Obituaries

James Richard Brittain, Jr. , 34 of Easton, PA died May 8, 2019. Born July 17, 1984 in Easton he was a son of Laurie (Hower) Young and the late James Richard Brittain, Sr. He worked in construction for Mill Creek Builders and Kitchen Fancy.

He is survived by his mother, Laurie; step-father: William; sons: Jacob and James, III; wife: Jennifer; siblings: Christopher, Tiffany, Gabrielle, Victor, Trevor, Bailey, Athena and Michael; maternal grandmother: Lois; nephew: John; girlfriend: Wendy; and many aunts and uncles. He was predeceased by a son Johnathan.

Services are private. Memorial contributions may be made to the family c/o the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA 18042. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Elizabeth Claire “Betty” Smith, 86 of Easton, PA died Wednesday, May 8, 2019 at ManorCare, Easton. Born June 17, 1932 in Easton, she was a daughter of the late Claire (Benjamin) and George “Sherman” Stem, Sr. She was a member of First United Church of Christ, Easton and had attended Churchman’s Business School.

She is survived by sisters: Carol Ann Stem of Forks Twp., PA, Mary Ellen Humes of Whitehall, PA; a brother: George “Sherman” Stem, Jr. of Nazareth, PA; a son; nieces and nephews. Brothers: Thomas and James Stem died earlier.

Graveside services will be 10 AM Saturday (May 11) at Easton Heights Cemetery, N. 10th St., Easton, PA. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to First UCC, 27 N. 3rd St., Easton, PA 18042. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Jeffrey J. Hoffman, 59 of Easton, PA died Tuesday, April 30, 2019 at New Eastwood Care Center. Born October 24, 1959 in Bethlehem, PA he was a son of Carl E. Hoffman of Winter Haven, FL and the late Barbara (Werkheiser). He had been employed by Easton Hospital and was a volunteer at the Boys and Girls Club of Easton.

He is survived by his father Carl and his wife Gloria; brothers: Daniel Hoffman of Early, TX, John Peterson of Bethlehem, Robert Peterson of Gettysburg, PA, Thomas Peterson of Easton, Arte Hoffman of Kissimmee, FL; sister: Nanet Peterson of Bethlehem; step-mother: Stephanie Hoffman of Bethlehem; and his partner: Wilma Mott of Easton. His wife: Judith (Taylor) and brother: Joseph Hoffman died earlier.

A Memorial Service will be held 11:30 AM Thursday (May 9) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton with visitation 10:30 to 11:30 AM. Interment is in Nisky Hill Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Boys’ and Girls Club of Easton, P.O. Box 741, Easton, PA 18042. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Katharine Bates Moore, 94 of Bethlehem, PA died Monday, April 29, 2019 at Kirkland Village. Born in Philadelphia, she was the daughter of the late Dr. William and Marie (Bergstresser) Bates. Her husband Robert Wood Moore died in 1988. A graduate of the Baldwin School in Bryn Mawr, she attended Douglass College before entering nursing school at Presbyterian Hospital in Philadelphia. She was a member of College Hill Presbyterian Church, Easton and a lifelong volunteer. Her favorite volunteering was with hospice in Bethlehem and Venice, FL. Kay was best known for her love of family, cats, chocolate, creative writing and watercolor painting. She is survived by her children: Nancy Swaney, Karen Manternach, Robert Moore, Jr. and their spouses; a brother: William Bates, Jr.; 8 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.

A Memorial Service will be held 11 AM Saturday, May 11, 2019 in the Kirkland Village Auditorium, 1 Kirkland Village Circle, Bethlehem. Friends will have an opportunity to greet the family at the reception immediately following the service. Interment will be private in Nisky Hill Cemetery. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Luke’s Hospice, 801 Ostrum St., Bethlehem, PA 18015 or a charity of one’s choice. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Alice May Palmer, 98 of Easton, PA died Saturday, April 20, 2019 at Country Meadows, Bethlehem Twp., PA. Born August 26, 1920 in Easton, she was a daughter of the late Judge Frank P. and Alice May (Riddle) McCluskey. She was a graduate of National Park Seminary and Junior College and widow of Judge Clinton “Budd” Palmer.

She is survived by her 2 children: Clint Palmer of Pasadena, CA and Peggy Palmer (Paul Felder) of Easton; 4 grandchildren: Peter James (Jennifer) and Fallon Maggio, Nora and Sam Palmer; 3 great-grandchildren: Jake, Charlotte and Dylan Maggio; sister-in-law: Winnie McClusky; and nephew: F. Patrick McCluskey and his family. She was predeceased by her brothers: Frank, Edward and Donald McCluskey.

Services are private. Interment is in Easton Cemetery. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements.

Alice’s family would like to thank Country Meadows, Dr. Sharma and Dr. Shafi for their excellent care and Kevin Houser of Ameriprise for his money management skills which enabled Alice to stay at Country Meadows.

In lieu of flowers or contributions, please visit, call and send cards to people in skilled care communities. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

John M. Heller, Sr., 82 of Easton, PA died Thursday, April 18, 2019 at Gracedale. Born June 18, 1936 in Easton he was a son of the late John Heller and Gladys (Tock) Heller Titus. He served in the Marine Corps and was employed by W.T. Grant, Orr’s Department Stores and J.C. Penney before retiring.

He is survived by his children: Renee Grube of Martins Creek, PA, John Heller, Jr. (wife Pamela) of Pataskala, OH, Beth-Anne Unangst (husband Michael) of Wilson Borough, Ned Devlin (wife Melissa) of Reading, PA, Brian Devlin (wife Kelly) of Nashville, TN; siblings: George “Butch” Heller and Mary Handelong of Wind Gap, PA, Ida Mae Dennis of Easton; 6 grandchildren: Jessica, Kevin, Kiana, Jayden, Delaney, Camryn and a great-granddaughter: Willow

Visitation will be held 5 to 6:30 PM Monday (April 22) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton. Services are private. Interment is in Easton Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Friends of Gracedale Foundation, P.O. Box 138, Nazareth, PA 18064. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Steven J. Vincent, 66 of Easton, PA died Friday, April 12, 2019 at home. Born May 20, 1952 in Easton, he was the son of the late Theodora “Dora” (Belletti) and Steven Vincent, Sr. He was a 1970 graduate of Wilson High School and attended East Stroudsburg University. A member of Local 158 (the heavy highway union), he worked for the Collins and Maxwell Co. in Easton for many years. Steve was an avid New York Yankees fan who loved Alabama football and his many friends.

He is survived by his wife, Kathleen (Kilpatrick) Vincent; his sister: Priscilla Morgan of Perkasie, PA; mother-in-law: Mamie Kilpatrick of Easton; step-daughters: Willow and Pearl; and nephews: Jim and John.

A Memorial Funeral Mass will be held 10:30 AM Tuesday, April 23 at St. Jane Frances de Chantal Catholic Church, 4049 Hartley Ave., Easton, PA with a calling period from 9:30 to 10:30 AM in the church. Interment is in Northampton Memorial Shrine.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.