Obituaries

Patricia Ann Steckel, 87 of Nazareth, formerly of Palmer Twp., PA died Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at Moravian Hall Square. Born April 11, 1938 in Easton, PA she was the daughter of the late Lillian (Siglin) and Thomas Eugene “Gene” Bethman. She was a graduate of Wilson High School and was employed by Met-Ed when she met her husband of 65 years, Harry G. Steckel. Pat was a longtime active member of St. Paul’s III Lutheran Church, Palmer Twp. where she sang in the choir.

She is survived by her husband, Harry; her daughter: Debbie Hartzell (Rickie) of Bushkill Twp., PA; brothers: Donald Bethman of Hilton Head, SC and Maryland and Thomas Bethman of Forks Twp., PA.

A Graveside service will be held 11:30 AM Thursday, June 26, 2025 at the Northampton Memorial Shrine, 3051 Green Pond Rd., Easton. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton, PA is handling arrangements. Memorials may be made to a charity of one’s choice. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Jane Elizabeth Heller, 89 of Forks Twp., PA died Sunday, June 15, 2025 at Country Meadows, Bethlehem Twp., PA. Born November 28, 1935 in Easton, she was the daughter of the late Clyde C. Ott and Joyce F. (Kunsman) Ott Green.  She was a 1953 graduate of Easton High School and had been employed by Prudential Insurance Co. for several years. Jane was an Easton High School wrestling fan and active with the Pat Reilly Scholarship organization. She also loved playing tennis.

She is survived by her daughter: Vickie J. Corriere and her husband Ford of Easton. She was predeceased by her husband: Lovene N. Heller and her brother: Clyde E. Ott.

Graveside services will be held at Noon on Friday (June 20) at the Northampton Memorial Shrine mausoleum, 3051 Green Pond Rd., Easton. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton, PA is handling arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Eduardo “Laldo” Morales Gonzales, 96 of Easton, PA passed away June 10, 2025 at St. Luke’s Hospital, Easton Campus. Born May 25, 1929 in Morovis Puerto Rico, he was a son of the late Raymundo Morales and Francisca Gonzalez. Laldo worked in housekeeping for the hospital of Morovis, Puerto Rico but his passion was playing the guitar, singing and going to Iglesia de Morovis (Morovis church). Eduardo’s kind soul will be greatly missed by all, the family was blessed to have him for so long. He taught them much from the lessons he learned over his 96 years

He is survived by his children: Eduardo “Tito” Morales of New Jersey, Awilda Morales of Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico, Victor Morales of Easton, PA, Noel Morales of New Jersey and Reinaldo Morales of Easton, PA; and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was predeceased by a son: Juan Anibal Morales.

Eduardo will be taken home to Morovis, Puerto Rico where services will be held in the Funeraria Erick Memorial, Morovis, PR with burial in the Cementerio Municipal de Morovis. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling local arrangements. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Jane L. Peters, 87, formerly of Bethlehem Township and Wilson Borough, died Tuesday June 10, 2025 in Moravian Hall Square, Nazareth. Born August 12, 1937 in Wilson Borough, she was a daughter of the late Russell and Agnes (Bittner) Bonstein. Her husband, Robert C. Peters died in 2022.

Jane graduated from Wilson High School in 1955 where she proudly participated in the marching band as a majorette. She worked as a secretary at the Dixie Cup, Ingersoll-Rand and Stofanak, Inc.

Jane was a member of Epworth United Methodist Church where she delighted everyone with her creative handmade wreath designs which graced the church doors for many years.

Surviving are a niece, Leslie Ann Howard and her husband Rick Stulgaitis of Madison, Wisconsin; a grandniece Victoria A. Heinz and her husband Jon of Minneapolis; and a grandnephew, Richard S. Howard and his wife Riley Lawrence of Seattle. She was predeceased by her sister, Phyllis B. Howard.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday June 25, 2025 at the Northampton Memorial Shrine, Green Pond Road, Palmer Township. Jane’s family would like to thank Moravian Hall Square, Family Pillars Hospice and the St. Luke’s Wound Care teams for their care and kindness.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Epworth United Methodist Church, epworthbethlehempa.org or The Center for Animal Health and Welfare, healthyanimalcenter.org. Offer online condolences at AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Charles Scott “Chuck” Eppinger, 65, of Saylorsburg, passed unexpectedly on Monday, June 2, 2025. Born August 29, 1959 in New Rochelle, NY, he was the son of the late James B. and Virginia (Luther) Eppinger. He and his wife, Caroline T. (DePamphilis) Eppinger were married 35 years. He was a commercial office interior carpenter for NYCDCC carpenters union for 30 years until retiring last year. Chuck was an instructor with the Motorcycle Safety Foundation and was an avid guitar player.

Surviving with his wife, Caroline, are a son, Jesse Eppinger and his wife, Jenna; a daughter, Elise Eppinger; two brothers, David Eppinger and his wife, Pamela, and Tom Eppinger and his wife, Lori; a sister, Laurie Brown and her husband, Dennis; a granddaughter, Adaline who lovingly called her grandfather, Baabu; two nieces, Sydney and Maggie; and two nephews, Kyle and Connor.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Louise Moore Park, Pavillion #4, starting at Noon on Friday, June 6, 2025 and continue through the afternoon. We will pause for a moment to honor and remember Chuck’s life beginning 3:00 pm on Friday at the park. All who knew and loved Chuck are welcome to attend. Please wear a jam band t-shirt or tie-dyed t-shirt and bring a chair. You may also bring a musical instrument to jam with us! Please offer your online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Craig A. Young, 76, of Nazareth passed away on Friday, May 30, 2025, at Temple Hospital in Philadelphia.  Born October 10, 1948, in Easton, he was the son of the late Charles “Vic” Young and Thelma “Betty” I. Young.   He was the beloved husband of Dianne B. Sodaitis Young. They celebrated their 50^th wedding anniversary on September 14, 2024. Craig was a 1966 graduate of Wilson High School.  He attended Moravian College and then Lincoln College of Technology where he earned an A.D. in Electronics. He was a Lucent Technologies retiree. His most recent position was with Infinera which is now part of Nokia. There he worked on Mechanical CAD Design for Fiberoptics and retired August, 2024.

Craig’s number one passion was fishing.  He and his twin sons, Joshua and Jeremy, are life members at Ontelaunee Road and Gun Club and Heidelberg Hunting and Fishing Club. He belonged to other local fishing clubs as well.  His constant fishing buddy was son Jeremy, who is blind, who mastered the art of hooking a fish.  Craig also proudly introduced granddaughter Giovanna to fishing contests when she was two years old. His other interests include: tandem mountain biking with Jeremy and friends, camping with family, long weekends at his parents’ Pocono Mountain cabin and hunting.  Craig was also honored by Vigilance Hose Fire Company along with brother-in-law Roy “Buzz” Seiple for twenty years of being road rally masters. Those rallies were fundraisers for them on Nazareth Day.

He will be lovingly remembered by his wife: Dianne; twin sons: Joshua and Jeremy; daughter: Rebecca Anita Viglianti and husband Steven; granddaughters: Giovanna Rose and Sienna Theresa; sisters: Debbie Crafa, Cindy Seiple and husband Roy; brother: Brian and companion LaRae McCormick; Uncle John Young; nephews: Ryan Seiple and wife Danielle, Randy Seiple and wife Kara, Timothy Van Horn and wife Tonya; niece: Christine Seiple; grandnephews: Tyler and Owen; grandnieces: Sophia and Leah. Craig was predeceased by niece: Jennifer Van Horn and brother-in-law: John Crafa.

A calling period will be held 10:30 to 11:30 AM Saturday, June 21, 2025 at the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA with a Celebration of Life Service to follow. Interment is in Forks Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to: giftoflifehowieshouse.org. Offer online condolences at www.ashtonfuneralhome.com.