Obituaries

Evelyn Elsie Seibel, 87 of Easton died Monday, May 29, 2017 at ManorCare, Old Orchard. Born December 9, 1929 in Easton, PA she was a daughter of the late Andrew Jackson Brown and Evelyn (Troxell) Brown Densler. Her husband Charles Richard “Dick” Seibel died in 1993. She was a 1947 graduate of Easton High School and received her Associates Degree in Early Child Care Education and a Degree in Applied Sciences from Northampton Community College. Evelyn was employed by the Lehigh Valley Child Care for more than 20 years before retiring. She had also been employed by the Palmer Moravian Church School in Palmer Twp. She was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Easton where she was a Sunday School Teacher. A very active church and community volunteer, she was also a member of the Am Vets and the Southside knitting and crocheting group.

She is survived by a son: Richard D. and his wife Debbie of Lincolnville, ME; two daughters: Susan E. Sipley of Palmer Twp., PA, Sally A. Italiani and her husband Anthony of Bethlehem Twp., PA; brother: Andrew Brown, Jr. of Easton; sister: Pamela Miller of Nazareth, PA; 5 grandchildren: Tonya Liotti, Heather Hoagland, Anthony Italiani, Jr., Nico Italiani, Olivia Seibel; and 3 great-grandchildren: Roberto, Jr., Kody and Rachel. She was predeceased by siblings: Georgia King, Paul and Daisy Brown. The family wishes to express their appreciation to St. Luke’s Hospice for their care.

Services will be held at Noon, Saturday, June 3 in St. John’s Lutheran Church, 330 Ferry St., Easton, PA with a calling period 11 AM to 12 PM in the church. Interment is in Northampton Memorial Shrine. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to the church or the American Cancer Society.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Barbara Beck Hnat, 86, of Lehigh Parkway, died Sunday, May 28, 2017 in Devon House, Allentown.

Born September 22, 1930 in Philadelphia, she was a daughter of the late Albert R. and Dorothy (Quick) Beck.  Her husband, Michael Hnat died in 2010.

Barbara owned and operated Rose Tree Interiors, Bethlehem.  She was also a fine art painter and a member of the Palette Club where she participated in art workshops and gallery shows.  She was a graduate of Haverford High School and Philadelphia College of Art.

Barbara had a great appreciation of art, design, vocabulary, flowers, gardens, antiques, Spanish culture, dancing, NY theater and art galleries and expensive restaurants, big Christmas trees and early morning presents with the grandchildren.  She was cultured, fair, had great taste and was a true visual person who saw the world through art, color and symmetry.  Barbara loved her friends, pets, Acapulco, Mexico and her beautiful Lehigh Parkway property.

Surviving are her sons, Ric Kidney and Roy Kidney and two grandchildren.

Services will be private.  The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to Animals in Distress, P.O. Box 609, 5075 Limeport Pike, Coopersburg, PA 18036.  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

David Bruce Turner, 51 of Palmer Twp., PA died Sunday, May 21, 2017 at Easton Hospital. Born December 22, 1965 in Franklin, PA he was a son of Marian (Uher) Turner of Palmer Twp. and the late Bruce E. Turner.  A graduate of Easton High School, he was employed by the Custom Alloy Company of High Bridge NJ.  David was a member of St. Jane Frances de Chantal Catholic Church in Easton and the American Legion, Brown & Lynch Post 9. He was an avid sports fan, who loved the Flyers, the Steelers, the Phantoms and the Iron Pigs.

He is survived by: his mother, Marian; 3 brothers: Larry E. and his wife Cathy, Michael G. and his wife Linda all of Franklin, PA, Robert W. of Bethlehem, PA; 2 sisters: Sandra J. Carroll of Bethlehem, Debra K. Ritchey and her husband Edward of Palmer Twp.; and his adored 10 nieces and nephews, 3 great-nieces and a great-nephew.

A Memorial Celebration of his Life will be held 4 PM, Saturday, June 24th at the Riverside Barr and Grill, 5819 S. Delaware Dr., Easton, PA. Interment will be private in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Franklin, PA.  The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Marjorie E. Parks, 93 formerly of Palmer Twp., PA died May 15, 2017 at the Masonic Home in Elizabethtown. Born September 1, 1923 in Old Town, ME she was the daughter of the late Arthur and Olive ((Lancaster) Gray.  Her husband Howard “Tim” Parks died in 1969. She graduated from high school in Bangor, ME and later from nursing school. She was employed by Easton Hospital for 23 years before retiring in 1994.

Marge was a member of the former Olivet Presbyterian Church and a 55 year member of The Order of the Eastern Star, Easton Chapter #214 where she was a Past-Matron several times.  She was also a 40 plus year member, board member and Past Mother Advisor of Rainbow Girls #38 Easton Assembly. Marjorie was also honored by the Grand Lodge of PA as the “second ever” recipient of the Hodegos award in 2008, for her outstanding service to youth in PA. During her long and distinguished involvement with OES she was appointed as a Grand Representative to both NJ and CA.  However, her most recognized contribution over the years was her continued, overwhelming support, and occasional chairmanship, both at the district and state level, of the Stamp Program which directly supported the OES charities. She will be fondly remembered as “The Stamp Lady”.

She is survived by her son: William R. Parks; and two grandchildren: Ron and Stephanie Parks. She was predeceased by her husband: Tim;  son: Edward Parks; daughter: Gail Herbert and significant other: Herman Gilpin.

The Order of the Eastern Star Service will be held 3 PM Saturday, June 3 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton.

Memorial contributions, especially in lieu of flowers, may be made to The Masonic Village Hospice at Elizabethtown — 1 Masonic Dr., Elizabethtown, PA 17022 on behalf of OES 214 and Sister Marjorie E. Parks.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Janice L. Prentice, 88, formerly of Bethlehem Township, died Friday, May 12, 2017 in Abington Manor, Easton.

Born June 2, 1928 in Robertsdale, PA, she was a daughter of the late Rev. Herbert W. and Marietta (Griest) Glassco.  Her husband, Joseph R. Prentice died in 1997.

Janice was a bridal consultant at Bixler’s Jewelers, Easton.  She was also a piano teacher.  She was a member of St. John’s Church on Morgan Hill and a graduate of Oberlin College.

Surviving are her son, Richard J. “Rick” Prentice and his wife, Gayle of Spencer, NC; 2 grandchildren; 3 great grandchildren and a great great grandson.

A graveside memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, June 2, 2017 at the Northampton Memorial Shrine, Palmer Township.  The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. John’s Church on Morgan Hill, 2720 Morgan Hill Rd., Easton, PA 18042 or The Center for Animal Health and Welfare, 1165 Island Park Rd., Easton, PA 18042.  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Elaine G. Rutherford, 78, of Palmer Township, died Wednesday, May 10, 2017 in Easton Hospital.

Born April 17, 1939 in Islip, NY, she was a daughter of the late Warren and Ruth Gallagher.  She and her husband, Albert B. Rutherford were married 26 years.

Elaine was a nurse at The Children’s Home of Easton until retiring.  She was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Easton; a board member of ProJeCt of Easton; a past president of the Kiwanis Club of Easton where she assisted in the K-Kids program; a camp counselor at the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald Camp in Greeley, PA; and a volunteer for Meals on Wheels.

Surviving with her husband, Albert, are 3 daughters, Kim Murphy and her husband, Chris of Pottstown; Robyn Steltz and her partner, Greg Mowrey of Phoenixville; and Jodi Fiorenza and her husband, Glen in Germany; a daughter-in-law, Leah; a brother, David Gallagher; 2 sisters, Nancy Creighton and Donna Bassett; 10 grandchildren and a great grandson.  A son, David Laub and a granddaughter died earlier.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00 pm, Sunday, May 21, 2017 in First Presbyterian Church, 333 Spring Garden St., Easton.  There will be a visitation from 1:30 pm until service time on Sunday in the church.  The Ashton Funeral Home Easton is handling the arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to ProJeCt of Easton, Philadelphia Ronald McDonald Camp or Kiwanis Club of Easton.  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Eleanor M.  James, 93 of Palmer Twp., PA died Tuesday, May 9, 2017 at St. Luke’s Hospital, Bethlehem. Born July 4, 1923 in Easton, PA she was the daughter of the late John and Edith (Laufersweiler) MoDavis. She graduated from Easton High School in 1941 and from the Easton Hospital School of Nursing in 1944. Employed by Easton Hospital for several years, she then worked for Dr. Joseph Brau for 26 years and Dr. Elizabeth McNeal for 10 years before retiring in 1988. Eleanor was a lifelong member of First Moravian Church Easton where she had been an Elder, a Sunday School Teacher, a Sacristan, a member of their Women’s Guild and Women’s Fellowship and honored as Member of the Year in 2005. She was also active with Church Women United; the Council of Churches and was a member of the Nurse’s Alumni Association of Easton Hospital and the Brown & Lynch Post #9 Auxiliary.

She is survived by a daughter: Roberta “Bobbi” James of Avenel, NJ; two grandchildren: John and Stacey McCree and four great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband: Robert E. James in 2012, her daughter: Nancy Beckman in 2011 and three brothers: John, Richard and Joseph MoDavis.

Services are 11:00 AM Monday, May 15 in First Moravian Church, 225 N. 10th Street, Easton, PA with visitation 10 to 11 AM in the church. Interment is in Northampton Memorial Shrine. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Moravian, 225 N. 10th St., Easton, PA 18042. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.