Obituaries

Raymond L. Howe, 80, of Easton, PA died Wednesday, July 25, 2012 in his home.

Born: July 19, 1932 in New Haven, CT he was the son of the late Dr. Merrill L. and Lillian Dunn Howe.

Personal: He was a 1954 graduate of Lafayette College  where he served as Asst. Dir. of Admissions ’54 to ‘55 and Asst. Alumni Sec. from ‘58 to ‘60. He retired from the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission in 1998. Prior to that he founded Bethlehem Paving Co. and was employed by Frank B. Saylor Co. and Transdata Inc. He had also been a 1st Lt. in the Army Infantry.

Memberships: He was a member of St. Jane Frances de Chantal Catholic Church, Palmer; American Legion; Theta Delta Chi Fraternity serving as their Exec. Sec. and he was the Historian for EHS Class of 1950. He rose to numerous leadership positions in the local and county Republican Party, starting as a precinct Committeeman, he was Easton City Chairman, Northampton County Vice-Chairman and Budget Chairman, and received its Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006. In these positions he was a consultant to many candidates and elected officials.

Survivors: Cousins; members of Easton HS Class of 1950; many friends and colleagues.

Services: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday (7/31) in the church, 4049 Hartley Ave., Easton with visitation from 5 to 6:30 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 St. Jane Frances de Chantal, 4049 Hartley Ave., Easton, PA 18042 or Lafayette College, Quad Dr., Easton, PA 18042. Offer online condolences at www. AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Joseph E. Benzoni, 89, formerly of Palmer Township died Saturday, July 21, 2012 in Moravian Hall Square, Nazareth.

Born:  September 23, 1922 in Phillipsburg, he was a son of the late Joseph and Marina (Roncoroni) Benzoni.

Personal:  He and his wife, the former Ella Seitz were married 66 years.  He was a Licensed Professional Engineer and was president of the former Lehigh Valley Supply Co., Allentown.  He later founded and was president of A & B Supply Co./Johnstone Supply.  He retired in 1991.  Joseph was a graduate of Phillipsburg High School and Alfred State University and served with the Army Air Corps on the Aleutian Islands during WWII.  He served on the Board of the Easton Suburban Water Authority for 21 years and was chairman for 15 years.

Memberships:  He was a member of St. Jane Frances de Chantal Church. He was also a member of the American Legion, Brown & Lynch, Post 9, the Pomfret Club and the Y R Club, Easton and he was an avid bridge player.

Survivors:  wife, Ella; daughter, Ellen Wallace and her husband, Tom of Bethlehem Township; son, Joseph Benzoni and his wife, Lynn of San Diego and four grandchildren, Craig and Eric Wallace and Brandon and Justin Benzoni.  His brother, Felix Benzoni died earlier.

Services:  10:30 am Thursday in St. Jane Frances de Chantal Church, 4049 Hartley Ave., Palmer Township.  Call from 7 – 8:30 pm Wednesday in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton.

Memorials:  Good Samaritan Fund, Moravian Hall Square, 175 W. North St., Nazareth, PA 18064 or The Children’s Home of Easton, 2000 S. 25th  St., Easton, PA 18042.

Jeanne Louise Bishop, 86, of Palmer Twp. died Tuesday, July 17, 2012 in Kindred Hospital of Easton.

Born: August 4, 1925 in Easton she was a daughter of the late Frank and Frances Mattison Moser. She and her husband William H. Bishop, Jr. would have been married 66 years in August.

Personal: A graduate of Wilson High School, she was a talented water colorist and had been a Brownie Scout Leader. She enjoyed traveling in Europe, the seashore, outings with close friends and time spent with her family.

Memberships: She was a life time member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Easton where she served on Church Council and was a leader of the Sarah Circle. She was also a member of URW and their Book Club.

Survivors: Her husband Bill; daughter: Susan Soraruf and her husband Dr. L.P., IV of Kennett Square, PA; son: William H. Bishop, III and his wife Mary Ellen of Blue Bell, PA; 5 grandchildren and a great-grandson. She was predeceased by her sister: Elizabeth Sharpless.

Services: Will be 11 a.m. Monday (7/23) in St. John’s Lutheran Church, 330 Ferry Street, Easton with visitation from 10 to 11 a.m. in the church. Interment will be in Fairmount Cemetery, Phillipsburg. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements.

Memorial Contributions: May be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, 330 Ferry St., Easton 18042.

Frederick E. Fretz, Sr. 73, of Forks Township, died Friday, July 6, 2012 in Easton Hospital.

Born:  January 7, 1939 in Phillipsburg, he was a son of the late Clarence H. Fretz and Franceis (Peiffer) Moore.

Personal:  He served as a Fire Police for the Forks, Tatamy and Stockertown Fire Companies. He also served in the Navy during the Korean War.

Survivors:  Wife, Carol (Amann) Fretz; two sons, David Hower and Frederick Fretz, Jr.; three daughters, Carol Doren, Laurie Young and Brenda Fretz; 14 grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren and a brother.

Services:  Private. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements.

Martin D. “Marty” Weaver, 57, of Nazareth, PA passed away Friday, July 6, 2012 in Ft. Myers, FL.

Born: March 13, 1955 in Philadelphia, PA, growing up in Springtown, PA he was a son of Joyce Weaver Schaeffer of Quakertown and the late Samuel W. Schaeffer.

Personal: He had been employed by Casilio Concrete for 23 years.

Survivors: Mother; son: David Weaver of Quakertown, PA; daughters: Kathy Batcsics of Ft. Myers, FL; Brandy Miller of Hellertown, PA; brothers: Russell, Samuel and Jesse Schaeffer; sisters: Susan, Janelle and Paulette Schaeffer, Nicole DeLong; 4 grandchildren and wife: Barbara Piraino. He was predeceased by a former wife: Darlene Rapuzzi Weaver in 1997.

Services: Were private; the Ashton Funeral Home, Easton was in charge of arrangements. Interment: Holy Saviour Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions: May be made to the American Cancer Society. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com