Obituaries

Nathan Melnick, 98, of Easton, PA died Friday, December 19, 2014 at home. Born August 14, 1916 in Blossburg, PA he was the son of the late Jacob and Mary (Fingerman) Melnick.

A graduate of Bangor High School, he was the founder and owner of Wellmade Novelty Co. in Bangor and co-founder of Country Miss in Bangor all before retiring in 1984. He served in the Army during WWII attached to the combined Chief of Staff in Washington, DC.

He was a 32nd Degree Mason, Bangor Lodge, F. & A. M. and member of the Temple Covenant of Peace, Easton.

He is survived by two daughters: Ellen of Chicago, IL, and Gail of Philadelphia, PA. His wife: Ruth (Reibman) Melnick died in 1995. Sisters: Edith Gruber, Dorothy Edelsen and brother: Everett Melnick all died earlier.

Services will be 11:00 AM Monday (Dec. 22) in Temple Covenant of Peace, 15th and Northampton Streets, Easton, PA. Interment will be in Easton Cemetery.  The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Temple Covenant of Peace, 1451 Northampton St., Easton, PA 18042.

Offer online condolences at www. AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Virginia M. Kocher, 93, of Forks Twp., PA died Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014 in the St. Luke’s Hospice House.

Born December 23, 1920 in Easton, PA she was the daughter of the late Thomas and Ruth (Hartley) Paulson.

A graduate and valedictorian of Easton High School Class of 1938, she received her bachelor’s degree from Moravian College in 1942. She was a rural mail carrier for the Easton Post Office for many years before retiring in 1985.

She was a member of Arndt’s Lutheran Church, where she was active in the Open Arms Group. She was also a member of NARFE, AARP and the National Rural Letter Carrier’s Association where she was the first female member of their Local.  But Virginia’s greatest happiness came with the arrival of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is survived by four children: Gary of Allentown, PA, Bryan of Arlington, VA, Stacy and his wife Catherine of Forks Twp., PA, Cheryl Robson and her husband Mark of Winchester, VA; 7 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. Her husband Stanley C. Kocher, Jr. died in 2005.

Services will be private; the Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements. Interment will be in Arndt’s Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Arndt’s Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, 1851 Arndt Road, Easton, PA 18040.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Clarence S. Miller, Jr., 87, of Avona Heights died Friday, Dec. 12, 2014 in Easton Hospital. Born January 24, 1927 in Easton, PA he was the son of the late Clarence S., Sr. and Irene (Barch) Miller.

A 1944 graduate of Wilson High School, he was a bus driver for LANTA for 58 years before retiring, starting first with the Transit Co. driving trolley.

He was a member of:  St. John’s Lutheran Church, Farmersville; Dallas Lodge #396, F. & A.M.; the Tall Cedars of Lebanon; the Senior Circle and was one of George’s Luncheonette’s “breakfast family”.  He was also a train enthusiast  who could always be found with a smile on his face.

He is survived by his wife of 33 years the former Charlotte Chunko; children, including: Richard Shaneberger and his wife Diana of South Huntington, NY, Ronald Shaneberger and his wife Marina of Bangor, PA, Bill Shaneberger and his wife Daina of Palmer Twp., PA, Cathy Klienknecht and her husband Bob of Naples, FL; his beloved grandchildren: Joshua, Brittany, Danielle, Kendra, Drew, Michael, Dylan and Olivia and his cherished cat: Sunshine.

Services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday (Dec. 17) in Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA with visitation 6 to 8 pm Tuesday in the funeral home with masonic  services at 7: 45 p.m. Interment will be in Northampton Memorial Shrine.

Memorial contributions may be made to Center for Animal Health and Welfare, 1165 Island Park Rd., Easton, PA 18042 or St. John’s Lutheran Church, Farmersville, 8065 William Penn Hwy., Easton, PA 18045.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Alan S. Krensavage, a retired executive with General Motors, died Dec. 6 at his home in Easton after a bout with cancer. He was 78.

Born in Hazleton, Pa., Mr. Krensavage earned an accounting degree from Pennsylvania State University.

After a stint in the U.S. Army, he joined General Motors as an insurance adjustor. He rose through the ranks, serving positions in New York, Chicago, Columbia, S.C., Atlanta, Los Angeles and Harrisburg. He most recently worked as a branch manager in Bridgewater, New Jersey.

An avid ham radio operator, Mr. Krensavage enjoyed computers and electronics.

After retiring in 1995, he worked as a volunteer tax preparer.

Survivors include his wife, Joan; daughter, Donna; sons, Alan and his wife, Darlene, Scott and his wife, Donna and Michael and his wife, Mary; granddaughters, Allison and Angela; and grandsons Scottie, Michael and Alexander.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 9th from 10 to 10:30 am in Holy Ghost Ukrainian Catholic Church, 315 Fourth St., West Easton with a Requiem Service at 10:30 am in the church.  The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements.  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Dorothy F. Mitek, 94, of Forks Township, formerly of Mt. Carmel, died Tuesday, November 25, 2014 in Country Meadows.

She was born September 29, 1920 in Mahanoy City.

Her husband, Michael J. Mitek died in 2001.

Dorothy was a member of Our Lady of Mercy Parish and was an Auxiliary Member of the Legion of Mary.

Surviving are two sons, Michael J. Mitek, Jr. and Gregory F. Mitek; a daughter, Patricia A. Johnson; a sister, Geraldine; 7 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. Her grandson, Matthew died earlier.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 am on Thursday, December 4th in Our Lady of Mercy, St. Bernard’s Oratory, 132 S. 5th St., Easton.  A visitation will be held from 9:30 am until service time on Thursday in the church.  Interment will be in Northampton Memorial Shrine.  The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements.  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.