Dr. John Flautz

Dr. John Flautz passed away on February 14th 2024, at the age of 93. Dr. Flautz was a professor of English at Cedar Crest College where he served as head of the department before his retirement in 1996. He was deeply involved in Lehigh County's civic and artistic communities. He served as President of the Salisbury Twp. School Board, and was recently inducted into the Pennsylvania Voter Hall of Fame, never missing an election in 50 years. He was also a founding member and President of the Ballet Guild of the Lehigh Valley. John was probably best known for lending his dramatic onstage presence to productions at Civic Theater, Guthsville, Pennsylvania Playhouse, and many others. Later he made friends and enemies as a theater critic for the Morning Call. Born in Parma Ohio, he was the only child of John J. and Jean (Constable). As a child John spent summers at camp and as an adult cultivated an interest in foraging for, preparing and enjoying wild foods (especially mushrooms). He taught classes at the Community Colleges, local camps and shared his homemade wines at some interesting "wild" dinners. If asked about religion, John would say he was Kebsur. He taught mythology, and loved Tolkien. He memorized long passages of obscure works. He wrote great limericks. He played full court basketball until he was 80. John was married to his late wife Nancy (Page) Flautz for 66 years. Together they traveled the world reading hundreds of novels on dozens of beaches, always pausing for cocktail hour. He will be remembered by his daughters Judy Pillar (Tom), and Susan Meixell (Larry), his Grandchildren Elizabeth Thomas, Samantha Clewell, Kate Elias, Laura Cunniff , Robert Meixell, and six great grandchildren. To celebrate his life, watch some basketball, read some science fiction, and drink some gin. And vote Biden 2024. Services will be private at the convenience of the family. Arrangements have been entrusted to Cantelmi Long Funeral Home, Bethlehem. A memory tribute may be placed at www.cantelmifuneralhome.com.