Obituaries

Elizabeth M. “Betty” Wightman, 73 of Forks Twp., PA died Monday, January 12, 2015 in Easton Hospital.

Born January 30, 1941 in Camden, NJ  and raised in Pennsauken, NJ, she was a daughter of the late Oliver and Jessie (McCurdy) Barnish. She and her husband The Reverend William W. “Bill” Wightman have been married for 50 years.

A graduate of  Merchantville High School, she received a degree in Health and Physical Education from Trenton State College. She was a Paraprofessional for the Easton Area School District, mostly at the elementary schools for 25 years before retiring in 2006. Prior to that she had been employed by the Easton YWCA as Play Center Director. She had also been a Health and Physical Education teacher in the Burlington County School District and a substitute teacher for the Schuylkill Haven School District.

Betty was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Easton where she was active with the Fine Arts Committee and Quilting group. She was involved in many community and church activities including managing the Joshua Howell Fund.

She is survived by her husband, Bill; 2 children: Beth Wightman of Los Angeles, CA, Paul Wightman of Nazareth, PA; 2 brothers: Edward Barnish of Pennsauken, NJ, Jerry Barnish of Erial, NJ; a sister: Susan Emmert of Harrisburg, PA and 2 grandchildren: Zachary and Hanna Wightman.

Services will be 2:00 PM Friday (Jan. 16) in St. John’s Lutheran Church, 330 Ferry St., Easton, PA with a calling period from 5:30PM to 8:00 PM Thursday (Jan. 15) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA.  Interment will be private.

In her memory, Betty’s wish was that friends would plant a tree in which birds could nest. Or memorial contributions may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church, 330 Ferry St., Easton, PA 18042 for the  Gallery.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Frederick W. Hay, 60, of Upper Nazareth Township, died Friday, January 9, 2015 in St. Luke’s Hospital.

Born September 6, 1954 in Easton, he was a son of the late Dr. Horace L. Hay, Jr. and Jean (Halbing) Hay.

He and his wife, the former Cindy Krummel were married 28 years.

Fred was a Professional Engineer and partner in Keystone Consulting Engineers, Bethlehem and was the Township Engineer for Hanover Township, Lehigh County.

He was an Eagle Scout and graduated from Easton Area High School in 1972.  He served in the Army during the Vietnam War and received his BS degree from Lafayette College.

Surviving in addition to his wife, Cindy, are two brothers, James F. Hay of Palmer Township and David M. Hay of Bethlehem.

A visitation will be held from 5:00 to 8:00 pm on Monday, January 12 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton.  Interment will be private.

Memorial contributions may be made to Meals on Wheels, 4240 Fritch Dr., Bethlehem, PA 18020.  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Carlton Vance Hageman, 97, of Palmer Township, died Wednesday, December 31, 2014 in his home.

Born February 26, 1917 in Easton, he was a son of the late Carl D. and Ruth L. (Hester) Hageman.

His wife, the former Nancy Shackleton died in May.  He graduated from Wilson High School in 1934 and served in the US Navy during WWII on the USS LSM-089 in Japan and the South Pacific.  He was an Engineering Field Representative at Sheridan Machine, Palmer Township for 40 years and received several patents before retiring in 1982.

He was a member of Palmer Moravian Church, a member of the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels, a 50 year member of Dallas-Lafayette Lodge #396, Free and Accepted Masons, Tall Cedars of Lebanon, Knights Templar, Royal Arch Masons and Grand Council of Royal and Select Master Masons.

Surviving are his daughters, Sandy Seiple of Palmer Township and Karen Milburn and her husband, Bob of Palmer Township, a brother, Richard Hageman of Palmer Township, 3 grandchildren, Jeffrey Seiple, Leslie Guffy and Brett Milburn and 6 great grandchildren.  His sisters, Joyce Hamlen and Maude Mertz died earlier.

Services will be held at 10:00 am Saturday, January 3 in Palmer Moravian Church, Palmer Township.  Interment will be in Northampton Memorial Shrine.  The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements.

Contributions may be made to Palmer Moravian Church, 2901 John St., Easton, PA 18045.  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Norman Seidel, 96, of Palmer Twp., PA died Monday, December 29, 2014 at home.

Born February 13, 1918 in Philadelphia, PA he was a son of the late Louis Seidel and Eva (Cohen) Seidel Rubin.

He was an Attorney in the Easton area starting in private practice in 1941, then with the Seidel, Cohen, Hof and Reid Law offices. He was a graduate of Easton High School in 1934, Lafayette College in 1938 and the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1941.

An active member of Bnai Abraham Synagogue, Wilson, he was a Past President of the Northampton County Bar Association; Counsel for the Easton Redevelopment Authority and a Founder of ProJeCt of Easton. He also served in the Army Air Corps during WWII.

He is survived by two daughters: Jan Panto and her husband Joe of Forks Twp., PA; Judy Waldman and her husband Bruce of Bethlehem, PA; and four grandchildren: Jack and his wife Christina, Samantha, Casey and Buckley Waldman. He was predeceased by his wife, Myriel (Cohen) Seidel in 2009 and his brother Irv Seidel.

Services will be held at Noon Tuesday, Dec. 30 in Bnai Abraham Synagogue, 16th & Bushkill Streets, Easton, PA. Interment will be in Bnai Abraham Cemetery, Forks Twp., PA. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Bnai Abraham Synagogue, 1545 Bushkill St., Easton, PA 18042.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.