Obituaries

Miriam P. Iacono, 82, of Palmer Twp., PA died Monday, December 2, 2013 in Alexandria Manor, Nazareth, PA.

Born: September 18, 1931 in Forks Twp., PA she was a daughter of the late William, Sr. and Verna (Saylor) Pfeffer.

Personal: She was an Elementary School Teacher in the Easton Area School District (at Tracy School) for more than 25 years before retiring in 1993; prior to that she taught in the Allentown School District. She was a 1949 graduate of Easton High School and 1953 graduate of East Stroudsburg University, named “Who’s Who Among Students in America’s Colleges and Universities in 1953; and in 1965 she was named in “Outstanding Young Women in America.”

Memberships: She was a member of the former Christ Lutheran Church, Easton where she served on Council as Christian Education Chair and as a Sunday School teacher for 17 years. She was a past-president (‘64-‘66) and treasurer of the former Easton Junior Women’s Club and served as 2nd vice-president of the Northampton County Federation of Women’s Clubs (‘66-‘68). She was a member of AAUW Easton Branch; life member of: East Stroudsburg University Alumni Association; National, State and Local Education Associations; Northampton County Chapter of PA Association of School Retirees and an honorary life member of the PA Congress of Parents and Teachers Association.

Survivors: Two sons: Michael Iacono of North Hollywood, CA; Timothy Iacono and his wife Linda of Bozeman, MT; a sister: Gloria VanLoan of Pompton Plains, NJ and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a brother: William Pfeffer Jr. and dear companion: Clover “Al” Schippang.

Services: Will be private; the Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements. Interment will be in Northampton Memorial Shrine.

Memorial Contributions: May be made to a charity of one’s choice.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com

Darlene Ann “Dolly”  Miller, 75, formerly of Wilson Borough, PA died Saturday, November 30, 2013 in the Colorado Assisted Living Home.

Born: May 21, 1938 in Easton, PA she was the daughter of the late Donald S. and Alverta M. (Long) Miller.

Personal: Affectionately known as Dolly, she was a 1960 graduate of Gettysburg College and the first woman to receive a National Award from Ralston Purina for her work in animal care. She had been employed by Smith-Kline Pharmaceuticals as a researcher for 25 years before retiring. Dolly then worked as a home health care aide for 10 years. A devoted and loving mother, she was passionate about caring for family and friends. With a spirit of gentleness and kindness, she adored and cared for every animal that crossed her path, especially horses, cats and bunnies.   Dolly will be deeply missed by all those who were blessed to know her.  

Memberships: She had been a member of the former Christ Lutheran Church in Easton.

Survivors: Her daughter: Maureen Elliott and her husband Jaimie of Aurora, CO; her brother: Donald H. Miller and his wife Judy of Forks Twp. PA; and her one month old grandson: Jamison Riley Elliott.

Services: Will be held 11:30 a.m. Saturday (Dec. 7) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, with visitation from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Friday in the funeral home. Interment will be in Northampton Memorial Shrine.

Memorial Contributions: May be made to May be made to The Best Little Cat House in PA, P.O. Box 634, Harrisburg, PA 17112 or The Georgia House Rabbit Society, 2280 Shallowford Rd., Marietta, GA 30066.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Joyce Eileen Romig, 62, formerly of Bethlehem, after a long and courageous battle with cancer, went home to be with her Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, on Saturday, November 30, 2013 with her family by her side.

Born: February 16, 1951 in New Hope, PA she was a daughter of Geneveive (Vandever) Miller of Pen Argyl and the late Lee Miller, Sr. Her husband James Romig, Sr. died in April.

Personal: A 1969 graduate of Pleasant Valley High School, she had been employed by H.S. Crocker in Exton for several years.

Survivors: Her mother; 2 sons: Dwayne of Pottstown; James, Jr. and his wife Christine in FL; 3 sisters: Maureen Hale of Bethlehem; Susan Catino of Pen Argyl; Sandra Pysher of Saylorsburg; and 4 grandchildren: Madison, Gabriel, Michael and Abigail. She was predeceased by her husband: James and her brother: Lee.

Services: 11 a.m. Wednesday (Dec. 4) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton; with visitation 10 to 11 a.m. Interment will be in Springtown Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions: May be made to the family c/o the funeral home.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

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.