Obituaries

Ruth E. Wikert, 87, of Palmer Township, died Tuesday, April 16, 2013 in her home.

Born:  August 2, 1925 in Hoboken, NJ, she was a daughter of the late Soren and Frances (Pelzer) Teien.

Personal:  Her husband, John Wikert died in 1984.  Ruth retired from Lafayette Trust, Easton in 1984.  She enjoyed traveling and playing bridge, bingo and blackjack.

Survivors:  Two sons, Bruce E. Wikert and Neal J. Wikert and his wife, Patricia of Forks Township; a daughter-in-law, Jeanne Kleca of Bethlehem; 5 grandchildren, Kevin Wikert, Julie Kast, Timothy Wikert, Tricia J. W. Driscoll and Audra A. Schwartz and 4 great grandchildren.  A sister, Anne Duryea died earlier.

Services:  2:00 pm Friday in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton.  Call from 1:00 pm until service time Friday in the funeral home.

Memorials:  Palmer Moravian Church, 2901 John St., Easton, PA 18045.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

William J. “Bill” Yarka, Jr., 47, of Wilson Borough, PA passed away peacefully Tuesday, April 9, 2013 at the St. Luke’s Hospice House, Bethlehem  surrounded by loved ones.

Born: April 19, 1965 in New Brunswick, NJ he was a son of Barbara J. Yarka of Hillsborough, NJ and the late William J. Yarka, Sr.

Personal: A 1983 graduate of Somerset Vocational School, he had been a sheet metal foreman for 29 years. He also volunteered with the Boys Scouts for many years and enjoyed riding his Harley, camping with his family and watching ice hockey. Bill also loved his three cats: Oreo, Princess and Roy.

Memberships: He was an active member of New Creation United Church of Christ, Palmer and active on the Board of Mary Meuser Library, Wilson. He was a member of  the Sheet Metal Workers Union, Local 22.

Survivors: His mother: Barbara; his wife of 25 years: Judy; daughter: Lindsey; son: Joseph, both of Wilson; 2 sisters: Kathy Lysy and her husband John of Allentown, NJ; Karen Zielonka and her husband Eddie of Midlothian, VA; a niece and 3 nephews. Bill will be greatly missed by the many lives he has touched.

Services: 11:00 a.m. Saturday (April 13) in New Creation UCC, 3730 Nicholas St., Easton with visitation from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday in the church and 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday in the church. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements.

Memorial Contributions: May be made to the family for the benefit of his children.

Offer online condolences at www.ashtonfuneralhome.com.

Carrie E. Williams, 94, of Wilson Borough died Saturday, April 7, 2013 at Country Meadows, Bethlehem Twp., PA.

Born: January 1, 1919 in Bethlehem, PA she was the daughter of the late Valentine and Ida (Serfass) Uhler. Her husband Llewellyn L. Williams died in 2001.

Personal: She had been employed by Northampton Community College and the PA State Parole Board for several years.

Memberships: She was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Wilson.

Survivors: Son: Llewellyn J. Williams of Lehighton, PA; daughters: Sharon Haas of Wilson Borough; Gail Savidge of Hopewell, VA; 6 grandchildren and a great-grandchild.

Services: 10:30 a.m. Friday (Apr. 12) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton; with visitation from 10 to 10:30 a.m. Interment will be in Forks Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions: May be made to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 2115 Washington Blvd., Easton, PA 18042.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Pasquale Pat Vitale, 81, of Forks Township, died Saturday, April 6, 2013 in VNA Hospice of St. Luke’s.

Born:  September 29, 1931 in Easton, he was a son of the late Joseph and Anna (Gagliardi) Vitale.

Personal:  His wife, the former Lucille J. Johnson died in 2007.  He and his brother, Joseph owned Royal Painting and Paper Hanging, Co., Easton.  He was later employed by The Express-Times and Home Depot.

Memberships:  Pat was a member of Bethel Memorial Baptist Church, Palmer Township and played football for Easton High School.

Survivors:  His brother, Joseph Vitale and his wife, Fran of Palmer Township and nieces and nephews.

Services:  Services will be private.  The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements.

Memorials:  Bethel Memorial Baptist Church, 715 Chestnut Lane, Easton, PA 18045.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.