Obituaries

Samuel A. Peer, 81, of Easton, died Thursday, November 28, 2013 in Easton Hospital.

Born:  September 29, 1932 in Phillipsburg, he was a son of the late Mary (Thomas) Peer Schlegel and step-son of the late Arthur Schlegel.

Personal:  He and his wife, the former Barbara A. Rustay were married 40 years.  He worked at the Warren County Vocational Technical School.  Prior to that he was a supervisor at Fredwill Co, Easton.  Sam also served in the Navy during the Korean War.

Memberships:  He was a member of the Palmer Volunteer Fire Co. #2.

Survivors:  wife, Barbara, 2 sons, Joseph Peer of Phillipsburg and Brian Peer of Easton; 2 daughters, Debra Martyn and her husband, Jay of Moore Township and Michele Bellis of Easton; a brother, Jack Peer; a sister, Sherry Schlegel; and 4 grandchildren.  His son, Samuel Peer, his brother, James Peer, and his sisters, Helen Rose and Marion Peer died earlier.

Services:  11:30 am Tuesday, Dec. 3, in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton. Call from 10:30 am until service time Tuesday in the funeral home.  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Frances Elizabeth Messinger, 68, of Bangor, died Saturday, November 23, 2013 in her home.

Born: October 29, 1945 in Phillipsburg, NJ she was a daughter of the late Chester and Thelma (James) Castner.

Personal: She had been employed by the Keystone Snack Food Co. for several years and was a generous supporter of animal welfare groups.

Survivors: Two sons: Barry, with whom she resided; Bruce and his wife Cindy of Plainfield Twp., PA; two daughters: Connie and her domestic partner Brittany of Westville, NJ; Joann DeHaven of Hellertown, PA; a brother: Chester Castner of Phillipsburg, NJ; 7 grandchildren: Emily and Ben Messinger, Barry, Joshawa and Nicole Matlock, Shianna and Ricky Klingle; 3 great-grandchildren: Ian Zeruth, Christian Matlock, Liam Mann; her companion of 35 years: John Reed; and her beloved pets: Midnight, Lila and Holly. She was predeceased by her former husband Harvey Messinger in July.

Services: 2:00 p.m. Wednesday (Nov. 27) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton with visitation from 1 to 2 p.m.  Interment will be in St. John’s Cemetery, Bangor.

Memorial Contributions: May be made to the American Cancer  Society.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

M. Mae “Gabbie” Smith, 79, of Easton, died November 20, 2013 in Lehigh Valley Hospital, Muhlenberg.

Born: July 2, 1934 in Wilson Borough, PA she was a daughter of the late Charles and Lizzie (Sandt) Weidman. Her husband Henry A. “Hank” Smith  died in 1990.

Personal: She was a homemaker and home seamstress for many years; a school crossing guard for the City of Easton; and a school cafeteria aide at the former Porter School. She was also an avid bingo player, working as a volunteer for many bingo organizations and  for many years managed the bingo at the Easton VFW. She loved camping and was a Seasonal Camper plus past employee at Pocono Vacation Park, Stroudsburg since 1978

Memberships: She had been a member of the former Christ Lutheran Church, Easton and was a member of Women of the Moose Chap. 523, Easton and member and secretary of the Ladies Auxiliary of Lester Pfeffer American Legion Post 611.

Survivors: A daughter: Bonnie Chrin and her husband Dennis; 2 sons: Barry A. Smith, Sr. and his wife Estella; Kevin L. Smith and his companion Nancy Hagmaier all of Easton; 6 grandchildren: Stephanie Kresh, Tiffany, Barry, Jr., Henry, II, Christopher and Marc Smith; 1 step-grandson: Johnathan Chrin; and 3 great-grandchildren: Ashley and Amber Smith and Colten Kresh. She was predeceased by her husband: Hank and siblings: Russell, Melvin, Sr., Charles, Paul and Herbert Weidman, Grace Fassl and Eileen Dingle.

Services: 11 a.m. Monday (Nov. 25) in Arndt’s Lutheran Church,  1851 Arndt Road, Easton with a calling period from 10 to 11 a.m. in the church. Interment will be in Arndts Cemetery, Forks Twp. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements.

Memorial Contributions: May be made to the Center for Vision Loss, 845 W. Wyoming St., Allentown, PA 18103.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Lawrence J. Kolasensky, 57, of Bethlehem died Nov. 13, 2013 in St. Luke’s Hospital.

Born: June 23, 1956 in Hazelton, PA he was the son of the late Lawrence B. and Esther (Fellin) Kolasensky.

Personal: A graduate of Warren Hills High School, Churchman’s Business College and South Dakota State University, he had been the General Manager of Best Western, Allentown; Red Roof Inn, Bethlehem; and Assistant Manager of Marriot Residence Inn, Bethlehem. He was a sports fanatic, music enthusiast and “foodie”. He was also a Muscular Dystrophy Assoc. volunteer and loving father.

Memberships: He was a member of the Riegelsville United Church of Christ.  

Survivors: His son: Lawrence B. Kolasensky, II of Bethlehem; and sister: Linda Gerstenberg. A sister: Laureen Sassano died earlier.

Services: Will be private; the Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements.

Offer online condolences at www.ashtonfuneralhome.com.

Joseph L. Kaplan, 94, of Easton, died Monday, November 11, 2013 in ManorCare, Palmer Township.

Born:  May 30, 1919 in Easton, he was a son of the late Morris and Fannie (Sher) Kaplan.

Personal:  He worked at Kaplan’s, Easton for many years until retiring.  He graduated from Easton High School in 1937 and was a Corporal in the Army during WWII.

Memberships:  He was a member of B’nai Abraham Synagogue, Wilson Borough, the Lions Club, the Elks Lodge, the Knights of Pythias and numerous local social clubs. He was also an active fundraiser for the local Veterans Affairs.

Survivors:  A son, Marshall; a daughter, Abby; two brothers, Sidney Kaplan and Dr. Lee Kaplan; a sister Isabel Sciff; a grandson; and many nieces and nephews.

Services:  1:00 pm Wednesday, Nov. 13, in B’nai Abraham Synagogue, 1545 Bushkill St., Wilson Borough.  Interment in B’nai Abraham Cemetery, Forks Township.  The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements.

Memorial Contributions:  B’nai Abraham Synagogue, 1545 Bushkill St., Easton, PA 18042.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.