Obituaries

John “Jack” W. Thierolf, 95 of Nazareth, PA died Friday, September 27, 2019 at St. Luke’s Hospice House. Born May 27, 1924 in Easton, PA he was the son of the late Mae (Nangel) and Claude Thierolf. His wife Lorraine (Fox) Thierolf died in 2013. He was a graduate of Easton High School and Rider College and served in the Army during WWII. Jack had been employed by the Dixie Cup Company in Easton and in Greenwich, CT for more than 40 years before retiring. He was a member of Palmer Moravian Church, Palmer Twp. and was very active with the Moravian Hall Square community.

He is survived by his children: Richard Thierolf (wife Pamela) of Lititz, PA, Joan Menges (husband Mark) of Bethlehem, PA and granddaughter: Jamie Dease (husband Zach).

A Memorial Service will be held 11 AM Friday, December 6, 2019 at the Palmer Moravian Church, 2901 John St., Easton, PA. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Palmer Moravian Church, 2901 John St., Easton, PA 18045 or the Moravian Hall Square, Good Samaritan Fund, 175 W. North St., Nazareth, PA 18064. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Paul Andrew Moench, 51 of Bethlehem, PA died Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019. Born October 2, 1967 in Brooklyn, NY he was a son of the late Richard and Kathleen Moench. He received his master’s degree with honors from Cornell University and was currently working toward his PhD. He was a research scientist with the Novartis Company and an accomplished musician who played guitar with a local band. Paul was a wonderful husband, a dedicated father, a devoted son and uncle and a friend to any person or animal in need. He is survived by his wife: Bonnie Sue; sons: John and Matthew; and brother: Richard. Burial was in Arndts Cemetery, Easton, PA.

Memorial contributions may be made to the family in care of the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA 18042. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

An excerpt of Bonnie’s tribute to her beloved Paul can be viewed at https://www.amazon.com/dp/1095193465/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_7NFJDbC0SEBA3

Aida L. Ortiz, 76 of Easton, PA went home on September 20, 2019. She was born December 13, 1942 in San Juan, Puerto Rico to the late Victor and Aida (Muniz) Rosario. She worked and managed the dietary department at St. Mary’s Hospital in Hoboken, NJ before retiring. Aida was loved by many and will be dearly missed. She had a loving heart and strongly believed in family unity. She was always welcoming to friends and family and an EXCELLENT cook who made sure everyone who visited left with a full belly. Aida’s favorite past times were family gatherings, going to the casino and playing bingo.

She is survived by children: Victor Rivera, Violet Rivera, Elizabeth Lopez and Jose Lopez; brother: Nelson Rosario; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandson. She was preceded in death by her daughters: Olga Rivera, Aida Rivera, grandchildren: Billy Bosch, Angel Bosch and recently her sister: Olga Delsalto.

Services are from 6 PM Tuesday (Sept. 24) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Pearl M. Howard, 96 of Easton, PA died Tuesday, September 17, 2019 at the Gardens for Memory Care, Easton. Born January 22, 1923 in Grand Valley, Ontario, Canada she was a daughter of the late Ethel (Fisher) and Harry Brayford. She was a nurse at Gracedale in Nazareth for many years before retiring.

Pearl is survived by her son Michael D. Howard and his wife Eileen of Bethlehem, PA; 4 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband Floyd Howard and son Robert Howard.

A graveside service will be held 2:30 PM Tuesday (Sept. 24) in Northampton Memorial Shrine, 3051 Green Pond Rd., Easton. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Helene H. Pursel, 83, of Cape May Beach, NJ, formerly of Palmer Township, passed away on Saturday, September 14, 2019 in the home of her daughter, Heather. Born December 19, 1935 in Easton, she was a daughter of the late James J. and Helen (Augustine) Hanlon. Her husband, John T. Pursel passed away in 2015.

Helene worked for the City of Cape May. Prior to that she worked for Dixie Cup and Bell Telephone. She graduated from Easton High School in 1954 and was a volunteer for the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts and Humanities, Cape May.

Helene’s family includes three daughters, Kimberly P. Cooper and her husband, the late Bill Cooper of Clifton Park, NY, Amy P. Ashton and her husband, Kline Ashton of Easton, and Heather A. Horn and her husband, Drek Horn of Palmer Township; two brothers, Bernard Hanlon and Richard Hanlon and his wife, Honey; a sister, MaryEllen Orloski and her husband, Walt; eight grandchildren, Caitlin and her husband, Ramfis; JT and his wife, Emily; Emily; Tanner; Robby; Victoria; Ryan; and Summer; and a great grandson, Henry. Her brother, James J. Hanlon, Jr. and her sister, Nanette L. Jones died earlier.

Services will be private with interment in Easton Cemetery. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

F. Marian Bittle, 90 of Palmer Twp., PA formerly of Plainfield and Lakewood, NJ died Friday, September 13, 2019 at home. Born September 2, 1929 in Willow Grove, PA she was a daughter of the late Minerva (Garges) and E.A. Reeves. Her husband Irving Bittle died in 2014. She was a member of Bethel Memorial Baptist Church, Palmer and had been a member and Deaconess of the Evangelical Free Church in Lakehurst, NJ.

She is survived by her children: Susan Carol Harrison (husband Rod) of Palmer Twp., Marian Louise Rosen of Gum Spring, VA, Janet Grace Kopecky (husband Joseph) of Readington, NJ, Edward M. Bittle, Sr. (wife Anne) of Whitehall, NY; sisters: Arline Heath, Mary Ellen Moore; brother: Caswell Reeves; grandchildren; great-grandchildren and a great-great-granddaughter. A sister: Alice Pittman and brothers: Samuel and Robert Hunsicker all died earlier.

Services are 11 AM Wednesday (Sept. 18) at Bethel Memorial Baptist Church, 715 Chestnut Lane, Easton, PA with a calling period from 10 to 11 AM in the church. Interment is in Schwenksville Cemetery. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to Bethel Memorial Baptist Church, 715 Chestnut Lane, Easton, PA 18045. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.