Obituaries

Nancy L. Garrett, of Easton, passed away January 12, 2026. Born July 13, 1937 in Asbury, NJ, she was the daughter of the late Mathias T. and Helen E. Jennings. Her husband, Walter E. passed away in 1993. She was of the Baptist faith.

She is survived by her daughter, Terri A. and husband, Nicholas Gross with whom she had a loving and close relationship. There are also two sons and a daughter, one granddaughter and one grandson. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Wendi Lynn. Nancy was a cancer care nurse doing private duty for years until retiring in 1996.

Services will be private with interment in Easton Cemetery. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, www.cff.org or The Center for Animal Health and Welfare, www.healthyanimalcenter.org. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Miriam K. Cassel , 93 of Newtown, PA died Saturday, January 10, 2026 at St. Mary’s Medical Center, Langhorne, PA. Born March 27, 1932 in Bethlehem PA , the fifth of seven children, she was a daughter of the late Tillie (Margolis) and Max Goldberg. She was a graduate of Liberty High School and spent her working years in the family medical practice community. Miriam had a lifelong devotion to her Jewish faith, holding leadership and volunteer roles, including serving as Sisterhood President and Ritual Committee Chair, at three synagogues over her lifetime. She also taught bar and bat mitzvah classes at Temple Beth El Israel in Port St. Lucie, FL. Miriam was known for her love of cooking and entertaining and was famous for her red velvet cake, challah and rugelach. Rarely seen without a book, she also enjoyed cards, bingo and mahjong.

Miriam will be lovingly remembered for her laugh, her smile and her warm presence by her children: Celia Connor (husband Ed), Michael Kutner (wife Stacy); a sister: Freda Klugman; 9 grandchildren: Timothy Kutner (Sendy), Jennifer Stoffels (Bill), Lauren Miller (Brian), Dana Kutner, Leah Burnite (George), Skye Kutner, Raina Vaughn (Preston), Kevin Kutner (Casey), Justin Kutner; 11 great-grandchildren who lovingly knew her as G-G-Mom; her stepchildren: Neil Cassel, Stacey Busch (Howard) and their 3 children, spouses and grandchildren. She was predeceased by husbands: Robert Kutner in 1974, Arno Cassel in 2024 and her son: Allen Kutner in 2000.

Services will be held 11 AM Tuesday (Jan. 13, 2026) at Congregation B’nai Shalom Synagogue, 1545 Bushkill St., Easton followed by interment in B’nai Abraham Cemetery, Forks Twp. The Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA is handling arrangements.  Memorial contributions may be made to MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger (reflecting her love for feeding and caring for others.) Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Sally S. Dewalt, 89, formerly of Forks Township, died Wednesday, January 7, 2026 in The Vero at Bethlehem. Born August 25, 1936 in Easton, she was the daughter of the late Harold R. and Eleanor (Wilson) Shafer. Her husband, Wayne E. Dewalt died in 2018. Sally and Wayne founded and owned Dewalt’s RV for 44 years and retired in 2010. She graduated from Wilson High School in 1954 where she played in the band. She was a member of Forks United Church of Christ, and the E-Z Goers Camping Club.

Surviving are two sons, Tom Dewalt and his wife, Judy of Richmond, VA; and Greg Dewalt and his wife Terri of Forks Township; a sister, Judith Speck; a brother, Russell Shafer; six grandchildren; and three great grandchildren.

Services will be held at 10:30 am on Monday, January 12, 2026 in Forks United Church of Christ, 4500 Sullivan Trail, Stockertown. A visitation will be held from 2:00 to 3:30 pm on Sunday in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton. Interment will be in Forks Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Forks United Church of Christ, 4500 Sullivan Trail, Stockertown, PA 18083. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Scott E. Hinkel, 67 of Palmer Twp., PA died Tuesday, December 30, 2025 at St. Luke’s Hospital, Allentown, PA. Born September 10, 1958 in Easton, he was a son of the late Grace H. (Sortino) and Rolland R. Hinkel. He was a graduate of Easton High School and employed by the City of Bethlehem at their Municipal Golf Course. Scott was an avid outdoorsman who loved camping and was a member of a local gun club.

He is survived by his brother: Jon C. Hinkel (wife Suzanne) of Nazareth, PA; sister-in-law: Mary Hinkel of Palmer Twp., PA; a nephew: Jesse Hinkel and a cousin: John Kupcha. He was predeceased by his brother: Robert L. Hinkel.

Services will be announced at later date. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton, PA is handling arrangements.  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

John J. Hamick, 76, of Forks Township, formerly of Chicago, died Monday, December 29, 2025 in his home. Born June 28, 1949 in Chicago, he was the son of the late A. Edward Hamick and Margaret (Kane) Hamick. He and his wife, Connie (Smith) Hamick were married 27 years. John was the security coordinator at St. Luke’s Hospital, Quakertown for 12 years. Prior to that he was a police officer in Winnetka, Illinois for over 30 years. He was the #1 fan of Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears.

Surviving with his wife, Connie are two sons, Patrick Hamick and Andrew Hamick and his wife, Jamie; three daughters, Amy Easterday, Jennifer Hsu and her husband, Michael, and Amanda Nicodemus; a sister, Nancy Wambach; two brothers, James Hamick and Thomas Hamick; and eight grandchildren.

Services will be private. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to The Center for Animal Health and Welfare, www.healthyanimalcenter.org. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Lois M. Kilpatrick, 88, of Wilson Borough, died Thursday, December 25, 2025 in Northampton Post Acute. Born May 5, 1937 in Easton, she was the daughter of the late Herbert E. Kilpatrick, Sr. and Katie E. (Pyatt) Kilpatrick. Lois worked for Dixie Cup for 33 years and retired in 1999. She loved going to casinos and going out to eat.

Surviving are her daughter, Cindy Rosenkranz; a sister, Shirley M. Ehrie; two grandchildren, Mark Rosenkranz, Jr. and Melissa Rosenkranz and her wife, Jill Weaver; and her dog, Jamo. She was predeceased by her son-in-law, Mark Rosenkranz, Sr.; four brothers, James Kilpatrick, Merton Kilpatrick, Eugene Kilpatrick, and Herbert Kilpatrick, Jr.; and three sisters, Arlene Able, Catherine Peer, and Georgiana Webb.

Services will be held at 10:30 am on Wednesday, December 31, 2025 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton. A visitation will be held from 9:30 am until service time on Wednesday in the funeral home. Interment will be in Northampton Memorial Shrine. The family would like to thank the nursing staff and aides at Northampton Post Acute for the care they gave to Lois for the past 6 years. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Thomas Edward Grube, 82 of Easton, PA passed away on Thursday, December 25, 2025 at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Muhlenberg. Born June 25, 1943 in Easton, PA he was a son of the late M. Frances (McNicholas) and Willard B. Grube. He was a 1961 graduate of Easton High School where he was a member of the football and baseball teams. He enlisted in the US Military shortly after graduating from High School.

For more than 50 years, Tom was a staple of the automotive business in Easton’s College Hill neighborhood. At a young age, Tom began working for his father at Grube’s Gulf where he learned the skills of the auto mechanic trade. Later in life, Tom was the owner and operator of Tom Grube’s Service Center Inc. and Grube’s Auto Sales; and was also a Notary Public before retiring in 2008. Throughout his career, his greatest joy was the opportunity to chat with his fellow neighbors and friends on a daily basis.

Tom was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed his morning walks throughout College Hill. A member of the National Ski Patrol for 30 years, he spent his winter weekends at Big Boulder Ski Area in the Pocono Mountains. He also enjoyed visiting and entertaining friends at his weekend getaway home in the Poconos with his wife Raenelle. Tom was active in the local community where he coached his son, Jason, for many years in youth baseball and basketball leagues.

Tom met his wife, Raenelle, when he was twelve and she was five. Years later, their paths crossed again; and they began dating and eventually had a beautiful wedding in the Allentown Rose Garden. They have been inseparable since 1973. Tom and Raenelle were frequent travelers to the New England region where they created fond memories on the hills of Stowe Mountain and the beaches of Cape Cod.

He is survived by his wife: Raenelle (WoJak) Grube; his son: Jason Grube; his brother: Kevin Grube (wife Susan), and two nephews and one niece, all of Easton. He is also survived by Amy Grube and Tami Grube of Florida.

Services will be held 12 PM, Friday, January 2, 2026 in College Hill Presbyterian Church, 501 Brodhead Street, Easton with visitation from 11 to 12 PM in the church. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Burial will be held at Northampton Memorial Shrine.

Tom’s presence was a gift, and his memory will live on in the hearts of his family and friends. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions may be made to Penn Medicine: “Fund for the Abramson Cancer Center . Offer online condolences atwww.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Edward A. Kennedy, 69, of Bath, PA formerly of Effort, PA died Saturday, December 20, 2025 in St. Luke’s Hospice House. Born June 17, 1956 in New York City, he was the son of the late Christopher and June (Litten) Kennedy. He and his wife, Mary (McKeary) Kennedy were married 48 years. Edward worked for Kazimir Pet Shop, Hackensack, NJ and AT&T. He was a baseball coach for West End Little League, Effort, and was a Cub Master and Scout Master for Boy Scout troops in Cliffside Park, NJ and Effort.

Surviving with his wife, Mary are his children, Eddie Kennedy and his wife, Amber, Maura Horn and her husband, Kevin, and Sean Kennedy and his wife, Mandy; and eight grandchildren.

Services will be private. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Luke’s Hospice House, 2455 Black River Road, Bethlehem, PA 18015. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.