Obituaries

Peter J. Clarke 76 of Easton, PA died July 30th at home after a courageous battle with Motor Neuron disease…ALS. His wife of 52 years is the former Patricia Guido.

Born in Scranton to the late James and Mary Jones Clarke, he was a 1967 graduate of West Scranton High School. He was a proud US Army Veteran who served in the Vietnam War. His disease was a direct cause of environmental exposure in Vietnam. He was awarded the Vietnam Service medal, the Vietnam Campaign medal, the National Defense service medal and the Army Commendation medal for meritorious service. After discharge from the Army, he received an Associate degree in Electronics Technology from Ryder Technical Institute and was employed for 37 years as a Senior Electronics Technician at Metropolitan Edison/First Energy.

He loved hunting, swimming, gardening, exercise, Western movies, could repair anything, was an expert woodcarver and an avid golfer. He was a fan of Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles, Philadelphia Phillies and Penn State. He coached Youth sports.

He was a member of Saint Philip and James Church, VFW, Med Ed Retirement Association, Met Ed Golf League and Sawmill Senior Golf League.

His caregivers were his wife Patricia and son Christopher. He is also survived by sisters Mary Barbara Adams, Clark Summit, and Catherine Smith, Scranton, sister-in-law Lorraine Rogers, Binghamton, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Rose Mazurik.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held at Saint Philips and James Catholic Church, Phillipsburg, NJ and interment with Military Honors at Cathedral Cemetery, Scranton, PA.

Memorial contributions can be made online to HARK-ALS.org or St. Francis Kitchen, 500 Penn Ave., Scranton, PA 18509

The Ashton Funeral Home of Easton handled arrangements. Offer online condolences at www.ashtonfuneralhome.com

Rest now, good and faithful servant.

Wayne J. Kirk, 76, of Bethlehem Township, died peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. Born April 13, 1949 in Chicago, he was the son of the late Theodore and Frances (Szymborski) Kirk. Wayne served in the Navy during the Vietnam War and was a mail handler for the Post Office in Bethlehem for over 10 years until retiring in 2012. He also worked for AT&T for 25 years. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and was a member of the Stockertown Rod and Gun Club since 1988.

Surviving are two daughters, Sarah Kirk and Lauren Kirk and her partner, Robert Wozniak; a sister, Karen Boots and her husband, Richard; his ex-wife, Deborah Bray; and his cat, Cash. He was predeceased by his brother, Howard Kirk.

Services will be private. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to The Center for Animal Health and Welfare, www.healthyanimalcenter.org. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Norton E. “Butch” Beers, 83 of Palmer Twp., PA died Tuesday, July 15, 2025 at St. Luke’s Hospital-Anderson Campus. Born July 1, 1942 in Upland, PA he was a son of the late Austin and Jessie (Walton) Beers. He was a 1961 graduate of Southern Wayne Jointure High School, several trade schools and served in the Army during the Vietnam era. He was employed by Bean, Inc. for 32 years and then Stewartsville NAPA Auto Parts before retiring.  He was a member of United Fellowship Church, Wilson, the former Wilson Boro Republican Club, American Legion Lester Pfeffer Post, Palmer Fire Co,. and the Stanley Goodwin Lodge #648 F&AM.

He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Jane (Bossert) Beers; children: Kevin Beers (wife Amal Haddad) of Catasauqua, PA, Tricia Beers-Hertzog of Clifton Twp., PA, David Campbell of Northampton, PA, Michael Campbell of Wilson Borough, PA, Robert Campbell of Palmer Twp., PA; siblings: Jack Beers and Amber Stout of Madisonville, PA; many grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Siblings: Otis and Wilbert Beers and Effie Pickerel predeceased him.

Services are 11 AM Saturday (July 19) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA with visitation from 10 to 11 AM. Interment in Northampton Memorial Shrine. Memorials may be made to NAMI of Lehigh Valley. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Florence “Flo” (Dungan) Bernhardt, 86, passed away peacefully July 11, 2025, in her hometown of Easton, PA. Born May 1, 1939, Florence graduated from Easton Area High School in 1956. She worked for over 25 years at Binney and Smith before finishing her career as an office manager at Strober, where she was known for her dedication and warm heart.

Flo lived life with a zest for adventure, creativity, and humor. She traveled the country camping with her husband, Jack and their sons, and loved attending car shows with Jack in their matching 1956 Mercury Montclairs. She found great joy in stained glass art, crafts, and puzzles of every kind — from jigsaw puzzles, crosswords, and card games to any word game she could find. She was an avid reader, having read every book in the Easton Public Library. She adored her dogs throughout her lifetime — Puppy, Fluffy, and Duke — and found delight in serving her grandchildren peanut butter and fluff sandwiches and all kinds of cakes always baked in Grammy’s cake tin.  Flo was known for her sharp sense of humor and her love of a good joke — she never missed an April Fools’ Day and was always ready with a bit of sarcasm and laughter, right up until her final days.

One of her greatest pleasures was bringing the Dungan family together — whether it was through annual family reunions, hosting Thanksgiving every year, or maintaining a meticulously kept family tree of all her siblings’ spouses, children, and grandchildren — a 30+ page book including birth dates, wedding anniversaries, and passing dates. She leaves behind not just family and friends, but a legacy of laughter, kindness, and the reminder that there is always time for a joke, a puzzle, or a slice of cake. Her absence will be deeply felt, but the love she gave will never fade.

Flo was predeceased by her beloved husband of 62 years, John “Jack” Bernhardt, and by ten of her siblings. She is survived by her sister, Mary Jane Hosier; her sons, Bob Bernhardt and Ron Bernhardt and his wife, Sharon Bernhardt; and her cherished grandchildren, Korynn, Brandon, and Chenoa Bernhardt.

Services are 10 AM Monday, July 21, in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, with visitation from 9 to 10 AM. Entombment will follow in the St. Philips and James Holy Apostles Mausoleum, Phillipsburg, NJ. The family wishes to thank the staff at Abington Manor for their support and compassion.  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Donald O. Bodden, 80, of Easton, PA passed away unexpectedly, Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at home. Born November 1, 1944 in Jamaica, West Indies, he was a son of the late Owen and Norma (Hinds) Bodden. A true renaissance man, Donald was an artist, businessman, and activist with a charitable nature, splitting his time between New York City and the Lehigh Valley. He was well-traveled and had a deep appreciation for beauty in all its forms—painting, music and nature.  Donald was a fine antique bookseller and owner of a custom picture framing shop in Manhattan, specializing in art restoration and picture framing. His aesthetic was distinctive and elegant, drawing inspiration from past historical periods while not conforming to trends. Donald was also a lover of animals. He lived his life with authenticity, wit and social grace.

He is survived by brothers: Milton and Wayde; sister-in-law: Wendy; nephew: Daniel Suarez; and among his many cousins: Marlene Stewart and her husband Herb.

Contributions in his memory may be made to any of the following:
GLAAD @ https://glaad.org
Human Rights Campaign @ https://www.hrc.org
Arts Community of Easton @ https://www.eastonart.org
First Moravian Church of Easton @ https://www.firstmoravianeaston.org
Easton Cemetery Stabilization and Growth Fund @ https://www.thehistoriceastoncemetery.org/support

The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton, PA is handling arrangements. Interment is in the historic Easton Cemetery. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

James F. Bisset, Jr., 88, of Palmer Township, PA, died peacefully on Monday, July 7, 2025.  Jim was born in July of 1936 and raised by the late James and Alyne Bisset in Pittsburgh, PA.  He graduated from Mt. Lebanon High School, and earned a BS in Chemistry from Allegheny College in 1958, where he met and married classmate Kay Johnston in 1959. Jim and Kay became parents of twin daughters in 1961.  Jim went on to receive his medical degree from Jefferson Medical College in 1962.  Jim’s Internship and Residency in OB/GYN were completed at Reading Hospital and Medical Center in 1966.  Jim then served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps in Augsburg, Germany for three years.  After his army tour of duty was completed, he and his family moved to Easton, PA in 1969, where he joined the OB/GYN medical practice of Drs. Burkely, Murray and Korhammer.  In addition, Jim was an integral physician and surgeon at Easton Area Hospital until his retirement in 2000.  He successfully delivered many, many beautiful babies throughout his career.  Jim was an active member of the American Medical Association, the Pennsylvania Medical Society, and the American College of OB/GYN.

He enjoyed his growing family, paddle tennis, traveling, and time spent in Bethany Beach, DE and Vero Beach, FL.  Jim lost the love of his life, Kay Bisset, in 2021.  He is survived by his twin daughters, Cindy and Cathy, and five wonderful grandchildren: Justin and Zach Andrews, and Connor, Cailin and Claire Bisset Flannery.  Services are private.  Contributions in his memory may be made to one’s charity of choice. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton, PA is handling arrangements. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

June Marie Smith, 78 of Fountain Hill, PA died Sunday, July 6, 2025 at St. Luke’s Hospice House, Bethlehem, PA. Born September 20, 1946 in Easton, PA she was a daughter of the late Milton and Pauline (Beers) Sandt. She was a graduate of Easton High School and had been employed by McDonald’s for 12 years and the former Laneco Store. June was a member of First Baptist Church, Palmer Twp. and a volunteer at the Good Shepherd Rehab Center, where she helped stroke patients. She loved ceramics and enjoyed swimming with her friends at the Community Center. June especially loved her 6 cats and bike rides with her husband of 49 years, Robert D. Smith, Sr. who died in 2012.

She is survived by 4 children: Lisa A. Smith (Joe) of Easton, PA, Melanie A. Miller (Harry, Jr.) of Nesquehoning, PA, Robert D. Smith, Jr. with whom she resided, Stephanie L. Bissey (Nathan) of Bethlehem Twp., PA; siblings: William Sandt of Cape May, NJ, Larry Sandt, Susan Sandt, Linda Johnson all of Easton, Russell Sandt of Wind Gap, PA, Christine Hineline of Erie, PA; grand dog: Osa Marie and grand cat: Anneliese. She was predeceased by her husband and brothers: Robert and Randy Sandt.

Services are 11 AM Friday (July 11) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA with visitation from 10- to 11 AM. Interment is in Forks Cemetery.  Memorials may be made to the Center for Animal Health and Welfare, 1165 Island Park Road, Easton, PA 18042. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.