Obituaries

Theodore Schmitz, 82 of Wilson Borough, PA died Tuesday, July 3, 2018 at home. Born July 4, 1935 in Easton, PA he was the son of the late Theodore H. and Rose (Meinhardt) Schmitz. He was a 1953 graduate of Phillipsburg High School and served in the Navy during the Cuban Crisis. He was employed by Mack Printing for 44 years before retiring in 1996. Ted was a member of Citizen Hose, W. Easton Fire Co., Wilson Borough Republican Club, Huntington Fire Co., the Fleas and a life member of Am Vets Post #17.

He is survived by daughters: Susan M. Tophoney (fiancé Kerry Kehl) of New Tripoli, PA, Patricia L. Stout (husband Barry) of Palmer Twp., PA; grandchildren: Jason Schmitz of St. Jacob, IL, Tammy Welch of Quakertown, PA, Brady Stout of Wendell, NC; a great-grandson: Owen Schmitz; and  beloved cat: Sweetie. He was predeceased by his wife: Carolyn (Buss) Schmitz in 1997 and his former wife: Janet Brandau.

Services are 11 AM Friday (July 6) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton with a calling period 9:30 AM to 11 AM. Interment is in Northampton Memorial Shrine.

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

Jean M. Riker, 88 of Palmer Twp., PA died Tuesday, July 3, 2018 at home. Born May 18, 1930 in Hornell, NY, she was the daughter of the late Harold and Marietta (Horton) McGraw. She and her husband Leon W. “Pete” Riker have been married 64 years.  A graduate of Kenmore High School in NY, she received a BA in History from Alfred University and a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Marywood College. She taught preschool, kindergarten and first grade in TX, NY and PA and most recently headed the Preschool Program at St. Paul’s Third Lutheran Church, Palmer Twp.

She was a member of College Hill Presbyterian Church, Easton and had served as Deacon, Elder, choir member, and Sunday school teacher at various churches over her lifetime. She was a member of AAUW, where she was a Past-President of the Scranton, Greensburg and Easton Branches; and Special Honoree of the Easton Branch in 2014 and their Outstanding Woman in 1995. She served on the Siegel Museum Collection Committee for the Northampton County Historical & Genealogical Society and was a member of: the League of Women Voters, URW Club, Fortnightly (Past-President) and various sewing clubs including the former Coutouierre Club. Jean volunteered at Turning Point of Lehigh Valley where she received recognition for 25 years of service in 2011. In 2010 she received the President’s Call to Service Award from the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation.

She is survived by her husband Pete; daughters: Ann Inoue (husband Takashi) of Sayville, NY; Susan Fedors (husband Russell) of Ellicott City, MD; Mary Kornick (husband Daniel) of Mendham, NJ; son-in-law: Charles Fash of Cumming, GA; and 11 grandchildren: Philip and David Inoue, Timothy and Stephen Fash, Brian and Jeremy Fedors, and Caitlin, Julia, Kellianne, Emily and Matthew Kornick. She was predeceased by a daughter: Karen Fash.

Services are 10 AM Saturday July 7 in College Hill Presbyterian Church, 501 Brodhead St., Easton, PA; with visitation 6 PM to 8 PM Friday in the church. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Interment is in the Historic Easton Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Turning Point of Lehigh Valley, 444 E Susquehanna St, Allentown, PA 18103. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Isabel L. Hildenbrand, 83, of Palmer Township, died Monday, July 2, 2018 in Easton Hospital.

Born August 27, 1934 in Wilson Borough, she was a daughter of the late Rean and Sadie (Morris) Nolf.  Her husband, Blaine R. Hildenbrand died in 2012.

Isabel worked for Pallet Express for 15 years and retired in 2005.  Prior to that she worked for Overlook Inn, Canadensis.  She was a member of St. Jane Frances de Chantal Church and graduated from Wilson High School in 1952.

Surviving are two sons, Brent Hildenbrand and his wife, Donna and William Hildenbrand; a daughter, Brenda Rundle and her husband, Harold; eight grandsons and three great grandchildren.  Her brother, William Nolf and her sister, Jacqueline Harris died earlier.

Services will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, July 7, 2018 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton.  A visitation will be held from 6:30 – 8:00 pm on Friday in the funeral home.  Interment in Forks Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, www.stjude.org.  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

David W. Hoff, 62 of Forks Township, PA went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, June 16, 2018 with his family by his side. He was born at Betts Hospital on July 8, 1955 in Easton, PA, the oldest son of Lois J. (Pysher) Hoff of Vero Beach, FL and the late William E. Hoff. He was married to the love of his life, Carol A. (Stecker) Hoff, celebrating their 45th wedding anniversary on January 20, 2018. He graduated from Belvidere High School in 1973 and cum laude from Allentown College St. Francis de Sales in 1996. He worked for Hoffmann-LaRoche for 30 years and then DSM for 10 years in Belvidere, NJ retiring early to spend more time with his family including his beloved grandchildren.

David was a past president of the Forks Township Athletic Association, past president of the Forks Township Recreation Board and served as a Forks Township Supervisor for 12 years, including 6 years as Chairman of the Board. He was involved in the decision to build the new municipal complex and helped to create the design for the recreation fields at the Forks Municipal Park.

He grew up playing baseball with his love for the sport evidenced throughout his high school career. He continued playing adult softball for many years in various leagues throughout the area. This passion led him to coach and teach children to play sports which he truly loved. He was a coach for baseball, basketball and softball in Forks Township for many years while his children were growing up. He then coached his grandchildren in Wilson and Bethlehem Township and served as Wilson Softball Commissioner for two years. His last position was assistant coach for his youngest granddaughter’s traveling softball team, the Renegades.

David’s family came first in his life and he enjoyed taking trips with them around the country. Many family memories were made during travels with his children and grandchildren. His last trip was in April with his son David and grandson Austin to San Antonio, TX to attend the Final Four Men’s Basketball Tournament. He was a volunteer at Avona Elementary School, chaperoning class trips, parties and various other activities. David was actively involved in genealogy research with his wife and was proud to trace his roots back to pre-Revolutionary War time. He also worked with his wife and friends restoring broken and damaged headstones in the historic section of a local cemetery.

Surviving with his wife and mother are his four children: David M. of Tampa, FL, Amy M. Shupp (husband Richard C.) of Bethlehem Twp., Ryan C. (wife Janice) of Wilson Borough, Shannon A. of Bethlehem Twp.; four grandchildren: Alexis and Tyler Shupp, Austin and Addison Hoff; brother: Randy Hoff of Harmony, NJ and sister: Donna Pensack of Vero Beach, FL.

Services are 10 AM Tuesday (June 19) in Forks United Church of Christ, 4500 Sullivan Trail, Stockertown, PA with visitation 6 to 8 PM  Monday in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA. Interment is in Forks Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Barbara Anne Bealer,  belle of the ball, 71 of Easton PA passed away peacefully June 5, 2018 with her daughter at her side.

Barbara was born on December 23 1946 to Charles “Chot” and Penelope (Lallas) Bealer.

She graduated from Easton Area High School and received an Associates Degree from Churchman Business School.

Barbara found her passion and purpose as a director and advocate of DARCC, NJ providing shelter and counseling to women and children escaping domestic violence and sexual abuse.  During her time at DARCC, Barbara impacted many of the women & children’s lives she came in contact with. Becoming to many, a mother figure, trusted friend & loyal coworker. Barbara lived life to the fullest filled with countless friends and a group of young adults who considered her their second mom, all of whom often referred to her as “one of the nicest people they had ever known.” Barbara was kind hearted, true, sincere, never passed judgment and always held an open door policy.  She helped anyone she could and taught her family that everyone in this life has a story if we just took the time to listen.

She enjoyed spending time with friends, family, her children and grandchildren. Barbara loved vacationing at the beach, reading, writing poetry, shopping, and always dreamed of writing a book covering the many chapters that she traveled through her life(boy would that have been a page turner).

Barbara is survived by her children Gregory Shannon Pike, of Salinas CA and Nichole Suzanne Bealer, of Easton PA; her grandchildren Gregory Bealer, Brandon Greffe, Chandara Smith and Kenya Peterson, all of Easton; her nieces Kayse Gehret and Annik Ramsey, both of CA; and sister in law Susan Ramsey of CA. Barbara is preceded in death by her parents, brother Charles “Chip” Bealer III and grandson Nkosi Zaire Smith.

A memorial service will be held at 6:00 pm on Friday, June 8, 2018 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton.  A visitation will be held from 5:00 pm until service time on Friday in the funeral home.  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Mary Jane Stein, 91, of Siesta Key, Fla., formerly of Bethlehem Township, Pa., died Wednesday, May 30, 2018 in Sarasota Memorial Hospital.  Born March 28, 1927 in Phillipsburg, N.J., she was a daughter of the late Dominick and Mary (Azzalina) Re.  Her husband, Dr. Robert S. Stein, died in 2004.

She was the executive secretary to the president of ITT, Easton for 25 years and retired in 1987.  Prior to that she worked at J. T. Baker, Phillipsburg.  She was a member of Temple Covenant of Peace, Easton and the Sisterhood and was a proud graduate of Phillipsburg High School Class of 1944. She was affectionately known as “Mickey” to her grandchildren and great grandchildren and was a master knitter.

Surviving are a daughter, Pauline Lennon and her husband, Gene, of Forks Township; a son, Joseph Mirenna and his wife, Kathi, of Wisconsin; a step-daughter, Sandy Stein of Maryland; a step-son, Richard Stein and his wife, Claudia, of Calif.; her loving companion, Robert Lane; four grandchildren and two great grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by a step-daughter, Linda Brazier; four brothers, Joseph, Anthony, Ben and Samuel Re and two sisters, Rose Labate and Frances Vennie.

Services will be held at 10:30 am on Wednesday, June 6, 2018 in Temple Covenant of Peace, Easton.  Interment in Northampton Memorial Shrine.  The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements.

Donations may be made to Temple Covenant of Peace, 1451 Northampton St., Easton, PA 18042.  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.