Obituaries

William E. Melin, Professor Emeritus of Music at Lafayette College, was given eternal peace in the arms of God on Saturday, February 11, 2017.

He is survived by members of his family, including Virginia Melin, his wife of 54 years, his 2 sons: William Melin and his wife Susan, Michael Melin and his wife Kimberly and their 2 children: Kenneth and Charles.

A Memorial Service will be held 1:00 PM, Saturday, May 6, 2017 in Colton Chapel on the Lafayette College campus.

Memorial contributions, in his name, may be made to an animal shelter.  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

JoAnn D. Goldsmith, 76 of Palmer Twp., PA died Saturday, February 11, 2017 at Easton Hospital. Born July 11, 1940 in Easton, PA she was the daughter of the late Anthony and Dolores (Renner) Doria. She and her husband the former Mayor Thomas F. Goldsmith were married 45 years. A 1958 graduate of Easton High School, she received a degree in Elementary Education from East Stroudsburg University in 1962 and taught at the Vanderveer and Paxinosa Elementary Schools in Easton for 11 years. JoAnn was a member of College Hill Presbyterian Church; the Northampton Country Club and the Pomfret Club. She enjoyed golfing with family and friends, playing mahjong and bridge but she especially loved spending time with her grandchildren.

She is survived by her husband: Thomas; her son: James Timothy Goldsmith and his wife Heidi; and 3 grandchildren: Anthony, Steven and Timothy. She was predeceased by two brothers: James and Joseph.

Services are 10:30 AM Wednesday (Feb. 15) in College Hill Presbyterian Church, 501 Brodhead Street, Easton, PA with a calling period 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM Tuesday (Feb. 14) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton. Interment in Northampton Memorial Shrine.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or College Hill Presbyterian Church.  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Robert L. Brown, 86 of Palmer Township, PA passed away Thursday, February 9, 2017 surrounded by his family. Born March 16, 1930 in Coplay, PA he was the son of the late Granville Washington Brown, Jr. and Kathryn (Lansenderfer) Brown. He was the loving husband of Cynthia (Nicholls) Brown for 53 years.

After graduating from Coplay High School and serving in the Army infantry during the Korean War, Robert attained his Degree in Engineering from Lehigh University. In 1970, Robert and his business partners created Eastern Engineering Associates in Easton. He played an instrumental role in the growth and success of the business over the next decades before retiring in 2001.

Robert enjoyed spending time with his immediate and extended family and provided many wonderful experiences for them to treasure, through family vacations, lazy summer evenings at the River House or story telling around the dinner table. He enjoyed shooting at the gun range, but his favorite hobby was to build and fly his model airplanes on a sunny windless day. Robert will be remembered most as a wonderful father, husband and grandfather who enjoyed taking care of and spending time with his family.

Irreplaceable to them, he will be sorely missed by: his wife: Cynthia; son: Jeffrey C. Brown and his wife Heidi of Bushkill Twp., PA; daughter: Deborah Carey and her husband Michael of Hellertown, PA; sister: Joyce; 8 grandchildren: Leah, Elijah, Joshua and Luke Brown, Rowan and Cole Carey, Robert Thom, Joel Thom and his wife Dawn and a great grandson: Jacob Thom.

Services are 1:30 PM Tuesday (Feb. 14) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton with visitation 6 PM to 7:30 PM Monday in the funeral home. Interment in Bethlehem Memorial Park.

Memorial contributions may be made to any veteran’s organization.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Cynthia R. Pecile, 46, of Easton, formerly of Bronx, NY, died Wednesday, February 8, 2017 in Easton Hospital.

Born in Weehawken, NJ, she was a daughter of Maureen (Cela) Pecile of Brooklyn, NY and the late Robert Pecile.

Surviving with her mother are her sons, Nick and Michael Saperstein and her husband, Jon Herman.

Services will be private.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Leslie Dearing, age 90, passed away on February 8, 2017.    He was being cared for at the Pat Roche Hospice Care home in Hingham, Massachusetts.

Leslie leaves his wife of 67 years, Florence Unruh Dearing.  His daughters Linda Longley (Peter) and Barbara Friedman (Larry), his son Daniel Dearing (Sherri).  His brother Herbert L. Dearing (Joyce).  His grandchildren; Sarah Harper, Daniel Longley, Tracey Roberts, David Longley, Rebecca Berbel, Samuel Friedman, Rachel Arnold, Jacob Friedman, and Micah Friedman.   Nine great grandchildren.

Leslie was born in Calumet, Oklahoma and lived in Mustang, Oklahoma.   He was the son of William Robert Dearing and Anna Evalena (Tech).  He was one of nine children.   Leslie along with his parents moved to Kansas.

Leslie enlisted in the Army to serve during World War II.   He worked for Western Electric, Southwestern Bell and AT&T.   His time working for these companies bridged and he retired from AT&T with 39 years of service.   While working for the Bell System he met Florence and they lived in Kansas, Missouri and New Jersey.   After retirement Leslie decided to volunteer by doing taxes for AARP in Easton PA.  He received a commendation plaque for performing this volunteer tax work for 20 years of service.

In 2000 Leslie and Florence decided to build a house in Palmer PA and move away from New Jersey.   They spent 14 years in their Palmer home and enjoyed many visits and holidays with their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Leslie’s most important work was his hours of study, teaching, worship, and volunteer work at the number of churches where he lived in Kansas, Missouri, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.   Madison Baptist in Madison, New Jersey and Fellowship Baptist in Easton, Pennsylvania.

Services will be held 10:30 am Saturday, February 18, 2017 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton.  A visitation will be held from 9:30 am until service time Saturday in the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in memory of Leslie Dearing.
https://act.alz.org/site/Donation2?11461.donation=form1&df_id=11461&pw_id=1821&s_subsrc=test_original_tribute

Hanh Luong, 69 of Easton, PA died Saturday, February 4, 2017 at Easton Hospital. She was born August 5, 1947 in Vietnam and had been employed by Kraemer Textile in Nazareth for many years. She was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Easton and is survived by her husband of 39 years, An Luong and step-children.

Services are 10 AM Wednesday (Feb. 8) at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 330 Ferry Street, Easton, PA. Interment is in Forks Cemetery. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to the church. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.