Obituaries

Robert G. Cornell, 87, of Forks Township, died Tuesday, March 22, 2016 in his home.

Born June 24, 1928 in Belltown, PA, he was a son of the late Lewis and Dolly (Zanoni) Cornell.

He and his wife, Darlene (Edwards) Cornell were married 25 years.  His first wife, Doris (Fowler) Cornell died in 1988.

Robert was an engineer for General Electric and Trane in Louisville, KY.  He attended University of Louisville, served in the Army during the Korean War and was a member of the Civil Air Patrol.  He was a member of Lodge #740, F & AM, Louisville, Past Master of Lodge #50, F & AM, Stanardsville, VA and he played in the Mello-Aires dance band.

Surviving with his wife, Darlene are a son, Dennis Cornell; step-children, Emerson Donell and Jennifer Rennells; and 3 grandchildren.

Services will be private with entombment in Evergreen Cemetery, Louisville, KY.  The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements.  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Sydney Kathleen Highberger, 81 of Anderson, SC died Friday, March 18, 2016 at the Brookdale Health Center after a long fight with COPD. Born June 5, 1934 in Easton, PA she was a daughter of the late Harvey J. and Dorothy (Bates) Young.

A graduate of Wilson High School, she received her RN from St. Luke’s School of Nursing and worked as a delivery nurse until she began a family of her own. Sydney loved to spend time with friends and family. She traveled, enjoyed entertaining and loved to celebrate life.

She is survived by her husband: Paul; her daughter: Kathleen Beard; her sons: Andy and Steve Highberger; her brother: Tom Young and his wife Ann; 5 grandchildren and a great-grandson.

A Graveside Service will be held 1 PM Saturday, March 26 at Northampton Memorial Shrine, 3051 Green Pond Rd., Easton, PA. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to the SPCA at www.pspca.org/support-us/donate/tributes.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Sidney G. Leibensperger, 72, of Phillipsburg, died Saturday, March 12, 2016 in St. Luke’s Warren Hospital.

Born May 23, 1943 in Bethlehem, he was a son of the late Lyman and Kathryn (Moffit) Leibensperger.

He and his wife, Nancy (Faur) Leibensperger were married 51 years.  He worked at Ingersoll Rand, Phillipsburg for many years and was an avid golfer and bowler.

Surviving with his wife, Nancy, are his daughter, Shelley Seip of Easton, two grandchildren and a great grandchild.

Services will be held at 1:00 pm on Thursday, March 17, 2016 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton.  A visitation will be held from 6 – 7:30 pm on Wednesday in the funeral home.  Interment will be in Northampton Memorial Shrine.  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Walter E. Primrose, Sr., 90, formerly of Lower Saucon Township, died Friday, March 11, 2016 in ManorCare, Palmer Township.

Born February 8, 1926 in Easton, he was a son of the late Pettet and Helen (Frace) Primrose.  His wife, Pauline (Rissmiller) Primrose died in 2009.

Walter was a delivery man for A & B Supply Co., Easton for over 20 years until retiring.

He was a member of Hellertown Assembly of God.

Surviving are two sons, Walter “Chip” Primrose, Jr. of Kutztown and Jeffery Primrose of Catasauqua; a daughter, Paulette Yenca of Center Valley; 11 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held at 11:30 am on Thursday, March 17, 2016 at Northampton Memorial Shrine, Green Pond Road, Palmer Township.  The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements.  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Bernice Freda Merbaum, 92, of Easton, died Tuesday, March 8, 2016 in her home.

Born December 23, 1923 in Reading, PA, she was a daughter of the late Philip and Belle (Werner) Goldman.  Her husband, Simon Merbaum died in 2011 after 59 years of marriage.

She was a graduate of Wilson High School.  She attended Penn State where she was a member of Alpha Epsilon Phi sorority.  She transferred to Temple University School of Medicine where she received a BS in Medical Technology in 1945.  She worked in Chicago at Mt. Sinai in research and then at Cornell University in pediatric medicine.  She also worked at Mary Immaculate in Queens.  After moving to Easton, she worked in the medical lab at Warren Hospital for over 20 years until retiring.

She was a member of B’nai Abraham Synagogue, Wilson Borough and its Sisterhood and was a life member of Hadassah.  She was a Girl Scout and Girl Reserve.  She was a volunteer at the Weller Health Center, the Fourth Street Food Bank and Meals on Wheels.  She was also a volunteer at Del Webb Hospital in Arizona and the Maricopa Food Bank.  She was a member of the League of Women Voters, ASCP, URW, the Easton Hospital Senior Circle and AAUW.  She enjoyed bowling, basketball, softball and swimming.

Surviving are a son, Alan Merbaum and his wife, Lilianne of Virginia; a daughter, Judithann Borger of Bethlehem; a sister, Elaine Rosenberg of Florida; two grandchildren, Bianca and Anton Merbaum; two sisters-in-law, Toby Maiman of Arizona and Selma Merbaum of Georgia and nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at 1:00 pm on Thursday, March 10, 2016 in B’nai Abraham Synagogue, Wilson Borough.  Interment will be in B’nai Abraham Cemetery, Forks Township.  The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to B’nai Abraham Synagogue, 1545 Bushkill St., Easton, PA 18042.  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.