Obituaries

Erik Leigh Benson, 29, of Plainfield Township, PA passed at home on Sunday, May 20, 2018, after a two year battle with leukemia. Even through his struggle Erik remained true to his faith. He was a 2006 graduate of Pen Argyl High School and received his BS in Biomedical Engineering from LeTourneau University in 2010. He was an Assistant Scientist at Azog Labs in Phillipsburg before his illness.

Though only 29 years of age, Erik accumulated a lifetime of stories; his varied interests included league and tournament volleyball, assorted dance disciplines (contra, swing, squares, waltz, blues), young adult Bible studies, and travel (bicycle, motorcycle, car, plane). Board gaming and role playing were also a large part of his life. He achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and participated in numerous service activities as a camp counselor, youth leader and volunteer for other community ministries. He was a member of the Lehigh Valley Grace Church in Bethlehem.

Erik is survived by his parents: Craig Benson and Sharon Trimble with whom he resided; his brother Mark, at home; his grandmother: Helen Trimble of Princeton, NJ; many aunts, uncles and cousins.

A Memorial Service will be held 11 AM Saturday (May 26) at Lehigh Valley Grace Church, 580 Bridle Path Road, Bethlehem.

Contributions in Erik’s memory may be made to Camp Conquest, 480 Forest Road, Denver, PA 17517. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Louis H. Vargo, 99, formerly of Palmer Twp., PA died Tuesday, May 15, 2018 at Country Meadows in Bethlehem Twp. Born July 9, 1918 in Bethlehem he was the son of the late Mary (Kuzma) and John Vargo. He served as a mess Sergeant in the US Army during WWII and retired after 20 years in the Army Reserves at the rank of Master Sergeant. Prior to enlistment Lou married the love of his life, Theitis ‘Jackie’ Adam on October 18, 1943.

He was employed by Lehigh Portland Cement and Mohawk Valley Cement in Rome, NY for 35 years before retiring. Lou was a member of New Creation United Church of Christ, the 7th Armored Division Association, Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge (VBOB), the VFW Post and the Fleas Club.  He was also an accomplished golfer and an avid bowler who enjoyed the Seniors League at Bar-Don Lanes.

Lou is survived by his daughter, Jeri, and her wife, Anne, of Aurora, NY, his nieces: Honey Ruszin, Jeanne Haydu, Sharon Miller, Beverly Hawk and nephews: Jim Darabond, Joe and Jim Radzewicz.  Lou was predeceased by his wife, his sisters Julia, Elizabeth, Mary and Helen and his niece, Sandy.

A Memorial Service will be held at 10:30am, Tuesday (May 22) at New Creation UCC, 3730 Nicholas St., Easton, PA with a calling period 9:30 to 10:30 AM. Interment is in Northampton Memorial Shrine with military honors. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project or New Creation UCC. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Dennis J. Ferrigno, 60, of Easton, PA and Wisconsin, passed away Monday, May 14, 2018 at home with family by his side. Born January 3, 1958 in Dover, NJ he was a son of the late Audrey (Campbell) and Gennaro “Gerry” Ferrigno. He was a member of the Phillipsburg High School Class of 1976 and the Concordia Maennerchor. He had been employed by James River Corp. in Milford, NJ, Johnson Motor Lines in Easton, and Webex Inc. in Neenah, WI before retiring.

Dennis was an avid fisherman, Yankee fan and loved spending days on the beach. He also enjoyed his years spent in Neenah and Pickerel, WI with friends and family.

He is survived by his daughter: Rebecca DiFrancesco of Forks Twp., PA; his son: Michael (wife Cherisha) of Wilson Borough; two sisters: Denise Agnew of Hartford, WI, Donna Kuzdzal (husband Tim) of Amherst, NY; three brothers: Jerry (wife Carol) of Pickerel, WI, Robert (husband Manny) of Easton, John (wife Kim) of Hartford, WI; and four grandchildren: Hailey, Lucca, Mara and Teagan. He is predeceased by his sister Lisa.

A Memorial Service will be held 12 PM Saturday (May 19) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton with a calling period from 11 AM to noon.

Memorial contributions may be made to the ALS Association: ALSPhiladelphia.org (Lehigh Valley) or ALSAWI.org (Wisconsin). Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Margaret H. Edgar, 91, of Palmer Township, died Thursday, May 10, 2018 in St. Luke’s Hospice House.

Born November 1, 1926 in Detroit, Michigan, she was a daughter of the late Fabian Louis and Gertrude (Baumert) Holler.  Her husband, David M. Edgar died in 2013.

In addition to being a full-time mother, Margaret worked for Smoke-Enders, Phillipsburg, NJ and for the Department of Welfare, Easton where she retired. She was actively involved in the community as a volunteer for many agencies including Radio for the Blind (RADPRIN), the Weller Center, the Red Cross, Easton Area Volunteer Association, Easton Hospital and Meals on Wheels.  She was a Cub Scout Den Mother and a member of the URW (You are Welcome) Club.  She was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Bethlehem and a former member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Easton where she sang in the choir.
She was an extremely positive and pleasant person and was devoted to her family.  She enjoyed family gatherings, playing bridge, pinochle, scrabble, bowling, golf, playing piano/organ and bells with the church choir, painting, sewing/knitting/crewel work and many more along with community activities.  She will be remembered as a very gracious and caring person who, with her positive attitude, touched many lives.

Surviving are 5 sons, Dale Edgar and his wife, Patti of Allentown, Michael Edgar and his wife, Marge of Nazareth, Kenneth Edgar and his wife, Vanessa of Walnutport, Charles Edgar and his wife, Joyce of Allentown and John Edgar and his wife, Kitty of Bethlehem Township; 8 grandchildren, Bryan, Patrick, Michael, Nicole, Mark, Kathryn, Matthew and Kevin and 6 great grandchildren.  Her brother, John Holler died earlier.

Services will be held at 10:30 am on Tuesday, May 15, 2018 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton.  A visitation will be held from 6 to 7:30 pm on Monday in the funeral home.  Interment in Northampton Memorial Shrine.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org, the American Heart Association, www.heart.org or St. Luke’s Hospice House, 801 Ostrum St., Bethlehem, PA 18015.  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Alice “Fran” Baskwell, 85, of Wilson Borough, PA, died Sunday, May 6, 2018 at Alexandria Manor, Bethlehem. Born August 26, 1932 in Easton, PA she was the daughter of the late Edgar Rape and Anna (Shively) Wright. Her husband Clifford A. Baskwell died in 2000. A 1950 graduate of Easton High School, she had been a “Coupon Cutie” in the Food Lane office for several years.

She is survived by her son: Keith A. Baskwell (wife Linda) of Wilson Borough; her brother: Edgar Rape, Jr. of Anchorage, AK; 4 grandchildren: Matthew (wife Courtney), Christopher (wife Kate), Rachel (husband Rudy), Christine (husband Oliver); and 5 great-grandchildren: Andrew, Arielle, Elliot, Alexander, and Zachary.

Services are 10:30 AM Thursday (May 10) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton with visitation 9:30 to 10:30 AM. Interment is in Arndt’s Cemetery, Forks Twp., PA.

Memorial contributions may be made to Heartland Hospice, 881 Marcon Blvd., Ste. 3700, Allentown, PA 18109. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Elaine Mae Klinger, 89, of Bethlehem, formerly of Palmer Twp., PA died Monday, May 7, 2018 at home. Born July 28, 1928 in Philadelphia, PA she was a daughter of the late Herbert and Helen (Riegel) Hart. Her husband Marlin “Bud” Klinger died in 2017. A graduate of Germantown High School, she received her Bachelor’s Degree from Kutztown University and taught 1st and 3rd grades at Palmer Elementary School for 26 years before retiring. She was a member of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, Palmer.

Elaine is survived by her daughter: Debra Perez, with whom she resided; her son: Mark Klinger (wife Elizabeth) of West Chester, PA; her sister: Dawn Carpenter of Ambler, PA; three grandchildren: Selena, Rita and Anders; and a great-granddaughter: Saige.

Services are private; the Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, 3900 Freemansburg Ave., Easton, PA 18045 or Asera Hospice, 7660 Imperial Way, Suite 410, Allentown, PA 18106. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.