Obituaries

Bruce W. Fretz, 68 of Palmer Township, PA died Sunday, January 7, 2018 at home. Born March 3, 1949 in Bethlehem, PA he was a son of the late Elmer E. and Margaret R. (Snyder) Fretz.  He was a 1967 graduate of Easton High School, a graduate of Northampton Community College and served in the Army during the Vietnam War.  He retired after 41 years with the Palmer Township Police Department serving as the Chief of Police from 1994 until 2012.  Chief Fretz was a member of St. Paul’s III Lutheran Church in Palmer Twp., the Palmer Township Police Association, the Police Chief’s Association, the VFW and the American Legion.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Karen (Howell) Fretz; 2 sons: Jason Fretz and his wife Beth of Lititz, PA, Justin Fretz and his wife Sharon of Williams Twp., PA; a brother: Timothy Fretz and his wife Cynthia of New Tripoli, PA; 5 grandchildren: Andrew, Matthew, Jake, Piper, Julia; and sister -in-law: Adrienne Grier and her husband Lester of Forks Twp., PA.

Services will be held at Noon on Saturday (Jan. 13) in St. Paul’s III Lutheran Church, 2561 Newburg Road, Easton with viewing hours from 9 AM to noon in the church.  The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Interment will be private.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul’s III Lutheran Church, 2561 Newburg Road, Easton, PA 18045.  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Violet M. Werkheiser, 71 of Easton, PA died Monday, January 1, 2018 at St. Luke’s Hospital Anderson Campus. Born November 9, 1946 in Phillipsburg, NJ she was a daughter of the late John and Gladys (Brown) Woodginski.

She is survived by her husband of 49 years: Kermit Werkheiser; daughters: Dawn Bronico and her husband Joseph, III, Bonnie Harrell and her husband Walter, a sister: Shirley Woodginski all of Easton, a sister: Dolly Phillips of Phillipsburg; 7 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren.

Services are 10:30 AM Friday in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton with visitation 9:30 to 10:30 AM. Interment is in Easton Cemetery. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

David S. Crocket, III, Ph.D., 86 of Easton, PA died Saturday, December 30, 2017 at Bethlehem Manor. Born March 6, 1931 in Cranford, NJ he was a son of the late Roderick and Susan (Mathiesen) Crocket. A 1948 graduate of Hartford High School, he served in the Army during the Korean War before earning his PhD and Master’s Degree in Inorganic Chemistry from the University of New Hampshire. He received his AB in Chemistry from Colby College in 1952. A Professor at Lafayette College from 1959 until retiring in 1996, he served as Associate Provost and Director of Personnel and Research, Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs, Dean of Special Programs, Associate Dean of the College and Professor of Chemistry.

He was a member of numerous professional and honorary groups including: Society of Sigma Xi (Past-President, Lafayette Club), American Association of University Professors (Past-President of Lafayette Chapter), American Chemical Society (Secretary and Counselor Lehigh Valley Section), College and University Personnel Administrators, National Council of University Research Administrators (Northeast Region) and Board of Directors of the University City Science Center.  He was a member, Deacon, Trustee and Elder at College Hill Presbyterian Church in Easton and Scout Master for Troop #3. He also served as President of the Easton Visiting Nurses Association and on the Boards of ProJeCt of Easton and Lehigh Valley Child Care.

He is survived by 5 children: Lauralynn Kanai and her husband Takeo of Mission Viejo, CA, Cynthia Farley and her husband Mike of Plainfield Twp., PA, D. Scott Crocket and his wife Becky of Bridgton, ME, Daniel Crocket of Essex Junction, VT, Sarah Crocket-Tone and her husband Patrick Tone of Easton; 10 grandchildren: David, Abby, Sarah, Bucky, Chris, Kathleen, Emily, MJ, Brooke and Elizabeth Anne; and 5 great-grandchildren: Emma, Alia, Luca, Matilda and Louisa. He was predeceased by his wife: Beulah (Richardson) Crocket in 2006 and siblings: Ruth, Marion, Jean, Winifred, Ena, Roderick, Walter and Donald.

A Memorial Service will be held 11 AM, Saturday, March 3, 2018 in College Hill Presbyterian Church, 501 Brodhead St, Easton, PA with a calling period from 10 to 11 AM in the church. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Interment is in Conway, NH.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Luke’s Hospice, 801 Ostrum St., Bethlehem, PA 18015 or College Hill Presbyterian Church, 501 Brodhead St., Easton, PA 18042. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Edward F. McLeane, 84 of Asbury, NJ died Saturday, December 30, 2017 at the home of his daughter Donna. Born February 23, 1933 in Brooklyn, NY he was a son of the late Edward and Meta (Cacace) McLeane. His wife Donetta (Pascale) McLeane died in 2009. He served in the Air Force during the Korean War and was employed by AT&T for 35 years before retiring. He was a member of the AT&T Pioneer Club and Wilson Democratic Club.

He is survived by: four children: Michael, Donna and Tracy McLeane all of Easton, Keith McLeane of Middlesex, NJ; a sister: Barbara Lipari of Long Island, NY and three grandchildren: Michael, Jr., Keiana and Kylah.

Visitation will be held from 1 to 4 PM Saturday (Jan. 6) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.