Obituaries

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.

On June 24, 2024, as the sun was setting, illuminating the cross atop First Presbyterian Bethlehem, Carol Judy Vollmer Freebairn, 83,  joined those that have gone before. Born November 10, 1940 in Philadelphia, PA she was a daughter of the late Harry and Carolyn (Weidner) Vollmer. Carol has been a faithful disciple, serving as a deacon at First Presbyterian Easton and Nassau Presbyterian of Princeton. In her final days, we watched the Meals on Wheels pickup at the neighboring church, an adventure that she did with her friends or her husband over the years.  Carol, known as Judy in her youth, grew up outside of Philadelphia in Upper Darby. In her teens, she won Miss Aronimink, getting her picture in the paper, riding atop a convertible. She went to West Chester Teachers college briefly but knew that was not for her. Changing to what was a secretaries’ school at the time, she learned typing and other assistant related skills. She worked in Philadelphia for Presbyterian Church USA, Board of Christian Education as the secretary to the publisher of church school curriculum. At an event at a church supper, she met a young man with a new Mustang. She must have been interested in the man and the Mustang and after a whirlwind courtship, she wed Harry A. Freebairn in 1965 and had 59 years together, most of them joyous.

As a secretary, she was the voice of Nassau Presbyterian. People would call just to hear her. She spent about 10 years at Lafayette College, both in Admissions and then in Career Planning and Placement where all the students would rave about how kind and caring Mrs. Freebairn was. Carol’s daughter, Beth, a student herself,  often rolled her eyes at her fellow Pards, but her Mom helped even her with her resume and navigating Word Perfect.

Carol had a love of the beach. Ocean City NJ was her favorite spot. Many summers, winter breaks, holidays and 70’s gas crisis were spent in OCNJ. Carol continued to be involved in numerous activities as they moved back to Easton and Bethlehem, including traveling to the grandchildren’s activities. She touched many people.

Carol is survived by her husband: The Rev Harry A. Freebairn of Bethlehem PA, former pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Easton; her brother: H. William (Bill) Vollmer III (wife Lydia) of Cocoa Beach FL; her children: Beth Freebairn of Center Valley PA, Steven Freebairn (wife Maureen) of Frisco TX, and Nancy Freebairn Spicer (husband Peter) of Whitehouse Station NJ; six grandchildren: Kyle Roseberry (wife Erica), Erik Roseberry, Joey Freebairn, Tom Freebairn, Nathan Spicer and Gracie Spicer.

Carol was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease 10+ years ago. It is a rough disease. We feel for those that suffer with this and the other nasty diseases that take our loved ones. We thank God for the many years Carol shared with us all. Our family and our spouses would like any donations in Carol’s memory to go to the Parkinson’s Foundation (www.parkinson.org) or Ascend Hospice (www.ascendhealth.com) or to dad’s fondness, the Arbor Day Foundation (www.arborday.org).

To celebrate Carol’s life, please join us on July 12th at 3:30 pm in the Kirkland Village Auditorium, 1 Kirkland Village Circle, Bethlehem. A calling period will be held July 11th from 6 to 8 PM in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA.

Thank you, the Freebairn family

John W. Bronico, 78, of Moore Township, formerly of Palmer Township, died Saturday, June 22, 2024 in Lehigh Valley Hospital. Born December 9, 1945 in Easton, he was the son of the late Joseph and Wilma (Groover) Bronico. His wife, Janet M. (Pfeffer) Bronico died last year. John owned Bronico Financial Planning, Palmer Township for over 40 years. He was a member of Living Hope Lighthouse, Palmerton and a former member of Middlecreek Christian Church, Kresgeville, Ebenezer Bible Fellowship Church, Bethlehem Township, and First Evangelical Congregational Church, Easton. He was a member of the Northampton County Chapter of Gideons and he enjoyed playing racquetball at the Easton YMCA. He was an avid golfer, quoit player and softball player and enjoyed 50’s and 60’s music.

Surviving are his children, Mary Katherine Barnhardt and her husband, Thomas of Arlington, TX, Barbara A. Mathis and her husband, Jim of Palmer Township, Brian J. Bronico and his wife, Lezlie of North Richmond Hills, TX, and Chris D. Bronico of Moore Township; seven grandchildren; four great grandchildren; a brother, Tony Bronico; and a sister, Mary Taylor. He was predeceased by a brother, Joseph Bronico, Jr. and a granddaughter.

Services will be held at 10:30 am on Friday, June 28, 2024 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, A visitation will be held from 6:30 to 8:00 pm on Thursday in the funeral home. Interment will be in Northampton Memorial Shrine. Memorial contributions may be made to The Gideons, www.Gideons.org. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.