Obituaries • Page 181 of 307 • Ashton Funeral Home

Grace J. Rheinhart

March 13, 2017

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.

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Ira A. “Skip” Piatt, Jr.

March 10, 2017

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.

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A. Carlynne Gano

March 9, 2017

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.

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Kathleen L. Fitzgerald

February 27, 2017

Kathleen L. Fitzgerald, 92, of Easton, died peacefully Monday, February 27, 2017 in Country Meadows.

Born July 4, 1924 in Windber, PA, she was the daughter of the late William Lloyd and Mary Ellen Lloyd Hudome. Her husband, Marion G. Fitzgerald died in 2002.

She worked at the Northampton County Courthouse for 10 years and retired in 1986.

Kathleen was a member of Zion United Church of Christ, Stroudsburg, the Easton Hospital Senior Circle and the early morning swim club at the YMCA. She was also a volunteer at Easton Hospital for many years.

Surviving are her daughter, Mary Ann Reed and her husband, Rick of Stroudsburg, 5 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. Her daughter, Linda Pfeffer died in 1993 and her brother, Joseph Lloyd died earlier.

A memorial service will be held 11:30 am Saturday, March 4, 2017 in Zion United Church of Christ. Interment will be private in Northampton Memorial Shrine. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to Zion United Church of Christ, 14 N. 8th St., Stroudsburg, PA 18360. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

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Roy E. Olsen

February 19, 2017

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.

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Martha L. Craig

February 16, 2017

Martha Lloyd Craig passed away in Easton, Pennsylvania on February 16, 2017 at the age of 84.

Martha is survived by her loving husband Robert Craig of 64 years. They were married in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania on May 31, 1952

Martha is lovingly remembered by children: Bruce Craig (Tammy) of Alexandria, OH; John Craig of Las Vegas, Nevada; Martha Miller (Scott) of San Diego, Ca; Carol Swanton (Tom) of Readington, NJ; Susan Rzewnicki (David) of Piscataway, NJ ; Glenn Craig of Myerstown, Pa; Ten Grand Children; Katie, Elizabeth, Michael, Jim, Trevor, Craig, Dana, Jacob, Caitlin and Kelli; and one Great Grandchild, Caleb

Martha was born in Newark, NJ, and lived in Allentown, PA until married. Having briefly lived in Illinois, Martha spent most of her married life in New Providence, NJ and work for several years employed at Barnes Chevrolet. Bob and Martha moved to Easton, Pennsylvania in 2007 where they spent their golden years of retirement.

In addition to being involved in the Girl Scouts of America, Martha was an active member of her church community throughout her years in NJ and PA. Since the advent of earth day, Martha passionately engaged in household recycling efforts.

A celebration of her life will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, March 25, 2017 in Trinity Episcopal Church, 234 Spring Garden Street, Easton.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in the name of Martha L. Craig; to Trinity Episcopal Church, 234 Spring Garden Street, Easton, PA 18042 or St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 419 South Street, New Providence, NJ 07974.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

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William J. Cyphers, Sr.

February 15, 2017

William J. Cyphers, Sr., 76 of Palmer Twp., PA died Wednesday, February 15, 2017 at Easton Hospital after being stricken at home. Born May 5, 1940 in Wilson Borough, PA he was the son of the late Walter and Mary (Martin) Cyphers. He and his wife Dorothy (Rush) Cyphers were married 49 years. A 1958 graduate of Wilson High School, he had been a bus driver for Easton High School and steward for the Palmer Twp. Fire Company for several years. He then worked at Uncle Wesley’s Restaurant in Easton before he and his wife purchased the business in 1972. He owned and operated Uncle Wesley’s until retiring in 2000 when his son Matthew assumed ownership. Bill was a member of Green Pond United Methodist Church, Easton and several clubs including Citizen Hose, Liberty Hose, Fleas and Wilson Borough Republican.

He is survived by his wife Dorothy; 3 sons: Matthew and his wife Jonnel, Jess, and William, Jr. and his wife Julie all of Palmer Twp., PA; his sister: Leona of Wilson Borough; and 4 grandchildren: Mattie, Samuel, William III and Jacob.

Services are 10 AM Monday (Feb. 20) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, with visitation 2 PM to 4 PM Sunday in the funeral home. Interment is in Northampton Memorial Shrine.

Memorial contributions may be made to Green Pond UM Church, 4411 Green Pond Rd., Easton, PA 18045 or the American Diabetes Assoc., PO Box 15829, Arlington, VA 22215.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

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William E. Melin

February 11, 2017

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.

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