Obituaries

Esther M. Aicher, 94, formerly of Palmer Twp., died Sunday, December 25, 2011 in Gracedale.

Born: September 11, 1917 in Bethlehem, PA she was a daughter of the late Herbert and Anna Sandt Musselman. Her husband, Florian S. Aicher, Sr. died in 1986.

Memberships: She was a member of Fellowship Church of Phillipsburg and a Charter Member of the Bethel Memorial Baptist Church, Palmer Twp.

Survivors: Her daughter: Gloria A. Robison and her husband Paul of Lower Nazareth Twp., PA; her son: Florian S. Aicher, Jr. and his wife D’Ann of San Antonio, TX; 6 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great-grandsons. She was predeceased by her husband, Florian and sisters: Pearl Haas, Margaret Weidenbach and Frances Sharkey.

Services: 10 a.m. Tuesday in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, with a calling period from 7 to 8 p.m. Monday in the funeral home. Interment will be in Forks Cemetery.

Francis J. Frye, 95 of Palmer Twp. died Monday, December 19, 2011 in his home.

Born: January 8, 1916 in Phillipsburg, NJ he was a son of the late William and Mary Bahr Frye. His wife, the former Doris M. Kleppinger died in Dec. of 2001.

Personal: He was employed by the Dixie Cup Company for 44 years before retiring as a Supervisor. A 1934 graduate of St. Philip’s and St. James Catholic High School he was an Army Tech. Sgt. during WWII serving in the European Theatre and Battle of the Bulge. He had also been a Meals on Wheels volunteer.

Memberships:  He was a member of Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, Easton.

Survivors: A cousin. A brother William and sister Margaret died earlier.

Services: Graveside 10 a.m. Tuesday at Easton Heights Cemetery. The Ashton Funeral Home, 14th and Northampton Sts., Easton is handling the arrangements.

Memorial Contributions: May be made to the Church, 132 S. 5th St., Easton, PA 18042 or Meals on Wheels, 4240 Fritch Dr., Bethlehem, PA 18020 .

Paul H. Whipple, 75, of Easton, PA died December 16, 2011 in the VNA Hospice of St. Lukes.

Born: March 9, 1936 in Kent City, MO he was the son of the late Benjamin and Mabel VanGundy Whipple. His wife of 49 years, the former Laura Biery died in August of 2011.

Personal: After graduating from the University of Kansas with a degree in Electrical Engineering he began work with Bell Labs in New Jersey. In the early 1960’s he was assigned to Hawaii to work on laying the first transpacific communications cable under the ocean from the US to Hawaii. During this time he earned a Masters in Electrical Engineering from NYU and transferred to Washington DC. In Washington, he worked as a NASA contractor on the Saturn rockets that powered the Apollo space missions. In his later career, he managed projects to lay the groundwork for FIOS fiber optic cable networks, which connect our communities today. 
He will be best remembered for being a devoted husband and father. He and his wife Laura traveled to many places across Europe and the US, always looking forward to their next destination. They loved music and the arts. He was devoted to Laura, and took loving care of her through her illness and death earlier in 2011. April 2012 would have been their 50th wedding anniversary. As a father, Paul created many meaningful memories for his children and grandchildren.  He knew how to find the fun in everyday living, and share it with his kids. His children and grandchildren will miss his stories and ideas.

Memberships: Paul was a member of College Hill Presbyterian Church, Easton and served as treasurer for Christ Presbyterian Church in Martinsville, NJ for many years. He was committed to volunteer work and in retirement managed a charitable trust for a friend.

Survivors:  Sons: Brian of N. Andover, MA; Steven and his wife Laura of Takoma Park, MD; daughter: Jennifer of Bexley, OH; and 6 grandchildren.

Services: A Memorial Service will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 21, 2012 in the College Hill Presbyterian Church, 501 Brodhead St., Easton, PA; the Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements.

Memorials: may be made to ProJeCt of Easton, 320 Ferry St., Easton, PA 18042.

Antonia R. “Irma” Rivera, 61, of Easton, died Monday, December 12, 2011 in her home.

Born: March 23, 1950 in Jayuya, Puerto Rico, she was a daughter of the late Francisco Rivera and Carmen Ramos.

Personal: She was a selfless caregiver who had the least but gave the most.

Memberships: She was a member of Our Lady of Mercy Parish.

Survivors: Three daughters, Omayra Rivera, Madeline Rivera and Wanda Rivera of Easton; two sons, Julio Rivera and Arthur “Bubbi” Keastead of Easton; her companion, Mario Maldonado; four brothers; three sisters; five grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Services: 10:30 am Friday in St. Bernard’s Oratory, 132 S. Fifth St., Easton. Call 3 – 4:30 pm Thursday in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton and from 9:30 am until service time Friday in St. Bernard’s Oratory. Interment in Easton Heights Cemetery.