Obituaries

Elmer J. “Sonny” Hay, Jr., 82, of Phillipsburg, died Sunday, June 12, 2016 in New Eastwood Healthcare Center.

Born March 26, 1934 in Easton, he was a son of the late Elmer J. Hay, Sr., and Charlotte M. (Kraus) Hay.

He worked at Sheridan Printing, Transogram Toy Factory and Follett Corporation.  He was a graduate of Easton High School where he lettered in basketball for four years.  He served in the Army and was a member of the Easton Senior Circle.

Surviving are his son, Jeffrey J. Hay and his wife, Dori of Henryville, PA and three granddaughters.  His sister, Charlotte C. “Dolly” Hay died last year.

Private services will be held in Easton Heights Cemetery.  The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements.  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Kendall N. Keller, 59, of Bethlehem, formerly of Easton, died Tuesday, June 7, 2016 in St. Luke’s Hospital, Fountain Hill.

Born October 12, 1956 in Easton, he was a son of Anne I. (Rice) Keller of Easton and the late Richard Keller.

Kendall worked for Hoopes Construction for many years.  He graduated from Easton Area High School in 1975 and was a member of the Concordia Maennerchor Pool League.  He was also an avid fisherman and chess player.

Surviving with his mother, Anne, are a daughter, Kristy L. Keller-Rowe and her husband, Rich Rowe of Easton; three sisters, Anne M. Wert and her husband, Robert of Bangor, Joan K. McPeek and her husband, Ron of Easton, and Kerry L. Keller and her significant other, Joe Rentko of Bethlehem; and a brother, Glenn C. Keller of Easton.  His brother, Richard A. Keller died in the Vietnam War.

A memorial service will be held at 7:30 pm on Monday, June 13, 2016 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton.  A visitation will be held from 6:00 pm until service time on Monday in the funeral home.  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Jean E. McClay, 89, of Palmer Township, died Saturday, June 4, 2016 in Easton Hospital.

Born August 27, 1926 in Easton, she was a daughter of the late Malcolm M. McClay, Jr. and Celia S. (Grablunis) McClay.

Jean was an English teacher in the Easton Area School District for 41 years and was a founding member of the Chansonnette Theatre, Easton.  She was a graduate of Easton High School and Otterbein University and attended Lehigh University.

Jean was a member of the former Olivet Presbyterian Church, Easton and a volunteer for the Visiting Nurse Association of Easton.  She also served as Judge of Elections in Palmer Township.

Surviving are a nephew, Malcolm McClay, IV, and two nieces, Meaghan McClay and Jeannie Seetch.  Her brothers, Malcolm M. McClay, III and Roderick J. McClay died earlier.

Services will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, June 11, 2016 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton.  A visitation will be held from 7 – 8:30 pm on Friday in the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Center for Animal Health and Welfare, 1165 Island Park Rd., Easton, Pa 18042.  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com

Charles G. Odenwelder, Sr., 87, of Saylorsburg, PA formerly of Pen Argyl and Easton, PA went home to the Lord and his beloved wife, Marlene, to celebrate their 63rd Wedding Anniversary.  Born December 3, 1928 in Easton he was a son of the late Grover Cleveland and Beulah (Andrews) Odenwelder.

He was a 1946 graduate of Easton High School where he played trumpet in the marching band. He was self-employed for nearly 50 years as the owner of Chas. G. Odenwelder & Sons Cabinet Shop and also MARCO Crafts with his wife. He was active at Pleasant Valley Presbyterian Church, Brodheadsville, PA and served on the Board of Directors of the Easton YMCA, Easton Optimist and the Pocono Boys Singers.

He is survived by four children: Charles, Jr. and his wife Kathleen of Pen Argyl, PA, Janet Altemus and her husband Kim of Saylorsburg, Thomas and his wife Ruth of Stroudsburg, PA, Paul and his wife Tracy of Indianapolis, IN; 9 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews. His wife: Marlene (Lichtenwalner), brother: Donald and sister: Sarah Jane Wirth all died earlier.

Services are 11 AM Saturday, June 4 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton with visitation from 10 to 11 AM. Casual dress is suggested. Interment in Wind Gap Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Pleasant Valley Presbyterian Church, PO Box 282, Brodheadsville, PA 18322 designate for the “Chas. O Paving Project”.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Xanthe Zavitsanos of Wilson Borough, PA passed away Saturday, May 21, 2016 with her loving family by her side.  Born in Hrisou-Euretanias, Greece she was the daughter of the late Athena and Seraphim Karanikas.

She was an active, longtime member of the Greek Orthodox Church of Annunciation in Wilson Borough since coming to this country in 1951. She served as President of the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society and helped with Church Festivals and obtaining donations for people with cancer and other illnesses.

She is survived by her husband of 64 years: Peter S. Zavitsanos; two daughters: Katherine Vayda of Williams Twp., PA, Athena Gilio and her husband Michael of Bath, PA; a brother: Paul Karanikas of Wilson Borough; two sisters: Vaso Patronis of Wilson Borough, Kathy Pappas in Greece; three grandchildren: Melissa Tripp, Christopher and David Gilio; and two great-grandchildren: Matthew and Christopher Tripp. She was predeceased by three brothers: Ioannis, Theodoros and Taxiarnis.

Services are 1:00 PM Wednesday, May 25, in the Church, 20th and Hay Terrace, Wilson Borough; with visitation from 6  PM Tuesday in the church until time of Trisagion service at 7:30 PM also in the church.  The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements.  Interment is in Gethsemane Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society, 319 S. 20th St., Easton, PA 18042, to aid those with cancer and diabetic illnesses.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.