Obituaries

Joseph Gabriel Peake, 86 of Palmer Twp., PA died Monday, December 9, 2019 at ManorCare, Palmer Twp., PA. Born December 17, 1932 in Sheppton, PA he was the son of the late Mary (Kovacs) and Joseph E. Peake. He was a graduate of Liberty High School and an army veteran. He earned an associate degree in criminal justice from Lehigh County Community College and worked for 9 years as an Easton Police Officer. He had been employed by the Easton Area School District for 25 years in charge of transportation and was also a Northampton County Sheriff’s Deputy for 13 years. He was a member of Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, Easton. Joe was married for 63 years to the love of his life, the Anna “Annie” (Bencak) Peake. He was deeply rooted in the belief that service to others was the best way of life and he lived his life by being many things to many people.

He is survived by his beloved Annie, a sister Bernadine Lynn (husband Milton); sister-in-law: Mary Galasso; and will be missed by many nieces and nephews: Joe Gross, Nicholas, Frank and Ronnie Galasso, Ernestine Snyder, Roxanne Frye, Tina Walp, Janet Andersen, Cynthia Bagin, and Karen Achey. He was predeceased by sisters: Naomi Illigasch, Hannah Gross and Verna Souders.

Services are 9:30 AM Friday (Dec. 13) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton with visitation 6 to 7:30 PM Thursday. Entombment is in Holy Saviour Cemetery, Bethlehem.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Judes Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Eugene P. O’Donnell, 96, of Bethlehem Township, died Monday, December 9, 2019 in Easton Hospital.

Born July 15, 1923 in Easton, he was a son of the late Michael and Agnes (Smyth) O’Donnell. His wife, Katharine Marie (Lieberman) O’Donnell died in 2001.

Eugene graduated from Wilson High School and Temple University, served in the Army during WWII and retired from the Iron and Steel Foundry at Ingersoll-Rand, Phillipsburg.

Surviving are his daughter, Dr. Nancy J. O’Donnell-Betts and her husband, Mark; and grandsons, Brendan and Ryan. His sisters, Julia Lawler and Cecelia Ruth and his brothers, Neal O’Donnell and Aloysius O’Donnell died earlier.

Services will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, December 17, 2019 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton. A visitation will be held from 10:00 am until service time on Tuesday in the funeral home. Interment will be in Easton Cemetery. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Melissa Ann McCoy, 57 of Forks Twp., PA died Sunday, December 8, 2019 at Easton Hospital. Born July 30, 1962 in Mt. Kisco, NY she was a daughter of the late Barbara Ann (Keeney) and Wayne Elmer McCoy. She was a graduate of Easton High School and received her bachelors degree from Moravian College. She had been employed by Carl Curcio Insurance for many years and Meals on Wheels. Melissa was an active member of Calvary Baptist Church, Easton where she helped in the nursery for 30 years.

She is survived by her sisters: Michelle Featherman (husband Robin) of Forks Twp., Melanie McCoy of Port Austin, MI; and her beloved nieces and nephews: Jason (wife Anna), Naomi, Zach (wife Rebecca), Kyree and many great-nieces and nephews.

Services are 11 AM Saturday (Dec. 14) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton with a calling period from 5 to 6:30 PM Friday. Interment will be in Northampton Memorial Shrine.

Memorial contributions may be made to Calvary Baptist Church, 5300 Green Pond Rd., Easton 18045 or to the Alzheimer’s Association. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Neil Stuart Steckel, 87 of Williams Twp., PA died Saturday, November 30, 2019 at home. Born February 8, 1932 in Easton, PA he was a son of the late Margaret Helen (Long) and Russell Victor Steckel. His wife, the former Fay Marie Siglinger died in 2013. He was a graduate of Easton High School Class of 1950 and served in the Navy during the Korean War. He was employed by Ingersoll-Rand Test Pump division for 16 years and then by Sohio Petroleum and as an independent contractor for British Petroleum. Neil was an active member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Williams Twp. where he served as Council President and in the choir. He was also a member of USA Dance and the Lehigh Valley Cotillion Dance Club.

He is survived by his children: Kathleen A. Mathews, Russell S. Steckel (wife Denise) all of Williams Twp., PA, William S. Steckel (fiancé Lisa) of Moore Twp., PA; 3 granddaughters: Danielle DeLuca, Lisa Royer, Erin Severud and 5 great-grandchildren: Koen, Maxem, Joseph, Ari and Isla.

Services are 11 AM Friday (Dec. 6) in St. John’ s Lutheran Church, Williams Twp., 2745 Morgan Hill Rd., Easton, PA with visitation 6 to 7:30 PM Thursday in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton. Interment is in Durham Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church, Williams Twp. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Raymond “Coach” Herman, 81, of Forks Township, died Saturday, November 30, 2019.

Born October 6, 1938 in Hellertown, he was a son of the late Walter and Mildred (Fritchman) Herman.

Ray was a teacher at Easton Area High School for over 30 years and retired in 1991. He was also the track coach and cross country coach at the high school for over 30 years. He was featured in Sport Illustrated as the top most winning cross country coach in the country.

Surviving are his step-son, Scott Odenwelder and his wife, Tabitha, with whom he resided; sisters, Carol Szarko of Oley and Joan Mathias and her husband, Ken, of Hellertown and a grandson, Tristen. His companion, Joan Odenwelder died in 2009.

A visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Wednesday, December 4, 2019 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton. A graveside service will be held at 10:30 am on Thursday, December 5, 2019 in Hellertown Union Cemetery, 85 Main St., Hellertown.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.