Obituaries

Margaret “Peggy” Cochran, 66 of Easton, PA died Monday, February 9, 2026 following a brief illness. Born February 9, 1960 in Easton, she was the third daughter of four, of the late James and Barbara (Dickenshied) Hemstreet. She was a graduate of Easton High School and Cedar Crest College. Peggy was employed by Bixler’s Jewelers in Easton as an appraiser in her early years, then spent 20 years teaching aerobics at the Easton YMCA. 

She is survived by her husband of 34 years: Peter Cochran; her two sons: Douglas and Henry Cochran; a grandson: Justin; and her sisters: Gretchen Fegley, Kathy Weber and Heidi Jurgens.

A calling period will be held from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM Saturday, February 21, 2026 at the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA. Memorial contributions may be made to the Third Street Alliance for Women and Children, 41 N. 3^rd Street, Easton, PA 18042 (thirdstreetalliance.org). Online condolences may be offered at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Gail A. Sailer, 80, of Harmony Township, died Monday, February 9, 2026 in her home. Born September 22, 1945 in Philadelphia, she was the daughter of the late Frederick and Ethel (Tompson) Adkin. She and her husband, James R. Sailer were married 61 years. They co-owned Sailer’s Florist and Gifts in Easton and Belvidere. Gail graduated from Belvidere High School in 1964. She was a member of Harmony Presbyterian Church, the Harmony Township Fire Co. Ladies Auxiliary, the Harmony Township Lions Club and she loved playing with her grandchildren.

Surviving with her loving husband, Jim, are a son, Raymond F. Sailer and his wife, Judy; a daughter, Sandra L. Wilson and her husband, Doug; grandchildren, Ryan Sailer-Taynor, Drew Wilson, Jade Lewis, and Skylar Wilson; and great grandchildren, Ivy Rose, Ezra, Elijah, Ezekiel, Oliver, Jayla, Ryland, and Brian and great granddaughter on the way. She was predeceased by her sister, Margie Hajcak

Services will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, February 28, 2026 in Harmony Presbyterian Church, 2727 Belvidere Rd., Phillipsburg. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton, is handling the arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to Harmony Presbyterian Church, Harmony Township Lions Club, or Harmony Township Fire Co. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Keisha Kidada Fredericks aka Butta, 48 of Easton, PA passed away on Monday, February 9, 2026 surrounded by her loving family at St. Luke’s Hospital, Fountain Hill, PA. Born April 1, 1977 in Easton, she was a daughter of Charlene Fredericks of Easton.

She is survived by her mother: Charlene, with whom she resided; her son: Zymece of Easton; her loving sister and “bestie”: Aleaha Fredericks of Bath, PA and her 3 sons; her brother: Joseph Boyer (Annette) of Bethlehem and their 7 children; her brother: Abdullah Boyer of Philadelphia, PA; her companion of 10 years: Eddie Laney; many aunts, uncles and a host of cousins.

Visitation will be held from 10 to 11 AM Monday, February 16, 2026 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA followed by a service at 11 AM. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Kidney Fund. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Gloria Lorraine Riegel, 95 of Tatamy, PA passed away comfortably under hospice care, on Friday, February 6, 2026 in the presence of her family. Born October 9, 1930, in Easton, PA she was a daughter of the late Florence (Blake) and Lewis Brown. Her husband Clarence Riegel, Jr. died in 2023. Gloria was a 1948 graduate of Easton High School and had been employed by Yankee Sportswear. She was a member of the Bushkill Valley Motorcycle Club Auxiliary. She was a member of Hope Lutheran Church, Tatamy and had taught Sunday School at the former St. Luke’s Lutheran Church.

She is survived by 3 children: Stephen H. Riegel and his companion Norma of Tatamy, Vickie A. Erb and her husband Glenn of Morrisonville, NY, Michael L. Riegel and his wife Barbara of Kutztown, PA; 6 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and 3 great-great-granddaughters. She was predeceased by her husband Clarence and her sister: Lois Williams.

Services are private. The Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA is handling arrangements. Interment is in Northampton Memorial Shrine. Memorial contributions may be made to Hope Lutheran Church, 240 S. 8^th St., (Tatamy), Easton, PA 18045. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Joan Marie (Clifton) Herb of Gainesville, FL formerly of Palmer Township, PA peacefully passed away on February 2, 2026.  Joan was born to John L. Clifton and Mildred Marsh Clifton on November 28, 1931, in Easton, PA.  She was a proud 1949 graduate of Wilson Area High School.  While attending high school, Joan met the love of her life, James H. Herb.  Upon Jim’s graduation from Penn State University in 1953 the couple wed and shared their lives for 46 years until Jim’s passing in 1999. After raising their children, Joan was involved in many things.  She was employed as a secretary for both Brensinger and Stewartsville Elementary schools in New Jersey and worked as a poll worker for Warren County Elections Board in Phillipsburg, NJ.  She later followed her passion for travel becoming a tour escort with Trans Bridge Lines and a travel agent for Thomas Cook Travel.  She was very active in the Wilson Area High School Class of 1949 Reunion Committee, serving as secretary for many years and a member of the Red Hat Society and AARP Travel Club. Joan loved sports and was an avid fan of the Philadelphia Phillies and Eagles, Penn State Nittany Lions and the Phillipsburg Stateliners where her husband taught for 37 years.  She loved spending time with family and friends and travelling with her husband creating new memories.  No matter what Joan did in life, she made many lifelong friendships along the way. 

Joan is survived by her five children: James (partner Carlos Miranda) of Hellertown, PA, John (partner Kathy Ketchledge) of Palmer, PA, Jeffrey (wife Jennifer) of Macon, GA, Jerold (wife Sonja) of Ocala, Fl and Jan Herb Campbell (husband Andy) of Gainesville, FL, 8 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren and a sister-in-law Jean Herb Perruso and her husband T. Albert Perruso.

Visitation will be held from noon to 1PM Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St, Easton, PA followed by a service at 1 PM. She will be laid to rest at the Northampton Memorial Shrine. Memorials may be made to the Center for Animal Health and Welfare, 1165 Island Park Road, Easton, PA 18042. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

John D. (Jack) Bennett Jr., 98, of Easton, Pa,. died peacefully on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at St. Luke’s Hospital, Anderson. Born in Easton on March 11, 1927, he was the son of John D. and Elizabeth Bennett. Jack was married to Kathleen M. Sloyer for 61 years until her death in 2020.

Jack graduated from Easton High School in 1944 where he was the class president, historian, and treasurer while playing baseball, basketball, and participating in the band. He served in the US Navy aboard the USS Orca in the Pacific from 1945-1946. In 1950, he graduated from Lafayette College where he was class president and a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity.

Jack grew up in the family hardware business and became owner and President of Bennett Hardware beginning in 1965. He was a graduate of the Architectural Hardware Institute and became a certified hardware consultant.

Jack had a lifelong commitment to giving back to his community and did so with great pride. He wasn’t just affiliated with organizations—he actively held positions in each club. He was a Rotary Club of Easton member for 75 years, serving multiple terms as President and receiving the Paul Harris Fellow award. He also had a perfect attendance record for 60 plus years. He served as president, treasurer, and finance chairman at Christ Lutheran Church in Easton. He participated in and served in leadership roles with many organizations, including a founder of the Easton Downtown Improvement Group, Executive Director of the Easton Parking Authority, President of Two Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce, co-founder of the Bushkill Stream Conservancy, Director of the Lehigh Valley Red Cross, and coach for Bethlehem youth sports organizations.

Jack enjoyed golf, the Phillies, and an occasional cigar with a glass of VO on the rocks. His greatest pleasure came from spending time with his wife and family. He and Kathleen traveled the world together but always found time to attend countless sporting events, recitals, etc for their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. It’s an honor to all who knew him that his name will live on in the community with the annual Easton Rotary Club Jack Bennett Holiday Classic Basketball Tournament.

Survivors include sons Robert and wife Michelle of Center Valley; Daniel and wife Margaret of Palmer Township; Douglas and wife Lisa of Maineville, Ohio; and daughter Anne Bennett-Morse and husband Scott Morse of Forks Township. He leaves behind 13 grandchildren: Michael, Steven, Eric, David, Sarah, Avery, and Caroline Bennett; London, Zephrin, and Addison Morse; and Joseph, Jared, and Janelle Bidlow; seven great-grandchildren: Walker, Bristol, Paige, Colbie, Levi and Remy Bennett; and Riley DeLaigle. And his granddogs Macy and Minka.

A public visitation will be held from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Friday, February 6, 2026 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton. Burial will be private in Arndt’s Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Easton Rotary Service Foundation, https://www.eastonrotary.com/donate. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

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