Richard A. Bales, Sr., 75, of Hereford Township, and formerly of Bally, died on Thursday, February 2, 2017, in Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township. He was the husband of Grace M. (Reinert) Bales, whom he married January 16, 1960.

Born in Allentown, he was a son of the late Gus and Anna L. (Leh) Bales. Mr. Bales was a co-owner and operator, along with his late father, Gus, of the former Gus Bales Excavating Company, Alburtis for over 30 years. He also worked as an equipment operator at Carl Bales Excavating, Alburtis, six years. Richard was a member of Lehigh Lodge #326, F.&A.M., Lehigh Consistory, Allentown, and Rajah Shrine, Reading.

In addition to his Wife of 57 years, Grace, Richard is survived by a Daughter, Kim L. (Bales) Gehris, Alburtis; Sons, Richard A. Bales, Jr., Blandon, Bruce M., husband of Sherry (Stauffer) Bales, Alburtis and James J., husband of Kelly (Alderfer) Bales, Boyertown; 8 Grandsons, Tristan J. Gehris, Jon A. Gentile-Bales, Jarrod R. Gehris, Zachary R. Bales, Jason T. Bales, Justin S. Bales, Hunter J. Bales and Joey P. Bales; and 2 Great-Grandchildren, Trevor J. and Jana R. Gehris. Other survivors include Sisters, Carolyn A. (Bales) Bauer, Alburtis, Nancy L. (Bales) Meitzler, Alburtis, Diane (Bales) Hartman, Mertztown, Doreen (Bales) Bartlet, Alburtis and Cynthia S. (Bales) Derr, Fleetwood; and a Brother, Carl R. Bales, Alburtis.

At Richard's request, there will be no services.

The family requests contributions be made in Richard's memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN  38105 or online at www.stjude.org/donate. Arrangements are by the Ludwick Funeral Home, Topton, PA.