Obituaries

Joseph J. Yiaski, Jr., 90, of Bethlehem Twp., PA died Saturday, July 11, 2020 at his daughter’s home in Bethlehem Twp. Born February 7, 1930 in Phoenixville, PA he was a son of the late Joseph Yiaski, Sr. and Mary (Dagenhardt) Yiaski DeNero. He owned and operated Yiaski and Sons Electrical Contractors for many years before retiring. He was also an electrical inspector and, in retirement, a school bus driver for the Bethlehem School District. Joe was a past-president of the Bethlehem Twp. Lions Club and an avid hunter. He enjoyed time at his cabin in Susquehanna County and his yearly hunting trips out west with his wife, Doris.

He is survived by his wife of 70 years: Doris (Astle) Yiaski; 4 children: Joseph Yiaski, III of Center Valley, PA, Elaine Pittack, of Bethlehem Twp., Robert Yiaski of South Whitehall Twp., PA, Linda Cawley of Stockertown, PA; sister: Helen Kamertz of Brooklyn, NY; 9 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Graveside services are 10:30 AM Saturday (July 18) at Northampton Memorial Shrine, 3051 Green Pond Rd., Easton, PA. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Timothy George Hare, 73, passed from this life on July 4th, 2020 after a long struggle with cancer.

Born June 12, 1947 in Harrisburg, PA, he was the son of the late Eva (Starner) Hare and Frank Hare.

Tim was “larger than life” in many ways. Known in Easton for his signature white glasses, gift for lively conversation, magnetic smile and elegance, he will be sorely missed.

Having lived and worked around the world as a registered architect he came to especially love Easton and worked in 1976 to stop the destructive ‘urban removal’ plans slated to demolish much of the historic downtown.

Tim also published books of his fine pen and ink drawings of historic architecture. He last served as an Architectural Consultant with the Division of School Facilities in the PA Department of Education for over 11 years until retiring in 2009.

Over their 44 years together he and his husband, Earl D. Ball, participated in most Gay Pride marches since 1977 in NYC and elsewhere, pressing for LBGT rights and marriage equality, with numerous interviews. Finally they were legally married in Toronto, Canada in 2003.

He is survived by his husband Earl D. Ball and brothers John and Frank Hare.

At his request there will be no services though donations can be made to Lambda Legal, www.lambdalegal.org.

The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

H. Robert Daws, 94, of Palmer Township, died Friday, July 3, 2020 in Moravian Hall Square, Nazareth.

Born June 1, 1926 in Wilson Borough, he was a son of the late Herbert William and Culah Catherine (Stofflet) Daws. His wife, Alma Grace (Dietrich) Daws died in 2012.

A graduate of Wilson High School and Rider College, he served in the U.S. Navy during WWII. He owned Daws Associates, a custom builder in Palmer Twp., for 50 years. He was also active in Palmer Township government, serving in various capacities including Chairmen of the Board of Supervisors, Zoning Administrator, Planning Commission member and Fire Commissioner. Bob was a member of Palmer Moravian Church where he served as a Trustee, Elder and Sacristan. He was also very active in the community including: Past President of the Kiwanis Club of Palmer Township and Kiwanis Club of Easton; the Executive Board, American Legion Post #9; founding member Palmer Historical Society; Charter Member Business, Industrial and Professional Assoc. (BIP); board member Two Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce; Past President Republican Club of Palmer; Charter member and VP Bushkill Stream Conservancy; Board Member American Lung Association of LV; and Board Member Moravian Hall Square Historic District. He was the recipient of numerous local, state, and national awards during his lifetime.

He is survived by many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife, Alma and his sister, Catherine Baylog.

Services are private. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to Palmer Moravian Church, 2901 John St., Easton, PA 18045 or Kiwanis Foundation of Palmer Township, P.O. Box 3165, Palmer, PA 18043.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Bonnie Lee Katzev, 77, of Forks Twp., PA died Friday, July 3, 2020 at St. Luke’s Hospice House, Bethlehem, PA. Born December 23, 1942 in Batavia, NY she was a daughter of the late John and Lorraine (Boldrin) Sprung. A 1960 graduate of Depew High School in New York, she was a runway model in the Manhattan garment district for several years. But Bonnie’s love of horses led her to Bonnie Acres Farm in Freehold, NJ where she raised Arabian Show horses and in 1970 co-founded Straight Arrow Products, the makers of the original Mane ‘n Tail.  She was a member of Lily Dale Assembly, Lily Dale, NY and part of their spiritualist community.

She is survived by three sons: Scott Katzev (Mary Ann) of Memphis, TN, Bradford Katzev (Lamphone) of Las Vegas, NV, and Devon Katzev (Ashyn) of Wind Gap, PA: four grandchildren: Jacob Katzev, Ken, Kailei and Vincent; and three great-grandchildren Kenny, Carson and Astor.

A calling period will be held from 5 PM to 7 PM Wednesday (July 8) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton Street, Easton (masks and social distancing please). The family asks that those who are uncomfortable attending because of COVID, please feel free to extend a written condolence at www. AshtonFuneralHome.com instead. Memorial contributions may be made to www.bethlehemmountedpolice.org or www.equusfoundation.org.  

Richard E. Andrews, 80 of Nazareth, PA formerly of Palmer Twp., PA died Friday, June 26, 2020 at Moravian Hall Square. Born October 22, 1939 in Phillipsburg, NJ he was a son of the late Earl and Hazel (Brooks) Andrews. He was a 1957 graduate of Philipsburg High School where he played football, baseball and basketball. A Scholar Athlete and football player at Moravian College, he graduated in 1962 and was a member of Sigma Phi Omega. He was a math teacher in the Bethlehem Area School District, mainly at Freedom High School, from 1963 until retiring in 1995. He was also their head football coach in the 1970’s. Following his retirement, he worked for Kraft Foods. Dick was an avid scholastic and collegiate football fan, especially Penn State. He and his wife enjoyed many football Bowl games and NCAA wrestling tournaments, as well as their granddaughter’s athletic events. 

He is survived by his wife of 58 years: Carol L. (Brotzman) Andrews; daughters: Lori Andrews and her partner Glenn Phillips of Upper Black Eddy, PA, Marci Crum and her husband Bradford of Riegelsville, PA; brother: Donald Andrews of Wind Gap, PA; and granddaughter: Samantha Brook Crum. His sister Carolyn Keim died earlier.

Services are private. Interment is in Greenwood Cemetery, Nazareth. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to the Center for Animal Health and Welfare, 1165 Island Park Rd., Easton, PA 18042 or WDVR (community radio) at www.wdvrvolunteers.org. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

John S. “Jack” Helt, 92, formerly of Easton, died Sunday, June 21, 2020 in his home in Walnutport. Born February 19, 1928 in Berwick, PA, he was a son of the late John S. and Jennie (Whitmire) Helt. He and his wife, Maybelle (Buckman) Helt were married 23 years.

Jack graduated from Berwick High School in 1946 and Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in 1947. He worked for Smith Wilbert Vault for 11 years and retired in 1991. He also worked for the Shillinger Funeral Home and the Ashton Funeral Home. He was a member of Salem United Methodist Church and Easton Lodge #152, F&AM and was a volunteer for Lehigh Valley Hospice.

Surviving with his wife, Maybelle, are two daughters, Rebecca ”Becky” Lincoln and Michele Litchfield; eight step-children, Wayne Zimmerman, Karen Lance, Charlotte Snyder, Robert Pilz, William Pilz, Edward Pilz, Janis Pilz, Sandra Ernst; three grandchildren; three great grandchildren; 33 step-grandchildren; 17 step-great grandchildren. Two sisters, Margaret Harris and Eloise Schuyler died earlier.

A visitation will be held from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm on Thursday, June 25, 2020 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton.

Memorial contributions may be made to Salem United Methodist Church, 1067 Blue Mountain Dr., Danielsville, PA 18038, or Lehigh Valley Hospice, P.O. Box 1883, Allentown, PA 18105. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.