Obituaries

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.

Bryant J. Matyger, 71 of Wilson Borough, PA died Monday, July 30, 2018 at Easton Hospital. Born November 1, 1946 in Easton, PA he was a son of the late Liboria (Tita) and Frank Matyger, Sr. A graduate of Phillipsburg High School, he played bass guitar in several area rock n’ roll bands and was a 1st Lieutenant in the Army with the 1st/38th Infantry Battalion serving DMZ Korean Combat Duty. He graduated from the Allentown School of Cosmetology, studied under a 2nd generation Vidal Sassoon trained mentor and opened five salons in the Easton area. Bryant restored three historic homes dating back to the 1880’s (two of the homes were on the Historic Easton House Tours) and he loved creating water gardens. He also renovated the Mohican Market for businesses and a cafe and restored a 1964 Jaguar, later selling it at the national Barret-Jackson Auction. Very creative and with varied interests, Bryant could “turn a chicken coop into a palace.”

He is survived by his wife of 29 years, the former Louise A. Crivellaro; a brother: Frank Matyger, Jr. (wife Sandra) of Nazareth, PA; and nieces: Tonia, Tina and Melissa.

Services are 10 AM Tuesday (Aug. 7) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, with visitation 6 to 7:30 PM Monday. Interment is in Hays Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Assoc., the American Lung Assoc. or the American Heart Assoc. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Irmgard A. Bray, 92 of Palmer Twp., PA died Sunday, July 29, 2018 at Gracedale. Born January 6, 1926 in Frankfurt (Eckenheim), Germany she was a daughter of the late Maria and Emil Moller. She had been employed by Western Electric in Allentown for several years.  She was an active member of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, Palmer Twp. where she was involved in SAW, Choir, children’s ministry and was an Eucharistic Minister. She was also a member of the Red Hat Society. Irmie loved partying and gatherings with family; she especially loved children and doted on her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her husband of 39 years: Warren Bray; children: Stephen Neimiller (wife Janice) of Lower Mt. Bethel, PA, Virginia “Jean” Gerbino (husband Russell) of Cinnaminson, NJ, David Bray (wife Deborah) of Harvest, AL, Susan Vernarr (husband John) of Hanover Twp., PA, Donna Siegel (husband Dr. Eric) of Shelbyville, KY; 9 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

A Memorial Service will be held 10:30 AM Monday (Aug. 6) in St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, 3900 Freemansburg Ave., Easton with visitation 9:30 to 10:30 AM. Interment will be private in Fairmount Cemetery, Phillipsburg. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Andrew’s Ev. Lutheran Church, 3900 Freemansburg Ave., Easton, PA 18045. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Jules J. Pigliacampi, 76, of Palmer Township, died Wednesday, July 25, 2018 in St. Luke’s Hospital.

Born September 12, 1941 in Wappingers Falls, NY, he was a son of the late Guilio and Louise (Sidote) Pigliacampi.  He and his wife, Elisabeth “Betty” (Robbins) Pigliacampi, were married 46 years.

Jules was the owner of Atlantic Telephone Services.  Prior to that he worked for Crowder Jr. Co. and Ingersoll Rand.  He received his chemical engineering degree from Clarkson University and his MBA from Lehigh University.  He served in the Army during the Vietnam War, was an avid tennis player and was the tennis coach at Cedar Crest College.  He was also a very active member of College Hill Presbyterian Church.

Surviving with his wife, Betty, are two daughters, Cara Treiber and her husband, Andrew, of Allentown and Lynn Matula and her husband, Timothy, of Allentown; a brother, Jack Pigliacampi; a sister, Jean Bryson; and three grandchildren.  Two brothers, Joseph Pilacamp and Ronald Pigliacampi and a sister, Eileen Fay died earlier.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, August, 3, 2018 in College Hill Presbyterian Church, 501 Brodhead St., Easton.  A visitation will be held from 6:00 to 7:30 pm on Thursday in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton and from 10:00 am until service time on Friday in the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to College Hill Presbyterian Church.  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Michael Stephen Kutz, 23, of Easton, died Saturday, July 21, 2018.

Born May 10, 1995, he was a son of Stephen F. and Gina (Hulbert) Kutz.

Michael worked at the Olive Garden in Palmer Township and was an avid guitar player.

Surviving with his parents, Stephen and Gina, are his grandparents, Gerald and Patricia Hulbert and Phillip and Brenda Kutz; his sister, Kelly Kresge; and his brothers, Dylan Kutz and Todd Kresge.

A visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Thursday, July 26, 2018 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton.  Interment will be private.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Bruce R. Schmidt, 58 of Bethlehem Twp., PA died Thursday, July 19, 2018 at St. Luke’s Hospital Anderson Campus after being stricken at home. Born November 1, 1959 in Perth Amboy, NJ he was the son of William R. and Dorothea (Covino) Schmidt of Port Reading, NJ. He and his wife Kelly (Rowinski) Schmidt have been married 26 years. A graduate of Woodbridge High School, he received his Bachelor’s Degree in chemistry from the Stevens Institute of Technology and his Master’s Degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Bruce owned and operated two Wayback Burger Franchises and received recognition as one of the top franchisees in the country. Prior to that he was the Environmental Laboratory Manager for Amerada Hess Corp. in Port Reading, NJ for more than 30 years. He was a member of Saints Peter and Paul Byzantine Catholic Church, Bethlehem, PA and the American Chemical Society.

In addition to his parents and his wife, he is survived by 2 children: Bruce W. of Philadelphia, Kristen N. of Bethlehem Twp.; 2 sisters: Wendy Gardner of Franklin Twp., NJ, Robin Clevenstine of Chalfont, PA; nieces and nephews.

Divine Liturgy will be celebrated 11 AM Tuesday (July 24) at Ss. Peter and Paul Byzantine Catholic Church, 1140 Johnston Drive., Bethlehem; with visitation 4 to 7 PM Monday in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton. Entombment is in Holy Saviour Cemetery.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.