Obituaries

Patricia L. Nitchkey, 95, formerly of Wilson Borough, died Saturday, May 3, 2025 in Country Meadows, Forks Township. Born March 17, 1930 in Wilson Borough, she was the daughter of the late Jesse and Clara (LaFevre) Laubach. Her husband, William A. Nitchkey died in 2011. She graduated from Wilson High School in 1948 and owned and operated Patty’s Play School from 1981 to 1991. She was a member of First United Church of Christ, Easton where she sang in the choir and taught Sunday School. She was also an active member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Phillipsburg Chapter.

Surviving are three daughters, Cynthia Caplin and her husband, Noah, Nancy Medlar and her husband, Jay, and Laurie Reichert and her husband, Kirby Jr.; a son, David Nitchkey and his wife, Kimberly; a sister, Nancy Lou Crouse; six grandchildren, Sabrina Reichert, Sarah Nitchkey, Ryan Medlar, Evan Medlar, Kirby Reichert III, and Kristopher Reichert; four great grandchildren, Marsie, Kirby IV, Alyssa, and Meghan; a great great grandson, Mahlon; Patricia’s extended family, Lisa Ott, wife of the late David Ott; their daughter, Jennifer Ott and her children, Isabele, Isaac and Cali. She was predeceased by a brother, Hugh Lee Laubach and two sisters, Glenn Cobb and C. Jeanette Call-Haslet.

Services will be announced by the Ashton Funeral Home, Easton. Memorial contributions may be made to Lifesong Hospice, www.lifesonghospice.com. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Daniel Lars Grinager 73, passed away peacefully Friday, April 25, 2025 in Lehigh Valley Hospital Hospice, Allentown, PA. Born August 24, 1951 in Fountain Hill, PA he was a son of the late Norman and Mary Grinager. He graduated from Freedom High School in 1969 and attended Penn State.

Dan was employed for over 30 years by the former Ice Palace Skating Rink as a night manager, and then by several cleaning companies. He had a passion for PSU football, the Eagles and 60’s music.
He will be remembered for his love of family, especially his sister, Mary Anna Schlicher.

Dan is survived by Mary Anna and nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents; stepparents: Lonnie Grinager and Milt Adams; and siblings: Norman, Gwendolyn, Pamela and Barbara.

Services are private. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton, PA is handling arrangements.  Memorials may be made to LVHN Hospice. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Scott Allan Mathews, 55 of Palmer Twp., PA died Wednesday, April 16, 2025 at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest. Born April 29, 1969 in Evanston, IL he was the son of Dean and Patricia (Rennard) Mathews. He was a 1987 graduate of Easton High School and had studied radio broadcasting. Scott was employed by Superior Quartz in Bethlehem for many years and the Follett Company in Forks Twp. He was a member of Green Pond United Methodist Church and had participated in the Palmer Little League. Scott was very artistic and loved making unique birdhouses. He was also an avid comic book collector and years ago played bass guitar in the band “Savage Rose”.

Scott is survived by his parents, Dean and Pat with whom he resided; a daughter: Shania Mathews (significant other: David Rodriguez) of Mechanicsburg, PA; and sister: Lisa Mathews (husband Kirk Winkler) of Corvallis, OR.

Visitation will be held 6 to 7:30 PM Monday (April 21) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton and 10 to 10:30 AM Tuesday (April 22) in Green Pond UM Church, 4411 Green Pond Rd, Easton, PA 18045, followed by a service at 10:30 AM in the church. Interment in Northampton Memorial Shrine. Memorial contributions may be made to the Church. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Janet “Gale” Fairbanks, 92, of Easton, PA, died Thursday, April 10, 2025 in Saucon Valley Manor. Born July 14, 1932 in Imperial, PA, she was the daughter of the late James Herbert Black, Sr. and Hazel Jean (Lyda) Black. Her husband, Paul Louis Fairbanks, Jr. died in 2006 and her son, Paul L. Fairbanks, III died in 2021. Janet graduated from Findlay High School and worked at Joseph Horne Co. in the Beaver Valley Mall.

Surviving are four daughters, Patti Mudd and her husband, Dan of Reno, NV; Cindy Fairbanks of Easton, Diane Pennington and her husband, Ross of Easton; Kelly Cramer and her husband, Robert of Jensen Beach, FL; a daughter-in-law, Linda Fairbanks of Lakeland, FL; a brother, Joe Black; 17 grandchildren; 23 great grandchildren; and 3 great great grandchildren. In addition to her husband and son, she was predeceased by 10 brothers; a sister; and a granddaughter.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00 pm on Friday, May 2, 2025 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton with a visitation from 2:00 pm until service time in the funeral home. Interment will be in Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Luke’s Hospice, www.slhn.org/development. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Michelle Ann Franco, 68 of Williams Twp., PA died Saturday, April 5, 2025 at home. Born July 6, 1956 in Phillipsburg, NJ she was the daughter of the late Michael and Dorothy (Petro) Sisonack. Her husband Monte J. Franco, Sr. died in January. She was a graduate of Phillipsburg High School. Michelle was employed by Ingersoll Rand, Dave Phillips Music and Sound and as a bank teller for many years before retiring. She was an avid animal lover and an Orthodox Christian by faith.

She is survived by her stepsons: Monte J. Franco, Jr. and Jamie Franco; step-grandchildren; and extended family members, including: Sandra Adams (Charles), Eric Adams (Jennifer) and Alexander Adams.

A calling period will be held from 11 to 11:30 AM Friday, April 11, 2025 followed by a service at 11:30 AM in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA. Interment is in the historic Easton Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Center for Animal Health and Welfare, 1165 Island Park Road, Easton, PA 18042. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Nancy K. Zimmerman, 81, of Palmer Township, died Tuesday, April 1, 2025 in her home. Born April 28, 1943 in Wilson Borough, she was the daughter of the late Katherine (Miller) Lyons. Her husband, Richard A. “Peachy” Zimmerman died last year. Nancy worked at the New York Bakery and Palmer Moravian Day School.

Surviving are three sons, David Zimmerman, Dale Zimmerman, and Doug Zimmerman; a daughter, Debra Zimmerman; seven grandchildren; and nineteen great grandchildren.

Services will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, April 4, 2025 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton. A visitation will be held from 10:00 am until service time on Friday in the funeral home. Interment will be in Northampton Memorial Shrine. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Loretta Brandt, 86, of Forks Township, formerly of Brooklyn, NY died Saturday, March 29, 2025 in her home. Born June 2, 1938 in Brooklyn, she was the daughter of the late Nunzio and Rose (Mancinelli) Savino. She and her husband, William Joseph Brandt, Sr., were married 64 years. Loretta was a member of St. Rocco’s Roman Catholic Church and a member of the Jacob’s Farms Community.

Surviving with her husband, William, are four daughters, Loretta Decker, Lisa Kuehne, Linda Carney, and Jeannine Scannella; a son, William Brandt, Jr; two sisters, Lucille Medina and Theresa Savino; ten grandchildren; and a great grandson. She was predeceased by two sisters, Jennie Brock and Rosie Savino and a brother, Larry Savino.

A visitation will be held from 9:30 am until noon on Wednesday, April 2, 2025 followed by a prayer service at noon in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton. Memorial contributions may be made to The Lehigh Valley Hospice Fund, www.lvhn.org/giving. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.