Obituaries

Bruce Charles VanNess, 56 of Bethlehem, PA died Tuesday, September 11, 2018 at home. Born January 30, 1962 in Wytheville, VA he was the son of the late Catharine (Hellick) and Charles G. VanNess. He was a 1981 graduate of Liberty High School and member of Central Moravian Church where he sang in the choir. Bruce was a civilian crossing guard for the Bethlehem Police Department for 15 years and had worked for Suburban EMS and The Café restaurant. He was also a volunteer fire fighter with the Nancy Run Fire Company for the past 13 years, a Medic 9 volunteer and member of Pink Heals, Lehigh Valley Chapter. He is survived by his uncle George F. Hellick, III (wife Mary Jo) of Hellertown, PA; cousins: Susanne Hellick, Jan Halliburton, Kate Finn; and his fellow brothers and sisters at the Nancy Run Fire Company.

Services are 10:30 AM Monday (Sept. 17) at Central Moravian Church, 73 W. Church St., Bethlehem with a calling period 10 to 10:30 AM. Interment will be in Easton Cemetery. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to Nancy Run Fire Company, 3564 Easton Avenue, Bethlehem, PA 18020. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Grace M. Deemer, 92 formerly of Holland Twp., NJ died Tuesday, September 11, 2018 at Abington Manor-Memory Care, Easton, PA. Born on April 13, 1926 in Easton, PA she was a daughter of the late Elsie Mae (Transue) and William “Art” Haring, Sr. A graduate of Easton High School, she attended Churchman Business School in the 11th and 12th grades. She was married to Carl Deemer, Jr. for almost 69 years before his passing in 2015 and resided in Milford, NJ and Holland Township for most of their life. She worked as a Defense Worker during WWII at Magnetic Winding in Easton. Grace was then employed by Riegel Paper and James River for 30 years in the Accounting Department as the Executive Secretary to the Controller of Accounting before retiring in 1988. She was a member of Old Greenwich Presbyterian Church, Stewartsville, NJ and a former member of Alpha Legion Auxiliary, VFW Auxiliary #7857, Eastern Star Orion Lodge #177, Holland Township Senior Citizens, Milford Senior Citizens, AARP, Easton 500 Club and WIBC PA State Bowling Association.

She is survived by a son: Carl Deemer, III; 2 daughters: Gail Vasko (husband Joseph), and Yvonne Deemer; a brother: William A. Haring, Jr.; 6 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren and her devoted friend: Lorna “Cookie” Rothermel. She was predeceased by her husband Carl and 3 sisters: Elizabeth Sandt, Sarah Lewis and Florence Black.

Services are 10:30 AM Saturday (Sept. 15) in Old Greenwich Presbyterian Church, 17 Greenwich Church Road, Stewartsville, NJ with a calling period from 10 to 10:30 AM. Interment is in Greenwich Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the church. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

William “Bill” E. Kraus, 79 of Easton, PA died Monday, September 10, 2018 at ManorCare, Old Orchard. Born January 5, 1939 in Easton he was a son of the late Violet (Glenville) and Christopher B. Kraus, Jr. After graduating from Easton High School in 1957, Bill served in the US Army Division 25, stationed in Hawaii, where he was a chef for high ranking servicemen. He attended the former Olivet Presbyterian Church and was employed as a machinist for the former RKP Industries before finishing his career as a foreman at Spectrum Automated in Allentown. He worked in his craft for over 40 years before retiring in 2013. He and his wife Marie A. (Lieb) Kraus would have celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary on October 16th. Bill loved cooking and baking for his family, friends, and neighbors. He loved raising tropical fish, collecting horses and eagles. He was always happy doing woodwork projects and crafts for his wife Marie and he enjoyed watching old time movies. He also loved vacationing, especially in Maine, New Orleans, and Florida with family and friends. He was a very caring husband, father, and grandfather.

He is survived by his wife Marie; children: Denise M. Douglas (husband Steven) of Phillipsburg, NJ and Kyle W. Kraus (wife Lisa) of Denver, NC; a sister: Maryalice Ziegenfuss of Easton; and three grandchildren: Marisa M. Douglas, Dylan M. Kraus and Paige A. Kraus; and many nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by five siblings: Caroline Kraus, Idaetta Taylor, Shirley Eldridge, Chester Kraus and Christopher Kraus III.

Services are private.  The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements.  Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 3893 Adler Place, Suite 170, Bethlehem, PA 18017.  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Margaret K. Smith, 91 formerly of Easton, PA died Sunday, September 9, 2018 in her apartment at Moravian Hall Square, Nazareth, PA. Born August 6, 1927 in Kintnersville, PA she was a daughter of the late Ruth Helen (Hager) and Erwin R. Kohl.  She graduated from Wilson High School where she was the Head Drum Majorette and in Earl Held’s All Girl Band. Margaret graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and then from Duke University School of Nursing.

She met her husband, the late Charles S. Smith, Esquire while they were students at Duke and were married in the Lafayette College Chapel by the Duke University Chaplain. Margaret taught nursing at Easton Hospital and was one of several community leaders involved with the creation of the Northampton County Community College. She had been a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Wilson and was a member of AAUW, Easton Branch.

She is survived by her daughter: Valerie Legath; her son: Craig Smith, Esq. (wife Leigh) and four grandsons: Thomas Legath, Steven Legath, Craig Smith, Jr. and Lloyd Smith.  She was predeceased by her husband Charles in 2014, a son David Alan Smith who died in childbirth and her sister Betty Kohl.

A viewing will be held from 1 to 2 PM Friday (Sept. 14) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton. Her Memorial service will be September 29 at 1 PM in Kortz Hall, Moravian Hall Square, 175 W. North St., Nazareth.  Interment is private at Northampton Memorial Shrine.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Good Samaritan Fund, c/o Moravian Hall Square. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Harold H. Johnson, 79, of Easton, died Saturday, September 1, 2018 in his home.

Born November 9, 1938 in Easton, he was a son of the late John and Marjorie (Fuller) Johnson.  His wife, Jean M. (Winger) Johnson died in 2010.

He worked at Bemis, Flemington, NJ.  Prior to that he worked at Victaulic.

Surviving are two daughters, Marlene Libby and Melissa Johnson both of Easton; a brother, Jack Johnson; ten grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.  His sons, Russell Johnson and Harold “Fuzz” Johnson and his siblings, Albert, Richard, Robert, Freddy, Alice, Betty and Mary died earlier.

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