Obituaries

Nils A. Johansson, 85, of Easton died Wednesday, November 28, 2012 in ManorCare, Palmer Twp.

Born: March 26, 1927 in Falkenberg, Sweden he was a son of the late John and Olga Osterberg Johansson. He and his wife the former Carolyn Mickel have been married for 52 years.

Personal: He served in the Swedish Royal Navy and graduated with a degree in Dairy Engineering from the Arlnop Institute in Lund, Sweden. He emigrated to Easton in 1957 to work as a dairy engineer for R.A. Auerbach and then Alfa Laval in Sweden. He also owned the former Scandinavian Inn in Palmer Twp. and was an account executive for Thompson, McKinnon Securities in Bethlehem before retiring.

Memberships: He was a member of College Hill Presbyterian Church, Easton and instrumental in organizing the Vasa Lodge in Hanover Twp.

Survivors: His wife: Carolyn; son: Robert A. Johansson and his wife Mihaela Cozmi of Gilroy, CA; daughter: Christina M. Gemond and her husband Alain of Vienna, VA; his twin brother: Lars Johansson in Goteborg, Sweden; and 4 grandchildren: Nils and Alma Johansson, Genevieve and Alexander Gemond.

Services: A Memorial Service will be held 12:30 p.m. Tuesday (12/4) in College Hill Presbyterian Church, 501 Brodhead St., Easton with a calling period from noon to 12:30; the Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements. Interment will be in Easton Heights Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions: May be made to the Church, 501 Brodhead St., Easton, PA 18042. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Dorothy Merwarth, 90, of Palmer Twp. died Tuesday, November 27, 2012 at home.

Born: October 11, 1922 in Williams Twp. she was a daughter of the late Albert, Sr. and Daisey Kline Merwarth.

Personal: A graduate of Easton High School, she was the owner and operator of Merwarth’s Floral Shop in the Easton area for more than 50 years.

Memberships: She had been a member of numerous civic organizations prior to her retirement.

Survivors: A brother: Carl Merwarth of Palmer Twp.; a sister: Martha Merwarth of Forks Twp.; many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by 4 siblings: Gertrude Werkheiser, Ruth Willever, Albert Merwarth, Jr., and Grace Brotzman.

Services: Will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday (12/3) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 14th and Northampton Sts., Easton with visitation from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Sunday in the funeral home. Interment will be in Easton Heights Cemetery. Offer online condolences at www.ashtonfuneralhome.com.

Evelyn M. Lilly, 91, of Phillipsburg died Monday, November 26, 2012 in Easton Hospital.

Born: December 19, 1920 in Phillipsburg, NJ she was a daughter of the late Louis M. and Elizabeth Giddens James. Her husband Paul J. Lilly died in 1953.

Personal: She had been employed by the Easton Area Public Library from 1970 until retiring in 1985; prior to that she worked at Orr’s Dept. Store for several years. She graduated from Phillipsburg High School in 1938 and Churchman’s Business School in 1942. She also volunteered as a nurse’s aide during WWII.

Memberships: She was a member of the catholic church.

Survivors: 2 sons: John J. of Easton; William L. with whom she resided; 5 grandchildren: Deric, Traci, Ashli, Corey, Chadd; and 4 great-grandchildren: Zane, Avani, Nicholas and Max. She was predeceased by her husband Paul and siblings: John James and Dorothy Thatcher.

Services: Will be held 2:00 p.m. Friday (11/30) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 14th and Northampton Sts., Easton with a calling period from 1:30 to 2 p.m.  Interment will be in Easton Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions: May be made to the family for William’s care. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Herbert N. LaFever, 88, of Easton, died Saturday, November 24, 2012 in Easton Hospital.

Born:  May 21, 1924 in Wilson Borough, he was a son of the late Harvey G. LaFever and the late Leland and Mary (King) Longcor.

Personal:  He and his wife, the former Helen Pitela were married 62 years.  He was a printer for Hobson Printing, Wilson Borough for 50 years and retired in 1994.  He graduated from Easton High School in 1942 and served in the Army during WWII in the Asiatic – Pacific Theater.  He was a volunteer at the State Theatre and was a block captain for the Easton Area Block Watch Association.

Memberships:  He was a member of Calvary United Methodist Church and a member of the former First United Methodist Church, Easton where he served on various committees and was honored for being the head usher for over 40 years.

Survivors:  wife, Helen; daughter, Jill Moulthrop and her husband, Mark of Lehighton; 2 granddaughters, Lori Hontz and her husband, Matthew and Julie Carita and her fiancé, Chris Kelchner; a step-granddaughter, Vanessa Berger and her husband, Shawn; a step-great granddaughter, Alexis; a sister-in-law, Anna Brockett and a brother-in-law, Stephen Pitela and his wife, Shirley.  His son, Jack H. LaFever, his brother, Jesse LaFever and his sisters, Rella Todaro, Arlene Vincent and Mary Reiche died earlier.

Services:  1:00 pm Wednesday in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton. Call from noon until service time Wednesday in the funeral home.  Interment in Hays Cemetery.

Memorials:  Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, Grand Central Station, P.O. Box 4777, NY, NY 10163-4777, www.michaeljfox.org.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.