Obituaries

Patricia Stead Marhefka, 79, of Tannersville, died Friday, June 10, 2011 at Moravian Hall Square, Nazareth.

Born: September 22, 1931 in Elizabeth, NJ, she was a daughter of the late John and Lillian Stead.

Personal: Her husband, Dr. Joseph C. Marhefka, Jr. died in 1981. Raised in Bethlehem as a young girl on the Stead Farm, she developed a lifelong love and passion for horses.

Memberships: She had served on the Boards of the Childrens Home of Easton, the Easton Family YMCA, and the State Theatre.

Survivors: a son, John Jack Marhefka of Stroudsburg; daughter, Anne Marhefka Lehr of Easton; two grandsons, Kevin James Zansitis and Joseph-Paul Marhefka. She was predeceased by her husband, Joseph and a daughter, Joan.

Services: will be private. The Ashton Funeral Home, 14th and Northampton Streets, Easton is in charge of arrangements.

Memorials: may be made to the Childrens Home of Easton, 2000 South 25th Street, Easton, PA 18045.

Simon Merbaum, 93, of Palmer Township, died Monday, May 30, 2011 in the VNA Hospice of St. Lukes.

Born: July 4, 1917 in Queens, NY. He was a son of the late Joseph and Rose Schiller Merbaum.

Personal: He and his wife, the former Bernice Goldman, have been married for 59 years. He was the co-owner and operator with Jack Stein of Easton Iron and Metal for 40 years before retiring in 1992. He was a Sergeant in the Army during World War II for five combat campaigns.

Memberships: He was a member of Bnai Abraham Synagogue, Easton, where he served on the Executive Board, as House Chair for 15 years, Jewish Boys Club Youth Leader for 15 years, the building committee, and co-treasurer and chair of the Memorial Garden and Plaques. He was also a past-president of Bnai Brith and past Chancellor Commander of the Knights of Pythias. He served on the Board of the Jewish Community Council, United Jewish Appeal, and was a member of Lafayette Lodge #755, F&AM, Scottish Rites Consistory, High 12 Club, Forks of the Delaware Shrine, and Rajah Temple. He was a Secretary for the Easton Citizens Traffic Safety Committee, member of SCORE and was a Meals on Wheels volunteer.

Survivors: his wife, Bernice; son, Alan H. and his wife Lilianne of Fairfax, VA; daughter, Judithann Borger and her husband Randi of Bethlehem; sister, Toby Maiman in AZ; and two grandchildren, Bianca and Anton Merbaum.

Services: will be 1 p.m. Thursday in the Synagogue, 16th and Bushkill Streets, Easton. The Ashton Funeral Home, 14th and Northampton Streets, Easton is in charge of arrangements. Interment will be in Bnai Abraham Cemetery, Forks Township.

Memorials: may be made to the Synagogue, 1545 Bushkill Street, Easton, PA 18042 or VNA Hospice of St. Lukes, 1510 Valley Center Parkway, Suite 200, Bethlehem, PA 18017.

Carl J. Fischer, Sr., 79 of Wilson Borough, PA died Saturday, May 21, 2011 in Easton Hospital. Born December 8, 1931 in Allentown, PA, he was a son of the late Carl A. and Elizabeth (Turner) Fischer.

He and his wife, the former Joanne Schmidt were married 56 years. Carl served in the Navy during the Korean War and was an Industrial Analyst at Bethlehem Steel, retiring in 1986 after 30 years. He was an avid woodworker, hunter and fisherman.He was a Deacon at Grace Bible Fellowship Church, Nazareth and a member of the Stockertown Rod and Gun Club.

Surviving in addition to his wife Joanne; a son: Carl J. “Bud” Fischer, Jr. and his wife Julie of Nazareth, PA; a daughter: Sharon L. Lantzer and her husband Jeff of Port Orange, FL; siblings: Joseph N. Fischer, Reatsy Fink, Connie Byrnes; and 5 grandchildren.

Services are 11 AM Tuesday in the church, with visitation Monday, 6:30 to 8PM and Tuesday in the church; the Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to the church, 100 East Beil Ave., Nazareth, PA 18064.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Dominic M. Hopf, 19 of Palmer Twp., PA died Friday, May 20, 2011 in Easton Hospital. Born February 7, 1992 in York, PA he was a son of Wayne D. and Carolynn M. (Wozniak) Hopf of Palmer Twp., PA.

He was a 2010 graduate of Easton Area High School where he played cello in the orchestra. He was also a member of Fellowship Baptist Church, Palmer Twp.

He is survived by his parents, Wayne and Carolynn; grandmother: Doris Hopf of Neshanic Station, NJ; sister: Jennifer Lombardo and her husband Larry of Annville, PA; brother: Richard Hopf of Palmer Twp.; niece Gracey and nephew: Ty.

Services are private; the Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Instrumental Music Assoc.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Ana Carvajal, 90 of Palmer Township, PA died Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at Easton Hospital. Born August 24, 1920 in Columbia, she was a daughter of the late Rafael and Adela Cabrera Villarreal.

She is survived by a son Luis and his wife Debbie of Flemington, NJ; daughter Christina and her husband Pedro Villota with whom she resided; two brothers Luis and Jose in Columbia and two grandchildren.

Mass will be held 10 AM Saturday in Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, St. Bernard’s Oratory, 132 S. 5th St., Easton, PA. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.