Obituaries

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.

James Paul Freund, Sr., of Easton, PA died Sunday, May 18, 2025 at Cedarbrook, Fountain Hill, PA. Born July 28, 1933 in Mineola, NY, he was the son of the late Paul and Eloise (Ayers) Freund. He was a graduate of Bucknell University where he received a degree in Music Education with majors in French Horn and Voice. He also played French Horn for the Mobile, AL Symphony Orchestra and Vallaigo, CA Symphony Orchestra while serving in the US Air Force.  James had been the Choir Director for churches including, Christ Lutheran Church, Milton, PA, Central Baptist Church, Woodbury, NJ and Palmer Moravian Church, Easton. He was Director of Choral Music and later Instrumental Music in the Woodbury, NJ public schools from 1961 to 1970. He was the Principal Horn and President of the Woodbury, NJ Symphony Orchestra and taught voice at the Woodbury Conservatory of Music. From 1970 to 1996 James was Director of Instrumental Music and Band Director at Palisades High School in Kintnersville, PA. He was also Principal Horn with the Musical Arts Chorus, the Easton Municipal Band and he played with the Liberty High School Alumni Band, Bethlehem.  James had a lifelong love of the French Horn, classical guitar, singing, and photography and had been a member of several radio-controlled flying clubs, the most recent being the Lehigh Valley Radio Control Society in Easton.

He is survived by his children: Theresa A. Sostorecz (husband Kevin Pfingst) of High Bridge, NJ, David W. Freund of Deltona, FL, Robert C. Freund of Tamaqua, PA; a sister Marian Schillerstrom; and grandchildren: Reilly, Julia, Samantha, Sophie, and James. He was predeceased by his wife: Kay N. (Showers) Freund in 2017 and son: James P. Freund, Jr. in 2009.

Services are 10 AM Saturday (May 24) at Palmer Moravian Church, 2901 John St., Easton, with a viewing from 6:00 to 7:00 PM Friday in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA. Interment is in Forks Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Palisades Band Boosters at https://gofund.me/e9c74acf . Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Suzanne Brose Hemmerick, 92, of New York City, formerly of Easton, died Saturday, May 17, 2025 in Country Meadows. Born February 14, 1933 in Philadelphia, she was the daughter of the late James V. and Helen (Edenburn) Spatola. She and her husband, Tom Hemmerick were married 38 years. Suzanne had a long career in Real Estate. Spanning 60 years, she loved building companies (she built 3 of them ) and helping people find their homes. Suzanne was still working until January 2025 as a Broker with Weichert Properties. She was a graduate of The Baldwin School, Bryn Mawr, PA and received her bachelor’s degree from Duke University. As an astute business woman, she was elected Easton’s first woman on the board of chamber of commerce. Unstoppable, in her 70’s she realized her dream to study and sing jazz, enchanting us with her unique style and beautiful voice.

Surviving with her husband, Tom are a daughter, Karen Harrod and her husband, Dave; two sons, Johns “Chip” Hopkins, III and James Brose; a step-daughter, Leah Murray and her husband, Ken; and four grandchildren, Justin, Andrew, Julie, and Regan. She was predeceased by a step-son, William Hemmerick.

Services will be held at 12:00 pm (Noon) on Thursday, May 22, 2025 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton. A visitation will be held from 11:00 am until service time on Thursday in the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Averte/Merry Meadow Farm who merged with Trivium Life Services (501c3) in June of 2022. Averte continues to provide mental health support in New England while Trivium Life Services provides developmental disability support in Iowa and substance abuse support in Idaho. Averte has been providing care for 45 years while Trivium Life Services is in its 50th year; https://www.triviumlifeservices.org/donate. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Shirley Ann Prugh, 99, of Bethlehem, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 11, 2025, at her apartment at Traditions of Hanover in Bethlehem. Born December 19, 1925 in Easton, PA, she was the daughter of the late C. Stewart Hedden and Mabel H. (Hoadley) Dutt. She was a graduate of Wilson High School, Class of 1944 and after high school she was a World War II volunteer at Ingersoll Rand- who contributed to the war effort by producing equipment for the military and allied nations. Shirley then went to work for the Boys Scouts of America and later became a telephone switchboard operator. In the 1960s and early 1970s, she was the secretary at Calvary United Methodist Church in Easton before joining the Proofreading and Production team at the College Placement Council in Bethlehem in 1972 and staying 20 years until her retirement in 1992. Post retirement Shirley worked as a part-time secretary for several years at First Baptist Church in Bethlehem, where she was a member.

Shirley’s passions included cooking, baking, painting, sewing, watching her son play baseball and watching her grandchildren and great grandchildren grow up. She was a dog lover and raised multiple dogs (Pug, Muffin & Buster) over the years. She loved making Christmas cookies with her grandkids and for several years, she enjoyed making beautiful wedding cakes.

Shirley is survived by her son: Gary and his wife Betty of Broomall, PA; daughter-in-law: Toni Prugh of Bethlehem; grandchildren: Jennifer Prugh Perez (Miguel) of Huntersville, NC, Robert Prugh (Joni) of Enterprise, AL, Alex Prugh of Washington, DC, Christopher Prugh of Media, PA; and great-grandchildren: Andrew, Ashlyn and Aidan Perez of Huntersville, NC and Carter and Grayson Prugh of Enterprise, AL. She was predeceased by her parents, her stepmother: Gladys Hedden (1995), her ex-husband: William H. Prugh, Sr, (1968), her son: William H. Prugh Jr. (1997), her great-grandchild: Jacob Perez (2006) and her brother: Stewart Hedden (2012).

A calling period will be held Wednesday, June 4, 2025 from 10:00 to 11:00 AM followed by a short service at the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton Street, Easton, PA. Interment in Northampton Memorial Shrine. Memorial contributions may be made in Shirley’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or CHOP or the ASPCA. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Marlene Marie Moulds, 71 of Forks Twp., PA passed away Friday, May 9, 2025 at St. Luke’s Hospital, Anderson Campus. Born June 8, 1953 in Council Grove, KS, she was the daughter of the late Marion and Margaret (Swisher) Shubert. She was a graduate of Emporia State College and taught at Elementary and Montessori schools for many years and later as a math specialist before retiring. Marlene both lived and taught in Montana, North Carolina, California, Louisiana, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, moving every four years, wherever her husband was called as a Lieutenant Colonel in the US Air Force. But she loved Pennsylvania because of its four seasons and the vibrant fall colors.

Marlene was a member of First United Church of Christ, Easton and loved helping others. She volunteered at the Easton Middle School for school and sporting events, and for the Sean Morris Golf Charity. She had a passion and skill for bringing people together, especially her family and friends. She loved watching Penn State football, the Kansas City Chiefs and Liverpool soccer, a passion of both of her sons. Marlene was kind, compassionate, driven by her faith and touched the lives of everyone she met. She often seemed called upon by God to be a listener to family, friends, and even strangers she met through her life.

Marlene is survived by her husband of almost 50 years, LTC Robert D. Moulds; sons: Robb W. Moulds and wife Krista of Warrington, PA, Allan L. Moulds and wife Seneca of West Chester, PA; brothers: Jerry and Larry Shubert; and 4 grandchildren: Harrison, Madelyn, Caroline, and Addison.

A Memorial Service will be held 11 AM, Saturday (May 17) at First United Church of Christ, 27 N. 3rd St., 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 in Marlene’s name to the church, 27 N. 3rd St., Easton, PA 18042. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.