Obituaries

James D. Ealer, 65 of Nazareth, PA died Thursday, July 11, 2024 at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Hecktown Oaks. Born June 10, 1959 in Easton, PA he was a son of the late Walter and Helen (Miers) Ealer. He was a graduate of Phillipsburg High School and is survived by a brother: David Ealer and sisters: Deborah Ealer, Donna Lewis and Cindy Whelchel.

Services will be private with burial in Easton Cemetery. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Stacey L. Hoff, 47, of Easton, died Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in Lehigh Valley Hospital. Born September 8, 1976 in Easton, she was the daughter of Allan and Vicki (Hockman) Gold. She and her husband, Todd P. Hoff were married 20 years. Stacey was a bank teller at PNC bank, Palmer Township. She was a graduate of Easton Area High School and Churchman Business School and was an avid camper and gardener. Stacey was diagnosed with breast cancer 12 years ago. She always said that she was going to fight until she couldn’t fight any more. And she was still fighting to the end. She put up a good fight and was a warrior. Hopefully she is at peace now. 

Surviving in addition to her husband and parents are her children, Brandon Hewko, Tanner Hoff, and Katelynn Hoff; a brother, Robby Gold; two sisters, Kristy Burks and Jodie Tawfik; two granddaughters, Paige and Isabella; and many nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at 12:30 pm on Sunday, July 14, 2024 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton. A visitation will be held from 11:00 am until service time on Sunday in the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Horse Plus Humane Society, horseplus.org, or The Center for Animal Health and Welfare, healthyanimalcenter.org. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Gregg Adamson Freyling, 66 of Bethlehem Twp., PA died Wednesday, July 3, 2024 at home. Born May 21, 1958 in Easton, PA he was a son of Virginia (Rogers) Freyling and the late Nelson W. Freyling. He was a 1975 graduate of Wilson HS, West Lawn, PA and served in the US Air Force for 4 years. He was employed by American Airlines, as a Purser for 35 yrs., NAS Willow Grove. He was also a Fire Fighter for the Wilson Fire Dept. for 15 yrs. and Fire Fighter/EMT in Palmer Township, and the Reading Fire Dept., Liberty Fire Co. #5.

Gregg enjoyed scuba diving, fishing, being with family and friends and celebrating whatever the occasion and was an avid Philadelphia Eagles and Phillies fan. While employed by American Airlines, he had the pleasure of traveling mostly abroad and enjoyed lay-overs in various cities and making friends wherever he was.

He is survived by his mother: Virginia of Shillingtion, PA; his wife: Mary Beth (Banks) (Marello) Freyling married 1 year with the love shared between them for 38 years; his son: Skyler Freyling Hawke, wife Kristi Hawke of Anaheim, CA; his daughter: Irelyn Freyling, fiancé David Ramirez, of St. Cloud, FL; step-son: Nicholas A. Marello of Sinking Spring, PA; his sister-in-law: Diane Freyling; niece: Lauren Freyling; cousins; faithful companion: “CC” the cat and neighbors: Bob, Jim, Jen and Tony with their wonderful friendship throughout the years. He was predeceased by his father, Nelson, and brother: Scott Allen Freyling.

The family would like to send a sincere heartfelt thank you to Dr. Faroun and staff, doctors, nurses, and caregivers of St. Luke’s Hospital, Anderson-Cancer Department, Infusion Center and the caring hospice staff. Memorial Gifts may be made to: St. Luke’s Hospice c/o Development Office, 801 Ostrum St., Bethlehem, PA 18015 or www.slum.org/Development/ways-to-give/make-a-gift.

Services will be private at the family’s discretion. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Merle Rae (Flitter) Grollman, 84, of Scottsdale, AZ, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 30, at her home after a short illness. Born on December 1, 1939, she was the beloved wife of the late Joseph W. Grollman and the daughter of the late Miriam (Rosenthal) Flitter and S. Maxwell Flitter. Alongside Joe, Merle was instrumental in running the family business, Grollmans, a women’s fashion store in downtown Easton, which was established in 1904. After the store closed in 1991, Merle transitioned to a successful career as a realtor with Weichert Realtors until her retirement.

Merle was a dedicated member of several civic organizations, including the Children’s Home of Easton, the Junior League of the Lehigh Valley, and the State Theatre for the Performing Arts. She played a pivotal role in fundraising efforts to save the treasured theatre from closure. Additionally, she was a long-time member and volunteer of the women’s board at Easton Hospital, where she also served as president as well as a trustee of the Two Rivers Health and Wellness Foundation. Her commitment to her community extended to serving on the City of Easton’s Zoning Hearing Board and the Wilson Borough Zoning Board of Adjustment.

Actively involved in Easton’s Jewish community, Merle was a member of B’nai Abraham Synagogue and Temple Covenant of Peace. She cherished summers at Eddyside Pool with friends and family, enjoyed traveling across the United States and abroad, and treasured her time in both the Easton and Scottsdale communities. Merle’s infectious energy and enthusiasm were felt by all, as was her competitive spirit for those who dared to play her in Scrabble.

She is survived by a daughter: Julie Shinbaum and her husband Dana of Scottsdale, AZ; 2 sons: Michael Grollman and his wife Dana of Redondo Beach, CA, Peter Grollman and his wife Alexa of Merion Station, PA; 7 grandchildren: Noah and his wife Ellen Shinbaum, Naomi and Natalie Shinbaum, Max and Jack Grollman; Jesse and Sasha Grollman and brother: Dr. Marc Flitter and his wife Alice.

Services are private with interment in Easton Cemetery. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Gary, a man of integrity, purpose, faith, generosity and always the gentleman, passed on June 29, 2024 at age 88. Born in Wilkes-Barre PA to Edith and Ralph Evans, Gary graduated from Lafayette College in 1957 Magna Cum Laude and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He married Betty Jane Gait in 1958. For the last nine years, they have resided at Kirkland Village in Bethlehem PA.

Gary’s extensive development career was one of passion and devotion. He successfully led major capital campaigns at Lafayette College, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, and forged enduring alumni friendships. Gary was a mentor to many and had an active consulting career following his college and university work. He taught at Harvard’s Institute for Educational Management and Harvard University Seminar for New Presidents; served on the faculty of the Williamsburg Development Institute; was a trustee of Lafayette College along with Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE); and authored several articles and book chapters on fundraising. Additionally, Gary served as Board of Directors Vice President of the Children’s Home of Easton, Inc.; Board of Directors member for Lehigh Valley Industrial Park; an Elder of First Presbyterian Church in Easton; and President and Director of Two Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce. He also was a US Army veteran.

His greatest joy, however, was his family and Evans gatherings were always full of love and laughter. Gary is survived by his wife of 66 years, Betty Jane Evans; daughter Karen Evans Gadson of Saint Michaels MD (husband Mark); son Steven Evans of Ambler PA (wife Laurie); son Daniel Evans of Oreland PA (wife Susanna); four grandchildren, Megan Gadson Benner (husband Mark), Abigail, Noah and Hadley Evans; and a great granddaughter, Charleigh Benner.

A Celebration of his Life will be held 2 PM, Wednesday, September 11, 2024 in the Kirkland Village Auditorium, 1 Kirkland Village Circle, Bethlehem, with a calling period from 1 to 2 PM. Overflow parking  in the First Presbyterian Church parking lot with shuttle service will be available.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests gifts be made in Gary’s memory to the Gary A. ’57 and Betty J. Evans Scholarship Fund at Lafayette College. Checks should be made payable to Lafayette College and make note of the scholarship fund on the memo line. Mail to Lafayette College, Advancement, Box 3000, Easton PA 18042. Or, please consider making a gift to the Alzheimer’s Association at 225 North Michigan Avenue, Floor 17, Chicago IL 60601. Online condolences may be offered at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Lisa (Yearian) McCormick, 52, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on June 26th 2024. She was born on October 17, 1971 in Phillipsburg, NJ. Daughter of Patricia Yearian.

She offered warmth and a smile to all of her customers served throughout her many jobs—pet care, retail, and Wegmans grocery store. In addition to her mother, Lisa is survived by her daughter Tasha Wirth of Philadelphia, PA ; son, Jarred Hoff and wife, Sarah of Easton; twin sister, Judy Yearian and partner Sam of Birdsboro, PA; sister, Patricia “Shelly” Heister and husband, Eddie of Sinking Spring, PA; brother, William Willever and wife, Amy of New Providence, PA.

Services are private at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are entrusted to Ashton Funeral Home, Easton. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.