Obituaries

Kathyrn “Kitt” Altemose, 84 of Palmer Twp., PA died Friday, December 8, 2017 at Moravian Hall Square, Nazareth, PA. Born August 15, 1933 in Plainfield Twp., PA she was a daughter of the late Eva (Haas) and Clayton Engler and a 1950 graduate of Nazareth High School.

She was a member of St. Peter’s UCC, Tatamy where she served on the Women’s Guild and organized and participated in many church activities throughout the years. Kitt was a long-standing, active member of the U.R. W. Club of Palmer Twp. and as an avid reader, belonged to several book clubs. Kitt’s enthusiasm for art was displayed in her many art exhibits throughout the Lehigh Valley. Her grass roots leadership as co-founder and past-president of the now dissolved Creative Arts Society and Friends, helped establish Easton as a cultural arts center by coordinating the first art show at Riverside Park over 20 years ago. As an artist, Kitt’s active membership in the Nazareth Paint Box Art Club as well as the Forks Art Club brought her many hours of joy and creative fellowship.

Kitt enjoyed traveling, especially with her husband Vernon,  who she spent many hours zig-zagging up and down the east coast chasing her passion for lighthouses. Another favorite travel spot was Hilton Head, SC where she and her husband enjoyed the beauty of the island, walking the beach, bicycling and fine dining. She was a gentle and devoted wife, mother and grandmother who was very proud of her family.

She is survived by her devoted and beloved husband of 63 years: Vernon Altemose;  her four beloved children and spouses: Pam Valcante and husband Gregory of Gainesville, FL, Matthew Altemose and wife Bonnie of Easton, Gregory Altemose and companion Kathy Haines of Troy, MI, David Altemose and wife Rachelle of Palmer Twp.; her 14 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; her sisters: Gladys Day of Bethlehem, Edith Mackes of Nazareth and her brother: Francis Engler of Ackermanville.  A sister: Jenny Poloni and brothers: Marlin and Stewart Engler died earlier.

A Memorial Service will be held January 6, 2018  at 11 AM in St. Peter’s UCC, 401 Broad Street, Tatamy with a calling period from 9:30 to 11 AM in the church. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Peter’s UCC, PO Box 188, Tatamy, PA 18085. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Marian Cawley Bird, 85 formerly of Palmer Twp., PA died Tuesday, December  5, 2017 at Sacred Heart by the Creek Senior Living in Northampton, PA. Born May 10, 1932 in Easton, PA she was a daughter of the late Thomas and Marian (Smith) Cawley. A graduate of Phillipsburg High School Class of 1949, she had been employed by Mack Printing in Wilson for 2 years and St Andrew’s Nursery School in Palmer Twp.  for 20 years. She was a Charter member of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church where she was active in all areas of ministry including Council, Choir and SAW.  Marian volunteered for Meals on Wheels for more than 40 years and was a member of the 49er’s Club.

She is survived by four daughters: Louise Mease, Eleanor Neff, Donna Lederer and Eileen Lewis; a sister: Muriel Dragotta; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Her husband Kenneth J. Bird died in 2014.

Services are 11:30 AM Friday (Dec. 8) in St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, 3900 Freemansburg Ave., Easton with a calling period from 10:30 to 11:30 AM in the church.  The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Andrew’s Church, 3900 Freemansburg Ave., Easton, PA 18045; Meals on Wheels of Northampton County, 4240 Fritch Drive, Bethlehem, PA 18020 or the Center for Animal Health and Welfare, 1165 Island Park Road, Easton, PA 18042.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Marguerite Ruth “Peg” Heller, 95 died Monday, Dec. 4, 2017 at Moravian Hall Square, Nazareth, PA. Born August 27, 1922 in Riegelsville, PA she was a daughter of the late Harry and Josephine (Van Horn) Haring. She was a graduate of Easton High School Class of 1939 and graduate of DeForest Institute of Technology.  She and her husband, the late George Heller, owned and operated a farm in Bloomsbury from 1968 to 1988. She was a member of the American Milk Goat Raisers Association and received numerous awards for her show goats. She was a member and past treasurer of St. Matthews UCC, Saylorsburg and member of the Blue Ridge Quilting Club. Peg was also a licensed broadcast engineer during WWII.

She is survived by her son: Maurice C. Heller and his wife Katherine of Nazareth, PA; 2 grandchildren: David Heller and Marleah Doyle; 6 grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband: George and sister: Winifred Antrim.

Services are 10 AM Saturday (Dec. 9) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton with visitation 7 to 8:30 PM Friday and 9:30 to 10 AM Saturday. Interment is in St. James Lutheran /Straw Church Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Samaritan Fund at Moravian Hall Square or to the Alzheimer’s Association. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Col. Robert Hugh Nourse, 84, of Easton, died Monday, December 4, 2017 in his home.

Born March 22, 1933 in Fort Benning, GA, he was the son of the late Col. Robert S. and Mildred (Dickinson) Nourse.  He and his wife, Anne (Cramer) Nourse, were married 62 years.

Bob was a man of varied interests who worked as a soldier, an educator, and an administrator.

Bob graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1955 and retired as a Colonel in the U.S. Army after 28 years’ service.  During the Vietnam War, he was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action while engaged in combat.

Bob worked in the Office of Alumni Relations at Lafayette College for an additional 26 years and retired in 2010.  He was also an adjunct professor of history at Lafayette.

He was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church, Easton.  He served on the board of the National Canal Museum, Easton, and volunteered at the Third Street Alliance and Habitat for Humanity.

Surviving with his wife, Anne, are his children, Catherine A. Mueller of Badin, NC; Patricia N. Culbertson of Charlottesville, VA; Robert L. Nourse of Easton; and James R. Nourse of State College, PA; eleven grandchildren; and one great-grand child.

A Memorial Service will be held at 3:00 pm on Sunday, December 10, 2017 in Trinity Episcopal Church, 234 Spring Garden Street, Easton.  The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Episcopal Church.  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Tom, or TD as he is affectionately known, was born in Lykens, PA during the Great Depression in September 1930.  Tom spent his early life exploring the mountains around his central Pennsylvania home.  He later moved to Philadelphia, PA, where his father found employment.  In March 1943, Tom joined the Boy Scouts, Philadelphia Council, Troop 243. He achieved Life rank.

Tom graduated from Germantown High School in 1948.  To earn money for college Tom worked at Barnett Canvas Goods & Bag Company putting grommets in canvas.  He also worked as an electrician’s helper for the Delaware River Bridge Commission, working on the Benjamin Franklin Bridge.  He graduated from Franklin & Marshall College in 1952 and Jefferson Medical College in 1956.  He served in the U.S. Navy from 1956 to 1967.  He completed his medical internship and residency at the Naval Hospital of Philadelphia.  After a Fellowship in Cardiac Anesthesia at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Tom was given orders to St. Albans Naval Hospital as Chief of the Anesthesia Department, and director of the anesthesia residency training program.  During the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, he was deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.  In 1967, Tom entered civilian life as an anesthesiologist at Sacred Heart Hospital, Allentown, PA. He later joined the staff at St. Luke’s Hospital, Bethlehem, PA. While at St. Luke’s Tom served as Chief of the Anesthesia Department from 1974 to 1978.  In 1981, he joined the Navy Reserves. He served in various capacities, including Commanding Officer of Fleet Hospital #20.  In January 1991, he was recalled to active duty during Desert Storm and was stationed at Bethesda Naval Hospital.  Tom retired from the Navy as a Captain in September 1992.  He was an active member of the American Society of Anesthesiologists, the Pennsylvania Medical Society and the Pennsylvania Society of Anesthesiologists (PSA).  He served as President of the PSA for two terms from 1976 to 1978.

In the early 1970s, Tom was a member of the Allentown West End Rotary Club. He has been a member of the Allentown Chapter of the Honorary First Defenders since 1983. He served as its Commander from 2002 through 2003, and on the Executive Council for many years.  Tom was a member of the Palmer Township Kiwanis Club from 1994 through 2015.  He served as its President in 1999-2000.  During his term as President, he started a K-kids club at the Palmer Elementary School and a Key Club at Wilson High School.  As a Kiwanis volunteer, Tom helped deliver Meals-on-Wheels.

He is predeceased by his parents, George and Lottie Doneker, his sister, Irene Doneker, and sister Miriam Harrison. He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Beverly (Detweiler) Doneker. He is also survived by son, Dr. Thomas Doneker, Jr and his wife, Joell of Houston, TX, daughter Kimberly Lisi and her husband Vincent of Brooklyn, NY, and son Robert Doneker and his wife, Dr. Laura Torgerson of Portland, OR, and step-daughter, Sarah Lochiatto and her husband Michael of Shippensburg, PA, with whom he and his wife resided.  Tom was blessed with seven grandchildren:  Juliana Lisi, Kai and Eric Doneker, John Doneker, Anthony, Dominic, and Tonya Lochiatto.  He is also survived by three nieces and three nephews.

A viewing will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 AM Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at the Dugan Funeral Home, 51 Asper Drive, Shippensburg followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 AM in St. Ignatius Loyola Church.  A funeral service in Easton will be held 10:30 AM Saturday, December 2, 2017 at the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton with a calling period from 9:30 to 10:30 AM.  Interment with military honors will be private in Calvary United Methodist Cemetery, Wiconisco, PA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Kiwanis Foundation of Palmer Township, P.O. Box 3165, Palmer, PA 18043-3165 or to St. Ignatius Loyola Church, 1095 Church Rd. Orrtanna, PA.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.