Obituaries

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.

Elvera V. Richards, 95 formerly of Stockertown, PA died Sunday, April 26, 2020 in Kindred Place at Annville, PA. Born November 30, 1924 in Phillipsburg, NJ she was the daughter of the late Elmer and Edna (Debleyker) Wagner. Her husband Edward E. Richards died in 2011. A 1942 graduate of Easton High School, she was employed by the Easton Box Co. and as a church secretary in Florida. She had also been a longtime Sunday school teacher at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Nazareth.

She is survived by her children: Ronald (wife Diana) of Mount Dora, FL, Cheryl (husband Raymond Yowell) of Hadensville, VA, Curtis (wife Elayna) of Palmyra, PA; 7 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Due to COVID restrictions, services will be held at a later date. Interment will be in Hays Cemetery. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to UCC Homes, 30 N. 31st St., Camp Hill, PA 17011-2913. Online condolences may be offered at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Joseph A. Gula, 65 of Forks Twp., PA died Sunday, April 26, 2020 at the Fox Chase Medical Center in Philadelphia. Born May 30, 1954 in Chicopee, MA he was a son of the late Stanley and Dorothy (Archambeau) Gula. He and his wife Linora (Stevens) Gula would have been married 38 years next month. He attended the University of Miami and was employed by Johanna Foods, Inc. in Flemington, NJ for 38 years. Joe was a loyal Red Sox, Patriots and Rutgers fan but most of all a loving husband and devoted father. He is survived by his wife Linora; children: Nicole and Peter both of Forks Twp., PA; and brothers: Michael and Stanley Gula.

Services will be announced when covid restrictions are lifted. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.

An online written condolence may be left below or to leave a voice message  call 1-641-715-3900 ext. 188936.

Jane E. Hulsizer, 95 of Gracedale, formerly of Palmer Twp., PA died Saturday, April 25, 2020 at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Muhlenberg. Born December 11, 1924 in Phillipsburg, NJ she was the daughter of the late Robert and Bessie (Youndt) Salzman. She had been employed by Magnetic Windings as part of the WWII effort and then in retail at various Downtown Easton stores. After retirement she volunteered at the Easton Senior Center, the Food Bank, Easton Hospital and Crayola. She was also a member of First Presbyterian Church, Easton where she served as a Deacon. Jane loved her dogs, helping people and could carry on a conversation with just about anyone.

She is survived by her husband of 77 years Lester B. Hulsizer; her children: Barry Hulsizer and Valerie Frederickson both of Palmer Twp., PA; a grandson: Chris Kindt (wife Kelley); and great-grandchildren: Abby and Ryan Kindt and their mother Jennifer Cooprider. Her brother Robert Saltzman, Jr. died earlier.

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

Kathleen “Katie” Beers, 61 of Tatamy, PA passed away Thursday, April 23, 2020 at Easton Hospital. Born February 14, 1959 in Easton, PA she was a daughter of the late Bettyjane (Cosper) and Clayton Haas, Jr. She and her high school sweetheart of 48 years, Paul H. Beers, Jr. have been married since 1979. She was employed by the Northampton County Agency on Aging for many years before retiring and was a life member of Concordia Maennerchor and member of the Am. Vets, Brown & Lynch Post, Amer. Legion and Wilson Borough Democratic Club.

A beloved wife, mother and nana, she is survived by her husband: Paul; daughters: Kelly Ayers (Matthew Ayers) of Tatamy, Melissa Beers (Joey Dennis) of Nazareth; brothers: Harold McEntire (Mary), Floyd McEntire (Carleen); sisters: Janice Killey (Robby), Linda DeBias; 4 grandchildren: Hannah Reider, Olivea Mullikin, Chloe Popham and Kaylin Ayers. A sister: Sandra Donato died earlier.

Friends are invited to drive-by the Chapel at Easton Cemetery on N. 7th St., Easton to greet the family between 10 and 10:45 AM Thursday (April 30). Due to COVID guidelines, services will be private. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to Angel 34 at www.angel34.org/donate.  An online written condolence may be left below or to offer a spoken condolence call   1-641-715-3900  ext. 965054   for “A Virtual Hug”.

David M. Shafferman died on April 21, 2020, at Gracedale Nursing Home, after an heroic journey with Type I Diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and COVID-19. He was 67.
Dave was born in Grafton, WV, to James F. and Katharine G. Shafferman. His family moved to Owensboro, KY, in 1964, where at the age of 13 he met the love of his life, Jean Anne. They married in 1972 while still in college. Dave earned an architecture degree from the University of Kentucky, and in 1982, he and Jean Anne moved their family to Easton, PA. Dave and his business partner Fred Bonsall established Bonsall Shafferman Architects and Space Planners, a successful practice in Bethlehem, PA. Upon retirement, Dave was awarded emeritus status by the American Institute of Architects.
Dave loved sports and was second baseman on the Owensboro High School 1969 Kentucky state championship baseball team. For his 60th birthday, his son, daughter and son-in-law hosted a party in his honor in a suite at Coca Cola Park, where Dave threw the first pitch at the Iron Pigs minor league baseball game.
An avid journaler since 1979, Dave compiled annual chronicles of family and professional life in cloth-bound AIA journals. He included ongoing written commentary, school photos of his children, color sketches of family vacations, pen-and-ink drawings of cathedral concerts and scenic vistas while traveling with Jean Anne on Bach Choir tours abroad, cartoons and humorous newspaper clippings, the date and sketch of the first forsythia bloom and the first significant snowfall, and his annual theme-based Christmas newsletters, which he prepared throughout the year. One friend reported saving all of these letters and re-reading them every New Year’s Day while sipping a nice glass of wine. These journals are a treasure beyond measure for his family.
Active as Trustee president, Sunday School teacher, usher, and more, Dave was a longtime member of College Hill Presbyterian Church, whose congregation mourns his passing. A date and time for his Celebration of Life at the church will be announced in the future. Memorial contributions may be made to College Hill Presbyterian Church, 501 Brodhead St., Easton, PA, 18042, attn: the Shafferman Memorial Fund.
Dave is survived by his wife, daughter Emilie C. Boggis (Gordon) and son Evan D. Shafferman (Brittany), and grandchildren Lucy, Alice, Bennett, and Caleb; by his mother, his brothers Rick Shafferman (Martha) and Brian Shafferman (Nancy), and sister Laurel Durham (Pat); his sisters-in-law, Peggy Hayden (Hal), Marilee Van Arsdale (Lee), and Emilie Heesen (Peter); numerous first- and second-generation nieces and nephews; and many close friends, including his lifelong best friends, David Dukes and Charley Jolly.
Charley described Dave as a man of “humor and decency, along with good looks, intelligence, affability, athleticism, a winning smile, and ease with people.” One of his caregivers described him as “the kindest person I’ve ever met.” The great pianist Arthur Rubinstein once said, “If you love life, life will love you back.” Dave was extremely well-loved.
Dave’s family wishes to express its deepest appreciation to Dave’s longtime physicians, Dr. Robert Doll and Dr. Erika Lahav, and to St. Luke’s Hospice. They especially thank Cathy Abreu of Navita Health Advocates and the entire staff of Tower 3 at Gracedale Nursing Home, who have been a loving second family for 19 months to Dave and his family and have provided him with the very best skilled care.
The Ashton Funeral Home is assisting with all arrangements. Offer an online written condolence at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com or record “A Virtual Hug” at 641-715-3900, extension 809346.