Obituaries

Edwin E. Minnich, Jr. 92 of Easton, PA left for his heavenly home while in hospice care at Renaissance Home in Forks Twp., PA on Tuesday, June 11, 2019. Born October 5, 1926 in Chapman, PA he was a son of the late Anna (Herbst) and Edwin Minnich, Sr. He was baptized at Salem Lutheran Church in Moorestown and attended the Chapman Quarries Methodist Church in Bath prior to meeting his wife of over 50 years, the former Louise Schurz who died in 2015. Edwin worked at a tannery in Chapman before taking a position with the slate quarry where he worked before being injured in an industrial accident. He was a member of Faith Lutheran Church, Forks Twp.

He is survived by brothers: David, Francis and Raymond Minnich; sister: Emma Mann; nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife Louise and 7 siblings.

Services are 5 PM Saturday (June 15) in Faith Lutheran Church, 2012 Sullivan Trail, Easton, PA with visitation 4:30 to 5 PM Saturday and burial 10 AM Monday at Northampton Memorial Shrine. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to www.fightingblindness.org (rpinternational, P.O. Box 900, Woodland Hills, CA 91365). Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com

Edith I. Rugis, 95 of Easton, PA died Wednesday, June 5, 2019 at ManorCare, Easton, PA. Born November 23, 1923 in Easton she was a daughter of the late Rafaella (Mazza) and Joseph Tomaino. She was a graduate of Easton High School and Churchman’s Business College. She was the first woman Real Estate Broker in Northampton County; she was a licensed Broker in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey. She held many board positions for the Easton Board of Realtors and proudly was part of its founding. She also had a successful appraising business and held an insurance license for both states. Edith was an avid golfer winning often and inscribed twice on the ‘Wall’ at Harker’s Hollow. In later years Edie loved playing bridge with all her friends in Wilson, and P’burg and at ManorCare.

She is survived by her son: Stan Rugis of Easton, a grandson: Jake Rugis of Bethlehem, and sister Mary Bray of Allentown along with many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a daughter Janice; brothers: Chet, Pete, Tony and Gino Tomaino and sister: Helen Worman; and nephew Chester Eugene Worman Jr. who died in Vietnam, and Barbara Tomaino.

Services are 10:30 AM Tuesday (June 11) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, with visitation 5:30 to 7 PM Monday and 10 to 10:30 AM Tuesday. Interment is in Northampton Memorial Shrine.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Third Street Alliance for Women and Children, 41 N. 3rd St., Easton, PA 18042. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Esther (Morgenstern) Brown, 99 of Phillipsburg, NJ died Wednesday, May 29, 2019 at Brakeley Gardens Nursing Center. Born May 5, 1920 in Easton, PA she was a daughter of the late Clara (Lambert) and Harvey Morgenstern. She was a 1938 graduate of Wilson High School where she was in Glee Club, musicals and plays. A lifetime member of First Moravian Church, Easton, she served as an Elder, Women’s Fellowship member and in their choir for 75 years. Esther was also a member of the Musical Arts Chorus, a nurse’s aide at Warren Hospital for many years, and a teacher’s aide in the Philipsburg School District before retiring in 1990.

She is survived by 4 children: Linda Paff of Phillipsburg, NJ, George Brown of Holiday, FL, Susan Dilts of Easton, Nancy Sliker of Columbia, NJ; 7 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband Clayton Brown in 1974; a great-grandson; and 6 siblings.

Services are 10:30 AM Monday (June 3) in First Moravian Church, 225 N. 10th St., Easton with visitation 9:30 to 10:30 AM in the church. Interment is in Easton Cemetery. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Eileen M. Lenhart, 72, of Breinigsville, formerly of Allentown, died Tuesday, May 28, 2019 in her home. Born July 30, 1946 in Easton, she was a daughter of the late Kenneth W. and Lucy Mae (Bittenbender) Shook.

Eileen worked for the Social Security Administration for many years. Prior to that she served as an assistant to a General at the Pentagon. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Allentown. She sang in the church choir and was a gifted artist.

Surviving are her daughters, Iva Mae Frantz and her husband, Richard K. of Broomall, PA and Kristy Anne Lenhart with whom she resided; a sister, Jean Louise Shook of Horsham, PA and 6 grandchildren.

Services will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, June 1, 2019 in First Presbyterian Church, 3231 W. Tilghman St., Allentown. A visitation will be held from 10:00 am until service time on Saturday in the church. Interment will be in Centreville Cemetery, Mt. Bethel. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 3231 W. Tilghman St., Allentown, PA 18104. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.