Leon (Lee) E. Ringlaben April 2, 1946 - January 17, 2022

Leon (Lee) E. Ringlaben, 75, a retired businessman who led Trim-Line Tree Experts in Catasauqua, PA from 1979, passed away quietly at home on January 17, 2022. Born April 2, 1946 in Hazleton, PA to Doris (Painton) and Lee Ralph Ringlaben, he was predeceased by a sister, Janet.

Part of his father’s band, Lee’s Wee Three Trio, he was a talented musician who played the accordion, keyboard, harmonica, and a little guitar, too. The band was the first to play at Stahley’s Cellarette in Allentown, and we’re told the song Wipeout was a huge hit they closed the night with. Affectionately known as “Reds” when he started out in the tree care industry, Lee proudly started Trim-Line Tree Experts in 1979 and served the Lehigh Valley for more than four decades. Thank you cards, letters and notes from customers throughout the years covered his office walls and there wasn’t a street in the Valley that didn’t bring about a story of the customer and family who lived there, the work done, or the men from his crews over the years. If you knew him, be assured he remembered you and if you wrote a letter to him, it was certainly read many times over as it hung on his wall. Though an arborist by trade before retirement shifted him toward a hobby of collecting and learning about cell phones and the magic of YouTube, his helping hands were never confined to one area of expertise. He was a jack of all trades and the go-to for help when anything needed to be fixed. Whether it was equipment that wouldn’t start, adding a coat of paint, a broken pipe, or the assembly of a kitchen table, his hands were always there to help. Most of all he was the proudest pop-pop to all of his grandchildren and his brightest, widest smiles are seen in any of the photos with them. Both he and his stories will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Predeceased by a son, Lee A. Ringlaben, he is survived by a son, Wayne Ringlaben and his wife Sharon, of Treichlers; two daughters, Bonnie and her husband Kristofer Kies, and Anne and her husband James Felch, Sr., all of Whitehall; six grandchildren, Tyler, Ethan, Chad and Janelle Kies, Kaylee Ringlaben, Janine Ringlaben, and step-grandchildren, Jimmy and Jared Felch; and one great-grandchild, William.

Family would like to thank Family Pillars Hospice, Independent Kareblazers, LVHN Cardiology, and Coumadin Clinic health professionals for their incredible support and the care provided throughout Lee’s illness.

There will be a service for close family and friends. Arrangements by Stephens Funeral Home, Inc. www.stephensfuneral.com.

Considering his love for animals and commitment to rescue them, the family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to a local animal rescue or humane society in his memory.