Obituaries

Harold M. Austin, 86 of Bethlehem Twp., PA died Friday, December 22, 2017 at Kirkland Village. Born November 18, 1931 in Baltimore, MD he was a son of the late Elsie (Wilkerson) and John Austin. He was a graduate of the University of Baltimore and served in the Navy during the Korean War.  He was employed by Bethlehem Steel at their Sparrows Point plant in Baltimore, Burns Harbor plant in Indiana and their Bethlehem plant for more than 30 years before retiring in 1992. Harold also played in several volleyball leagues and received a 20 year pin as a Meals on Wheels volunteer.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years: Patricia (McGinn) Austin; 3 children: Richard Austin and his wife Diane of Tampa, FL, Donna Pretopapa and her husband Robert, and David Austin and his wife Johann all of Bethlehem Twp.; 5 grandchildren: Kyle and Rachael, Sarah and Angela and Kelly; and 2 great-grandchildren: Raven and Thorin. He was predeceased by 5 brothers and sisters.

Services are 11:00 AM Thursday (Dec. 28) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton with a calling period from 10 to 11 AM. Interment is in Holy Saviour Cemetery, Bethlehem.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Melissa C. Lichten, 74 of Easton, PA died Friday, December 15, 2017 at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest. Born September 15, 1943 in East Stroudsburg, PA she was a daughter of the late Loring and Margaret (Dunning) Cramer. A graduate of Stroudsburg High School and Moravian College, she was a Social Worker for Northampton County for more than 20 years before retiring in 2000. She was an avid gardener and a volunteer for ProJeCt of Easton.

She is survived by her husband of 31 years: Arnie Lichten; sons: Michael Haas of Northampton, PA, Benjamin Haas and his wife Karen of Royersford, PA; a daughter: Jessie Hartman and her husband Jon of Bechtelsville, PA; a sister: Mary Donato of Stroudsburg, PA; and 4 grandchildren: Anna Hartman, Mick Haas and twins: Aubrey and Bridget Hartman. She was predeceased by a son: Daniel Lichten.

Services are private. A public memorial is being planned for the spring. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to ProJeCt of Easton, 320 Ferry St., Easton, PA 18042. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Edgar A. Purdy, 77, of Easton, died Wednesday, December 13, 2017 in Old Orchard Health Care Center.

Born November 25, 1940 in Easton, he was a son of the late Ira J. and Mary A. (Hill) Purdy.

He and his wife, Beverly L. (Hartzell) Purdy were married 57 years.

Ed was Vice President of Operations for MCS Industries, Easton and was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, Phillipsburg.

Surviving with his wife, Beverly, are his children, Jill Purdy, Ellen Patterson and Mark Purdy of Easton; a sister, Anna Mae Limeberry of Ocala, FL; six grandchildren and three great grandchildren.  His brothers, James and Steward Purdy died earlier.

A visitation will be held from 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm on Saturday, December 16, 2017 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton.  Private interment services will be in Easton Heights Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church, 137 Chambers St., Phillipsburg, NJ 08865.  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Stella L. Everitt, 91 of Easton, PA passed away Wednesday, December 13, 2017 in the Gardens at Easton. Born March 10, 1926 in Easton she was a daughter of the late Russell and Leda (Jones) Young. Her husband of 48 years, Lloyd L. Everitt, died in 2014. A homemaker for most of her life, Stella had been employed by the former Dixie Cup Co. for several years.

She is survived by 3 sons: Dennis Chrin and his wife Bonnie of Williams Twp., PA, Gregory Chrin and his wife Caryn of Palmer Twp., PA, James Chrin, Sr. and his wife Jackie of Williams Twp.; 3 step-daughters: Stella George and her husband Bill of Palmer Twp., Beverly, wife of the late Joseph Schenewolf of Nazareth, PA, Donna Allen and her husband Steven of Williams Twp.; 4 grandchildren: James, Jr., Johnathan, Charles, Gregory; 3 step-grandchildren: Alecia, Michelle, Stephanie; and 5 great-grandchildren: Colten, Zoe, Paxton Ann Marie and Evan.

Services are 10:30 AM Monday (Dec. 18) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton with visitation 9:30 to 10:30 AM. Interment is in Northampton Memorial Shrine.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Gardens at Easton Building Fund, 498 Washington St., Easton, PA 18042. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Samuel Robert Ashton, 88 of Northampton, PA died Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017 at St. Luke’s Hospital, Main Campus. Born Nov. 1, 1929 in Highland Park, MI he was a son of the late Khoran and Dorothy (Cherkoian) Gejikian. He retired from the US Marine Corps after 30 plus years in 1980 as a Master Gunnery Sergeant serving in both the Vietnam and Korean Wars. He was the recipient of 4 Purple Hearts, the Gold, Silver and Bronze Stars and US and Korean Presidential Citations.

He is survived by his son: Samuel James Ashton (wife Kathleen) with whom he resided; brothers: Arman Hagapian and Andy Loring in Michigan; 5 grandchildren: Daniel, LeighAnn, Dylan, Elizabeth and Eliot; and 8 great-grandchildren. Siblings: Rose, Betty, Vicky, Margaret, Alex and Gerald all died earlier.

Services with Military Honors will be private in Arlington National Cemetery; the Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.