Ashton Funeral Home

Obituaries

Ervin J. “E J” Decker

March 30, 2017

Ervin J. “E J” Decker, 89, of Palmer Township, died Thursday, March 30, 2017 in Gracedale.

Born June 8, 1927 in New Milford, NY, he was a son of the late John H. and Isabel (Malory) Decker.

He owned and operated E J Decker & Son, Easton for over 50 years and served in the Navy during WWII and Korea.

Surviving are a son, Randy J. Decker and his wife, Tee of Albuquerque, NM; a daughter, Holly Kociolek and her husband, Tony of Bethlehem; seven grandchildren; three great grandchildren and his dog, Mangie.  His daughter, Gail Gebhardt; his companion, Jean (Wieghorst) Hay; two brothers, Albert Decker and William Decker; a sister, Lela Fehr and his dog, Bogart all died earlier.

Services will be private.

Contributions may be made to Gracedale, 2 Gracedale Ave., Nazareth, PA 18064.  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Gary E. McLaughlin

March 29, 2017

Gary Edward McLaughlin, 62 of Forks Twp., PA died Wednesday, March 29, 2017 after being stricken at home. Born October 20, 1954 in Tamaqua, PA he was a son of the late Edward and Dorothy McLaughlin. He served in the Marines during the Vietnam War and was a member of the American Legion and VFW.

He is survived by his wife of 17 years: Catherine; children: Jason and Jennifer; brother: David and 5 grandchildren.

Services are private. Interment will be in Skyview Memorial Park, Tamaqua. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Janet G. Charney

March 27, 2017

Janet G. Charney, 78, of Danielsville, PA died Monday, March 27, 2017 in Lehigh Valley Hospital, Muhlenberg.

Born February 13, 1939 in Kingston, PA, she was a daughter of the late Dr. Ray and Dorothy (Gray) Goulstone.  She and her husband, Daniel F. Charney, were married 55 years.

While some people have a passion for collecting stamps or art, Janet’s passion was helping people.  She did this through the church and the community. For more than 20 years she served as the parish administrator for Trinity Episcopal Church.  She was also an active member of the church where she sang in the choir, worked with the Altar Guild, and served as a Lay Eucharistic Minister taking communion to sick and home bound parishioners.  She felt strongly about the importance of stewardship and served as a member of the Diocesan Stewardship Commission.  Jan was also a member of Diocesan Council.

Janet’s efforts weren’t just focused on church activities.  For more than 40 years she volunteered with Meals On Wheels, delivering meals throughout Northampton County. At Easton hospital she served on the Women’s Board and was a volunteer chaplain. One of Jan’s biggest projects was serving as the volunteer coordinator for the ARK Soup Kitchen.  She read for the visually impaired and even translated books into braille.  As a recovering alcoholic, Jan helped many people find sobriety through Alcoholics Anonymous.

Janet found her greatest joy in staying connected with family and friends.  She was the Class Agent for the Class of 1961 and stayed in contact with many of her classmates from Cedar Crest College. She and Dan made many trips to see their grandsons, Austin and Kyle, play baseball.   They travelled to England, Wales and Australia while visiting with family members. Holidays and summers were filled with get-togethers with extended family, college roommates and high school friends.  Janet made the world a better place and her caring and comfort will be missed by the many lives she has touched.

Surviving with her husband, Daniel, are two daughters, Beth Lawson and her husband, Tim of York, PA and Kira French and her husband, Rick of South River, NJ; a son, David Charney and his wife, Lorry Mooney of Lakewood, CO; two brothers, Ted Goulstone and his wife, Cindy, and Robert Stone; and two grandchildren, Austin and Kyle French.

A Celebration of Life will be held 2:00 pm Saturday, April 22, 2017 in Trinity Church, 234 Spring Garden St., Easton.

Contributions may be made to Meals on Wheels of Northampton County, 4240 Fritch Dr., Bethlehem, PA 18020 or Trinity Church, 234 Spring Garden St., Easton, PA 18042.  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Charlotte K. Bungeroth

March 25, 2017

CHARLOTTE KOENIG BUNGEROTH

April 23, 1926 – March 25, 2017

 
Charlotte was born in Zofingen, Switzerland as the younger daughter of Max and Claire Koenig.  Her classmates at the small elementary school remained lifelong friends.  Naturally, she became an avid skier.  She graduated from the University of Geneva, fluent in 5 languages.

In 1949, Charlotte married Rolf Bungeroth, whom she met while studying in England.  They remained a most devoted couple for over 67 years.  Rolf passed just last summer.  They first lived in a small apartment, rebuilt from the bombed out ruins in Dusseldorf, Germany.  Corinna was born in 1950 and Marc in 1951.  The family moved to Sault Ste. Marie, Canada, where they lived on the bank of the St. Mary’s River for 6 years.  Then it was on to Pittsburgh, where Charlotte continued to raise their family, but also enjoyed golf, bridge, and volunteer work.  She became especially knowledgeable about art, and served as a docent at Carnegie Museum of Art.

She became an excellent bridge player and won multiple duplicate tournaments, after she and Rolf retired in Florida.  Not necessarily a great golfer, nevertheless she remained very proud of her win at St. Andrew’s Club’s first putting tournament.  Four years ago, Charlotte and Rolf moved to Moravian Hall Square to be closer to daughter Corinna.  Ever since, she frequently commented how fortunate they both were to find such a wonderful and caring place to spend their final years.  Her family strongly shares that appreciation of the facility, wonderful staff, and residents.

Charlotte is survived by her daughter Corinna, who lives with her husband Lin Van der Veer in Lower Nazareth.  Her son Marc lives in Key West.  Grandson Michael lives in Baltimore.  Granddaughter Abby and Ronnie Bossert are in Victor, NY with Charlotte’s first 2 great grandchildren, Sophina and Tyler.  Marc’s daughters Rebecca Divita and Heidi (with husband Ryan McClune) live in San Diego.  Heidi and Ryan were recently blessed with Quinlan as the third great grandchild.

A memorial service will be held at Kortz Hall at Moravian Hall Square, 175 W. North St., Nazareth, PA 18064 at       10:00 am April 1, 2017.  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Gloria May Appel

March 24, 2017

Gloria May Appel, 87 of Palmer Twp., PA died Friday, March 24, 2017 at Moravian Hall Square, Nazareth, PA.  Her husband Henry G. Appel, Sr.  died in 2001. She was a member of Faith Lutheran Church, Forks Twp., PA.

She is survived by her children: Thomas Appel, Richard Appel and his wife Judi, Carolyn Linderman and her husband Tom; daughter-in-law: Mickey Appel; 10 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. Her husband Henry, a son Henry “Hank” Appel, Jr. and a grandson died earlier.

Memorial  Service will be held 10:30 AM Friday, Mar. 31 in Faith Lutheran Church, 2012 Sullivan Trail, Easton 18040, with a calling period 9:30 to 10:30 AM in the church. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to Faith Lutheran Church.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Edna I. Valverde

March 24, 2017

Edna I. Valverde, 98 formerly of Chicago, Illinois died Friday, March 24, 2017 at the Gardens of Memory Care, Easton, PA. Born in St. Anthony, Idaho, she was a daughter of the late John and Irene (Meservey)  Cerny.  She was a professional stage dancer and secretary for many years before retiring. Her husband Steve Valverde died earlier.

She is survived by her daughter Carmen of Princeton, NJ.

Services are private. Interment will be in the Lincoln National Cemetery in Illinois. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Marlin W. “Bud” Klinger

March 18, 2017

Marlin W. "Bud" Klinger

Marlin Weader “Bud” Klinger, 92 of Easton, PA died Saturday, March 18, 2017 at Gracedale. Born July 30, 1924 in McClure, PA he was a son of the late Bertha (Weader) and James William Klinger. He and his wife Elaine Mae (Hart) Klinger were married 67 years.

A graduate of McClure High School, he was a Corporal in the Marine Corps during WWII in the South Pacific and received a Purple Heart. He was a graduate of Kutztown University where he played football and baseball and he received his Master’s degree from the University of PA.  Bud taught Biology at Wilson High School from 1950 to 1983, and was  a football coach and head of the Ski Club.  He was a member of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, Palmer Twp. and served on the Church Council.

He is survived by his wife: Elaine; son: Mark R. Klinger and his wife Elizabeth H. of West Chester, PA; daughter: Debra Perez of Easton; twin sisters: Pauline Rohrbach of Boyerstown, PA, Katherine Herb of Greensburg, PA; 3 grandchildren Selena Queitzsch and her husband Justin, Rita Perez, Anders Klinger; and a great-granddaughter: Saige. Siblings: James Klinger, Gertrude Welsh, Iva Reiss, Dorothy Fleming and Phyllis Baker all died earlier.

Services will be held Graveside, 12 PM, Saturday (March 25) at the Northampton Memorial Shrine, 3051 Green Pond Road, Easton; the Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, 3900 Freemansburg Ave., Easton, PA 18045 or AseraCare Hospice, Allentown or the Alzheimer’s Association.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Grace J. Rheinhart

March 13, 2017

Grace J. Rheinhart, 93, formerly of Easton, died Monday, March 13, 2017 in Gracedale.

Born April 27, 1923 in Filetown, she was a daughter of the late Robert Louis and Mary Jane (Houser) Colver.  Her husband of 59 years, Robert L. Rheinhart died in 2007.

Grace worked at Binney & Smith for over 30 years and retired in 1983.  She was a member of New Creation United Church of Christ and the Diana’s Missionary Circle.  She graduated from Nazareth High School in 1941.  She was an avid camper, quilter and cross stitcher.  In retirement she was an active volunteer and received many awards.  She also enjoyed baking and was known for her molasses crumb cake.

Surviving are nieces and nephews and her great-niece and caregiver, Peggy Benfield.  Her siblings, Lillian Laros, Frances Minnich, Frankiln Colver, Olive Bush, Elmira Breyfogle, Bessie Trach and Jessie Colver died earlier.

Services will be 11:00 am Monday, March 20, 2017 in New Creation United Church of Christ, Palmer Township.  Visitation will be 10:00 am until service time Monday in the church.  Interment in Easton Heights Cemetery.  The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements.

Contributions may be made to New Creation United Church of Christ, 3730 Nicholas St., Easton, PA 18045.  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.