, working on some of the first mainframe computers.  He traveled to other facilities to assist with their computer systems and was known company-wide for his troubleshooting skills.  After an early retirement from Bethlehem, he worked in auto sales and custom van conversions for handicapped individuals, and drove school buses.  He finished his working years as the tax collector/treasurer for Stonycreek Township for over 20 years, finally truly retiring at the age of 85.

Bud had a big personality and was the steadfast heart of his family.  He loved to talk and socialize, and especially enjoyed hosting family gatherings with Michalene.  He welcomed everyone with a quick wit, stories, drinks and enormous quantities of food.  His favorite holiday was Christmas and throughout his life he maintained a child-like joy of the season. He enjoyed boating, jet skiing and camping at Raystown Lake for decades.  He owned innumerable cars and rode motorcycles with Michalene into his 70’s.  He put several additions on the house and could spend hours in his basement, making or fixing all manner of things, or simply tinkering while drinking a beer.  His grandchildren gave him the perfect sign that says, “If Grandpa can’t fix it, nobody can.”

Bud was blessed with a long and full life, and with the wisdom to marry Michalene.  He always said he knew he wanted to marry her the very first time he saw her.  They made a beautiful team, opposites in many ways, but always coming together for the good of the family.  Bud really only slowed down in the last few years and Michalene never left his side.  He lived his life to the fullest extent, always the way he wanted to, and he will live in our memories forever.

A celebration of life may be held at a later date.

Arrangements in care of Simple Alternatives, Inc. Affordable Cremation & Sensible Funeral Care. Condolences may be made at SimpleAlternativeCares.com.