Obituaries

Marlin Weader “Bud” Klinger, 92 of Easton, PA died Saturday, March 18, 2017 at Gracedale. Born July 30, 1924 in McClure, PA he was a son of the late Bertha (Weader) and James William Klinger. He and his wife Elaine Mae (Hart) Klinger were married 67 years.

A graduate of McClure High School, he was a Corporal in the Marine Corps during WWII in the South Pacific and received a Purple Heart. He was a graduate of Kutztown University where he played football and baseball and he received his Master’s degree from the University of PA.  Bud taught Biology at Wilson High School from 1950 to 1983, and was  a football coach and head of the Ski Club.  He was a member of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, Palmer Twp. and served on the Church Council.

He is survived by his wife: Elaine; son: Mark R. Klinger and his wife Elizabeth H. of West Chester, PA; daughter: Debra Perez of Easton; twin sisters: Pauline Rohrbach of Boyerstown, PA, Katherine Herb of Greensburg, PA; 3 grandchildren Selena Queitzsch and her husband Justin, Rita Perez, Anders Klinger; and a great-granddaughter: Saige. Siblings: James Klinger, Gertrude Welsh, Iva Reiss, Dorothy Fleming and Phyllis Baker all died earlier.

Services will be held Graveside, 12 PM, Saturday (March 25) at the Northampton Memorial Shrine, 3051 Green Pond Road, Easton; the Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, 3900 Freemansburg Ave., Easton, PA 18045 or AseraCare Hospice, Allentown or the Alzheimer’s Association.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Grace J. Rheinhart, 93, formerly of Easton, died Monday, March 13, 2017 in Gracedale.

Born April 27, 1923 in Filetown, she was a daughter of the late Robert Louis and Mary Jane (Houser) Colver.  Her husband of 59 years, Robert L. Rheinhart died in 2007.

Grace worked at Binney & Smith for over 30 years and retired in 1983.  She was a member of New Creation United Church of Christ and the Diana’s Missionary Circle.  She graduated from Nazareth High School in 1941.  She was an avid camper, quilter and cross stitcher.  In retirement she was an active volunteer and received many awards.  She also enjoyed baking and was known for her molasses crumb cake.

Surviving are nieces and nephews and her great-niece and caregiver, Peggy Benfield.  Her siblings, Lillian Laros, Frances Minnich, Frankiln Colver, Olive Bush, Elmira Breyfogle, Bessie Trach and Jessie Colver died earlier.

Services will be 11:00 am Monday, March 20, 2017 in New Creation United Church of Christ, Palmer Township.  Visitation will be 10:00 am until service time Monday in the church.  Interment in Easton Heights Cemetery.  The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements.

Contributions may be made to New Creation United Church of Christ, 3730 Nicholas St., Easton, PA 18045.  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Ira A. “Skip” Piatt, Jr., 93 of Bethlehem, PA died Friday, March 10, 2017 at Country Meadows. Born October 5, 1923 in Easton, PA he was a son of the late Alta May (Stackhouse) and Ira A. Piatt, Sr. His wife of 54 years, Jean M. (Hayes) Piatt died in 1998. A graduate of Liberty High School, he served in the US Navy from 1941 until 1960, during WWII and the Korean War. He then served in the Navy Reserves until 1972 and was employed by the PA Liquor Control Board for 23 years. Skip was a member of DAV, VFW, PA Association of Retired State Employees and a life member of the Fleet Reserve Association.

He is survived by his daughter: Deborah Davis and her husband John of Palmer Twp. PA; his son: Barry Piatt and his companion Patti of Austin, PA; brothers: Arthur Piatt of Bethlehem, Robert Piatt in Florida; sisters: May Finken of PalmerTwp., Joan Saeger of Gilbert, PA; 5 grandchildren: Kelli, Kimberly, David, Janara, Sondra; 5 great-grandchildren; a great-great-granddaughter; nieces and nephews. His wife, Jean and 4 siblings: Richard and Ronald Piatt, Helen Bond and Shirley Jones died earlier.

Services are 12 PM Saturday, March 18 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton Street, Easton with visitation 11 AM to noon. Interment: Northampton Memorial Shrine with military honors.

Memorial contributions may be made to Disabled American Veterans at www.DAV.org or to any hospice organization. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

A. Carlynne Gano, 91, of Palmer Township, died Thursday, March 9, 2017 in her home.

Born February 11, 1926 in Plumsteadville, PA, she was a daughter of the late Harry R. Baxter, Sr. and Alice L. (Iliff) Baxter Hatter.

Her husband, Darwin G. Gano died December 2016.

Carlynne was an office manager for the Lehigh Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau, Allentown from 1978 until retiring in 1995.

She graduated from Wilson High School in 1943 and was a volunteer at Gracedale.

She is survived by twin daughters, Carol Ann Politi of Slatington and Lynn Nora Gano of Orwigsburg, a son, Darrell A. Gano of Palmer Township and 2 grandchildren.  She was predeceased by her daughter, Alice Ann Gano and her brothers, Russell R. Baxter and Harry R. Baxter, Jr.

Services will be held 11:00 am Thursday, March 16, 2017 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton.  A visitation will be held from 10:30 am until service time Thursday in the funeral home.  Interment will be in Northampton Memorial Shrine.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alice L. Iliff Baxter Scholarship in care of the Iliff School of Theology, 2323 East Iliff Ave., Denver, CO 80210.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Roy E. Olsen, 68 of Forks Twp., PA died Sunday, February 19, 2017 at St. Luke’s Hospital, Anderson Campus. Born October 19, 1948 in Easton, PA he was a son of the late Blayne and Doris (Healey) Olsen. His wife, the former Lois E. Saylor, died March 7, 2014.

He was a dispatcher for the PA Department of Transportation for 33 years before retiring. He was also a volunteer fire police for the Forks Twp. Fire Department for many years.

He is survived by three children: Larry Olsen, Sr. of Bethlehem, PA, Roy Olsen, Jr. and Valene Olsen both of Nazareth; a brother: Albert Olsen of Forks Twp., PA; a sister: Dawn Bold of Bethlehem; 4 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.

Services are 11 AM Friday (Feb. 24) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton with visitation 6 to 7:30 PM Thursday in the funeral home.  Interment is in Farmersville Cemetery.

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