Obituaries

Robert L. Brown, 86 of Palmer Township, PA passed away Thursday, February 9, 2017 surrounded by his family. Born March 16, 1930 in Coplay, PA he was the son of the late Granville Washington Brown, Jr. and Kathryn (Lansenderfer) Brown. He was the loving husband of Cynthia (Nicholls) Brown for 53 years.

After graduating from Coplay High School and serving in the Army infantry during the Korean War, Robert attained his Degree in Engineering from Lehigh University. In 1970, Robert and his business partners created Eastern Engineering Associates in Easton. He played an instrumental role in the growth and success of the business over the next decades before retiring in 2001.

Robert enjoyed spending time with his immediate and extended family and provided many wonderful experiences for them to treasure, through family vacations, lazy summer evenings at the River House or story telling around the dinner table. He enjoyed shooting at the gun range, but his favorite hobby was to build and fly his model airplanes on a sunny windless day. Robert will be remembered most as a wonderful father, husband and grandfather who enjoyed taking care of and spending time with his family.

Irreplaceable to them, he will be sorely missed by: his wife: Cynthia; son: Jeffrey C. Brown and his wife Heidi of Bushkill Twp., PA; daughter: Deborah Carey and her husband Michael of Hellertown, PA; sister: Joyce; 8 grandchildren: Leah, Elijah, Joshua and Luke Brown, Rowan and Cole Carey, Robert Thom, Joel Thom and his wife Dawn and a great grandson: Jacob Thom.

Services are 1:30 PM Tuesday (Feb. 14) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton with visitation 6 PM to 7:30 PM Monday in the funeral home. Interment in Bethlehem Memorial Park.

Memorial contributions may be made to any veteran’s organization.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Cynthia R. Pecile, 46, of Easton, formerly of Bronx, NY, died Wednesday, February 8, 2017 in Easton Hospital.

Born in Weehawken, NJ, she was a daughter of Maureen (Cela) Pecile of Brooklyn, NY and the late Robert Pecile.

Surviving with her mother are her sons, Nick and Michael Saperstein and her husband, Jon Herman.

Services will be private.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Leslie Dearing, age 90, passed away on February 8, 2017.    He was being cared for at the Pat Roche Hospice Care home in Hingham, Massachusetts.

Leslie leaves his wife of 67 years, Florence Unruh Dearing.  His daughters Linda Longley (Peter) and Barbara Friedman (Larry), his son Daniel Dearing (Sherri).  His brother Herbert L. Dearing (Joyce).  His grandchildren; Sarah Harper, Daniel Longley, Tracey Roberts, David Longley, Rebecca Berbel, Samuel Friedman, Rachel Arnold, Jacob Friedman, and Micah Friedman.   Nine great grandchildren.

Leslie was born in Calumet, Oklahoma and lived in Mustang, Oklahoma.   He was the son of William Robert Dearing and Anna Evalena (Tech).  He was one of nine children.   Leslie along with his parents moved to Kansas.

Leslie enlisted in the Army to serve during World War II.   He worked for Western Electric, Southwestern Bell and AT&T.   His time working for these companies bridged and he retired from AT&T with 39 years of service.   While working for the Bell System he met Florence and they lived in Kansas, Missouri and New Jersey.   After retirement Leslie decided to volunteer by doing taxes for AARP in Easton PA.  He received a commendation plaque for performing this volunteer tax work for 20 years of service.

In 2000 Leslie and Florence decided to build a house in Palmer PA and move away from New Jersey.   They spent 14 years in their Palmer home and enjoyed many visits and holidays with their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Leslie’s most important work was his hours of study, teaching, worship, and volunteer work at the number of churches where he lived in Kansas, Missouri, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.   Madison Baptist in Madison, New Jersey and Fellowship Baptist in Easton, Pennsylvania.

Services will be held 10:30 am Saturday, February 18, 2017 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton.  A visitation will be held from 9:30 am until service time Saturday in the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in memory of Leslie Dearing.
https://act.alz.org/site/Donation2?11461.donation=form1&df_id=11461&pw_id=1821&s_subsrc=test_original_tribute

Hanh Luong, 69 of Easton, PA died Saturday, February 4, 2017 at Easton Hospital. She was born August 5, 1947 in Vietnam and had been employed by Kraemer Textile in Nazareth for many years. She was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Easton and is survived by her husband of 39 years, An Luong and step-children.

Services are 10 AM Wednesday (Feb. 8) at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 330 Ferry Street, Easton, PA. Interment is in Forks Cemetery. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to the church. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Marie Sophia Sigafoos, 93 of Easton, PA died Friday, January 27, 2017 at Easton Hospital. Born January 6, 1924 in Easton, she was a daughter of the late Charles and Estella (Buck) Davis. Her husband Kenneth B. Sigafoos, Sr. died in 2010. She had been a member of Green Pond United Methodist Church, active in the PTA and a room mother at Centennial School.

She is survived by her children: Kenneth B., Jr. and his wife Janet of Bushkill Twp., PA, Sharon L. Fisher and her husband Leon of Forks Twp., PA, Thomas W. and his wife Kathy of Upper Nazareth, PA, David B. and his wife Kathe of Forks Twp., PA, Patti Ann Kish and her fiancé Andy Causa, Jr. of Easton; her sister: Dorothy C. Celia of Easton; 9 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, Kenneth and a son: Robert A.

Services are 10:30 AM Wednesday, (Feb.1) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton  with visitation 6 to 7:30 PM Tuesday in the funeral home. Interment is in Easton Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Center for Animal Health and Welfare, 1165 Island Park Road, Easton, PA 18042.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

R. Kline Ashton, Sr., 84 of Palmer Twp., PA died Wednesday, January 25, 2017. Born July 9, 1932 in Easton, PA he was a son of the late Jean (Melick) and Fred L. Ashton, Sr. He and his wife Arlene (Carcione) Ashton were married 62 years. He was a graduate of Easton High School Class of 1950 and Lafayette College Class of 1954, where he was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity. He received his MBA from Lehigh University and was a 1st Lieutenant in the Army during the Korean War.

Kline was a fourth generation funeral director and owner of the Ashton Funeral Home in Easton for more than 60 years. He was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and active with various church groups over his lifetime.  He was a Past-President of the Eastern PA Funeral Directors Association where he was recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award. He served as a District Governor of the PA Funeral Directors Association and was a State Chair of the International Order of the Golden Rule. He was a member of the National Funeral Directors Association and founding member of the Northampton County Community College Funeral Service Program and Advisory Board.

Kline was a Past-President of the Easton Rotary Club, a Paul Harris Fellow and Easton Rotary Service Foundation Fellow. He was an Eagle Scout  and received a James E. West Fellow Award from the Boy Scouts of America. He was a member of various masonic organizations including a 60 year member of Easton Lodge, #152, F & AM and 32nd Degree Mason.  He served on various Boards including The United Way of Easton, Easton Area Volunteer Association, Easton Rotary Service Foundation, and American Red Cross. He was also a member of the Pomfret Club, the Northampton Country Club. and Jr. O.U.A.M.

He is survived by his wife Arlene; his children: Debra Jo Ashton-Chase and her husband Peter of Bethlehem Twp., PA, R. Kline Ashton, Jr. and his wife Amy of Easton, PA, W. Scott Ashton and his wife Sharon of Bethlehem Twp., PA; a sister: Anna Kutzler of Forks Twp., PA; 6 grandchildren: Sam, Julie, Robert, Matthew, Victoria and Ryan and 2 step-grandchildren: Brian and Cody. He was predeceased by his brother Fred L. Ashton, Jr.

Services are 2 PM Sunday (Jan. 29) in Good Shepherd Lutheran Church,  2115 Washington Boulevard, Easton, PA with a viewing  from 3 PM to 6 PM Saturday, (Jan. 28) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton and also prior to the service at the church on Sunday.  Interment is in the Historic Easton Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Easton Rotary Service Foundation, c/o 25 Chestnut Ridge Circle, Easton, PA 18042 or the Lehigh Valley Health Network, Renal Transplant Program, PO Box 689, Allentown, PA  18105.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.