Obituaries

Russell H. Cohen, 85, of Forks Twp., died Saturday, November 26, 2011 in Easton Hospital.

Born: March 2, 1926 in Pottstown, PA he was a son of the late Abraham and Yetta Markowitz Cohen.

Personal: He had been employed by the Wilco Company in New York for many years before retiring. He also served in the Merchant Marines.

Memberships: He was a member of the Westbury Hebrew Congregation in New York.

Survivors: His wife the former Estelle Weisberger; son: Steven Cohen of State College, PA; daughter: Sharon Fox of Lackawaxen, PA; step-daughter: Donna Agamie of Freemansburg, PA; sisters: Sylvia Cohen and Lillian Kovar; 4 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by a brother: Norman Cohen.

Services: 2 p.m. Tuesday, Graveside in Easton Cemetery; the Ashton Funeral Home, 14th and Northampton Sts., Easton is handling the arrangements.

Jeannette Eliason, 63, formerly of Palmer Township died Wednesday, November 23, 2011 in her home.

Born: July 7, 1948 in Phillipsburg, she was a daughter of the late William E. and Anna M. (Lynch) Eliason.

Personal: She previously owned Jeannette’s Executive Styling of Allentown.  She started the first sex offenders’ group therapy program in Pennsylvania for the county prison system and was a charge nurse and a Certified Psychiatric Nurse for the Veteran’s Administration.

Survivors: A brother, Howard E. Eliason of Santa Fe, NM and a sister, Diane Robertson and her husband, Charles of Boca Raton, FL.

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

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

Ruth W. Engel, 84, of Easton, died Monday, November 21, 2011 in ManorCare Health Services, Easton.

Born: June 8, 1927 in Trinidad, Tobago she was a daughter of the late Nathanial and Jane Lawrence.

Survivors: her husband of 43 years Leslie D. Engel; 9 children; a brother and grandchildren.

Services: will be in Trinidad; the Ashton Funeral Home, 14th and Northampton Sts., Easton is handling the arrangements.

Russell W. G. Woeppel, 71, of Easton died Sunday, November 20, 2011 in the New Eastwood Care Center, Wilson Borough.

Born: September 8, 1940 in Easton he was a son of the late Russell and Mary Miller Woeppel.

Personal: A 1960 graduate of Easton High School he was a truck driver in the Lehigh Valley for many years before retiring.

Memberships: He served in the Marine Corps and was a member of the Marine Corps League, Northampton County Detachment.

Survivors: His wife the former: Mary Bartholomew; 4 daughters: Karen Kocher of Bath; Robin Schaneberger, Rebecca Krasenics and her husband David all of Easton; Kristine Hager of New Holland; 4 step-children: Angela Easterday in AL; Tammy Brunstetter, Charlene Statler and Charles Easterday all of Easton; 2 brothers: David Woeppel and his wife Suzanne; Donald Ramaley and his wife Betty; 17 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by a son: Russell W. Woeppel in 1992.

Services: Noon Wednesday in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton; with a calling period from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and 11 a.m. to noon Wednesday. Interment Northampton Memorial Shrine.

Memorials: May be made to the family % the funeral home.

Melvin W. Bortz, 85, of Palmer Twp., died Wednesday, October 26, 2011 in Easton Hospital.

Born: October 14, 1926 in Hanover Twp., PA he was a son of the late Robert and Sally Baer Bortz. He and his wife, the former Marie Shafer have been married 58 years.

Personal: A WWII Navy veteran, he had been employed by the Taylor-Wharton Co. for many years and was a part-time Palmer Township Police Officer from 1960 to 1977. He retired from the Easton School District after 5 years. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and loved cheering for his grandkids at their sporting events.

Memberships: He was a member of Arndts Lutheran Church, Easton; the Easton Quoits League and a charter member of the Stockertown Rod and Gun Club.

Survivors: His wife: Marie; son: Mitchell of Greentown, PA; daughter: Melodie M. Ritter and her husband William of Palmerton, PA; a sister: Ruth Schoeneberger of Nazareth and 2 grandchildren: Jenna and Joshua Ritter. He was predeceased by siblings: Martin and Floyd Bortz and Shirley Jurasits.

Service: 10:30 a.m. Monday in Arndts Lutheran Church, 1851 Arndt Road, Easton, with visitation from 9:30 to 10:30 in the church; the Ashton Funeral Home, 14th and Northampton Streets, Easton is handling the arrangements. Interment will be in Arndts Cemetery.