Kenneth A. & Ellen J. Piltz 1945-2025 - 1947-2022

On April 24th, 2025, Kenneth ‘Ken’ Piltz, 79, of Macungie, PA joined his sorely missed and dearly departed wife Ellen to enjoy an eternal sunset from their favorite balcony at 1800 Atlantic in Key West. Ken died peacefully at home after a valiant 2.5 year battle with myelodysplastic syndrome. Ellen Piltz passed away on November 6th, 2022 at age 75 after a brief illness. They were married for 53 wonderful years in a true partnership that included work, play, and an unequalled dedication to their family. Ken & Ellen are survived by sons Mike (wife, Lori, and beloved grandson, Zachary, of Allentown, PA) and Tom (wife, Maria, of New Tripoli, PA).

Ellen June Piltz, née Barry, was born on June 26, 1947 in Paterson, NJ. She was an indomitable force from the time she was a local child star of stage and radio. Graduating with honors from Muhlenberg College, she was both a substitute & full time high school English teacher at Brandywine Heights and Daniel Boone. She selflessly stepped away from her calling as an educator to work side-by-side with Ken as the office manager of the insurance agency they operated together from the family home in Mertztown, PA.

Despite her professional accomplishments, Ellen would want to be remembered as a devoted wife and a dedicated mother and grandmother. In retirement, she remained a voracious reader with an insatiable intellectual curiosity who enjoyed crosswords, horses & her many adventures with Ken.

Born on August 4, 1945 in Queens, NY, Kenneth Alan Piltz was an active young man with a knack for mischief who loved playing sports & participating in the arts. His life came into focus after meeting Ellen at Muhlenberg College in the late 1960s. He was employed by MetLife, GAF, Sunshine Biscuits, Altronics & Campbell-Kautter Insurance before opening his own insurance agency in 1981.

Through tireless effort and his ability to strike up a conversation with anyone, Kenneth A. Piltz Insurance grew from a struggling startup into a successful (and literal) Mom-and-Pop shop. Despite his demanding work schedule, Ken always made time for his family, including tending his garden & taking many trips with his sons. After his well-earned retirement, Ken enjoyed reading, watching sports (Go Birds!), going to the gym & doing things with and for Ellen.

Ellen & Ken’s shared 20+ year retirement was full of relaxing times in Lewes, DE and Key West, FL, competing against one another in Jeopardy and making wonderful memories with their friends and family. They took great pride and satisfaction in the happy marriages and personal successes of their sons & their wives, both of whom they embraced and loved as one of their own. Nothing made them happier than watching their grandson Zack grow into a kind & caring young man with a bright future.

Family, integrity, hard honest work & unconditional love were Ken & Ellen’s guiding principles, and we are all better for it. While they were private people regarding their health challenges, we gratefully recognize the vast circle of friends and associates they made over the years. Your friendships were valued no matter what you knew about their personal challenges.

We want to thank the staff of LVHN Topper Cancer Institute, LV Hospice, the Infusion Center and Cancer Support Services. Your work matters & makes a difference in people’s lives. We thank you for your efforts and the gift of additional time with Ken & Ellen that you gave the rest of us.

Services: Private at the convenience of the family. Arrangements by Stephens Funeral Home, Inc. www.stephensfuneral.com

Contributions: In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute and/or the Prager Patient Assistance Fund via LVHN Cedar Crest, or towards the future education of Zachary Piltz C/O the families or Stephens Funeral Home.