Obituaries

Norma Lee Stem, 76 formerly of Easton, PA died Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020 at her daughter’s home in York Springs, PA. Born July 21, 1943 in Sayre, PA she was a daughter of the late Rev. Raymond and Zelia Steinhart. She was employed by Easton Hospital as a nurse’s aide and by the former Dixie Cup Co. in Easton and was a dispatcher for the Palmer Police Dept. Norma was a volunteer first aid responder and ambulance driver for Suburban Rescue and a member of the former 1st Evangelical Congregational Church. She was also a member of the Wayne Newton Fan Club and an avid dog lover, adopting many pets over the years.

She is survived by 4 children: Eugene D. Stem of Las Vegas, NV, Kimberly L. Stem with whom she resided, Michael W. Stem (wife Andrea) of York Springs, Stephen A. Stem (wife Diana) of St. Petersburg, FL; 2 sisters: Darla Sayles, Trudy Hill; 9 grandchildren and 2 great-grandsons. She was predeceased by her husband Gerald W. Stem in Aug. of 2018.

Services are 12:30 PM Thursday (Jan. 9) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton with visitation 12 to 12:30 PM. Interment is in Easton Cemetery. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Loretta E. Thomas, 92 of Nazareth, PA died Saturday, December 28, 2019 at Gracedale. Born October 7, 1927 in Phillipsburg, NJ she was a daughter of the late Albert and Laura (Heins) Stubblebine. Her husband Harry G. Thomas died in 2013. She had been a baker for the Easton Area School District for 25 years before retiring in 1990. Loretta also served on the Board of South Easton Cemetery.

She is survived by her daughter: Deborah E. Harman (husband Nelson) of N. Myrtle Beach, SC; sister: Shirley Thatcher of Easton, PA; 3 grandchildren: Kelly-Jo Smith (husband Shawn), Deborah Frace (husband Brian) and Nelson Harman (wife Amy); sister-in-law: Joan Stubblebine, Seattle, WA; 6 great-grandchildren: Vanessa and Trevor Smith, Michael Frace (wife Kathryn), Jessica Davis (husband Sean), Alexis and Zoe Harman; and a great-great-granddaughter: Nova Smith. She was predeceased by 3 brothers and 2 sisters.

Services are 11 AM Friday (Jan. 3) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton with visitation 10 to 11 AM. Interment is in Hays Cemetery (formerly South Easton Cemetery). Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Assoc. at www.alz.org. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

William Pares, 100 of Easton, PA died Friday, December 27, 2019 at St. Luke’s Hospice House, Bethlehem, PA. Born Nov. 7, 1919 in Vega Alta, Puerto Rico he was a son of the late Asuncion (Jimenez) and Manuel Pares. He was predeceased by his wife the former Juanita Cruz. He was a Staff Sergeant in the Army Air Force during WWII and a Supervisor for the US Postal Service in New York for many years before retiring.

He is survived by 2 daughters: Nancy Kraemer of Florahome, FL and Vivian Kroner of Easton, PA; 4 grandchildren: Lance and Spencer Kraemer, Laura Collopy and Lisa Zimmerman; 10 great grandchildren and a great-great-granddaughter.

Services are 1:15 PM Thursday, January 2 at the Purcell Chapel, Beyers Funeral Home, Bushnell, FL with military honors and interment to follow at 2:30 PM in the Florida National Cemetery. Memorial contributions  in lieu of flowers may be made to St. Luke’s Hospice House, c/o 801 Ostrum St., Bethlehem, PA 18015. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Irene C. Strzepek, 98 formerly of Bethlehem Twp., PA died Friday, December 27, 2019 in Minnesota. Born August 8, 1921 in Wilkes-Barre, PA she was a daughter of the late Gilbert and Emma (Smith) Culp. Her husband Adolph A. “Strez” Strzepek died in 1993. A graduate of the Wyoming Seminary School of Business, Kingston she had been employed by Duplan Corp, Kingston, Phillipsburg Trust and the Bethlehem School District before retiring. She was a member of St. Andrews’s Lutheran Church, Easton where she served as Financial Secretary and was very active with SAW, the Lunch Bunch and Steel Magnolias.

She is survived by two children: William R. Strzepek (wife Denise) of Columbus, OH, Deborah A. Contreras (husband Tony) of Plymouth, MN; a sister: Marilyn Evans of Kingston, PA; 5 grandchildren: Elysia Springer, Brent and Andrew Contreras, Gabriel and Keegan Strzepek; and 2 great-grandchildren: August and Merit Springer.

Graveside services will be held 1 PM Wednesday, January 8 at St. John’s Lutheran/UCC Church Cemetery, 770 St. Johns Rd., Drums, PA with a reception to follow at Top of the 80’s, 3 Top of 80’s Rd., Hazleton, PA; the Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, 3900 Freemansburg Ave., Easton, PA 18045. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.