Obituaries

Jane M. Myers, 66 of Palmer Twp., PA passed away peacefully, Monday, June, 1, 2015, in her home surrounded by her loving family. Born October 31, 1948 in Easton, PA she was a daughter of Elwood Ayers of Easton and the late Irene (Haring) Ayers. She and her devoted husband William celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary on May 2.

A 1966 graduate of Easton High School, she attended Churchman’s Business College and had been employed by Alpha Portland Cement and AT&T for several years. Jane was a member of New Creation United Church of Christ, formerly Memorial UCC where she served as a Board President, Deacon, Elder and had been named Woman of the Year. She also enjoyed watching Penn State football, the Philadelphia Phillies and traveling.

She will be dearly missed by her husband William; and was a loving mother to her daughter: Christa Harbour and her husband Jack of Palmer Twp. She is also survived by her father: Elwood; sister: Karen Schoeppll and her husband Michael of Lower Mt. Bethel Twp.; and brother: Arthur Ayers and his wife Sharon of Easton.

Services will be 10 AM Friday (June 5) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton with visitation 6 to 8 PM Thursday and 9:30 to 10 AM Friday in the funeral home. Interment will be in Northampton Memorial Shrine.

Memorial contributions may be made to HDSA, 505 8th Ave., Ste. 902, NY, NY 10018 or Ascend Hospice, 501 Office Center Dr., Ste. 285, Fort Washington, PA 19034.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

John J. “Skeeter” Willever, 60, of Easton, PA died Sunday, May 24, 2015 after being stricken at home. Born April 1, 1955 in Easton, PA he was a son of the late Jennie (Schaffer) and John Willever.

He had been employed by the Waste Management company for several years.

He is survived by 3 step-children: Georgett Frey, with whom he resided, Judy Zucal and Henry Hughes all of Easton; 6 brothers; 9 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife: Maleisa (Schaffer) Willever and a brother.

Services will be at the convenience of the family. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Helen R. Holden, 90, formerly of Palmer Township, died Friday, May 22, 2015 in The Easton Home.

Born November 12, 1924, she was the daughter of the late Henry J. and Mabel A. (Hartzell) Hoover.

Her husband, William E. Holden, Sr., died in 2011.

Helen was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Wilson Borough and a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, William Parsons Chapter.

Surviving are her daughter, Alice M. Pflugler and her husband, Robert of Nazareth; her son, William E. Holden, Jr. and his wife, Trish of Plainfield Township; 8 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.  Her brother, Richard Hoover died earlier.

Services will be held at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, May 27, 2015 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton.  A visitation will be held from noon until service time on Wednesday in the funeral home.  Interment will be in Northampton Memorial Shrine.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Easton Home, 1022 Northampton St., Easton, PA 18042 or Life Choice Hospice, 10 Zion Church Rd., Suite 204, Shoemakersville, PA 19555.  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

William A. “Bill” Shafer, 59 of Wilson Borough, PA passed away Tuesday, May 19, 2015. Born June 10, 1955 in Easton, PA he was a son of the late Virginia (Schlegel) and John Shafer.

A graduate of Wilson High School, Northampton Community College and East Stroudsburg University, he was a science teacher at North Bergen High School in N. Bergen, NJ. He was a member and served in many capacities at the Easton Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was also a Scout Leader and Commissioner with the Boy Scouts of America, Minsi Trails Council and served in the United States Air Force.

Bill was an avid sports fan, particularly of the Philadelphia Phillies, Eagles, and Flyers.  He enjoyed listening to The Beach Boys and watching The Three Stooges, Laurel & Hardy and M.A.S.H.  He played a key role in re-introducing the osprey and bald eagle to north-eastern PA. But his greatest love was being “Poppy” to his two granddaughters. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends who loved him so much.

He is survived by his wife of 37 years: Margaret “Peggy” (Andrews) Shafer; daughter: Mandy Shafer Gonzales and her husband Jesse; son: Taylor Shafer; and 2 granddaughters: Claudia and Maia all of Wilson Borough. His brother Larry G. Shafer died in March.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday (May 26) in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Rose Inn Ave., Nazareth, PA with visitation 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. in the church. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements. Interment will be in Easton Cemetery.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Betty Jane Wilson Geis, 87, formerly of Easton, PA and Sun City Center, FL died Friday, May 8, 2015 in Kane Regional Center, Pittsburgh, PA. Born July 12, 1927 in Easton, PA she was a daughter of the late Miriam (Ealer) and James Strauss.

A graduate of Easton High School, she had been a nurse’s aide for a medical practice in Hunterdon County, NJ for several years. She was passionate about music and the arts and she loved to travel.  She was also a member of several hiking clubs.

She is survived by 4 children: Margaret “Peg” Kirchner and her husband James of Gibsonia, PA, Thomas J. Wilson and his wife Brenda of Milford, NJ, Joseph W. Wilson, Jr. and his wife Lauri of Port Charlotte, FL, Eileen J. Phillips and her husband Bob of Belligen, Australia; 8 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; and sister-in-laws: Mary Strauss of Easton and Jo Strauss of Bloomsburg, PA. She was predeceased by her first husband: Joseph “Bill” Wilson, Sr., her second husband: John Byron Geis and brothers: Kenneth and James Strauss.

Mass will be held 10 AM Friday, May 15 in St. Jane Frances de Chantal Catholic Church, 4049 Hartley Ave., Easton, PA, with visitation from 6 – 8 PM Thursday in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA. Interment will be in Northampton Memorial Shrine.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com