Obituaries

Betty C. Cunningham Benner, 92, of Palmer Township, died Thursday, July 27, 2017 in Weston Assisted Living at Sullivan Trail.

Born November 11, 1924 in Alpha, NJ, she was a daughter of the late Russell T. Cunningham and Mable (Halpin) Cunningham.  Her husband, Robert H. Benner died in 2009.

Betty was a manager at Easton National Bank and Trust Company for 30 years until 1986. She was also a tour escort for East Coast Touring Co., Forks Township.

She was a member of the former Memorial United Church of Christ where she was an Elder, Deacon, Treasurer and Sunday School teacher.  She was a member of New Creation United Church of Christ and a volunteer for Meals on Wheels.  She was a graduate of Churchman Business School and a Worthy Matron and District Deputy of the Order of the Eastern Star, Easton Chapter 214.

Surviving are two brothers, Kenneth T. Cunningham and William L. Cunningham and three sisters, Pauline M. Minger, Doris J. Ostrander and Frances L. Slack.  Five brothers, R. James Cunningham, Clayton C. Cunningham, Joseph A. Cunningham, Harry G. Cunningham and Robert Cunningham and a sister, Martha C. Schermerhorn died earlier.

Services will be held at 10:30 am on Monday, July 31, 2017 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton.  A visitation will be held from 9:30 am until service time on Monday in the funeral home.  Interment in Northampton Memorial Shrine.

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

Antoinette M. “Toni” Hummell, 75, of Lower Nazareth Township, died Tuesday, July 25, 2017 in St. Luke’s Hospice House.

Born March 11, 1942 in Easton, she was the daughter of the late Salvatore “Samuel” and Mary (Camelleri) Ippolito.

She is survived by her husband, Joseph A. Hummell; her son, Doug Pinkerton and his wife, Lori; and a brother, John Ippolito.

Services and interment will be private.  The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements.  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Alverta Anna Woodring, 86 of Mt. Bethel, PA died Thursday, July 20, 2017 at her daughter’s home in Annandale, NJ. Born November 11, 1930 in Drakestown, NJ she was a daughter of the late Elmer T. and Leonora Anna (Dilley) Kilts. A 1948 graduate of Hackettstown High School she was employed by Lehigh Cordage in Allentown before retiring.  She was also a Girl Scout Leader in Allentown  and PUMP food pantry volunteer in Mt. Bethel.

She is survived by her daughter: Denise Schoch and her husband Keith; brother: Elmer David Kilts; sisters: Elizabeth O’Connor, Louise Simoniz, Bernice Fisher, Charlotte Snyder, Irene Smith; and 2 grandsons: Kyle and Joshua Schoch. She was predeceased by her husband James E. in 1984 and son Wayne E. in 1960.

Services are 10:30 AM Tuesday (July 25) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton with visitation 6 PM to 7:30 PM Monday in the funeral home. Interment is in Northampton Memorial Shrine.

Memorial contributions may be made to Easter Seals, March of Dimes, Boys Town of Omaha or the Hunterdon Hospice.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Edwin T. Drake, 85 of Palmer Twp., PA died Monday, July 17, 2017 at home. Born December 15, 1931 in Easton, PA he was a son of the late Herbert R. and Laura (Price) Drake. A 1950 graduate of Wilson High School he had been employed by Atlantic States for many years before retiring. He was a Past Master of Easton Lodge F. & A. M.,#152; Past High Priest Easton Royal Arch, Chap. #173; Past Thrice Illustrious Master Pomp Council #20; Past Commander Hugh de Payens Commandery #19; and member of Knight York Rite Cross of Honor.

He is survived by his wife of 25 years: Marjorie (Finken) Drake; son: Edwin V. “Skip” Drake (wife Karen), Saylorsburg, PA; daughter: Dr. Kerr Drake Young, Drumore, PA; step-daughters: Tina Ehret, Dewart, PA, Jennifer Alercia, Easton, Toni Ellis (husband Will), Newport News, VA; 11 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by 3 brothers: Leonard, Herbert and John Drake.

Services are 10:30 AM Thursday (July 20) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton; visitation 6 PM to 7:30 PM Wednesday with Masonic service at 7:15 PM. Interment  in Northampton Memorial Shrine.

Memorial contributions may be made to Easton Lodge F. & A. M. #152, 22 So. 3rd St., Easton, PA 18042 or Center for Animal Health and Welfare, 1165 Island Park Rd., Easton, PA 18042.  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Elizabeth M. “Betty” McIntyre, 84 of Palmer Twp., PA died Tuesday, July 11, 2017 at Gracedale. Born March 7, 1933 in Bethlehem, PA she was a daughter of the late Edward and Sadie (Miller) McBriar. She had been employed by Mary MacIntosh, Schafer Bologna and was a part-owner of Abels Express over the years. Betty was a member of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, Palmer Twp. and a founding member of the former Easton High School Varsity Mothers.

She is survived by her husband of 66 years: Clyde P. McIntyre; 3 children: Edward McIntyre and his wife Debra of Palmer Twp., Debra Henry and her husband Leo of Wilson Borough, Sharyn Pysher and her husband Russell of Punta Gorda, FL; 6 grandchildren: Lyssa McLaine, Maureen Rinda and her husband Brian, Stephanie Smith and her husband Jeremy, Ryan Breckon, Shennon Bush and her husband Jesse, Chad Pysher and 11 great-grandchildren: Tyler, Molly, Brooke, Halle, Briar, Audrey, Karli, Abby, Carson, Peyton and Erin.

Services are 11 AM Monday (July 17) in St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, 3900 Freemansburg Ave., Easton with visitation 6:30 PM to 8 PM Sunday in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton and 10:30 to 11 AM Monday in the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimers Association at www.alz.org or to the church, 3900 Freemansburg Ave., Easton, PA 18045.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Kathryn A. Earles, 95, of Easton, died Tuesday, July 11, 2017 in Whitehall Manor.

Born March 19, 1922 in Phillipsburg, she was a daughter of the late John and Magdalena (Hartman) Travers.  Her first husband, Clayton O. Laubach died in 1960 and her second husband, Harry J. Earles died in 1998.

Kathryn was a member of St. Jane Frances de Chantal Church.  She graduated from St. Philip and St. James High School in 1938 and was an active member of the Reunion Committee.  She was a volunteer for Meals on Wheels and Easton Hospital and a member of the Senior Circle.  She was a charter member of Stones Crossing Swim Club and enjoyed attending and organizing musical events.

Surviving are two daughters, Karen (Laubach) Odlum and her husband, Jerome and Marcia (Earles) Brown and her husband, Jim; two sons, Jeffrey Laubach and Garry Earles; six grandchildren, Jason, Alexyss, Krista, Ashley, Christopher and Allison and five great grandchildren.  Her brother, John “Jack” Travers died earlier.

Services will be held at 10:30 am on Friday, July 14, 2017 in St. Jane Frances de Chantal Church, 4049 Hartley Ave., Palmer Township.  A visitation will be held from 9:30 am until service time on Friday in the church.  Interment in Northampton Memorial Shrine.  The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to Mary Meuser Memorial Library, 1803 Northampton St., Easton, PA 18042.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Katherine E. Picone, 91, of Easton, died Friday, July 7, 2017 in Gracedale.

Born July 2, 1926 in Wilson Borough, she was a daughter of the late Charles and Mildred (Schlough) Brown.  He husband, Joseph W. Picone died in 1994.

Katherine was a housekeeper at Gracedale from 1975 to 1988.

Surviving are two sons, Terry L. Picone and his wife, Donna of Easton and Daniel K. Picone and his wife, Sherri of Harrington, DE; two daughters, Karen P. Grim and her husband, Tom of Allentown and Jacqueline M. Rubenstein and her husband, Michael of Uniontown, PA; a brother, Carl Brown; a sister, Christina Sonn; eight grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren.  Her brothers, Fred Brown and Charles Brown and her sisters, Doris Washburn and Audrey Steible died earlier.

Services will be held at 10:30 am on Wednesday, July 12, 2017 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton.  A visitation will be held from 9:30 am to 10:30 am on Wednesday in the funeral home.  Interment in Northampton Memorial Shrine.

Contributions may be made to American Heart Association, 968 Postal Rd., Suite 110, Allentown, PA 18109, www.heart.org.  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.