Obituaries

Robert B. Craig passed away in Easton, PA on August 17, 2018.  He was 92.

Bob was preceded in everlasting peace by his beloved wife of 64 years, Martha “Deedle” Lloyd Craig, sister Anne Wilcox, and brother Richard “Dick” Craig.  He is lovingly remembered by his children: Bruce Craig (Tammy) of Alexandria, OH; John Craig of Las Vegas, Nevada; Martha Miller (Scott) of San Diego, Ca; Carol Swanton (Tom) of Readington, NJ; Susan Rzewnicki (David) of Piscataway, NJ ; Glenn Craig of Myerstown, Pa;  Ten Grand Children; Katie, Elizabeth, Michael, Jim, Trevor, Craig, Dana, Jacob, Caitlin and Kelli; and two Great Grandchild, Caleb and Addison.

Bob was born March 16, 1926 in Terre Haute, IN. He grew up in Effingham IL. He went onto the University of Illinois School of Engineering and graduated with an Electrical Engineering degree.   He joined the US Navy as part of the V12 program while in school and served in the Naval Reserve.  He moved to Allentown, PA after college to work for Western Electric and met his wife Martha.  They married in 1952 and relocated to Palatine, IL in 1953. AT&T transferred Bob to the New York area in 1965. They lived in New Providence, NJ where they continued to raise their six children.  Bob and Martha moved to Easton, Pennsylvania in 2007 to enjoy their golden years of retirement.

Bob had a long career with AT&T entities including Bell Laboratories (Allentown), Illinois Bell (Chicago), and AT&T headquarters operations, eventually retiring from Telcordia. Never one to be idle he ran a computer and software consulting business, Tartan Technologies, was active as an EMT for the local Rescue Squad and volunteered his time at New Providence Library, Morristown Memorial Hospital and his local Church.   Late in life, Bob became an accomplished marathon runner completing many marathons including the Boston and New York City marathons.  He was an active leader in the local Boy Scouts of America in New Providence and was also Ham Radio operator, W2EAL, for many years.

A celebration of his life will be held 2:00 pm on Saturday, September 8, 2018 at Trinity Episcopal Church, 234 Spring Garden St., Easton, PA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in the name of Robert B. Craig; to Trinity Episcopal Church, 234 Spring Garden St Easton, PA or St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 419 South Street, New Providence, NJ 07974.  The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements.

Synthia L. Snyder, 70 of Bethlehem, PA formerly of Easton died Friday, August 17, 2018. Born Feb. 25, 1948 in Easton she was a daughter of the late Gustave and Ruth (Jones) Hoops. She had been a CNA at Praxis and Easton Nursing Center and was a seamstress.

She is survived by 3 children: Pamela Harris (husband Gerald) with whom she resided, Guy Hoops (wife Tiffany) and Douglas Snyder all of Bethlehem; 5 grandchildren: Ashley, Kelsey, Nathan, Leah and Jovonna; 7 siblings and life partner Donna Gregory.

Services are 3 PM Tuesday (Aug. 21) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, with visitation 2 to 3 PM. Interment will be private.

Memorial contributions may be made to CHOP, the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Stella Dotts, 93 of Palmer Twp., PA died Wednesday, August 15, 2018 at The Easton Home. Born December 31, 1924 in Stroudsburg, PA she was a daughter of the late Samuel and Anna Frangulis. A graduate of Easton High School, she had worked in the box office at The State Theatre and at a college hill gift shop. She was a member of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church and Daughters of the American Revolution.

She is survived by her son Kevin and his wife Christine of Tatamy, PA and step-sons: Steven and Jeffrey. She was predeceased by her husband Bruce Dotts in 1998 and her sister Mary Mack.

Services are 10:30 AM Monday in St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, 3900 Freemansburg Ave. Easton, PA with visitation 10 to 10:30 AM. Interment is in Northampton Memorial Shrine. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, 3900 Freemansburg Ave., Easton, PA 18045 or to The Easton Home, 1022 Northampton St., Easton, PA 18042. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

June W. Updegrove, 86, of Hanover Township, formerly of Easton, passed away on Tuesday, August 14, 2018 in Lehigh Valley Hospital-Muhlenberg.

Born June 26, 1932 in Easton, she was a daughter of the late James E. and Bernice (Schweitzer) Wesley.  She and her husband, David Updegrove, were married 62 years.

June worked for Capital Blue Cross, Allentown for 15 years.  She was a member of College Hill Presbyterian Church, Easton, the Pomfret Club, and Harker’s Hollow Golf Club.  She also served on the Women’s Board of Easton Hospital.

Surviving with her husband, David, are a daughter, Kim Wagner and her husband, David, of Allentown; a son, Kevin Updegrove and his wife, Diane, of Brandon, FL; five grandchildren, Alex, Daniel, Adam, Nicole and Andrew; and a great granddaughter, Hannah.

Services will be private.  The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements.

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

Thomas A. Polese, 74 of Easton, PA died Monday, Aug. 13, 2018 at Easton Hospital. Born June 28, 1944 in Brooklyn, NY he was one of 8 children born to Rita (Licata) Polese of Toms River, NJ and the late Joseph Polese. He had been employed by F.M.C. in Carteret, NJ for many years before retiring. An avid chess player, Tom taught chess at Moravian Academy, Bethlehem and was a member of the United States Chess Federation. He was also a member of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, Easton.

In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife of 47 years, Doris (Burns); 3 children: Thomas (wife Krista) of Baltimore, MD, Deborah of Easton, Dianna (husband Michael Neroda) of Anchorage, AK; three grandchildren: Delia, Teddy and Cora; 3 brothers: Richard, John, Frank and 4 sisters: Rita, Marie, Joanne, Nancy.

A Funeral Mass will be held 10 AM Saturday (Aug. 18) at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 900 Washington Street, Easton. Interment will be private in Clover Leaf Park Cemetery. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Kasparov Chess Foundation. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

John W. Tindall, 65, of Easton, died Sunday, August 12, 2018 in St. Luke’s Hospital.

Born February 26, 1953 in Easton, he was a son of Doris M. (Brown) Tindall of Wilson Borough and the late Walter G. Tindall, Jr.

He was an engineer for Collins and Maxwell Construction, Easton for many years.  Prior to that he was the Township Engineer for Forks Township and the City Engineer for Easton.
He was a graduate of Wilson High School and the University of Missouri and was a member of the Easton Jaycees.

Surviving with his mother, Doris, are a daughter, Lauren Dorsey and her husband, Stu, of Easton; two brothers, Walter Tindall and James Tindall; and two grandchildren

Services will be held at 10:30 am on Friday, August 17, 2018 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton.  A visitation will be held from 6:00 to 7:30 pm on Thursday in the funeral home.  Interment will be in Northampton Memorial Shrine.  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Gerald W. Stem, 75 of York Springs, PA formerly of Easton, PA died Thursday, August 9, 2018 at Harrisburg Hospital. Born September 20, 1942 in Easton, he was a son of the late Gladys (Schlough)and Erwin Stem. A 1960 graduate of Easton High School, he had been employed by the Easton Express for 30 years, EIT Trucking and the Dart Co. He was a Navy veteran, an avid bowler and member of the former 1st Ev. Cong. Church, Easton and Emmanuel Ev. Cong. Church, Bethlehem.

He is survived by: his wife of 56 years, Norma (Hill) Stem; 3 sons: Eugene D. of Las Vegas, NV, Michael W. (wife Andrea) of York Springs, PA, Stephen A. (wife Diana) of St. Petersburg, FL; a daughter: Kimberly L. Stem with whom he resided; 9 grandchildren and a great-grandson.

Services are 1:30 PM Thursday (Aug. 16.) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton with visitation from 12:30 to 1:30 PM. Interment will be in Easton Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.