Obituaries

The Reverend William W. “Bill” Wightman, 78 of Forks Twp., PA died Sunday, March 25, 2018 at St. Luke’s Hospice House. Born November 18, 1939 in Forty-Fort, PA he was a son of the late W. Warren and Frances (Williams) Wightman. A graduate of Forty-Fort High School, he received his Bachelor’s Degree in History from Muhlenberg College and his Master of Divinity from the Lutheran Theological Seminary. Pastor Wightman began his ministry in Schuylkill Haven, was then called to Trinity Lutheran Church in Valley View, PA before serving as the pastor at Christ Lutheran Church in Easton for more than 20 years. He also served as a Chaplain at St. Luke’s Hospital, St. Luke’s VNA Hospice, the Lutheran Home at Topton and until May of last year was the Visitation Pastor at First United Church of Christ in Easton. He was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Easton where he sang in the choir and served on the finance committee. He was also a member of the Easton Rotary Club and chaired their basketball tournament for several years. Bill enjoyed golfing and traveling and he played a mean game of solitaire.

He is survived by his son: Paul Wightman with whom he resided; his daughter: Beth Wightman (husband Michael LeFebre) of Los Angeles, CA; and grandchildren: Zachary, Hanna and Francesca. He was predeceased by his wife: Elizabeth “Betty” (Barnish) Wightman in 2015 and his brother: David Wightman.

Services are 2 PM Thursday (March 29) at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 330 Ferry St., Easton with visitation 6 to 8 PM Wednesday in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton. Interment will be private.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Luke’s Hospice, 801 Ostrum Street, Bethlehem, PA 18015. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

James S. Vernon, 87, of Phillipsburg, died Sunday, March 25, 2018 in Old Orchard Health Care Center.

Born December 3, 1930 in Easton, he was a son of the late Elvin H. and Grace (Sickles) Vernon.  His wife, Barbara Ann (Bond) Vernon, died in 2014.

James was a maintenance mechanic for Dixie Cup, Wilson Borough and Forks Township for 44 years and retired in 1995.  He was a member of St. Johns UCC, Howertown, the Easton Moose Lodge and the Safety First Fire Co.

Surviving are a son, James S. Vernon, Jr. and his wife, Kukie;  3 daughters, Cathy L. Gallagher and her husband, Ed, Carol L. Faust and her husband, Leland, Jr., and Caren L. Griffith and her husband, Wayne; his companion, Geraldine Roth; 12 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren.  He was predeceased by 9 brothers and sisters.

Services will be held at 1:00 pm on Friday, March 30, 2018 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton.  A visitation will be held from 6 – 7:30 pm on Thursday in the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. John’s UCC, Howertown or Moosehaven.  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Patricia D. Russo, 73 of Forks Twp., PA, formerly of Bethlehem Twp., NJ died Saturday, March 24, 2018 at St. Luke’s Hospice House. Born March 6, 1945 in E. Orange, NJ she was a daughter of the late Edward and Georgette (Neuhauser) Davis. A 1963 graduate of N. Plainfield High School, she had been employed by Johnson and Johnson in Raritan, NJ for more than 20 years before retiring in 2001. After retirement she was employed by Brown Daub Automotive for 10 years.

Known as “Digie” by her grandchildren and loved by all, she will be remembered most as being the best wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend.

She is survived by her husband of 49 years: Dennis A. Russo, Sr.; her daughter: Melissa Blomkvist (husband Jeffrey) of Asbury, NJ; her son: Dennis Russo, Jr. (wife Kristin) of Wayne, NJ; sisters: Lynda Sabia (husband Tony) of Bethlehem, PA, Janet Yankielun (husband Alan) of Lower Saucon Twp., PA; five grandchildren: Madalyn, Katie, Emily, Elizabeth, Jack; nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service will be held 11 AM Wednesday (March 28) at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, 3900 Freemansburg Ave., Easton with a calling period from 10 to 11 AM in the church. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Salvation Army or to the Shriners Hospitals for Children. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Jeanette C. Schmidt, 93, of Nazareth, died Saturday, March 24, 2018 in Gracedale.

Born January 25, 1925 in Easton, she was a daughter of the late Albert M. and Charlotte R. (Banko) Schmidt.

Jeanette graduated from Nyack Missionary College (now Nyack College) and Wilson High School where she was the captain of the basketball team.  She worked for MAF Missionary Aviation Fellowship in Southern California, Nyack College in Nyack, N.Y. and retired from Deloitte, Haskins & Sells in San Francisco, Calif.  She loved and lived for Jesus and was a member of Grace Bible Fellowship Church, Nazareth.  She also enjoyed camping, hiking, traveling and reading.

Surviving are a nephew, Carl J. “Bud” Fischer, Jr. and his wife, Julie; a niece, Sharon L. Lantzer and her husband, Jeff; grand nephews and grand nieces, Joshua Fischer and his wife, Chrissy, Jeremy Fischer and his wife, Kristen, Josiah Fischer and his wife, Jessica, Elizabeth Lantzer, and Jeremiah Lantzer; and 4 great-grand-nephews and a great-grand-niece.  Her sister, Joanne M. Fischer died last year.

Services will be held at 7:30 pm on Tuesday, April 3, 2018 in Grace Bible Fellowship Church, 100 East Beil Ave., Nazareth.  A visitation will be held from 6:30 pm until service time on Tuesday in the church.  A gathering of family and friends will follow the service in the church fellowship hall.  The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to Grace Bible Fellowship Church, 100 East Beil Ave., Nazareth, Pa 18064. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Lillian M. Fessler, 94, of Palmer Township, passed away on Wednesday, March 21, 2018 in St. Luke’s Hospital.

Born June 13, 1923 in Philadelphia, she was a daughter of the late John and Lillian (Daniels) McGugan.  Her husband, Charles E. Fessler died in 2014.

Lillian was an executive secretary at Victor Balata, Easton for many years and retired in 1983.  She was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Easton where she sang in the choir and served as a Deacon and church secretary.  She graduated from Wilson High School in 1941 and was a volunteer for the United Way and was a member of Harker’s Hollow Golf Club and Northampton Country Club.

Surviving are two sons, David C. Fessler and his wife, Anne, of Nazareth and Steven E. Fessler and his wife, Suzanne, of Bethlehem; a brother, Harry McGugan; a sister, Elaine Habrial; four grandchildren and three great grandchildren.  Lillian was predeceased by her brothers John and Kenneth McGugan.

Services will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, March 28, 2018 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton.  A visitation will be held from 6:00 to 7:30 pm on Tuesday in the funeral home.  Interment will be in Northampton Memorial Shrine.

Memorial contributions may be made to Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network, c/o Development Department, 850 S. 5th St., Allentown, PA 18103 or Priority One Foundation, 2200 W. Hamilton St., Suite 204, Allentown, PA 18104.  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Harry Youngkin, 94, of Easton, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 21, 2018 at Old Orchard Health Care Center.

Born on August 17, 1923 in Easton, he was the son of the late Harry and Bertha (Martin) Youngkin.

Harry graduated from Easton High School in 1942.  He served in the 102nd Infantry Division of the Armed Forces of the U.S in WWII and was a member of VFW Post 1290, Easton.

In his early years, he was employed by Ehrie Roofing Company.  He was a member of the Easton Fire Department for 23 years where he served with pride.  After retiring, he worked as a custodian in the Easton Area School District.

Harry was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather who enjoyed spending time with his family.  He will be remembered as a principled, moral man who valued hard work and honesty, a product of the old fashioned values of “the greatest generation.”  He instilled those values in his children.

Harry dedicated his life to his family.  He adored his grandchildren, rarely missing an EAHS football game when his grandson, John, played, and he fawned over his granddaughters, Gemella, Elizabeth and great-grandson, Seamas.

He had an affinity for outdoor activities; he was an avid hunter and fisherman.  He enjoyed trips to scenic places like Jacobsburg Park and Minsi Lake.

Harry is survived by Carmella (Pintande) Youngkin, his wife of 69 years; son, Anthony Youngkin; stepson, John Pinto and his wife, Lois; grandchildren, Gemella Pinto McNally, John Pinto, and Elizabeth Youngkin; great-grandson, Seamas McNally; and niece, Judith Frawley.

He was predeceased by his son, James Youngkin; stepsisters, Virginia Ehrie and Annette Ostroff; stepbrother, James Pittinger; and niece Diane Snyder.

A memorial service will be held at 11:30 am on Saturday, March 24, 2018 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton.  A visitation will be held from 10:30 am until service time on Saturday in the funeral home.  Interment will be private in Easton Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the National Kidney Foundation, 1500 Walnut St., #301, Philadelphia, PA 19102.  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.