Obituaries

John T. Pursel, 83, of Cape May Beach, NJ, formerly of Palmer Township, passed away Tuesday, October 13, 2015 in Cooper University Hospital, Camden, NJ.

Born May 28, 1932 in Phillipsburg, he was a son of the late George F. and Maryon (Groh) Pursel.

He and his wife, the former Helene Hanlon were married 61 years.

John was an artist for Dixie Cup Company, Easton for 45 years.  He graduated from Phillipsburg High School in 1950 and was a graduate of Newark Academy of Art.

John’s family includes his wife, Helene; three daughters, Kim Cooper and her husband, the late Bill Cooper of Clifton Park, NY, Amy Ashton and her husband, Kline of Easton, and Heather Horn and her husband, Drek of Easton; a sister, Janice Race and her husband, Mark of Hobe Sound, FL; and eight grandchildren, Caitlin Montalvo and her husband, Ramfis, John Thomas Pursel, III, Emily Cooper, Tanner Haycock, Robby Ashton, Victoria Ashton, Ryan Ashton, and Summer Horn.

Services will be private with interment in Easton Cemetery.  The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to National Kidney Foundation, www.kidney.org.  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Betsy M. Swick, 84 of Easton, PA died Sunday, October 11, 2015 at St. Luke’s Hospital, Anderson Campus, after being stricken at home. Born November 21, 1930 in Phillipsburg, NJ she was a daughter of the late Susan Louise (Cobb) and Morris J. Swick.

A 1949 graduate of Phillipsburg High School, she had been employed by the Express-Times as a switchboard operator for 15 years before retiring in 1993. Prior to that she was a supervisor for Bell Telephone for 17 years.  She was a former member of First Presbyterian Church, Easton, Women’s Auxiliary of the Children’s Home, Past-President of the Junior Auxiliary of Easton Hospital and active in the Democratic Party. She was also a member of Senior Life Lehigh Valley.

She is survived by her daughter: Melissa J. Swick with whom she resided and grandson: Joshua David Weasner of Easton. A brother Earl Swick and sisters Jean Smith and Ann Swick died earlier.

Services are private; the Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to the family c/o the funeral home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA 18042.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Arlene J. McIntyre, 86, of Bethlehem Township, died Sunday, October 4, 2015 in Weston Senior Living Center at Sullivan Trail.

Born February 7, 1929 in Pottsville, PA, she was a daughter of the late John A. and Rebecca (Long) Bowers.

Her husband, Richard “Lindy” McIntyre died in 1991.

Arlene was a member of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, Palmer Township; the Red Hat Society; the Ambassador Club; and the Lady’s Golf League at Green Pond Country Club.

Surviving are a son, Rich McIntyre of Forks Township; a daughter, Linda Trigiani and her husband, Gary of Bethlehem Township; a brother, Norman Bowers; three sisters, Mary Whalen, Nancy Davis, and Gayle Ash; and four grandchildren, Rebecca (Zansitis) Lepkowski, Kate Zansitis, Mason McIntyre, and Mario McIntyre.  Two brothers, Joseph Bowers and John Bowers died earlier.

Services will be held at 10:00 am on Wednesday, October 7, 2015 in St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, 3900 Freemansburg Ave., Palmer Township.  A visitation will be held from 6–7:30 pm on Tuesday in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton.  Interment will be in Northampton Memorial Shrine.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, 3900 Freemansburg Ave., Easton, PA 18045.  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Doris E. Libby, 92 of Forks Twp., PA died Friday, October 2, 2015 at New Eastwood Care Center. Born January 10, 1923 in Easton, PA she was a daughter of the late Marian (Bean) and Paul Cavazel. Her husband Russell R. Libby died in 2000.

She had previously been employed by Ingersoll Rand and was a member of New Creation United Church of Christ, Palmer Twp. She had been a member of the URW Club and Meals on Wheels volunteer. “Dot” also loved playing cards.

She is survived by four sons: Alan R. and his wife Gwen of Natchez, MS, S. Craig of Forks Twp., PA, Neal S. of Ft. Worth, TX, Brian R. and his wife Lana of Fairmont, WV; 3 sisters: Louise, Joyce, Alice; 6 grandchildren: Gail, Kim, Eric, Meghan, Caitlin, Zane and 4 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband Russ and sisters: Eleanor and Betty.

Services are 10:30 AM Tuesday (Oct. 6) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA with visitation 9:30 to 10:30 AM. Interment will be in Forks Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.