Obituaries

Edward M. Statler, Jr., 71, of Nazareth, died Monday, September 11, 2023 in St. Luke’s Hospital. Born May 27, 1952 in Easton, he was the son of the late Edward M. Statler, Sr. and Winifred (Taylor) Statler. He worked for the Nazareth Highway Department for 40 years and retired in 2019. He also worked security at Moravian Hall Square and was a private fire investigator. He was a member of First Moravian Church, Easton, Nazareth Moravian Church, and Calvary Moravian Church, Allentown; a life member of Vigilance Hose Company-Nazareth Fire Department; a member of Vigilance Hose Company Social Club, East Lawn Social Club, and International Association of Arson Investigators. He had also been a volunteer for Nazareth Volunteer Fire Department and Easton Emergency Squad.

Surviving are his son, Stephen Statler and his wife, Bethany; three grandchildren, Isabella, Gavin, and Leyton; three sisters, Laurie Bullock and her husband, William, Karen Statler, and Diane Kohler and her husband, Skip; his companion, Nancy Montesino; four nieces; four nephews; and thirteen great nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a nephew.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 am on Thursday, September 21, 2023 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton. A visitation will be held from 6:00 to 7:30 pm on Wednesday in the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Vigilance Hose Company, 49 S. Broad St., Nazareth, PA 18064 or American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Patricia M. Fisher, 84 of Palmer Twp., PA passed away peacefully Friday, September 8, 2023 at her home, surrounded by her family and friends. Coach Fisher was born in Easton, PA on September 17, 1938. She graduated from Easton Area High School in 1956 and received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from East Stroudsburg University. Pat was employed as a physical education and health teacher at Easton Area High School where she coached field hockey, basketball, and softball. In 1979, Pat left EAHS and began her career as a collegiate coach at Lafayette College in 1980. She was the Head Women’s Basketball Coach from 1980-2001, Head Women’s Softball Coach, Assistant Athletic Director, and Senior Women’s Administrator before she retired. Upon retirement, Pat was elected to serve on the Easton Area School District Board of Education. Pat is a member of the Athletics Hall of Fame at Easton Area High School, East Stroudsburg University, and Lafayette College. Everywhere she worked, she excelled and had an impact.

Pat was predeceased by her parents Harrison “Bud” and Mae Fisher, as well as her brother, Bernard F. Fisher and her sister and partner-in-crime, Sharon Helm. She is survived by her brother, Tom Fisher, and his wife, Linda. One of her favorite jobs was as an aunt and great-aunt to her nieces and nephews, none of whom ever missed a movie in the theater when she was at home in between away games: Harrison “Bud” Kohler, and his wife Maureen; JoMarie (Kohler) Taff, and her husband Randy; Colleen (Smith) Carfara, and her husband Tony; Cortney Fisher, Tiffany (Fisher) Zakszeski, and her husband Mike; Brittany Fisher, and her partner Shakeem Williams. Her great-nieces and nephews include Cory Taff, his wife Sara, and their three children, Casen, Quinn, and Lincoln; Meghan (Kohler) Viscomi, and her husband Peter; Dustin Taff, his wife Amy, and their son Wyatt; Andrew Kohler; Zach Carfara; Garrett Taff, his wife Amber and their daughter Emma; Morgan (Carfara) Grieser, and her husband Logan; Alexandria Zakszeski; Brady Zakszeski; Jaxon Boozer; and Troy Williams. She is also survived by more friends and former players than we can count – most of whom became her family as well – but notably her best friend and fellow coach of more than 50 years, Annette Lynch.

Mass will be held 11 AM Thursday (Sept. 14) at St. Jane Frances de Chantal Catholic Church, 4049 Hartley Ave., Easton, PA with a calling period from 5 to 7 PM Wednesday in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton and 10 to 11 AM Thursday in the Church. Interment in Northampton Memorial Shrine. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, the Cancer Support Community of the Greater Lehigh Valley at www.cancersupportglv.org or the Maroon Club of Lafayette College at www.goleopards.com or via check with the memo line indicating that the donation should be directed to Women’s Basketball. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Debra Ann Boettinger, 69 of Wilson Borough, PA died Sunday, August 27, 2023 at St. Luke’s Hospital, Anderson Campus. Born July 30, 1954 in Easton, she was a daughter of Faye (Martin) Lear of Palmer Twp., PA and the late John Lear, Jr. She was employed by the Holiday Inn in Palmer for many years before retiring. Debbie’s legacy lives on through organ donation, in her passing, she gave the gift of life to many others.

She is survived by her mother, Faye; her daughter: Laurie Boettinger of Bethlehem; her sister: Lynda Hendricks of Palmer Twp.; her brother: John Lear (wife Susan) of Bushkill Twp.; her granddaughter: Leah Boettinger and her niece: Emylu Lear. Her father, John and brother, Edwin Lear predeceased her.

Graveside services will be held 2 PM Friday (Sept. 1) at Northampton Memorial Shrine, Green Pond Rd., Easton. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements.  The family asks that in Debbie’s memory, you consider registering as an organ donor. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Clarence Riegel, Jr., 94, of Tatamy, died Thursday, August 24, 2023 in Gracedale. Born June 4, 1929 in Easton, he was the son of the late Clarence Riegel, Sr. and Edna (Spangeburg) Riegel. He and his wife, Gloria L. (Brown) Riegel, were married 75 years. Clarence graduated from Easton High School in 1948 and worked for Coca-Cola Bottling Co. of the Lehigh Valley for 46 years until retiring in 1996. He was a member of Hope Lutheran Church, Tatamy, a life member of the American Motorcyclist Association, and a 75-year member of Bushkill Valley Motorcycle Club.

Surviving with his wife, Gloria, are two sons, Stephen H. Riegel and his companion, Norma of Tatamy and Michael L. Riegel and his wife, Barbara of Kutztown; a daughter, Vickie A. Erb and her husband, Glenn of Morrisonville, NY; a brother, Donald Riegel, Sr. of Bangor; six grandchildren; ten great grandchildren; and two great great grandchildren. A brother, Harold Riegel died earlier.

Services will be private with interment in Northampton Memorial Shrine. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to Hope Lutheran Church, 240 South 8th St., Tatamy, PA 18085. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Arthur H. “The Chest” Beinlich, 82, of Bethlehem Township, died Tuesday, August 22, 2023 in his home. Born September 3, 1940 in Easton, he was the son of the late Eric G. Beinlich, Sr. and Hilda (Mack) Beinlich. He and his wife, Sandra (Meyers) Beinlich were married 58 years. Arthur graduated from Penn State, served in the Navy during the Vietnam War, and was an avid sports fan. He was an explosives engineer for Vibra-Tech, Tamaqua. Prior to that he worked for Orica Explosives, Canada, and Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Ore Mine, Ishpeming, Mich.

Surviving with his wife, Sandra, are a son, Keith A. Beinlich and his partner, Felicia Dettmer; two daughters, Lori A. Lehr and her husband, Jeremy, and Vicky L. Geiger and her husband, David; and six grandchildren, Jermeil, Nicholas, Jamie, Tyler, Madison (with whom he shared their birthday), and Nathan. Two sons, Scott A. Beinlich and Todd E. Beinlich; a brother, Eric G. Beinlich, Jr.; and a sister, Arlene Schwartz died earlier.

Private services with military honors will be held at Northampton Memorial Shrine. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Kevin Lee Schlough, 62, of Forks Township, died Monday, August 21, 2023 in Lehigh Valley Hospital. Born June 13, 1961 in Easton, he was the son of Barbara (Ahart) Schlough. He and his wife, Susan (Rosenkranz) Schlough have been together for 40 years. Kevin served in the Army and was an electrician for the City of Easton for 15 years. He was an avid photographer and was the founder of the Facebook Group, “Frozen in Time. Lehigh Valley and Surrounding Areas”.

Surviving with his wife, Susan are a step-daughter, Lisa Williams and her husband, Ellis; a brother, Douglas Schlough and his wife, Chris; and a grandson, Jacob Behler.

An informal gathering and Celebration of Life will be held from 6:00 to 7:30 pm on Thursday, August 31, 2023 at Miguel’s Restaurant, 5881 Sullivan Trail, Nazareth. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.