Obituaries

Irene C. Stotz, 93, of Easton, died Monday, November 6, 2017 in Country Meadows.

Born September 17, 1924 in Allentown, she was a daughter of the late Edwin and Ruth (Weiss) Dankle.  Her husband, Thomas B. Stotz died in 1991.

Irene was a nurse at Allentown General Hospital and Allentown State Hospital.  She graduated from Allentown High School in 1942 and Allentown General Hospital School of Nursing in 1947.  She was a member of First United Church of Christ, Easton and the former Grace United Church of Christ, Easton where she taught Sunday school, served on Consistory and sang in the choir.  She was a member of Church Women United of Easton, the Matilda Butz Chidsey Circle of the Kings Daughters and Sons and she participated in the Nurses Health Study.

Surviving are her daughters, Martha I. Street and her husband, John, of Vienna, OH;  Carolyn S. Brehm and her husband, Fred, of Lawrenceville, NJ; Mary E. Hall and her husband, Russell, of Masury, OH and Molly S. Parry of Tatamy; 7 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.   Her daughter, Jennifer A. Lynn died in 2003.

Services will be 10:00 am on Saturday, November 11, 2017 in First United Church of Christ, Easton.  A visitation will be held from 9:00 am until service time on Saturday in the church.  Interment in Easton Heights Cemetery.  The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to First United Church of Christ, 27 N. 3rd St., Easton, PA 18042.  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Erik Smestad, 56 of Forks Twp., PA died Friday, November 3, 2017 at Easton Hospital. Born August 3, 1961 in Brooklyn, NY he was a son of Anna (Thoresen) and Hans Smestad of Forks Twp.  He was a New York City Dock Builder with Local 1556 for many years before retiring. Erik was an active member of Arndt’s Lutheran Church, Forks Twp., active in scouting, especially Cub Scout Pack 29 and he had been a Forks Twp. Volunteer Firefighter. He was proud of his Norwegian heritage and lived by the motto “always do the right thing”.  Erik lived for his sons and was devoted to his parents. A hard worker with a well-developed sense of humor, he was selfless and generous in everything he did.

He is survived by his parents, Hans and Anna; his sons: Kristian and John and their mother Diane; brothers: John (wife Kim) of Forks Twp. and Kristian (wife Jerelyn) of Westerly, RI; sisters: Linda Ramse (husband Eivind) of Tovdal, Norway, Judy Nunn (husband Rich) of Brick Twp., NJ, and Astri Myhre (husband Sigbjorn) of Cranford, NJ; his companion: Susan Oelschlegel; and his many nieces and nephews.

A Visitation will be held 6 PM to 9 PM Wednesday (Nov. 8) in Arndt’s Lutheran Church, 1851 Arndt Rd., Easton. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11 AM Saturday (Nov. 11) in the church (please bring your pictures and funny stories). The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to Arndt’s Lutheran, 1851 Arndt Rd., Easton, PA 18040. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Thomas W. Fox, 70 of Easton, PA went home to be with his Lord, Friday, Nov. 3, 2017 at his home after a yearlong battle with cancer. His last words were “to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord” (II Corinthians 5:8). He wanted to go home and be with Jesus, whom he loved. Born June 16, 1947 in Easton, PA he was a son of Sara L. Fox of Easton and the late Edgar J. Fox, Jr.

Thomas was a 1965 graduate of Easton High School and co-owner for 45 years of Fox Brothers Alarms which was founded in 1972 with his brother Craig.  He held a private pilot license and was a former member of the Lehigh Valley Flying Club. He was a faithful member of Sovereign Grace Baptist Church, Phillipsburg where he served as an Elder. He loved the word of God and was always willing to share his faith with others. Tom had the gift of hospitality, opening his home to hundreds of people throughout the years.

In addition to his mother, he is survived by his precious wife of 51 years: Carol Fox; his daughter: Michelle Ruiz and her husband Michael of Walnutport, PA; his sons: Thomas Fox, Jr. and his wife Wendy of Nazareth, Daniel Fox of Easton and Mark Fox and his wife Angela of Easton; brothers: Craig Fox and his wife Gloria of Easton and Paul Fox of Easton; his sister: Gail Haldeman and her husband Steve of Sellersville, PA; his grandchildren, who affectionately called him Pop-Pop: Courtney, Brooke, Ryan, Kimberly, David, Ethan, Brandon and Natalie; and many nieces and nephews.

Services are 11 AM Tuesday (Nov. 7) in the Calvary Baptist Church, 5300 Green Pond Rd., Easton; with visitation 6 to 8 PM Monday and 9 to 11 AM Tuesday in the Church. Interment will be private for the family at Easton Cemetery. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to Sovereign Grace Baptist Church, c/o 585 Lefevre Road, Easton, PA 18040. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Wendy Gumberich, 75, of Palmer Township, died Sunday, October 29, 2017 in St. Luke’s Hospice House.

Born December 17, 1941 in Rochester, NY, she was the daughter of the late David and Sylvia (Gray) Lipton.  She and her husband, Lothar D. Gumberich, were married 48 years.

Wendy was a graduate of the University of Miami and worked for Warren Hospital for 25 years.  She was a member of B’nai Abraham Synagogue, vice president of the Sisterhood, a volunteer at Easton Hospital and a member of URW.  She was a gourmet cook, loved traveling, was an avid golfer and enjoyed spending the winter months in Sarasota, Florida.

Surviving with her husband, Lothar, are her step-son, Preston Gumberich and his wife, Marcia Cooper and her brother, Ron “Dusk” Lipton and his wife, Eileen Sommers.

Services will be held at 10:30 am on Thursday, November 2, 2017 in B’nai Abraham Synagogue, 1545 Bushkill St., Easton.  Interment in B’nai Abraham Cemetery, Forks Township.  The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements.  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

George T. Howells, Jr. 75 of Easton, PA died Friday, October 27, 2017 at Easton Hospital. Born November 10, 1941 in Jersey City, NJ he was a son of the late Helen (Trybus) and George Howells, Sr. Known as one of the finest chefs in the Lehigh Valley, he owned George Howells Food Service and was the Chef at the YR Club in Easton for 44 years and the Pomfret Club in Easton before retiring. He was a Master carpenter and animal lover who helped countless people with his generosity.

He is survived by: daughters: Dawn Magilton and her husband Tom of Palmer Twp., Linda Jane Howells and her fiancé Tom Matousch of Easton and her mother Linda Berardinucci; step-daughter: Jennifer Smoke and her husband Cliff of Mt. Bethel, PA; brother: Richard and his wife Mary of Pittston, PA; grandchildren: Krista, Christopher, Nicholas, Thomas, Eliza, Adalyn and Mason; and great-grandchildren: Kyler and Alyse. He was predeceased by sons: Thomas and George “Bim”, III; his first wife: Maureen (Smith);  a brother: Jack and sister: Dianne Sortino.

Services are 10:30 AM Wednesday (Nov. 1) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, with visitation 6 to 8 PM Tuesday. Interment is in Easton Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Center for Animal Health and Welfare, 1165 Island Park Rd., Easton 18042. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Jean E. Ackerman, 87 of Easton, PA died Tuesday, October 24, 2017 at Cedarbrook Fountain Hill. Born August 19, 1930 in Phillipsburg, NJ she was the daughter of the late Paul and Alma (Hartzell) Walter. A 1948 graduate of Easton High School, she had been employed by the Easton Area School District for 6 years and Bnai Abraham Synagogue as their sexton for 25 years. She also enjoyed sewing for others.

She is survived by 3 children: Wade Kuzen and his wife Ann of Bethlehem, Anthony Cuvo and his wife Michele of Coopersburg, Wendy Boettger and her husband Richard of Manor, TX; 5 grandchildren: Maribeth, Christopher, Anastasia, Merry and Claire; and 3 great-grandchildren: Thian, Rebekah and Trinity.  She was predeceased by husbands: Donald Kuzen, Joseph Cuvo, Sr. and Eugene Ackerman.

Services are 1:30 PM Monday (Oct. 30) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton with visitation 12:30 to 1:30 PM. Interment will be in South Easton Cemetery.

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