Obituaries

Robert Silmon Chase, Ph.D., 87 of Lansdale, PA, formerly of Easton, PA, died Friday, March 30, 2018, at Lansdale-Abington Hospital. Born June 9, 1930 in Glenside, PA, he was the son of the late Eleanor (Walter) and Robert S. Chase, Sr. A graduate of Westtown Friends School, he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from Haverford College. He later served on both school Boards and earned a Master’s Degree from the University of Arkansas in Zoology and a Ph.D. in Biology from Bryn Mawr College. He was a Professor of Biology at Lafayette College, serving as Head of the Department of Biology, Dean of the College, Provost and Dean of the Faculty before retiring as the Charles A. Dana Professor of Biology. He was a licensed private pilot who built and flew his own plane and a ham-radio operator who received an Amateur Radio License, Extra Class. He also enjoyed birding, astronomy and shop work. He retired to Brittany Pointe Estates, Lansdale, PA, in 2007 where he served as Treasurer, Vice-President and President of the Residents Association. He was a very active member of BPE where his work ethic and many skills made multiple contributions. He and his wife Barbara received the Residents of the Year Award in 2017.

He is survived by his wife Barbara (Yost) Stewart; 4 children: David Chase, Peter Chase (wife Debra Ashton-Chase) of Easton, Susan Chase Nye (husband E. Darby Nye) of Arlington, VA, Jonathan Chase (wife Lori Chase) of Whitehall, PA; 2 step-sons: Dr. Russell Stewart (wife Dr. Anne Stewart) of Morgantown, WV, Douglas Stewart (wife Elizabeth Stewart) of Birdsboro, PA; 8 grandchildren; 3 step-grandchildren and 2 step-great-grandchildren.

A Memorial Service will be held 2 p.m., April 14, in the Brittany Pointe Estates Auditorium, 1001 South Valley Forge Road, Lansdale, PA, with visitation from 1 to 2 p.m.; the Ashton Funeral Home in Easton, PA, is handling arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Robert S. Chase Fund in Biology, Lafayette College, 705 Sullivan Road, Easton, PA 18042 or to the Brittany Pointe Estates Samaritan Fund, Brittany Pointe Estates, 1001 South Valley Forge Road, Lansdale, PA 19446. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com

George “Joe” Nagy, 97 of Easton, PA previously of Beverly Hills, FL died Monday, March 26, 2018 at St. Luke’s Hospital Anderson Campus. Born June 19, 1921 in Phillipsburg, NJ he was a son of the late George and Rose (Szaszi) Nagy.  He was predeceased by his loving wife of 67 years, Margaret (Miller) Nagy in October of last year. George was a proud WWII Navy veteran who was employed most of his life by the NJ Laborer’s International Union Local 593.

He is survived by: his 4 children: Wayne French (wife Maria) of Peru, Kathleen McIntyre (husband Tom) of Conway, SC, Georganne Chiumento (husband Dominick) of Bethlehem Twp., PA, George Nagy of Easton, PA; 11 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren: and many great-great-grandchildren.

A Memorial Service will be held 1 PM, Saturday, April 7, 2018 at the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Kay F. Noble, 80, of Easton, died Tuesday, March 27, 2018 in Gracedale.

Born October 9, 1937 in Easton, she was a daughter of the late Arthur and Florence (Christman) Cornelius.  She and her husband, George A. Noble were married 57 years.

Kay was the cafeteria manager at Shawnee Intermediate School for over 30 years and retired in 2005.  She was a member of New Creation United Church of Christ, Palmer Township.

Surviving with her husband, George, are a daughter, Susan K. Lear and her husband, John, of Nazareth; a son, Bryan A. Noble and his wife, Lisa, of Hecktown; and a sister, Ellen Clewell of Bethlehem Township. Her sisters, Mildred Woodring, Leah Stocker and Velma Kessler and her brother, Arthur Cornelius died earlier.

Services will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, March 31, 2018 in New Creation United Church of Christ, 3730 Nicholas St., Palmer Township.  A visitation will be held from 7 to 8:30 pm on Friday in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton.  Interment in Northampton Memorial Shrine.

Memorial contributions may be made to New Creation United Church of Christ, 3730 Nicholas St., Easton, PA 18045.  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Maureen V. Hillary, 67 of Forks Twp., PA died Tuesday, March 27, 2018 at home. Born May 8, 1950 in Bridgwater, England she was a daughter of the late Liam and Marian (Hawkins) Flanagan. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in English and History from St. Paul’s College in England and was a member of Arndts Lutheran Church, Forks Twp. where she was active with the women’s group. Maureen was also a medalist at the Transplant Games.

She is survived by her husband of 46 years: Geoff Hillary; a daughter: Sadie Cooper in Birmingham, England; 3 sons: Richard Hillary in Austin, TX, Matthew Hillary (wife Adrienne) of Erie, CO, James Hillary (wife Rebecca) of Portland, Oregon; a sister: Teresa Ford in Hucclecote, England; and 5 grandchildren: Brock, Sean, Sebastian, Riley and Sylvan. A brother: Richard Flanagan and sister: Eileen Mouzoure died earlier.

A Memorial Service will be held 11 AM Friday, April 27 at Arndts Lutheran Church, 1851 Arndt Rd., Easton, PA; the Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to Gift of Life, 401 N. 3rd St., Philadelphia, PA 19123. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Russell R. Bowlby, 92 of Plainfield Twp., PA died Tuesday, March 27, 2018 at home. Born October 18, 1925 in Easton, PA he was a son of the late Leslie and Mary (Fisher) Bowlby. He was a WWII Navy veteran and member of St. Luke’s United Church of Christ in Belfast. He had been employed by Mack Printing and McAbee Printing for many years before retiring.

He is survived by: his wife of 55 years: Brenda (Wargin); 3 daughters: Sue Schroeder (husband Ernie) of Friendswood, TX, Judy Laurito (husband Jerry) of Hendersonville, NC, Jackie Bowlby with whom he resided; and 2 grandchildren: Hannah and Laura Schroeder. His siblings: Roland Bowlby and Helen Snyder died earlier.

Services are 12:30 PM Wednesday (April 4) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, with visitation 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM. Interment is in Easton Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Luke’s UCC, 471 Belfast Road, Nazareth, PA 18064. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

The Reverend William W. “Bill” Wightman, 78 of Forks Twp., PA died Sunday, March 25, 2018 at St. Luke’s Hospice House. Born November 18, 1939 in Forty-Fort, PA he was a son of the late W. Warren and Frances (Williams) Wightman. A graduate of Forty-Fort High School, he received his Bachelor’s Degree in History from Muhlenberg College and his Master of Divinity from the Lutheran Theological Seminary. Pastor Wightman began his ministry in Schuylkill Haven, was then called to Trinity Lutheran Church in Valley View, PA before serving as the pastor at Christ Lutheran Church in Easton for more than 20 years. He also served as a Chaplain at St. Luke’s Hospital, St. Luke’s VNA Hospice, the Lutheran Home at Topton and until May of last year was the Visitation Pastor at First United Church of Christ in Easton. He was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Easton where he sang in the choir and served on the finance committee. He was also a member of the Easton Rotary Club and chaired their basketball tournament for several years. Bill enjoyed golfing and traveling and he played a mean game of solitaire.

He is survived by his son: Paul Wightman with whom he resided; his daughter: Beth Wightman (husband Michael LeFebre) of Los Angeles, CA; and grandchildren: Zachary, Hanna and Francesca. He was predeceased by his wife: Elizabeth “Betty” (Barnish) Wightman in 2015 and his brother: David Wightman.

Services are 2 PM Thursday (March 29) at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 330 Ferry St., Easton with visitation 6 to 8 PM Wednesday in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton. Interment will be private.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Luke’s Hospice, 801 Ostrum Street, Bethlehem, PA 18015. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

James S. Vernon, 87, of Phillipsburg, died Sunday, March 25, 2018 in Old Orchard Health Care Center.

Born December 3, 1930 in Easton, he was a son of the late Elvin H. and Grace (Sickles) Vernon.  His wife, Barbara Ann (Bond) Vernon, died in 2014.

James was a maintenance mechanic for Dixie Cup, Wilson Borough and Forks Township for 44 years and retired in 1995.  He was a member of St. Johns UCC, Howertown, the Easton Moose Lodge and the Safety First Fire Co.

Surviving are a son, James S. Vernon, Jr. and his wife, Kukie;  3 daughters, Cathy L. Gallagher and her husband, Ed, Carol L. Faust and her husband, Leland, Jr., and Caren L. Griffith and her husband, Wayne; his companion, Geraldine Roth; 12 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren.  He was predeceased by 9 brothers and sisters.

Services will be held at 1:00 pm on Friday, March 30, 2018 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton.  A visitation will be held from 6 – 7:30 pm on Thursday in the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. John’s UCC, Howertown or Moosehaven.  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.