Obituaries

Robert Eugene “Bob” Hall, 90, formerly of North Carolina died Monday, September 18, 2023 at Easton Skilled Nursing Center, Easton, PA. Born August 31, 1933 in Three Bridges, NJ he was a son of the late G. Lester and Edythe M. (Perrine) Hall. He was a graduate of Flemington High School and served in the US Air Force during the Korean War. Bob was employed by Square D., Walter Kidde, Boston Gear and Johnson & Johnson before retiring. He was of the Baptist faith and a three time Past-Master of Wake Forest Masonic Lodge #282, F&AM and a Past President of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers.

He is survived by sons: Les Hall (wife Lorrie) of Mt. Bethel, PA, David and Keith Hall both in California; a brother: George Hall, Jr. of Hopewell, NJ; 14 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-granddaughter. He was predeceased by wives: Marilyn Hall and Frances (Satterwhite) Hall; children: Robert Hall, Jr., Roberta Storm, Betsy Pogorzelski; and brothers: Rodney and Alvin “Cary” Hall.

A Memorial Service will be held 11 AM Friday (Sept. 22) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton with a calling period from 10 to 11 AM. Interment will be at a later date in Pine Forest Cemetery, Wake Forest, NC. Memorial contributions may be made to Easton Lodge, F&AM, 22 S. 3rd St., Easton, PA 18042. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Christopher J. Cressman, 43, of Bethlehem, died Friday, September 15, 2023 in St. Luke’s Hospital, Lehighton. Born December 5, 1979 in Bethlehem, he was the son Gail (Cooper) Cressman and the late Daniel E. Cressman. Christopher graduated from Liberty High School in 1997 and enjoyed drawing, comic books, and music.

Surviving with his mother, Gail, are a brother, Daniel J. Cressman and his wife, Tika; a sister, Elizabeth Cressman, a nephew and three nieces.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, October 20, 2023 in Holy Saviour Cemetery, 2575 Linden St., Bethlehem. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Vernon Denson, 73, of Easton, PA passed away peacefully at home on September 14, 2023.
Vernon was born in Winter Park, FL on August 31, 1950 to James and Tessie Denson. He is survived by his children Lakeisha Williams, Stephen Guzzo, Takeia Guzzo, Nicholas Guzzo and Nichole Bealer along with 15 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. Vernon was preceded in death by his parents, brother James Denson Jr., sister Gloria Williams (Denson), and son Dennis “Craig” Rutt.

Vernon was a successful business owner of Spice of Life located in Easton, PA for the past 9 years and self-taught furniture refinisher. He achieved a degree in machinery and held various construction jobs in his early years carrying him through several states which provided us with the many stories we’ll come to miss hearing that he acquired through his travels. His legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of everyone who encountered him.

A vigil will be held for Vernon on Friday, September 22, 2023 at 5 pm in the front of his store at 456 Northampton Street and a celebration of Vernon’s life will be held Saturday, September 23, 2023 at The American Legion Lester Pfeffer 429 S 16th Street, Easton, PA.

Edward M. Statler, Jr., 71, of Nazareth, died Monday, September 11, 2023 in St. Luke’s Hospital. Born May 27, 1952 in Easton, he was the son of the late Edward M. Statler, Sr. and Winifred (Taylor) Statler. He worked for the Nazareth Highway Department for 40 years and retired in 2019. He also worked security at Moravian Hall Square and was a private fire investigator. He was a member of First Moravian Church, Easton, Nazareth Moravian Church, and Calvary Moravian Church, Allentown; a life member of Vigilance Hose Company-Nazareth Fire Department; a member of Vigilance Hose Company Social Club, East Lawn Social Club, and International Association of Arson Investigators. He had also been a volunteer for Nazareth Volunteer Fire Department and Easton Emergency Squad.

Surviving are his son, Stephen Statler and his wife, Bethany; three grandchildren, Isabella, Gavin, and Leyton; three sisters, Laurie Bullock and her husband, William, Karen Statler, and Diane Kohler and her husband, Skip; his companion, Nancy Montesino; four nieces; four nephews; and thirteen great nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a nephew.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 am on Thursday, September 21, 2023 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton. A visitation will be held from 6:00 to 7:30 pm on Wednesday in the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Vigilance Hose Company, 49 S. Broad St., Nazareth, PA 18064 or American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Patricia M. Fisher, 84 of Palmer Twp., PA passed away peacefully Friday, September 8, 2023 at her home, surrounded by her family and friends. Coach Fisher was born in Easton, PA on September 17, 1938. She graduated from Easton Area High School in 1956 and received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from East Stroudsburg University. Pat was employed as a physical education and health teacher at Easton Area High School where she coached field hockey, basketball, and softball. In 1979, Pat left EAHS and began her career as a collegiate coach at Lafayette College in 1980. She was the Head Women’s Basketball Coach from 1980-2001, Head Women’s Softball Coach, Assistant Athletic Director, and Senior Women’s Administrator before she retired. Upon retirement, Pat was elected to serve on the Easton Area School District Board of Education. Pat is a member of the Athletics Hall of Fame at Easton Area High School, East Stroudsburg University, and Lafayette College. Everywhere she worked, she excelled and had an impact.

Pat was predeceased by her parents Harrison “Bud” and Mae Fisher, as well as her brother, Bernard F. Fisher and her sister and partner-in-crime, Sharon Helm. She is survived by her brother, Tom Fisher, and his wife, Linda. One of her favorite jobs was as an aunt and great-aunt to her nieces and nephews, none of whom ever missed a movie in the theater when she was at home in between away games: Harrison “Bud” Kohler, and his wife Maureen; JoMarie (Kohler) Taff, and her husband Randy; Colleen (Smith) Carfara, and her husband Tony; Cortney Fisher, Tiffany (Fisher) Zakszeski, and her husband Mike; Brittany Fisher, and her partner Shakeem Williams. Her great-nieces and nephews include Cory Taff, his wife Sara, and their three children, Casen, Quinn, and Lincoln; Meghan (Kohler) Viscomi, and her husband Peter; Dustin Taff, his wife Amy, and their son Wyatt; Andrew Kohler; Zach Carfara; Garrett Taff, his wife Amber and their daughter Emma; Morgan (Carfara) Grieser, and her husband Logan; Alexandria Zakszeski; Brady Zakszeski; Jaxon Boozer; and Troy Williams. She is also survived by more friends and former players than we can count – most of whom became her family as well – but notably her best friend and fellow coach of more than 50 years, Annette Lynch.

Mass will be held 11 AM Thursday (Sept. 14) at St. Jane Frances de Chantal Catholic Church, 4049 Hartley Ave., Easton, PA with a calling period from 5 to 7 PM Wednesday in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton and 10 to 11 AM Thursday in the Church. Interment in Northampton Memorial Shrine. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, the Cancer Support Community of the Greater Lehigh Valley at www.cancersupportglv.org or the Maroon Club of Lafayette College at www.goleopards.com or via check with the memo line indicating that the donation should be directed to Women’s Basketball. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Debra Ann Boettinger, 69 of Wilson Borough, PA died Sunday, August 27, 2023 at St. Luke’s Hospital, Anderson Campus. Born July 30, 1954 in Easton, she was a daughter of Faye (Martin) Lear of Palmer Twp., PA and the late John Lear, Jr. She was employed by the Holiday Inn in Palmer for many years before retiring. Debbie’s legacy lives on through organ donation, in her passing, she gave the gift of life to many others.

She is survived by her mother, Faye; her daughter: Laurie Boettinger of Bethlehem; her sister: Lynda Hendricks of Palmer Twp.; her brother: John Lear (wife Susan) of Bushkill Twp.; her granddaughter: Leah Boettinger and her niece: Emylu Lear. Her father, John and brother, Edwin Lear predeceased her.

Graveside services will be held 2 PM Friday (Sept. 1) at Northampton Memorial Shrine, Green Pond Rd., Easton. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements.  The family asks that in Debbie’s memory, you consider registering as an organ donor. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.