Obituaries

Samuel Robert Ashton, 88 of Northampton, PA died Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017 at St. Luke’s Hospital, Main Campus. Born Nov. 1, 1929 in Highland Park, MI he was a son of the late Khoran and Dorothy (Cherkoian) Gejikian. He retired from the US Marine Corps after 30 plus years in 1980 as a Master Gunnery Sergeant serving in both the Vietnam and Korean Wars. He was the recipient of 4 Purple Hearts, the Gold, Silver and Bronze Stars and US and Korean Presidential Citations.

He is survived by his son: Samuel James Ashton (wife Kathleen) with whom he resided; brothers: Arman Hagapian and Andy Loring in Michigan; 5 grandchildren: Daniel, LeighAnn, Dylan, Elizabeth and Eliot; and 8 great-grandchildren. Siblings: Rose, Betty, Vicky, Margaret, Alex and Gerald all died earlier.

Services with Military Honors will be private in Arlington National Cemetery; the Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Bernard John Metz, Sr., 89 of Palmer Twp., PA died Tuesday, December 12, 2017 at home. Born June 23, 1928 in Bath, PA he was a son of the late Jesse and Elizabeth (Tracy) Metz.  He was a graduate of St. Philip and James High School and attended Churchman’s Business College and Northampton Community College. He received mechanical engineering certification from ICS in Scranton and was also a certified Master Plumber. He served as a US Army Platoon leader with the 29th Infantry Regimental Combat Team during the Korean War.

Mr. Metz started Metz Mechanical in 1960 and served as its President and/or Chairman for over 50 years. Metz Mechanical received National recognition for its work in Energy management and state awards for its stop smoking and weight loss programs. It was the first “no smoking” company in PA and remains “no smoking” to this day.

In 1987 he started the Small Business Council of the Two Rivers Chamber of Commerce and served as its Chairman for the first two years and was the first recipient of the Chamber’s Small Business of the Year Award. In 1991 he received the Sales and Marketing Executives Distinguished Citizen Award. He, and his son BJ, were awarded the first annual Martin Zippel Award from the Boys and Girls Club of Easton in 1996. In 1997 the company received the Community Fabric Corporate Award from Northampton Community College.

He is a Life member of the American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineering, the American Society of Power Engineers, and Suburban EMS.  Mr. Metz was very active in the community, serving in various capacities including: Director of Valley Health, President Valley Health Services, Director Lafayette Bank and Fulton Financial, Past Pres. Easton Hospital, Past President Easton Area YMCA, member Education Committee PA Hospital Trustee Assoc., Director Northampton Country Club, and Advisory Board member Easton Boys and Girls Club. He also encouraged and supported his Metz employees to give back to the community.

He loved to play golf socially and belonged to various clubs including Tamarac Country Club and Coral Ridge Golf Club both in Ft. Lauderdale, Harker’s Hollow, Northampton Country Club and Sea View Country Club in Absecon, NJ. He played golf in 20 states including Hawaii and Alaska, China, Japan, Hong Kong, Okinawa, Ireland, England, Canada, Bermuda and Mexico. Bernard traveled to all but 3 states in the US, including Alaska and Hawaii 3 times, Italy and England both 6 times, Germany 5 times and Ireland 3 times. He also visited Hong Kong, Morocco, China, Japan, Spain, Mexico, Colombia, the Caribbean Islands, Hungary, Austria, Malta, Corsica, Switzerland, Monte Carlo, Sicily and France.

He is survived by his wife of 25 years Mary (Boos) Shaughnessy Metz; sons: David J. Parsons (wife Barbara), BJ Metz, Jr. (wife Kristie Hoeflein), all of Easton; step-sons: Edward Shaughnessy (wife Ellen), Easton, Michael Shaughnessy, Bethlehem; granddaughters: Jennifer (husband Peter Mickolay), Nazareth and Anne Parsons, Easton; great-grandson: Grant Parsons; many nieces and nephews in FL and GA. He was predeceased by his first wife of 35 years Marion (DeRosa) Parsons Metz and his brother: Leon Metz.

Services are private; the Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Online condolences may be offered at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Miracle League of Northampton County, P.O. Box 3424, Palmer, PA  18043-3424, www.miracleleagueofnc.org.

Kathyrn “Kitt” Altemose, 84 of Palmer Twp., PA died Friday, December 8, 2017 at Moravian Hall Square, Nazareth, PA. Born August 15, 1933 in Plainfield Twp., PA she was a daughter of the late Eva (Haas) and Clayton Engler and a 1950 graduate of Nazareth High School.

She was a member of St. Peter’s UCC, Tatamy where she served on the Women’s Guild and organized and participated in many church activities throughout the years. Kitt was a long-standing, active member of the U.R. W. Club of Palmer Twp. and as an avid reader, belonged to several book clubs. Kitt’s enthusiasm for art was displayed in her many art exhibits throughout the Lehigh Valley. Her grass roots leadership as co-founder and past-president of the now dissolved Creative Arts Society and Friends, helped establish Easton as a cultural arts center by coordinating the first art show at Riverside Park over 20 years ago. As an artist, Kitt’s active membership in the Nazareth Paint Box Art Club as well as the Forks Art Club brought her many hours of joy and creative fellowship.

Kitt enjoyed traveling, especially with her husband Vernon,  who she spent many hours zig-zagging up and down the east coast chasing her passion for lighthouses. Another favorite travel spot was Hilton Head, SC where she and her husband enjoyed the beauty of the island, walking the beach, bicycling and fine dining. She was a gentle and devoted wife, mother and grandmother who was very proud of her family.

She is survived by her devoted and beloved husband of 63 years: Vernon Altemose;  her four beloved children and spouses: Pam Valcante and husband Gregory of Gainesville, FL, Matthew Altemose and wife Bonnie of Easton, Gregory Altemose and companion Kathy Haines of Troy, MI, David Altemose and wife Rachelle of Palmer Twp.; her 14 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; her sisters: Gladys Day of Bethlehem, Edith Mackes of Nazareth and her brother: Francis Engler of Ackermanville.  A sister: Jenny Poloni and brothers: Marlin and Stewart Engler died earlier.

A Memorial Service will be held January 6, 2018  at 11 AM in St. Peter’s UCC, 401 Broad Street, Tatamy with a calling period from 9:30 to 11 AM in the church. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Peter’s UCC, PO Box 188, Tatamy, PA 18085. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Marian Cawley Bird, 85 formerly of Palmer Twp., PA died Tuesday, December  5, 2017 at Sacred Heart by the Creek Senior Living in Northampton, PA. Born May 10, 1932 in Easton, PA she was a daughter of the late Thomas and Marian (Smith) Cawley. A graduate of Phillipsburg High School Class of 1949, she had been employed by Mack Printing in Wilson for 2 years and St Andrew’s Nursery School in Palmer Twp.  for 20 years. She was a Charter member of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church where she was active in all areas of ministry including Council, Choir and SAW.  Marian volunteered for Meals on Wheels for more than 40 years and was a member of the 49er’s Club.

She is survived by four daughters: Louise Mease, Eleanor Neff, Donna Lederer and Eileen Lewis; a sister: Muriel Dragotta; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Her husband Kenneth J. Bird died in 2014.

Services are 11:30 AM Friday (Dec. 8) in St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, 3900 Freemansburg Ave., Easton with a calling period from 10:30 to 11:30 AM in the church.  The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Andrew’s Church, 3900 Freemansburg Ave., Easton, PA 18045; Meals on Wheels of Northampton County, 4240 Fritch Drive, Bethlehem, PA 18020 or the Center for Animal Health and Welfare, 1165 Island Park Road, Easton, PA 18042.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Marguerite Ruth “Peg” Heller, 95 died Monday, Dec. 4, 2017 at Moravian Hall Square, Nazareth, PA. Born August 27, 1922 in Riegelsville, PA she was a daughter of the late Harry and Josephine (Van Horn) Haring. She was a graduate of Easton High School Class of 1939 and graduate of DeForest Institute of Technology.  She and her husband, the late George Heller, owned and operated a farm in Bloomsbury from 1968 to 1988. She was a member of the American Milk Goat Raisers Association and received numerous awards for her show goats. She was a member and past treasurer of St. Matthews UCC, Saylorsburg and member of the Blue Ridge Quilting Club. Peg was also a licensed broadcast engineer during WWII.

She is survived by her son: Maurice C. Heller and his wife Katherine of Nazareth, PA; 2 grandchildren: David Heller and Marleah Doyle; 6 grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband: George and sister: Winifred Antrim.

Services are 10 AM Saturday (Dec. 9) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton with visitation 7 to 8:30 PM Friday and 9:30 to 10 AM Saturday. Interment is in St. James Lutheran /Straw Church Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Samaritan Fund at Moravian Hall Square or to the Alzheimer’s Association. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.