Obituaries

Eleanor H. Gardner, 91, of Easton, was called home on April 20, 2018. We are heartbroken over our loss but are thankful for her well-lived life and knowing that we will see her again. She was humble, gracious and grateful, always putting others before herself. She loved the Lord and treasured her family.

Eleanor was born on April 21, 1926 in Easton, although she was proud to tell you she was raised in Wilson Borough. She was the daughter of Laura May Wolbach and Earl Hufnagel. She graduated from Wilson High School in 1944 and from West Chester State Teachers College in 1948 with a degree in Elementary Education. Eleanor taught for 30 years in the Wilson Area School District. She taught several grades but first grade was her favorite.

Eleanor volunteered her entire adult life for various organizations including the YWCA, Meals on Wheels, Safe Harbor, and the Women’s Board of Easton Hospital. But it was her church, Olivet United Presbyterian Church, that was most dear to her. She and Jack enjoyed traveling, both in the United States and to Europe. She loved any event that involved her children or grandchildren. Family birthdays were always a celebration not to be missed. A perfect day for her was sitting on the deck of The “Green“ House in Ocean City, NJ.

Eleanor is survived by her husband of 67 years, John L Gardner and their two children, John E. Gardner and his wife Laurie of Furlong, Pa and Lori Ellen Wollman and her husband Frederick of Raleigh, NC. She considered herself to be extremely blessed by her four grandchildren, Lindsey Gardner, Bobby Gardner, Christopher Wollman, William Wollman and his wife Meghan.

A memorial service will be held at 5:00 pm on Sunday, April 22, 2018 in Kortz Hall, Moravian Hall Square, 175 W. North St., Nazareth.  The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Good Samaritan Fund, 175 W. North St., Nazareth, PA 18064.  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Donald R. Miller, 85 of Easton, PA died Friday, April 6, 2018 at the Gardens at Easton. Born April 22, 1932 in Easton, he was a son of the late Edna (McWilliams) and Robert Miller. He graduated from Easton High School in 1949 and was a graduate of the Rutgers School of Banking. He was an Executive Vice-President and Cashier at Easton National Bank and Trust retiring after 40 years. He then worked for Metropolitan Life Insurance.  Don was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Easton and longtime member of the former St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Easton where he served on Council, was a Sunday School teacher and in the choir. He was also a member of the Varsity E Club.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Verna (Manhart) Miller; daughters: Donna E. Koch and her husband Donald of Forks Twp., PA, Janet A. Mease and her lifetime partner Paul Kuzma of Williams Twp., PA; and 4 grandchildren: Matthew Mease, Andrew Koch, Rebecca Mease and Kaitlyn Koch. He was predeceased by 3 sisters: Mary Ellen Schweitzer, Romaine Mengucci and Anita Hutt.

Services are 2 p.m. Tuesday (April 10) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton with visitation 1 to 2 p.m. Interment is in Northampton Memorial Shrine.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. John’s Lutheran, 330 Ferry Street, Easton, PA 18042 or charity of one’s choice. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Stephen L. Kovacs, 101, formerly of Palmer Twp., PA passed away peacefully April 3, 2018 at Country Meadows, Bethlehem Twp., PA. Born December 31, 1916 in Passaic, NJ he was the only son of the late Joseph and Margaret Kovacs who emigrated to the United States from Hungary. He and his late wife, Shirley (Boyer) Kovacs shared 72 years of loving marriage before she passed away in 2014.  After attending Wilson Borough schools, he was employed by Ingersoll-Rand Co. before enlisting in the US Navy where he proudly served his country for four years during WWII as an airplane technician. He trained at the Air Technical School in Banana River, Florida and was also stationed at Kaneohe Naval Air Station in Oahu, Hawaii.

Stephen was a Master Plumber by trade and worked with several local plumbers. He was employed by General Aniline Film Corporation for a time and then was employed by Moravian College in the Technical Department before retiring in 1978. A kind, caring gentleman who was beloved by his many friends and his family, he always had a kind word for everyone and looked for the good in all. He loved to sing and dance, and was an avid golfer for decades. He was a member of the Holy Family Golf League for many years and enjoyed golf excursions to Myrtle Beach and various locations in FL and Puerto Rico. He was a member of Green Pond United Methodist Church (formerly Calvary UM) where he served on the Board of Trustees for many years.

He is survived by a daughter: Janet Matthews and her husband Jim of Forks Twp., PA; a grandson: Michael Matthews of Costa Mesa, CA; sister: Olga Auld of Palmer Twp.; nieces, nephews and dear friends. In addition to his wife, he was predeceased by a daughter: Marjorie Kovacs and 4 of his 5 sisters: Helen Howell, Anna Johnson, Margaret Boyer and Grace MoDavis.

Services are 11 AM Friday (April 6) in Green Pond UM Church, 4411 Green Pond Road, Easton with visitation 10 to 11 AM in the church. Interment will be private. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to Green Pond UM Church or to a charity of one’s choice. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Wayne E. Dewalt, 82, of Forks Township, died Monday, April 2, 2018 in Lehigh Valley Hospital.

Born July 18, 1935 in Forks Township, he was a son of the late George Asher and Violet (Starner) Dewalt.  He and his wife, Sally (Shafer) Dewalt were married 62 years.

Wayne was the founder and owner of Dewalt’s R V, Easton for 44 years and retired in 2010.  He graduated from Easton High School in 1953 and was a member of Forks United Church of Christ, the E-Z Goers Camping Club and the Forks Township Historical Society.

Surviving with his wife, Sally, are two sons, Tom Dewalt and his wife, Judy, of Richmond, VA and Greg Dewalt and his wife, Terri, of Forks Township; three brothers, Glenn Dewalt, Larry Dewalt and Randy Dewalt; two sisters, Joan Mumaw and Lois Stewart; six grandchildren and 2 great granddaughters.

Services will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, April 7, 2018 in Forks United Church of Christ.  A visitation will be held from 8:30 am until service time on Saturday in the church.  Interment is in Forks Cemetery.  The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to Forks United Church of Christ, 4500 Sullivan Trail, Stockertown, PA 18083.  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Robert Silmon Chase, Ph.D., 87 of Lansdale, PA, formerly of Easton, PA, died Friday, March 30, 2018, at Lansdale-Abington Hospital. Born June 9, 1930 in Glenside, PA, he was the son of the late Eleanor (Walter) and Robert S. Chase, Sr. A graduate of Westtown Friends School, he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from Haverford College. He later served on both school Boards and earned a Master’s Degree from the University of Arkansas in Zoology and a Ph.D. in Biology from Bryn Mawr College. He was a Professor of Biology at Lafayette College, serving as Head of the Department of Biology, Dean of the College, Provost and Dean of the Faculty before retiring as the Charles A. Dana Professor of Biology. He was a licensed private pilot who built and flew his own plane and a ham-radio operator who received an Amateur Radio License, Extra Class. He also enjoyed birding, astronomy and shop work. He retired to Brittany Pointe Estates, Lansdale, PA, in 2007 where he served as Treasurer, Vice-President and President of the Residents Association. He was a very active member of BPE where his work ethic and many skills made multiple contributions. He and his wife Barbara received the Residents of the Year Award in 2017.

He is survived by his wife Barbara (Yost) Stewart; 4 children: David Chase, Peter Chase (wife Debra Ashton-Chase) of Easton, Susan Chase Nye (husband E. Darby Nye) of Arlington, VA, Jonathan Chase (wife Lori Chase) of Whitehall, PA; 2 step-sons: Dr. Russell Stewart (wife Dr. Anne Stewart) of Morgantown, WV, Douglas Stewart (wife Elizabeth Stewart) of Birdsboro, PA; 8 grandchildren; 3 step-grandchildren and 2 step-great-grandchildren.

A Memorial Service will be held 2 p.m., April 14, in the Brittany Pointe Estates Auditorium, 1001 South Valley Forge Road, Lansdale, PA, with visitation from 1 to 2 p.m.; the Ashton Funeral Home in Easton, PA, is handling arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Robert S. Chase Fund in Biology, Lafayette College, 705 Sullivan Road, Easton, PA 18042 or to the Brittany Pointe Estates Samaritan Fund, Brittany Pointe Estates, 1001 South Valley Forge Road, Lansdale, PA 19446. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com