Obituaries

James Santell Williams, 97 of Easton, PA died Thursday, April 16, 2015 in the St. Luke’s Hospice House.  Born December 25, 1917 in Cuspid, Georgia he was a son of the late Ella (Stock) and Ed Williams.

He had been employed by Bethlehem Steel as a crane operator from 1942 until retiring in 1980 and was a member of Second Baptist Church and Elks Lodge #1284, Bethlehem.

He is survived by five children: James Williams, Jr. of Greensboro, NC, Terry Caldero and Jamie Williams of Bethlehem, PA, Lisa Williams of Reading, PA, Janie Washington of Philadelphia, PA; 23 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; 7 great-great-grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by 6 brothers and 5 sisters.

A Memorial Service will be held 11 AM Thursday (Apr. 23) in the Second Baptist Church, 1016 Wood St., Bethlehem, PA.

Contributions in his memory may be made to the church. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Ronald J. Rawson, 62, of Easton, died Tuesday, April 14, 2015 in his home.

Born November 10, 1952 in Easton, he was a son of the late Peter and Eleanor J. (Hoetger) Rawson.

He and his wife, the former Agnes M. Kale were high school sweethearts and were married for 38 years.  He was a loving and caring husband.

Ronald worked for General Supply Co. from 1990 to 2006.  Prior to that he worked for Hummel Lumber from 1972 to 1990.  He graduated from Easton Area High School in 1970 and earned a degree in accounting from Churchman Business School in 1972.  He was an avid Dodger fan and enjoyed all sports, especially baseball.  He was a baseball card collector and enjoyed traveling.

He was a member of the former First Evangelical Congregational Church, Easton where he served as Treasurer and Board President.  He attended First Baptist Church, Easton and Emmanuel Evangelical Congregational Church, Bethlehem.

Surviving with his wife, Agnes, are a brother, Elwyn Rawson and his wife, Margaret of Macungie and a sister-in-law, Shirley Rawson of Wilson Borough.  His brother, Raymond K. Rawson, Sr. and his sister, Janice M. Rawson died earlier.

Services will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, April 20, 2015 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton.  A visitation will be held from 10:00 am until service time on Monday in the funeral home.  Interment will be in Forks Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, 177 N. Greenwood Ave., Easton, PA 18045 or Emmanuel Evangelical Congregational Church, 75 E. Union Blvd., Bethlehem, PA 18018.  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Margaret P. Kelly, 85, of Palmer Township, passed away peacefully at her home with her family and caregivers by her side on Friday, April 10, 2015.

Born April 15, 1929 in Easton, she was a daughter of the late Edward H. and Elizabeth I. (Graver) Lesher.

Her husband, Charles E. Kelly, Jr. died in 2006.  She worked at the former Dixie Cup, Wilson Borough for several years.  She was a member of Arndt’s Lutheran Church, Forks Township.  She was the treasurer for the Women’s Group, sang in the choir, served as a sexton, and was a member of the Open Arms Senior Connections.  Margaret played the trumpet in the Lehigh Valley Variety Band and the Earl Held All Girl Band.  She was also a member of the Wilden Acres Women’s Group.

Surviving are her son, John E. Kelly and his wife, Mary Beth of Phoenixville; two daughters, Carol Ann Hage and her husband, Frank of Ft. Lauderdale and Joan M. Kocher and her husband, Kevin of Palmer Township; three brothers, Raymond G. Lesher and his wife, Barbara of Palmer Township, Robert W. Lesher and his wife, Marion of Plainfield Township, and John R. Lesher of Wilson Borough; two sisters, Elizabeth M. Stokes of Palmer Township and Dolores A. Wilson of Shickshinny; twin grandsons, Senior Airman Austin Kocher of Missouri and Specialist Dalton Kocher of Texas; a grandson, Logan Kocher of Palmer Township; and many nieces and nephews.  Two brothers, Fred G. Lesher and Edwin C. Lesher and a sister, Marion Rider died earlier.  The family expresses a special thanks to Margaret’s caregivers, Jilmarie Ramos and Dora Almo.

Services will be held at 10:00 am on Thursday, April 16, 2015 in Arndt’s Lutheran Church, 1851 Arndt Rd., Forks Township.  A visitation will be held from 6 to 7:30 pm on Wednesday in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton.  Interment will be in Northampton Memorial Shrine.

Memorial contributions may be made to Arndt’s Lutheran Church, 1851 Arndt Rd., Easton, PA 18040 or St. Luke’s Hospice, 801 Ostrum St., Bethlehem, PA 18015.  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Jane S. Moyer, 103, of Forks Twp., PA died Thursday, April 9, 2015 at Weston Senior Living Center in Forks Twp. Born February 3, 1912 in Easton, PA she was a daughter of the late Andrew Jackson and Margaret (Lott) Shaneberger.

She graduated from: Easton High School in 1930; Kutztown State College in 1934, with a B.S. in Library Science and History and a minor in English; and received her Master’s Degree in 1941 from the Columbia University School of Library Science.

She was employed as a Cataloger at the Easton Public Library for 20 years and was Executive Director of the Library for 23 years. She and her husband Roland also owned and operated High Acre Kennels where they bred and showed Irish Setters and Great Pyrenees for 30 years.

She was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Easton and the following Historical Societies: Kutztown Historical Society, Jacobsburg Historical Society, Williams Township Historical Society, Fork’s Township Historical Society, the PA Historical Society and Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society. She has served as a volunteer Librarian at the Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society since 1935 and established the Mary Illick Library now known as the Jane S. Moyer Library.

She was also a member of the PA Library Association, a life member of the YR Club of Easton and former member of the Women’s Club of Easton, the Easton Soroptimist Club and the Easton Exchangettes.  Jane has been honored for her commitment and service with an Exchange Club Golden Deeds Award in 1983, an Easton Sertoma Service to Mankind Award in 1993, a Morning Call Community Spirit Award in 2002, Northampton County Outstanding Seniors Award in 2008, and several citations recognizing her 100^th birthday

She is survived by nieces, nephews, and caregivers: Ronald Schlegel and Earl “Skip” Halt. Her husband Roland Scott Moyer died August 11, 1989. Three brothers: Robley, Clair and Charles and one sister Mary predeceased her.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday (Apr. 14) in St. John’s Lutheran Church, 330 Ferry Street, Easton, PA with visitation from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Monday in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA.  Interment will be in Easton Heights Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Northampton County Historical & Genealogical Society (NCH&GS), 342 Northampton St., Easton, PA or the Center for Animal Health and Welfare, 1165 Island Park Road, Easton, PA 18042.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Beatrice L. Ferency, 99, of Palmer Twp., PA died Tuesday, April 7, 2015 at Gracedale. Born August 31, 1915 in Bangor, PA she was a daughter of the late Norman and Virginia (Golden) Reichard.

She was a 1934 graduate of Easton High School and is survived by 2 daughters: Jean L. Hartranft and her husband Rich, of Palmer Twp., with whom she had resided, Evelyn M. Siegfried and her husband Ron of Easton, PA; 3 grandchildren: Rick Hartranft, Jr., Kelly Sullivan, Ron Siegfried and 5 great-grandchildren: Sarah, Brooke, Travis, Devon and Calista. She was predeceased by her husband: Louis Ferency, Jr. in 1990; a brother: Raymond Reichard; sister: Evelyn Murphy and a grandson: Randy Hartranft.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday (Apr. 9) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton with visitation from 10 -10:30 a.m. Interment will be in Northampton Memorial Shrine.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Center for Animal Health and Welfare, 1165 Island Park Rd., Easton, PA 18042.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Janice M. “Mickey” Cooper, 83, formerly of Palmer Township, died Monday, April 6, 2015 in Gracedale.

Born November 29, 1931 in Augusta, Maine, she was a daughter of the late Prosper Frank and Margaret L. (Harmon) Durand.  Her husband, Edward V. Montrim died in 1977.

Mickey worked at Magnetic Windings, WAEB, The Express-Times, and the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.  She also founded the Angler’s Newspaper in Point Pleasant, New Jersey.  She graduated from Easton High School in 1949 where she played basketball and baseball.

She wrote “The Big J – Matriarch of the Seas” and received the Freedom Foundation Award.  She was a member of the Battleship New Jersey Society and was an avid Yankees fan.

Surviving are her daughter, Terry A. Cooper and her partner Wayne T. Titus, Jr. of Palmer Township; two sisters, Jean Miller of Palmer Township and Sharon Shovelin of Allentown; three grandchildren, Morgan Barker and her husband, David of Wilson borough, Casey Hummer and his wife, Marisa of Nazareth, and Patrick Titus of Palmer Township; and a great grandson, Ethan Kushida.  Her sister, Marjorie died in infancy.

Private graveside services will be held at the Northampton Memorial Shrine.  The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to Center for Animal Health and Welfare, 1165 Island Park Road, Easton, PA 18042.  The family would like to thank the Gracedale family for the compassionate care of their mom and sister. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.