Obituaries

Isabel L. Hildenbrand, 83, of Palmer Township, died Monday, July 2, 2018 in Easton Hospital.

Born August 27, 1934 in Wilson Borough, she was a daughter of the late Rean and Sadie (Morris) Nolf.  Her husband, Blaine R. Hildenbrand died in 2012.

Isabel worked for Pallet Express for 15 years and retired in 2005.  Prior to that she worked for Overlook Inn, Canadensis.  She was a member of St. Jane Frances de Chantal Church and graduated from Wilson High School in 1952.

Surviving are two sons, Brent Hildenbrand and his wife, Donna and William Hildenbrand; a daughter, Brenda Rundle and her husband, Harold; eight grandsons and three great grandchildren.  Her brother, William Nolf and her sister, Jacqueline Harris died earlier.

Services will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, July 7, 2018 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton.  A visitation will be held from 6:30 – 8:00 pm on Friday in the funeral home.  Interment in Forks Cemetery.

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

David W. Hoff, 62 of Forks Township, PA went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, June 16, 2018 with his family by his side. He was born at Betts Hospital on July 8, 1955 in Easton, PA, the oldest son of Lois J. (Pysher) Hoff of Vero Beach, FL and the late William E. Hoff. He was married to the love of his life, Carol A. (Stecker) Hoff, celebrating their 45th wedding anniversary on January 20, 2018. He graduated from Belvidere High School in 1973 and cum laude from Allentown College St. Francis de Sales in 1996. He worked for Hoffmann-LaRoche for 30 years and then DSM for 10 years in Belvidere, NJ retiring early to spend more time with his family including his beloved grandchildren.

David was a past president of the Forks Township Athletic Association, past president of the Forks Township Recreation Board and served as a Forks Township Supervisor for 12 years, including 6 years as Chairman of the Board. He was involved in the decision to build the new municipal complex and helped to create the design for the recreation fields at the Forks Municipal Park.

He grew up playing baseball with his love for the sport evidenced throughout his high school career. He continued playing adult softball for many years in various leagues throughout the area. This passion led him to coach and teach children to play sports which he truly loved. He was a coach for baseball, basketball and softball in Forks Township for many years while his children were growing up. He then coached his grandchildren in Wilson and Bethlehem Township and served as Wilson Softball Commissioner for two years. His last position was assistant coach for his youngest granddaughter’s traveling softball team, the Renegades.

David’s family came first in his life and he enjoyed taking trips with them around the country. Many family memories were made during travels with his children and grandchildren. His last trip was in April with his son David and grandson Austin to San Antonio, TX to attend the Final Four Men’s Basketball Tournament. He was a volunteer at Avona Elementary School, chaperoning class trips, parties and various other activities. David was actively involved in genealogy research with his wife and was proud to trace his roots back to pre-Revolutionary War time. He also worked with his wife and friends restoring broken and damaged headstones in the historic section of a local cemetery.

Surviving with his wife and mother are his four children: David M. of Tampa, FL, Amy M. Shupp (husband Richard C.) of Bethlehem Twp., Ryan C. (wife Janice) of Wilson Borough, Shannon A. of Bethlehem Twp.; four grandchildren: Alexis and Tyler Shupp, Austin and Addison Hoff; brother: Randy Hoff of Harmony, NJ and sister: Donna Pensack of Vero Beach, FL.

Services are 10 AM Tuesday (June 19) in Forks United Church of Christ, 4500 Sullivan Trail, Stockertown, PA with visitation 6 to 8 PM  Monday in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA. Interment is in Forks Cemetery.

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

Barbara Anne Bealer,  belle of the ball, 71 of Easton PA passed away peacefully June 5, 2018 with her daughter at her side.

Barbara was born on December 23 1946 to Charles “Chot” and Penelope (Lallas) Bealer.

She graduated from Easton Area High School and received an Associates Degree from Churchman Business School.

Barbara found her passion and purpose as a director and advocate of DARCC, NJ providing shelter and counseling to women and children escaping domestic violence and sexual abuse.  During her time at DARCC, Barbara impacted many of the women & children’s lives she came in contact with. Becoming to many, a mother figure, trusted friend & loyal coworker. Barbara lived life to the fullest filled with countless friends and a group of young adults who considered her their second mom, all of whom often referred to her as “one of the nicest people they had ever known.” Barbara was kind hearted, true, sincere, never passed judgment and always held an open door policy.  She helped anyone she could and taught her family that everyone in this life has a story if we just took the time to listen.

She enjoyed spending time with friends, family, her children and grandchildren. Barbara loved vacationing at the beach, reading, writing poetry, shopping, and always dreamed of writing a book covering the many chapters that she traveled through her life(boy would that have been a page turner).

Barbara is survived by her children Gregory Shannon Pike, of Salinas CA and Nichole Suzanne Bealer, of Easton PA; her grandchildren Gregory Bealer, Brandon Greffe, Chandara Smith and Kenya Peterson, all of Easton; her nieces Kayse Gehret and Annik Ramsey, both of CA; and sister in law Susan Ramsey of CA. Barbara is preceded in death by her parents, brother Charles “Chip” Bealer III and grandson Nkosi Zaire Smith.

A memorial service will be held at 6:00 pm on Friday, June 8, 2018 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton.  A visitation will be held from 5:00 pm until service time on Friday in the funeral home.  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Mary Jane Stein, 91, of Siesta Key, Fla., formerly of Bethlehem Township, Pa., died Wednesday, May 30, 2018 in Sarasota Memorial Hospital.  Born March 28, 1927 in Phillipsburg, N.J., she was a daughter of the late Dominick and Mary (Azzalina) Re.  Her husband, Dr. Robert S. Stein, died in 2004.

She was the executive secretary to the president of ITT, Easton for 25 years and retired in 1987.  Prior to that she worked at J. T. Baker, Phillipsburg.  She was a member of Temple Covenant of Peace, Easton and the Sisterhood and was a proud graduate of Phillipsburg High School Class of 1944. She was affectionately known as “Mickey” to her grandchildren and great grandchildren and was a master knitter.

Surviving are a daughter, Pauline Lennon and her husband, Gene, of Forks Township; a son, Joseph Mirenna and his wife, Kathi, of Wisconsin; a step-daughter, Sandy Stein of Maryland; a step-son, Richard Stein and his wife, Claudia, of Calif.; her loving companion, Robert Lane; four grandchildren and two great grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by a step-daughter, Linda Brazier; four brothers, Joseph, Anthony, Ben and Samuel Re and two sisters, Rose Labate and Frances Vennie.

Services will be held at 10:30 am on Wednesday, June 6, 2018 in Temple Covenant of Peace, Easton.  Interment in Northampton Memorial Shrine.  The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements.

Donations may be made to Temple Covenant of Peace, 1451 Northampton St., Easton, PA 18042.  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Eleanor F. Mazar, 73 of Forks Twp., PA died Sunday, May 27, 2018 at Moravian Village. Born July 17, 1944 in Hazleton, PA she was a daughter of the late Patrick and Eleanor (Jenkins) Fisher. Her husband John Mazar, Jr. died in 2003. She was a 1962 graduate of Hazleton High School and received her bachelor’s degree from American University in 1966. She was employed by Northampton County Children and Youth as a caseworker for 25 years before retiring in 2001. Prior to that she was employed by the PA Welfare Office for 10 plus years. Ellie was an active member of St John’s Lutheran Church, Easton and a past-treasurer and member of the Delta Gamma Sorority, Lafayette College Chapter. She also received the Alison Award from the National Adoption Center in 1995 and enjoyed her time spent at the Senior Center in Forks Twp.

She is survived by her daughter: Cheryl Alessi (husband Mark) of Palmer Twp., PA; 2 sisters: Liz Bender and Trish Meisenhelter in Florida and a grandson: Dante Alessi.

Services are 10:30 AM Friday (June 1) in St. John’s Lutheran Church, 330 Ferry Street, Easton with visitation 6 PM to 7:30 PM Thursday in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton and 9:30 to 10:30 AM Friday in the church. Interment is in Northampton Memorial Shrine.

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