Obituaries

Joyce Eileen Saul was born during a cold winter day on January 5, 1942. The daughter of Hester Romaine Wineka and Thomas Nelson Saul, she grew up with brothers John and Jim and sisters Joanne and Jayne (all now deceased) in the Lightners section of York, PA, graduating from Central High School in 1959. After meeting the future love of her life at a Friday-night YWCA dance in York in July, 1962, she and Guy Hovis would go on to be married on September 5th, 1964. Eventually, they would have two children, Kristin (Hovis) and Julie (now Ackerman-Hovis), both of whom Joyce was so very proud. In addition to her daughters Joyce is survived by her son-in-law Patrick Ackerman-Hovis along with grandchildren Izak Hovis, and Jesse, Miles, Alli, and Jonas Ackerman-Hovis. In the early years of her marriage Joyce helped support her husband as a secretary at the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore and later in the office of the Secretary of the Corporation at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. During her life Joyce was an immeasurable support to her husband as a source of encouragement during his graduate education at Harvard, typist of his doctoral dissertation, proof-reader of his scientific papers, nurturer of their children, manager of the household, payer of bills, elevator of family spirits during tough times, and manager of her own child-care service to help pay for the educations of daughters Kristin and Julie at Swarthmore College. Joyce contributed greatly to the welfare, happiness, and success of her family in countless and immeasurable ways that included gifts of candy, baked goods, blankets, and toys to her grandchildren, loving and substantial generosity to both her daughters during the births of their children, and immeasurable support of her husband. Indeed, Joyce’s contributions to her husband’s success are recognized in Van Wickle Hall at Lafayette College on a plaque citing the conamed Guy and Joyce Hovis Award, an annual prize for academic distinction given to a student majoring in Geology and Environmental Geosciences. To her husband, children, and grandchildren Joyce/Mom/Nanna is irreplaceable. We love you more than we can express in words. May you rest in peace. We shall not forget your happy demeanor, positive attitude, and sincere love and caring for us all. May we all be together again one day.

A remembrance of Joyce will be held at Lafayette College in Van Wickle Hall, Room 108, on Saturday, June 15, starting at 11:00 am. Visitors may also enjoy seeing the minerals and fossils in the Van Wickle museum. Friends and relatives are invited to attend a luncheon on the Lafayette College campus following the remembrance. If you expect to attend the luncheon, please indicate such intentions to Joyce’s husband, Guy, at hovisguy@lafayette.edu.

Jon D. Markley, 74 of Easton, PA died Friday, May 24, 2024 at St. Luke’s Hospital, Anderson Campus. Born May 24, 1950 in Philadelphia, PA he was a son of the late Charles and Henrietta (Ederer) Markley. He was a graduate of Washington and Lee University and attended the West Point Military Academy. Jon served in the Army during the Vietnam War and was self-employed in the home appraisal business. He was a very active member and deacon at Fellowship Baptist Church, Easton and member of the Northampton County Democratic Committee.

Jon is survived by his children: Scott Markley (wife Carol) of Seattle, WA, Shelcy Markley with whom he resided; six siblings: Charles, Brian, Don, Dave, Barbara and Patricia; and 4 grandchildren: Madden, Joshua, Gabrielle and Bethany.

Services are 6 PM Thursday, May 30 in the Ashton Funeral Home 1337 Northampton St., Easton with visitation from 5 to 6 PM. Interment will be in Oak Grove Cemetery, Lexington, VA. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Douglas E. Stackhouse, 77, of Arvada, CO died Friday, May17, 2024 in Denver. Born July 9,1946 in Easton, PA he was the son of the late Donald and Elizabeth (Brobst) Stackhouse. He was a 1964 graduate of Plainfield High School in NJ and received his bachelor’s degree, summa cum laude, in zoology from Duke University in 1968. He was also a graduate of the Physician Associate Program at Duke. Doug served in both the Navy and Air Force, caring for injured and distressed Vietnam combatants at Philadelphia Naval Hospital for several years. He was licensed as both a Physician Assistant and Pharmacy Tech. Doug was a Neuropsychiatric Technician, Emergency Room Technician and most recently Medical Library Coordinator and Technician. He was also an Assistant Scoutmaster, Troop 17 in N. Plainfield and enjoyed photography, karaoke and exploring the local restaurant scene.

He is survived by many cousins and close friends. Services will be announced by The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton, PA. Interment will be in Easton Cemetery, Easton, PA. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Joseph George Beahm, Sr., 78 of Freemansburg, PA died Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Muhlenberg. Born February 20, 1946 in Bethlehem, PA he was the son of the late Kenneth G. and Isabelle F. (Cimino) Beahm. Joe served in the Navy during Vietnam and was employed by Bethlehem Steel, Beam Yard for 32 years before retiring in 1996. He was a life member of the Steelworkers Union, Local #2599 and enjoyed playing poker with the RiverChasers Poker League.

Joe is survived by his wife of 32 years, Paula E. (Winter) Beahm; sons: Joseph Beahm, Jr. and John “Jack” Beahm and 2 grandsons. His sister Elizabeth Gardner died earlier.

Services are 10:30 AM Monday (May 20) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton with visitation 4 to 5:30 PM Sunday in the funeral home. Interment is in Forks Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Dawn M. Stocker, 62, of Wilson Borough, died Tuesday, May 14, 2024 in Easton Hospital.  Born September 28, 1961 in Easton, she was the daughter of the late Jay and Brenda (Sours) Williams.  She owned and operated a cleaning service and was a nurse’s aide at various nursing homes.

Surviving are her children, Jennifer Stocker, Holly Stocker, Thomas Stocker, Michelle Stocker, Fredrick Burd, Maranda Burd, Ryan Gayle, and Jeffrey Kukor; a sister, Sherry Hanlon; a brother, Michael Williams; 37 grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren; and her companion, John Allen.  Her husband, Jeffrey Kukor died earlier.

A Celebration of Life for Dawn will be announced.  The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements.  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Gilbert L. Nielsen, Jr., 69, of Easton, died Friday, April 26, 2024 in Easton Hospital. Born July 3, 1954 in Brooklyn, NY, he was the son of the late Gilbert and Lucille (Labozzetta) Nielsen. He and his wife, Martine (Casado) Nielsen were married 48 years. Gil was a graduate of Brooklyn College and Long Island University and he graduated at the top of his class from New York Law School. He was the Director of Public Relations for AICPA for over ten years. Prior to that he was Vice President of Corporate Communications for IDT, Newark, NJ. He was also a media personality, producer, and writer for ABC, Fox, and CNBC. He served on the City Council in Edison, NJ and was a practicing attorney and public defender in NJ. He was a member of the Danish Brotherhood, Edison, NJ and was a member of the fraternal order of F&AM.

Surviving in addition to his wife, Martine, are four sons, Gilbert Nielsen, III, Marc Nielsen, Eric-Andre Nielsen, and Paul Nielsen; two daughters, Christiana Pheiffer and Arianna Casado; a brother, Paul Nielsen; two sisters, Joann Ferrughelli and Lisa Cannon; his mother-in-law, Marie Casado; and seven grandchildren.

Services will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, May 2, 2024 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton. A visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 pm on Wednesday in the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to American Heart Association, www.heart.org or Smile Train, www.SmileTrain.org. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.