Obituaries

George J. Mechalakos, 92 a lifetime resident of Easton, PA and veteran of World War II, passed away on Saturday, August 22, 2015 at Lehigh Valley Hospital after a long illness.  He was born on July 17, 1923 in Easton, PA, the son of James Mechalakos and Jane Stamatakos of Sparta, Greece.

In his youth he divided his time between school and work at the Easton Sweet Shop, the family business and prominent Easton fixture, founded in 1916 by his father.  After the death of his father when George was 15, he went on to graduate from Easton High School with a perfect 12 year attendance record while simultaneously managing the Easton Sweet Shop with his mother.  After graduating from high school in 1938 he enrolled at Lafayette College, soon after taking leave from his studies to enlist in the United States Army during World War II.  He fought in Germany as a member of Company K, 335th Infantry Regiment where he was captured and held as a prisoner of war until his release and honorable discharge in 1946 at the rank of sergeant.  He received numerous citations for his service, including 2 bronze stars.  Upon his return home he completed his Bachelor’s Degree at Lafayette and resumed management of the Sweet Shop. He met his future wife Chrisanthe in 1962 and they were married in 1963.  They co-managed the Easton Sweet Shop until their retirement in 1984. He was also owner of James Realty which included the former Sweet Shop and adjoining properties until 2005.  George was an active member of the Greek Orthodox Church.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Chrisanthe, his son James and wife Martha, and his grandchildren Mary and George Mechalakos. He was predeceased by his sister Mary in 1992.

Services are 10:30 a.m. Thursday, (Aug.  27) in the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 20th St. and Hay Terrace, Easton with visitation from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton Street, Easton. Interment will be in Northampton Memorial Shrine.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the church, 319 S. 20th Street, Easton, PA 18042.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Helen B. Whipland, 96 of Palmer Twp., PA died Sunday, August 16, 2015 at Gracedale, Nazareth, PA. Born May 15, 1919 in Goshen, NY she was a daughter of the late Stella (Kovalski) and John Kuligowski.

A member of Calvary Baptist Church, Bethlehem Twp., PA, she had been a caregiver for many people over the years. She was also a generous supporter of the Disabled American Veterans.

She is survived by her daughter: Julie H. Tanis and her husband Pastor Jack Tanis with whom she resided; 9 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren and 11 great-great grandchildren.  Her husband: Stanley P. Whipland, Sr.; her son: Stanley P. Whipland, Jr.; a brother and 5 sisters all died earlier.

A Memorial service will be held August 30th (Sunday) at 3:00 PM in Calvary Baptist Church, 5300 Green Pond Rd., Easton. Interment will be private in the Bay Pines National Cemetery in Florida.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Church, 5300 Green Pond Rd., Easton, PA  18045 or at www.Wounded Warriors.org.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Joseph William Grollman, 78 of Williams Twp., PA died Wednesday, August 5, 2015 at Easton Hospital. Born July 13, 1937 in Easton he was a son of the late Gertrude (Philips) and I. Jacob Grollman.

He was a 1955 graduate of Wilson High School and attended the University of Pennsylvania. He enlisted in the army and was stationed in Germany where he was a member of the 3rd Infantry Division Band. After his discharge in 1961 he returned to Easton and joined the family business Grollman’s, a women’s fashion store in downtown Easton which was founded in 1904. Following the store closing in 1991, he worked for The Express-Times until his retirement.

He was an active member of several retail and civic organizations. He served on the Board of Directors for the PA Retailers Association and  was a Vice Chairman of the Easton Parking Authority. He was also a member of Easton City Council and former Chairman of the Easton Planning Commission. He served on the Board of Mary Meuser Library and is a member of the Temple Covenant of Peace, Easton.

Joe played trombone and performed in various local bands for many years. His love of music encompassed every genre from classical to jazz and he was able to play the piano until just recently.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years: Merle (Flitter) Grollman; a daughter: Julie Shinbaum and her husband Dana of Scottsdale, AZ; 2 sons: Michael Grollman and his wife Dana of Redondo Beach, CA, Peter Grollman and his wife Alexa of Wynnewood, PA; a brother: Dr. Albert Grollman and his wife Judith of Rockville, MD; and 7 grandchildren: Noah, Naomi and Natalie Shinbaum, Max and Jack Grollman; Jesse and Sasha Grollman.

Services are 10:30 a.m. Friday (Aug. 7) in the Temple Covenant of Peace, 1451 Northampton Street, Easton, PA, with interment in Easton Cemetery. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements.

Memorial Contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Lois-Jean “Jeanne” Crivellaro, 62 of Forks Twp., PA died Wednesday, August 5, 2015 at Easton Hospital. Born August 31, 1952 in Easton, PA she was the daughter of Robert L. Frick, Sr. of Forks Twp., PA and the late Lois (Jenney) Frick.

A 1969 graduate of Easton High School, she had worked for Frick Transfer, Hess’s Department Store and owned The Glass Wheel with her sister-in-law, Karen. She was an active member of Cornerstone Evangelical Free Church, Easton and founding member of Truth for Women.

She is survived by her father, with whom she resided; her brother Robert, Jr. and his wife Karen of Easton; three nieces and six great-nieces/nephews. Her husband Charles A. Crivellaro died in 2011.

A Graveside service will be held 3 PM Friday, (Aug. 14) at Northampton Memorial Shrine, 3051 Green Pond Rd., Easton; the Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling 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.

David Wayne Sherwood, 43 of Palmer Twp., PA died unexpectedly Wednesday, August 5, 2015 at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Cedar Crest, but his legacy will continue as a Gift of Life Donor.  Born August 9, 1971 in Easton, PA he was a son of Dorothy (Dornblaser) Sherwood of Palmer Twp. and the late Ellsworth Sherwood.

A 1990 graduate of Easton High School he was employed by Readington Farms in Whitehouse Station, NJ for many years.  He loved camping, football and his dogs Rocky and Trixie.

He is survived by his mother: Dorothy; his wife of 18 years: Angela (Panzica) Sherwood; many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Services are 10 AM Wednesday in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton with visitation 7 to 8:30 PM Tuesday and 9 to 10 AM Wednesday in the funeral home. Interment in Northampton Memorial Shrine.

Memorial contributions may be made to the family c/o the funeral home or to Last Chance Ranch, 9 Beck Rd., Quakertown, PA 18951.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Steven “Bub” Mulrooney passed away at home on August 5, 2015 at the age of 21.

Steven is lovingly remembered by his parents, Thomas and Beverly Mulrooney; and his siblings: Shannon Felici, Lauren Mulrooney, Meghan Mulrooney, Brian Mulrooney, Erin Mulrooney, and Kelly Dix.

Steven was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania on April 29, 1994. He graduated from Phillipsburg High School in 2013. Steven aspired to continue a career in the auto mechanic industry since he enjoyed fixing cars so much.

Steven was a lover of the outdoors. He loved hunting, fishing, working on the farm, and camping. Getting dirty in the fields with dirt bikes, four wheelers and trucks was a passion of his. Steven was also an avid member of the Phillipsburg FFA Chapter during his time at PHS. Steven particularly enjoyed being a goof, and torturing his sister Erin was a favorite pastime of his. Anyone who knows Bub knows that camo, Fords, John Deere, his boots, and hats were a few of his favorite things. While all of these things are very representative of Steven, a memory of him would not be complete without him riding his multi-colored bike wherever he wanted to go.

The visitation will be held at Phillipsburg Alliance Church, 255 Lincoln Street, Phillipsburg, NJ on August 13, 2015 from 8:30-10:30. The funeral service will be held directly following the visitation with Pastor Randy Nelson officiating. Burial to follow the funeral service will take place at the Forks Cemetery on Sullivan Trail.  A reception will take place at Alpha Park on Vulcanite Ave.  following the burial.  The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements.  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Phillipsburg Chapter of Celebrate Recovery at the Phillipsburg Alliance Church.