Ashton Funeral Home

Obituaries

Marie K. Bortz

April 16, 2023

Marie K. Bortz, 89 of Palmer Twp., PA died Sunday, April 16, 2023 at Gracedale. Born April 12, 1934 in Easton, PA she was the daughter of the late Walter and Mae (Siegfried) Shafer. Her husband Melvin Bortz died in 2011. She graduated from Wilson High School and business school. Marie was a secretary for the former Dixie Cup Co., Country Miss and the 911 Center in Easton and member of Arndt’s Lutheran Church, Forks Twp., PA.
In her free time she enjoyed fishing in Canada, weekends at the lake house and watching her grandchildren’s sporting events. She was also a diehard Phillies and Penn State Fan.

She is survived by her children: Melodie Ritter (husband William) of Palmerton, PA, Mitchell Bortz of Greentown, PA; 2 grandchildren: Jenna Ritter (fiancé Zach), Joshua Ritter and 3 grand dogs: Sadie, Narly and Sophie. Her husband, Melvin and brother, Lee Shafer predeceased her.

Services are 11 AM Thursday in Arndt’s Lutheran Church, 1851 Arndt Rd., Easton with visitation 10 to 11 AM. All are encouraged to wear Phillies or Penn State attire. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton, is handling arrangements. Interment is in Arndt’s Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com

Marianne Billiard

April 14, 2023

Marianne Billiard

Marianne Billiard, 67 of Forks Township, PA passed away April 14, 2023 at St Luke’s Hospital, Anderson Campus. Born May 21, 1955 in Allentown, PA, she was the daughter of the late Anthony and Rosemary (Kellogg) Krisukas. She and her husband, Thomas Billiard shared 43 years of marriage. Marianne was a 1973 graduate of Easton Area High School and a Ward Clerk at Easton Hospital for 30 years before retiring. She was a member of Arndt’s Lutheran Church and a devoted wife, mother and grandmother.

She is survived by her husband: Thomas; son: Andrew Billiard and his wife Christine of Fullerton, CA; daughter: Kathryn Billiard and her partner Todd Brunstetter of Raubsville, PA; grandchildren: Corralyn Yoona, Jack Denz, Baelah Louise; brother: Michael Krisukas and his wife Miriam Huertas of Allentown and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Services are 1:30 PM Wednesday (April 19) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA with visitation 6 to 7:30 PM Tuesday. Interment is in Arndts Cemetery, Forks Twp., PA.  Memorial contributions may be made to Arndts Lutheran Church, 1851 Arndt Rd, Easton, PA 18040. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Carmella R. Youngkin

April 11, 2023

With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Carmella Rose Youngkin, who died on April 11, 2023. She was a loving and devoted mother and homemaker, who will be remembered for the love she had for her family

She was born January 19th, 1923, the daughter of Italian immigrants, Giuseppe and Marietta Pintande. Carmella was the youngest of 6 children. She was predeceased by brothers Nick, Thomas, Joseph (Pino), Salvatore and her sister Constance Relvas. Nick, Thomas and Joseph were part of the well- known band “The Vagabonds”. Carmella was a very talented singer and guitar player, but was not allowed to be a part of the band because her father, Giuseppe, was a very strict, old-fashioned Italian father.

Carmella was also predeceased by her first husband John Pinto in 1944. He was killed in action during WW2. She was also predeceased by Harry Youngkin in 2018, her husband of almost 70 years, and by her son, James Youngkin in 1987.

She is survived by her sons, John Pinto (wife Lois Pinto) and Anthony Youngkin, 3 grandchildren Gemella Pinto McNally, Elizabeth Youngkin Wilson, and John Pinto, and 3 great-grandchildren Seamas McNally, Vonnegut Wilson and Grace Pinto

She created a beautiful and loving home for her cherished family, who loved her deeply. Her life centered around them. She instilled strong values in her family, and Italian traditions. She was a product of a Catholic school education and was a member of St. Anthony’s Church.

Carmella was an amazing woman, and loved by everyone that knew her. All who knew her remember her smile and her pleasant personality.

Her legacy will live on through her family, who will continue to make her proud. Many will miss her. She was one of the kindest and most selfless woman you could ever find. Hopefully the wonderful memories of her will sustain us.

Service will be at 10:30 AM Friday April 14th in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, Pa 18042 followed by burial at Easton Cemetery. Visitation is at 9:30 AM on Friday in the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers please send memorial donations to St. Luke’s Hospice, c/o Development Office, 801 Ostrum St., Bethlehem, PA 18015. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Dorothy M. Gebhardt

April 8, 2023

Dorothy M. Gebhardt

Dorothy M. Gebhardt, 98 of Easton, PA died Saturday, April 8, 2023 at Alexandria Manor, Nazareth, PA. Born March 20, 1925 in Easton, she was a daughter of the late Stanley and Sarah (Bullman) Smith. Her husband Donald T. Gebhardt, Sr. died in 2022. She was a 1943 graduate of Easton High School and member of Arndt’s Lutheran Church, Forks Twp., PA.

She is survived by her son: Donald Gebhardt, Jr. and his wife Deborah of Palmer Twp., PA; granddaughters: Kirsten Kutza (husband John), Josalyn VanFleet (husband Patrick); 4 great-grandchildren: Anthony and Jordan Kutza, Penelope and Paxton VanFleet; and sisters: Elizabeth Kupsky of Berwick, PA and Jane Kohler of Easton. She was predeceased by her siblings: Marie Metzgar, Stanley Smith, Jr. and Nancy Assise.

Services are 11:30 AM Wednesday (April 12) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA with a calling period from 10:30 to 11:30 AM. Interment in Northampton Memorial Shrine.

Memorial contributions may be made to Arndt’s Lutheran Church, 1851 Arndt Road, Easton, PA 18040. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

 

Richard S. Mann

April 2, 2023

Richard S. Mann

Richard S. Mann, 86 of Center Valley, PA died Sunday, April 2, 2023 at home. Born December 3, 1936 in Philadelphia, PA he was the son of the late William and Irma (Stockton) Mann. He graduated from Massbaum High School in 1953 and was drafted into the Army in 1962. He was a self-employed carpenter and stone mason for 50 years. Dick was a well-known and accomplished muzzle loader, flint lock and percussion gun reproducer. He played bagpipes with the MacGregor Bag Pipe Band for 5 years and was  a guitar and banjo player, with his wife and others, in an old timey mountain music band, “Poor Mouth”, for 15 years. Dick enjoyed outdoor adventures such as canoe trips, learning to fly, horseback riding and camping.

He is survived by his loving wife, Connie Woodring, with whom he shared 48 years. Also surviving are cousins. A musical celebration of his life is being planned. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Frank P. Dowling

March 29, 2023

Frank P. Dowling, 95 of Easton, PA died Tuesday, March 28, 2023 at Kirkland Village, Bethlehem, PA. Born February 17, 1928 in Stewartsville, NJ he was a son of the late Ronald and Evelyn (Pierson) Dowling. He was a 1946 graduate of Belvidere High School and received his BA in Civil Engineering from Lafayette College in 1953. Frank was a Staff Sergeant in the Air Force and employed by Bethlehem Steel for more than 30 years before retiring in 1988. He was a member of Green Pond United Methodist Church, Easton and the Belvidere Masonic Lodge. He also loved spending time building boats and planes.

He is survived by his wife of almost 37 years, Carol (Brunstetter) Dowling; his daughter: Sherri Boccagno (Joseph) of Furlong, PA; stepdaughters: Tammi Fahrney (Mike) of Lititz, PA and Wendy Nolan (Jim) of Mullica Hill, NJ; a grandson: Jason; 5 step-grandchildren: Ben, Allison, Gretchen, Abbey, and Brynn and 2 great-great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his first wife: Verna (Castner) Dowling, a brother: Roy Dowling and sisters: Mildred Agard and Mary Margaret Cornish. 

Services are 11 AM Monday (April 3) in Green Pond United Methodist Church, 4411 Green Pond Rd., Easton 18045. Interment in Northampton Memorial Shrine. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton, PA is handling arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to the Church.  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.  

Robert T. Thompson

March 26, 2023

Robert T. Thompson

Robert T. Thompson, 95 of Williams Twp., PA died Sunday, March 26, 2023 at home. Born February 3, 1928 in Hoboken, NJ he was the son of the late Theodore and Bertha (Franke) Thompson. He was a graduate of Fairleigh Dickinson University and served in the Army during WWII. Following his retirement from Nokia Telecommunications after 30 years of employment, he remained active rehabbing homes, caning chairs and finishing furniture to name a few of his endeavors.

He is survived by his wife of 70 years, the former Jean Paccioretti and his daughters: Patricia Klinger of Hope, NJ and Lynn Thompson of Whitehouse Station, NJ.

Services are private. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton, PA is handling arrangements. Interment will be in The Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, PA. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

 

 

Jean Williams

March 24, 2023

Jean Williams, 84, of Oro Valley, Arizona, formerly of Palmer Township, died Friday, March 24, 2023 in her home.  Born December 4, 1938 in Easton, she was the daughter of the late Leon Charles and Esther Marie (Goth) Sigafoos.  Her husband, Roger Lowell Williams died in 2000.  She worked for the Ivy Tool Company, Allentown and was a member of Bethel Memorial Baptist Church, Palmer Township.  She was a dedicated mother to her three children.  She loved dogs and was an avid antique collector.  She also greatly enjoyed living in the Southwest.

Surviving are two sons, Scott D. Williams and his wife, Margaret, and Stephen R. Williams and his wife, Janela; and two sisters, Sandy and Joanne.  Her daughter, Sharon L. Williams died in 2013.

A graveside service will be held at 2:00 pm on Monday, April 3, 2023 in Northampton Memorial Shrine, 3051 Green Pond Road, Palmer Township. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements.  Memorial contributions may be made to ArizonaGoldenRescue.org.  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com