Obituaries

Gary E. Gregson, 90, of Easton, died Thursday, March 7, 2013 in New Eastwood Care and Rehab Ctr., Wilson Borough.

Born: December 22, 1922 in Sebastopol, CA he was a son of the late Richard E. and Sarah Rush Gregson.

Personal: He had been a host at the Merrill Creek Visitors Center for 8 years before retiring in 2003; prior to that he and his wife, the former Shahn Bogert owned and operated Photographics in Easton. He had also been employed by Industrial Engraving for 35 years as a technical photographer and served in the US Army during WWII.

Memberships: He had previously attended College Hill Presbyterian Church in Easton.

Survivors: His wife of 32 years: Shahn Gregson; a daughter: Patti Gregson Kirkhuff of Easton; step-daughter: Shelli Snyder DiCostanzo of Sarasota, FL; a brother: Wayne Gregson; sister: Doris Bekeart both in CA; 4 grandchildren: Beth, James, Mary, Kathleen; 2 step-grandchildren: Alecia, Cassi; 3 great-grandchildren; a step-great-grandson and many friends. He was predeceased by his first wife: Doris Serfas Gregson and daughter: Lenore Gregson Loch.

Services: No services are scheduled.

Memorials: May be made to Compassionate Care Hospice, 363 South Rt. 100, Allentown, PA 18106 or New Eastwood Operators, attn: Jay Berger, 2125 Fairview Ave., Easton, PA 18042 (for the activities dept.)

Offer online condolences at www.ashtonfuneralhome.com.

Agnes A. Aagaard, 99, formerly of Palmer Twp. passed away Monday, March 4, 2013 at Luther Crest in Allentown.

Born: May 21, 1913 in Phillipsburg, NJ she was a daughter of the late Stephen and Julianna Macheiwski Benack.

Memberships: She had been a very active member of the former St. Mark’s United Church of Christ, Easton.

Survivors: Her daughter: Elaine A. Sales of Bluffton, SC; grandchildren: Julie Albertson of Allentown, PA; Lauren Wilson and her husband Tim of Pennington, NJ; Jonathan Sales and his wife Diane of Chicago, IL; and 5 great-grandchildren: Daniel and Ashley Cray, Nicole Albertson, Francesca LoVerde, and  Ravinder Sales. She was predeceased by her husband, Lester E. Aagaard in 1999 and 2 brothers and 2 sisters.

Services: A memorial service will be held  1:00 p.m. Sunday, May 12th in Luther Crest, 800 Hausman Road, Allentown, PA.  Interment will be private in Easton Cemetery.

Memorials: Please consider a donation to the Children’s ER LV Hospital, P O Box 4000, Allentown, PA  18105-4000 in her name.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Slade Emmet Best, infant son of David Allen Best, Jr. and Veda King Blanchard died Sunday, March 3, 2013 in Lehigh Valley Hospital, Allentown, five days following his birth on February 25, 2013 in St. Luke’s Hospital.

His Family: Parents: David and Veda of Easton, PA; grandparents: Kathy King of Montclair, NJ; Sid and Liz Blanchard of Scotch Plains, NJ; David Best, Sr., Carol and Richard Bell all of Washington, NJ;  uncles and aunt: Joe, Ryan and Devon Best.

Services: A Celebratory Memorial Service will be held 2 p.m.  Saturday, March 9 at The Center for Spiritual Living North Jersey, 662 Eagle Rock Avenue, West Orange, NJ 07052 (www.cslnj.org) with a reception immediately following the service.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, any plant or vegetable for a garden in Slade’s memory would be welcomed.

Offer online condolences at www.ashtonfuneralhome.com.

Louise G. Shute, 88, formerly of Palmer Township, died Monday, February 25, 2013 in Alexandria Manor, Bath.

Born:  August 27, 1924 in Havertown, she was a daughter of the late J. Frederick and Adele (Stirling) Gwillim.

Personal:  Her husband, Turney W. Shute died in 1981.  Louise graduated from Penn State University.  She was a caseworker for the Northampton County Board of Assistance and retired in 1985. 

Memberships:  She was a member of St. Paul’s III Lutheran Church, Palmer Township.

Survivors:  Two daughters, Kathryn Reed and her husband, Gregory of Nazareth and Marjorie Shelly and her husband, Raymond of Lower Nazareth Twp.; a son, Jonathan Shute and his wife, Patricia of Indiana; 8 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Her son, Turney W. Shute, Jr. died in infancy.

Services:  10:30 am Friday in St. Paul’s III Lutheran Church, 2561 Newburg Rd., Palmer Township.  Visitation from 7–8:30 pm Thursday in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton.

Memorials:  Center for Animal Health and Welfare, 1165 Island Park Rd., Easton, PA 18042.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Mary V. Burpee, 96, of Palmer Twp. died Thursday, February 21, 2013 in Siemon Lakeview Manor in Somerset, PA.

Born: April 20, 1916 in Pawtucket, RI she was a daughter of the late Andrew and Catherine Murray Kapel.  Her husband, Royal H. Burpee, Jr.  died in 2004.

Personal: She had been an Arthur Murray dance instructor and a bookkeeper at Feins Furniture in Providence, RI.  She had also volunteered at The Easton Home.

Memberships: She was a longtime, active member of Trinity Episcopal Church, Easton where she served on the Altar Guild. She was also a member of the URW Club.

Survivors: A loving wife, mother and nana, she is survived by: her children: Royal “Roy” Burpee, III and his wife Kathy of Easton; Diane Brant and her husband Tom of Somerset; a brother: John Kapel of Warwick, RI; 5 grandchildren: Joshua Parke and his wife Maria; Zachary Parke and his wife Nicole; Caitlin Callahan and her husband Michael; Margaret Burpee and Gregory Burpee; and 2 great-grandchildren: Addison and Ethan. She was predeceased by a sister Margie Ricci.

Services: Will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday (2/26) in Trinity Episcopal Church, 234 Spring Garden St., Easton with visitation from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Monday in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton. Interment will be in Northampton Memorial Shrine.

Memorial Contributions: May be made to Trinity Episcopal Church, 234 Spring Garden St., Easton, PA 18042.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.