Obituaries

Patricia A. (McGowan) Ditze, of Easton, PA passed away peacefully, Thursday, September 25, 2014 at St. Luke’s University Hospital, Fountain Hill, PA .

Born Patricia Ann McGowan, September 30, 1941 in Easton, PA she was the daughter of the late Martin J. and Gladys (Stone) McGowan and the loving wife of David M. Ditze for 43 years.

Pat graduated with the second graduating class of Notre Dame HS, Bethlehem Twp., PA. She continued her education at Marywood College, Scranton, PA receiving her BS in Home Economics. Over the course of her career as an educator, she was employed by the Phillipsburg School District, Delaware Valley School district, and Bethlehem Kids Peace.  She also taught tailoring in the evening to adults, was the Saturday afternoon Bier Fraulein at Which Brew House of Food and Spirits, supervised playgrounds, including the playground called her home. Pat was the mother of 5 girls, grandmother to one grandson, and aunt to nieces and nephews. She was a caring, loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She had a wonderful sense of humor that her husband admired, children inherited and friends shared. Her family and all who knew her will miss her strength, courage, patience, support, encouragement, and thoughtfulness.

She is survived by her husband David; five daughters: Kelly-Jo of Easton, Tara-Lin of Bethlehem, Mardi-Leigh of Philadelphia, Deidre-Anne of Bethlehem, Lorna-Jean of Chicago; a brother: James T. McGowan of Wilson Borough; and grandson: Tristen Odenwelder of Easton.

A calling period will be held from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday (Sept. 30) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA.

Memorial contributions be made to the American Stroke Assoc., 968 Postal Rd., Suite 110, Allentown, PA 18109.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Lois J. Frick, 92, of Forks Twp., PA died Tuesday, September 23, 2014 at home.

Born October 31, 1921 in Philadelphia, PA she was a daughter of the late Charles and Emma (Long) Jenney.

She and her husband Robert L. Frick, Sr., whom she met while roller skating at Bushkill Park, have been married for 67 years. She was a member of Cornerstone Ev. Free Church Easton and had been a Sunday School teacher at Fellowship Church for more than 20 years. She had also served in the Civilian Air Patrol during WWII. Lois opened her heart and home to many people and her family came first.

She is survived by her husband: Robert, Sr.; children: Robert L. Frick, Jr. and his wife Karen of Easton; Jeanne Crivellaro of Forks Twp., PA; 3 granddaughters: Penne Swingle, Bree Fehnel, Carey Frick; and 6 great-grandchildren: Skyler, Chelsea, Savannah, Marisa, Sierra and Balen.

Services will be held graveside 10:30 a.m. Tuesday (Sept. 30) in Northampton Memorial Shrine, Green Pond Road, Easton; the Ashton Funeral Home, Easton, PA is in charge of arrangements.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Nellie H. Horne, 87, of Hanover Township, died Monday, September 22, 2014 in Lehigh Valley Hospital hospice.

Born August 13, 1927 in Gaffney, South Carolina, she was a daughter of the late John and Minnie Henderson.  Her husband, Clyde W. Horne died in 1984.

She was Vice President, Secretary-Treasurer for her husband’s company, ABE Industrial Insulators, Inc., Bethlehem.  She was a Pharmacist Assistant at Stone’s Drug Store, Cowpens, South Carolina and was also employed at the Savannah River Project where she designed a cross reference system for classified electric component inventory.  She sold World Book Encyclopedias and was a Welcome Wagon Hostess for Allentown and surrounding areas. Nellie was a graduate of Cowpens High School, Cowpens, South Carolina and New York Institute of Public Relations, New York City.  She was a member of First Baptist Church, Bethlehem and she previously taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School at Calvary Baptist Church, Allentown.  She was a member of Christian Women’s Club, Y-Wives, Allentown YWCA, Northwest Swim Club, Order of the Eastern Star, Chapter #297, Allentown, Lehigh Valley Chamber Orchestra, Y-Dames of Bethlehem, Friendship Club, Saucon Ladies, Gourmet Club of Bethlehem, Stafore Pinochle Club, Northwest Little League Parent’s Association and League of Women Voters.  She volunteered for Meals on Wheels and was a Girl Scout Troop Organizer in Hanover Township and a Girl Scout Neighborhood Chairperson for Bethlehem.  Nellie was an organizer for the Ross Perot presidential campaign and served on the National Board of Directors for the Reform Party.  In 1965 she received an award from Henry H. Fowler, Secretary of the United States Treasury, for patriotic service in support of the United States Savings Bonds Program.  In 1995 she received a Certificate of Achievement in recognition of Citizen Volunteer Services provided in support of Community Crime Prevention.  In 1996 she received a Certificate of Recognition for being named Outstanding Volunteer by Pennsylvania State Representative, Lisa Boscola.

Surviving are her children, Greg H. Horne and his wife Lovella of Hanover Township, and Sandra Gallagher and her husband, Jerome of Allentown; sisters, Virginia Harmon and Rose Bridges; grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Services will be held at 2:00 pm on Thursday in First Baptist Church, 3235 Linden St., Bethlehem.  Call from 1:30 pm until service time.  The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements.  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

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Ronald W. Buchman, 70, of Palmer Twp., PA died Sunday, September 21, 2014 in Easton Hospital.

Born September 20, 1944 in Easton, PA he was a son of the late Reese and Joyce (Stiles) Buchman. He and his wife, the former Doris Heavener were married for 50 years.

A 1962 graduate of Phillipsburg High School, he was employed by Ingersoll-Rand, Phillipsburg in the Marine Engineering Department for more than 40 years before retiring. He also enjoyed gardening, painting, model trains, casinos and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

He is survived by his wife: Doris; son: Brian and his wife Tammi of Palmer Twp., PA; and four grandchildren: Brandon, Michael, Brian and Tim. He was predeceased by two brothers: James and Charles.

Services will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday (Sept. 26) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, with visitation from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday. Interment will be in Northampton Memorial Shrine.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 393 Adler Place, Suite 170, Bethlehem, PA 18017.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Nick J. “Chief” DiVietro, 87, of Palmer Township died Saturday, September 20, 2014 in Gracedale.

Born April 12, 1927 in Easton, he was a son of the late Antonio and Anna (Stallone) DiVietro.

He retired as Palmer Township Police Chief in 1990 after serving for 28 years.  After retiring he was the safety and welfare officer at Easton Area High School.  Nick served in the US Marine Corps during WWII.  His wife, Elizabeth “Betty” (Uhler) DiVietro died in 1996.

Surviving are his son, Steve DiVietro of Palmer Township and three brothers, Anthony, Mario and John Divietro.

Services will be held on Saturday, Sept. 27th at 10:00 am in St. Paul’s III Lutheran Church, 2561 Newburg Rd., Palmer Township.  A visitation will be held on Friday from 6 – 8:00 pm in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton.

Memorial contributions may be made to the family c/o Steve DiVietro.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Walter Joseph “Rych” Rychlicki, beloved husband and father, died Friday, September 19, 2014, peacefully at his home in Palmer Township.  He was 67 years old.

Born  May 30, 1947 in Jersey City, NJ, he was the son of the late Ignatius Rychlicki and Regina (Jelinska) Rychlicka.

He was a station manager for PSEG, Edison, New Jersey, and together with his wife, Lynn, opened DeLi-G’s in Palmer Township in 1986.  He was a graduate of Lincoln High School, Jersey City, NJ and served in the Army during the Vietnam War.  He was a member of St. Jane Frances de Chantal Church, Palmer Township.  His wife of 24 years, Lynn M. (Cotturo) Rych died in 1995.  His daughter, Gena R. Rych died in 2011.  Walter was a great guy and loving father.  He was an engaging conversationalist, extraordinarily well-read and enjoyed watching classic movies and listening to the oldies.  We will miss him terribly.

Survivors:  Three daughters, Danielle A. Enea and her husband, Frank of Durango, Colorado; Lynn M. Rych-Hoffman and her husband John of San Francisco, California, Julia E. DeVito-Rych of Bangor; three sisters, Regina Rychlicka, H. Chris Fasino and her husband Salvatore and Valerie Woodward; and two grandchildren, Rocco and Christopher Joseph.

Services:  Visitation will be held on Wednesday (9/24) from 6 – 8:00 pm in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton.   Funeral will be private.

Memorial Contributions: Contributions may be made to the Gena Rych Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Alpine Bank, 1099 Main Ave., Durango, CO, 81301.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Mary T. Bennett, 92, of Palmer Township passed away peacefully September 15, 2014 at Old Orchard Health Care Center.  Born September 7, 1922 in Wilson Borough, she was the daughter of the late Arthur W. and Edith (Johnson) Trach.

She was a faithful member of New Creation United Church of Christ, Palmer Township (formerly Memorial United Church of Christ, Wilson Borough).  She served on the church consistory and on various committees throughout the years.

Mary was employed by Bean, Inc. Excavating Contractor, Wilson Borough for 45 years.  She served for many years as treasurer for the Wilson Borough High School Class of 1940.  Mary volunteered for Meals on Wheels of Northampton County.

She is survived by her son Robert E. Bennett and his wife Barbara of Bath;  grandchildren, Heather Bennett Knerr and husband Lowell of Northampton, and Robert E. Bennett, III and wife Holly of Nazareth; great grandchildren Sydney, Nicholas, Ezekiel and Delaney;  her sister Dorothy Weisel of Palmer Township; and one niece and three nephews.  She was predeceased by her brother, William Trach.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 12:00 pm (noon) on Friday, Sept. 19th in New Creation United Church of Christ, Palmer Township.  A visitation will be held from 11:00 am until service time on Friday in the church.  The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements.  Memorial contributions may be made to New Creation United Church of Christ, 3730 Nicholas St., Easton, PA 18045.  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Steven C. Sandy, 71, of Easton, PA passed away due to complications associated with dementia on Sunday, September 14, 2014. Born in Carl Junction, MO on September 28, 1942, he was the son of Herbert and Marguerite (Milleson) Sandy and the youngest of four siblings.

Steven graduated from Joplin Junior College in 1962 and went on to attend the University of Alabama for his undergraduate studies and the University of Southern California for post-graduate work. Upon graduating from USC in 1966 he was hired by Ingersoll Rand and worked in Los Angeles, San Francisco and the United Kingdom before settling in the Lehigh Valley and eventually becoming the President of Ingersoll Rand’s Pump Group.

At various points, he served as Chairman of the Valve Manufacturers Association and a Director of the Hydraulic Institute. After breaking away from Ingersoll Rand in 1990 (he was featured in a Fortune magazine cover story on the subject), he presided over Gimple Corporation in Langhorne, PA before co-founding Gateshead Partners, a private investment group, in Doylestown, PA.

An avid tennis player, biker and skier, Steven was passionate about fitness and the outdoors, enjoying long walks and traveling with his wife, Denise. He adamantly cheered on the St. Louis Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers and Penn State Nittany Lions. A wine connoisseur and collector, he often had trouble drinking his prized wines himself, but was never abstemious when it came to sharing vintage Bordeauxs among family and friends.

He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Denise (Ahlum) Sandy of Easton, PA; son, Matthew Sandy of Denver, CO and sisters Lilly Mae Ash, Audrey Ward and Jeanette Verbryck of Carl Junction, MO.

Services will be held 2:00 PM Friday (Sept. 19) in Cathedral Church of the Nativity, 321 Wyandotte Hill, Bethlehem, PA with a calling period from 1 to 2 PM in the church. Interment will be in Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Pleasant Valley, PA. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton, PA is handling the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Steven’s name may be sent to the Young Professionals Alzheimer’s Association of Colorado – of which his son is a board member – (Address: Alzheimer’s Association, 455 Sherman St, Suite 500, Denver CO, 80203) or Steven’s family’s church, the United Methodist Church, 601 W. Wells St., Carl Junction, Mo., 64834.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.