Obituaries

Joyce A. Parkansky, 84, of Easton, PA died Sunday, October 12, 2014 at Easton Hospital. Born December 20, 1929 in Easton, PA she was a daughter  of the late Jacob and Margaret (East) Van Norman.

A 1948 graduate of Easton High School, she had been employed by the former Fredwell Co. and Easton Pants Factory.

She is survived by her brother: James Van Norman of Easton, PA, sister: Shirley Cope of Palmer Twp., PA; daughter-in Law: Susan Brotzman of Nazareth; 3 grandchildren: Kyle Kostick, Robert Brotzman, Dana Rivera and 5 great-grandchildren: Kayla, Tara, Lara, Hunter and Madison. She was predeceased by her husband Edward Parkansky, a son: Norman Brotzman and daughter: Betty Anne Parkansky.

Services will be held 1 p.m. Friday, October 31, Graveside at Northampton Memorial Shrine, Palmer Twp., PA; the Ashton Funeral Home, Easton, PA 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.

Thomas M. Marchetti, Sr., 75, of Forks Twp., PA died Saturday, October 11, 2014 at home.

Born February 15, 1939 in Exeter, PA he was a son of the late Samuele and Silvia (Parantelli) Marchetti. He and his wife, Bernadette (Schultz) Marchetti have been married for 46 years.

He was a graduate of Exeter High School, the PA State Police Academy and he was an Army veteran.  Tom was a Trooper with the PA State Police for 27 years; then served as interim Sheriff and Chief Deputy for Northampton County for 10 years.  He was a member of St. Jane Frances de Chantal Catholic Church, Palmer Twp. and was honored as Man of the Year by UNICO. He also coached for various youth athletics including Forks Football for 40 years.

He is survived by his wife; two sons: Thomas M., Jr. and his wife Daphne of Chatham, NJ, Brian A. and his wife Renee of Basking Ridge, NJ, a daughter: Christine M. of E. Norriton, PA; a sister: Lillian Oliver of W. Orange, NJ; and four grandchildren: Silvia, Abigail, Thomas, III,  and Nicolas. He was predeceased by a brother: Lino and sister: Lena Nankivell.

Mass will be held 11:00 AM Thursday in St. Jane Frances de Chantal Church, 4049 Hartley Ave., Easton, PA; with visitation from 5 to 8 PM Wednesday in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton and 10:30 to 11 AM Thursday in the church. Interment will be private in Easton Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Easton Wrestling Boosters, c/o EAHS, 2601 William Penn Hwy., Easton, PA 18045.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Walter S. Piasecki, 75, of Upper Nazareth Twp., PA died Saturday, October 11, 2014 at home.

Born February 16, 1939 in Paint Twp., PA he was a son of the late Anthoney and Victoria (Haydus) Piasecki. He and his wife, Alice (Fotta) Piasecki have been married for 51 years.

He had been employed by Ingersoll-Rand for more than 30 years before retiring.  A Marine Corps veteran, he was a member of American Legion Post #9. He was also a life member of Concordia Mannaerchor and served on their Board of Directors. One of Walter’s favorite hobbies was woodworking.

He is survived by his wife; a son: Anthony of Upper Nazareth Twp., two daughters: Lori Sipes and her husband Robert of Falling Waters, WV, Tara Borlodan and her husband David of Fredericksburg, VA; siblings: Stanley Drabic, Helen Piasecki; 6 grandchildren and 1 great-granddaughter.

A Memorial Service will be held 2 PM Friday (Oct. 17) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Carroll L. Palmer, 97, of Palmer Twp., PA died Friday, October 10, 2014 at Manor Care, Old Orchard.

Born July 1, 1917 in Wilson Borough, PA she was the daughter of the late Henry and Edna (Meissner) Eichlin. Her husband of 43 years, Colonel Henry Unangst Palmer died in 1985.

A 1935 graduate of Easton High School, she lived in Easton most of her life, although she resided briefly in San Francisco, Germany, and France with her husband. She was a volunteer member of the Red Cross during WWII.  She was a member of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, Palmer Twp. where she served on the church council as well as many committees. She was a charter member of the Palmer Historical Society and a member of numerous organizations including the Palmer Republican Club, and the Easton Couturier Club, where she served as President. She was also an honorary life member of the PA Parents and Teachers Assoc.

Carroll was an avid nature enthusiast, history buff and loved to travel both domestically and internationally. Kind and generous to all, she drew people toward her from many circles.

She is survived by her son Henry K. Palmer and his partner Brian Scarpati of Philadelphia. Brothers: James and Henry Eichlin and sister: Ellen Gleue preceded her in death.

Services will be held Graveside 1:30 p.m. Wednesday (Oct. 15) at Easton Cemetery, North 7th St., Easton; the Ashton Funeral Home, Easton, PA is handling the arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, 3900 Freemansburg Ave., Easton, PA 18045.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Sarah “Sally” (Melville) Belluso of Nazareth, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully on October 7, 2014, with her daughter Diane by her side. Sally was born in Providence, Rhode Island, on August 10, 1930, the daughter of the late Martin J. and Sadie (Walsh) Melville.

A Warwick resident until moving to Pennsylvania four years ago, Sally graduated from St. Xavier’s Academy, and earned degrees from Bryant College and the University of Rhode Island. Sally overcame a handicap by learning to type rapidly with one hand. She worked as a civilian secretary for the US Navy and Air Force with top level clearances, working overseas at military bases in South Korea, Hong Kong, Japan, Germany, and Saudi Arabia before returning to the States and working at Quonset Naval Base.

Sally was a lifelong Democrat with a great interest in local and national politics, working for several local candidates. She fought hard for Rhode Islanders in need with her involvement in the Coalition for Consumer Justice and started a child abuse prevention organization. Sally also volunteered with the Muscular Dystrophy Association, which helped her immensely when her son was young. Sally valued education and enrolled at URI in her mid-60’s, earning a degree in Social Work.

She is survived by her two loving daughters: Sandra (son-in-law Henry) Suarez of Gardnerville, Nevada, and Diane (son-in-law John) Bucci of Easton, Pennsylvania, and five cherished grandchildren: Nicholas and Katrina Suarez of California, Daniel Suarez of Wyoming, and Andrew and Allison Bucci of Pennsylvania. She was predeceased by her beloved son, John M. Belluso.  She was the sister of the late Sister Mary J. Claver, RSM, Helen Charette, and Martin J. Melville, Jr.  She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, www.mda.org, in Sally’s memory will be appreciated.

Joseph Gramauskis, 91, of Forks Twp., PA died Tuesday, October 7, 2014 in Easton Hospital.

Born October 31, 1922 in Easton, PA he was a son of the late Zenonas and Pauline (Entkos) Gramauskis.

He had been employed by Bethlehem Steel for many years before retiring. After his retirement, he worked as a steel inspector for MCP Company in Bath.  A 1940 graduate of Easton High School, he served in the Navy during WWII and was a very talented wood carver.

He is survived by his wife: Sara (Laubach) Cooley-Gramauskis; step-children: Ray “Skip” Scheetz and his husband Michael Perry of Stroudsburg, PA, Gail Schramel and her husband Glenn of Northampton, PA; niece and nephew and his special pal, his dog: Jesse. He was predeceased by a brother: Sam and his first wife: Eleanor.

Services will be held 2:00 p.m. Monday (Oct. 13) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA, with visitation from 1:30 to 2 p.m.  Interment will be in Northampton Memorial Shrine.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

William Arnold Smith, 68 of Easton, PA took his place in the Kingdom of God, Monday, October 6, 2014.

Born April 19, 1946 in Easton he was the son of the late William E. and Madeline (Arnold) Smith.

Bill was an Elvis fan and impersonator appearing locally and in Atlantic City. He was also a member of Cornerstone Ev. Free Church, Easton and former Civil Defense volunteer for the Palmer Fire Co.

Though he was taken from us suddenly he will be greatly missed by: his children: William, Lori, Carol and Louie; sisters: Darlene Solove, Deborah Mucklin; 10 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; companion: Dana Brown; 2 nieces, 2 nephews and 2 great-nieces. He was predeceased by 1 grandchild.

Services will be held Tuesday (oct. 14)  11:00 a.m. Graveside in Easton Heights Cemetery, N. 10th St., Easton, with visitation from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Monday (Oct. 13) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.