Obituaries

James Ferri, 93 of Easton, PA passed away peacefully on Friday, September 27, 2024. He was born on August 24, 1931 to the late Antonio and Antoinette (Cilli) Ferri in Easton. Jim graduated from Easton High School in 1949 and went on to marry the love of his life, Dorothy A. (Kirchhofer) Ferri in 1952. He is a Navy veteran, having served in the Seabees. Jim and Dorothy had one child, Debra (Ferri) Bohr.

Jim was an athlete his whole life. He played quarterback for Easton High School’s football team and was on the first Easton wrestling team. He enjoyed attending football games and wrestling matches his whole life. Jim supported the Lehigh wrestling program and was a season ticket holder to Lafayette basketball games. He was an avid tennis player, golfer and in his later years, walker.

Jim worked for Ingersoll-Rand, Phillipsburg, NJ as a draftsman. He also worked for Dresser Rand when he and Dorothy temporarily relocated to Olean, NY. While in Olean they became converted Buffalo Bills fans attending many games. They made many friends while there and continued those friendships upon returning to Easton. After his retirement from Dresser he was hired by private companies proudly working until he was 88 years old.

Jim was passionate about his love of friends and family. His deep devotion to his wife was something spectacular to witness. He loved being a father, grandfather and great grandfather. He took pride in his family, and often was behind a video camera, capturing special family moments. Jim’s big heart was also reflected in his lifelong friendships. His golfing crew, all well into their 80’s, consisted of friends from his youth.

Jim leaves a legacy of love and kindness. He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Dorothy A. (Kirchhofer) Ferri; his daughter: Debra Bohr (husband Jeffrey) of Forks Twp., PA; a brother: Carmen Ferri of Phillipsburg, NJ; 2 grandchildren: Jarad Bohr (wife Erica), Jordan Miller (husband Michael); and 2 great-grandchildren: Cole James and Archer. His brothers: John, Samuel and Anthony Ferri predeceased him.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:30 AM Thursday (Oct. 3) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton with a calling period from 10 to 11:30 AM. Interment will be private. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

V. Daniel Smoker, 69, of Bushkill Township, died unexpectedly Saturday, August 31, 2024 in St. Luke’s Hospital. Born March 17, 1955 in Oxford, PA, he was the son of the late Vernon and Mary (Umble) Smoker. He and his wife, Lou Ann (Trinchere) Smoker were married 45 years. Dan was employed in various capacities in the banking industry for 50 years. He was a member of Maranatha Family Christian Fellowship. He served on the board of directors of Bright Hope Pregnancy Support Centers and was the president of the Tuesday Night Golf League at Whitetail Golf Club.

Surviving with his wife, Lou Ann, are a son, Jonathan Smoker and his wife, Lauren of Avondale, PA; two daughters, Jennifer Haddad and her husband, Nicolas of St. Cloud, FL and Jillian Bruch and her husband, Jeffrey of Nazareth; three sisters, Wanda Creeger, Rose Olsen, and Barbara Dollinger; four brothers, Paul Smoker, Ronald, Smoker, Timothy Smoker, and Glenn Smoker; ten grandchildren, Elsa, Audra, Pierson, and Hendrick Smoker, Nathan, Katelyn, and Tyler Bruch, and Valor, Lincoln, and Brighton Haddad; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Angelo and Shirley Trinchere; and stepmother, Ada Nancy Smoker.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, September 7, 2024 in River of God Church, 813 Reynolds St., Easton. A visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 pm on Friday in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton. Interment will be in Northampton Memorial Shrine. You are encouraged to wear your golf shirt to the services. Memorial contributions may be made to Bright Hope Pregnancy Support Centers, www.brighthopecenters.org; Loaves and Fishes, c/o St. John’s United Church of Christ, Nazareth, www.sjuccnaz.com; or Maranatha Family Christian Fellowship, www.mfcfonline.org. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Jerry C. Thomas, 79, of Palmer Township, died Friday, August 30, 2024 in St. Luke’s Hospice House. Born July 26, 1945 in New York City, he was the son of the late Wesley C. and Bettie V. (Ashton) Thomas. He and his wife, Lilia (Padilla) Thomas were married 37 years. He worked for AM Best, Oldwick, NJ. Prior to that he was an engineer for IBM for 30 years. Jerry served in the Navy during the Vietnam War. He was a member of Palmer Moravian Church where he was a Head Sacristan and the youth group leader. He was a member of Kiwanis Club of Easton and a tax preparer volunteer and district coordinator for AARP. Jerry was also a volunteer at the Sigal Museum and a member of the Easton Opioid Awareness Task Force.

Surviving with his wife, Lilia are two daughters, Maria Thomas and Laura Thomas-Durham; a son Jerry Thomas, Jr.; a sister, Sallie Mallach; a brother, David Thomas; his first wife, Patricia Thomas; three grandchildren; and four great grandchildren.

Services will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, September 6, 2024 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton. A visitation will be held from 6:00 to 7:30 pm on Thursday in the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Palmer Moravian Church, www.palmermoravian.org or Sigal Museum, www.sigalmuseum.org. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

C. David Howell, 83, of Forks Township, died Friday, August 30, 2024 in St. Luke’s Hospital. Born February 26, 1941 in Easton, he was the son of the late Chauncey D. Howell, Sr. and J. Kathryn (Shirer) Howell. He and his wife, Reta (Wells) Howell were married 43 years. David was a trial attorney in his earlier life and then became an Assistant Attorney General supervising both the Chicago and Springfield, IL areas. He retired in 2003. He attended Francis A. March School and Blair Academy and was a graduate of University of Virginia. He attended Tulane University Law School and received his law degree from Villanova University. David served on the Northampton County Democratic Committee and the Northampton County Children, Youth and Families advisory board. He was a member of the Forks Township Zoning Hearing Board and served on the Forks Township Board of Supervisors. In addition, he was a Lehigh County Court Appointed Special Advocate for Children and was a member of the Easton Lions Club, Wheels of Time, and the Pomfret Club.

When David and Reta retired in 2003, they moved from Chicago to David’s hometown of Easton – a place where, to Reta’s relief, there were more trees than people. David was not ready for retirement and immediately became involved in local Forks Township government. He was a strong advocate and led the way for major enhancements to the quality of life for its residents.

David enjoyed gardening and with Reta’s help planted trees and shrubs, built stone walls and created a beautiful garden on the barren, rocky hillside behind their house. He was a member of the Rhododendron Society of the U.S., Lehigh Valley Chapter.

David was a motorcycle enthusiast and even convinced Reta to ride with him at times. He loved old cars, Jaguars in particular, and his wonderfully restored old 1962 Ford truck. More importantly, David and Reta were avid supporters of the arts community of Easton. Their home was filled with works primarily by Pennsylvania artists.

David loved all animals – especially the deer on Paxinosa Road. They adopted two retired racing greyhounds and David greatly enjoyed walking Roxy, and in later years, Jersey Flyer. This gave him the opportunity to meet and talk with all of their neighbors.

David had a great interest in Civil War history and Abraham Lincoln. He was a member of the Civil War Round Table in Chicago. He was educated in the South and helped to register black voters during the 60’s. He was also a member of the Edward Howell Family Association, an ancestor who was one of the first settlers of Southampton, LI.

David wanted to thank all of his friends and neighbors who supported him and his wife during his extended illness. He was extremely grateful for their kindness.

Surviving with his wife, Reta, are a daughter, Caryn Pelegrino; a sister, Sally Gundy and two grandchildren. He was predeceased by a brother, Chauncey Howell, Jr.

Services will be held at 1:00 pm on Sunday, September 8, 2024 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton. Interment will be private in Forks Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org.