Obituaries

Lorraine M. Pugliese, 87, formerly of Phillipsburg, NJ, died Friday, May 1, 2020 in St. Luke’s Hospital. Born March 27, 1933 in Phillipsburg, she was a daughter of the late Jack and Nora (Shaker) Manazer. Her husband, Salvatore “Toot” Pugliese, Jr., died in 1998.

Lorraine owned and operated Toot’s Tavern, Phillipsburg for over 30 years. She was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church, Alpha and graduated from Phillipsburg High School in 1951.

Surviving are three sons, Sal Pugliese, III; Daniel Pugliese; and Michael Pugliese; a twin brother, Albert Manazer; brothers, Jack Manazer and Charles Manazer; a sister, Irene Bonfiglio; five grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews, including Melissa Hess and Jo Anne Riddle. Two brothers, Franklin Manazer and Joseph Manazer died earlier.

Due to the COVID-19 restrictions a private Mass will be held. Entombment will be in St. Philip and St. James mausoleum, Phillipsburg. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary Catholic Church, 830 Fifth Ave., Alpha, NJ 08865.

Sara A. Cooley-Gramauskis, 94, formerly of Easton, PA and Frenchtown, NJ, died Thursday, April 30, 2020 at her home that she shared with her son, Ray “Skip” Scheetz and his husband, Michael Perry in Stroudsburg, PA.

Born September 7, 1925 in Easton, she was a daughter of the late William and Emma (Miller) Laubach. Her husbands, Ray C. Scheetz, Sr., who she co-owned Frenchtown Plumbing and Heating with, and Benjamin Cooley and Joseph Gramauskis died earlier.

Sara was a dance instructor and taught tap dancing to senior citizens into her 90’s. She also worked at Yale Materials Handling, Flemington, NJ.

Surviving with her son and son-in-law, Skip and Michael, are a daughter, Gail Schramel and her husband, Glenn, of Northampton, PA; a step-son, Harry Cooley; a brother, Earl Laubach; a sister, Lois Laubach; six grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren. Her son, Leslie William Scheetz, a brother, William Laubach and four sisters, Emily Laubach, Anna Malarchik, Virginia Taylor and Geraldine Berkman died earlier.

Services will be private. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Judith Weiss Collins died April 29, 2020. She meant the world to many people in her advocacy work with victims of child abuse. She gave of herself constantly.  Preceding her in death was her only sister Sharon Beth Walker and her niece Megan Hannah. She is survived by her daughter Mary Beth Collins and her son-in-law Phil Rogers.

Services are private. Memorial contributions may be made to the Center for Animal Health and Welfare at www.healthyanimalcenter.org. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com. 

Jo Ann K. Dohe, 88, formerly of Denver, CO passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 29, 2020, at Country Meadows Retirement Community in Bethlehem, PA. Born on July 30, 1931 in Stockdale, TX. she was the older of two daughters of the late Reginald and Maggie (Musik) Kidwell. After graduating from Texas A & I, she moved to Denver, where she worked as a registered dietician. She received a master’s degree in education from the University of Northern Colorado while working as a home economics teacher for Denver Public Schools and raising her four children. She later received a second master’s degree in library science and worked as a school librarian for many years before retiring. She had an infectious laugh and enjoyed playing bridge, camping, skiing and fishing with friends and family. She was also active in politics, genealogy research, and speechmaking, and was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Jo Ann is survived by her three daughters, Allison James of Durango, CO, Emily Folz, MD and her husband Rod Folz, MD of Louisville, KY, and Carrie B. Dohe, PhD and her partner Amanullah Peerzad of Cologne, Germany; five grandchildren, Nicole and Coda Pease, and Rodney, Caroline and Ryan Folz; and her half-sister, Colleen Hardesty. She was predeceased by her son William G. Dohe, her sister, Mary Sue Lourcey, and her half-brother, James A. Kidwell.

Services will be held at a later date when COVID restrictions are lifted. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice. Online condolences may be offered at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Richard J. Rusk, II, 84, of Bethlehem, died Tuesday, April 28, 2020 in Country Meadows.

Born August 8, 1935 in Easton, he was a son of the late William K. and Laura (Wolf) Rusk.

He and his wife, Judith (Stanton) Rusk, were married 53 years.
He graduated from Wilson Area High School in 1953 and Moravian College and served in the Navy during the Korean War. He was a salesman for Martin Guitar for 43 years and retired in 2003. He was a member of Northampton Country Club and the Pomfret Club.

Surviving with his wife, Judith; are a son, Carter D. Rusk and his wife, Zorida; a daughter, Samantha S. Rusk; a brother, David Rusk; a sister, Diane; a granddaughter, Cameron and a grandson, Harrison.

Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, a memorial service will be held in the future. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, www.diabetes.org. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.