Obituaries

Richard C. Kessler, 82, of Wilson Borough, died Thursday, June 23, 2011 in Easton Hospital.

Born: May 5, 1929 in Easton, he was a son of the late Thomas and Edna Young Kessler.

Personal: His wife, the former Nancy Case, died in April. He had been employed by the Dixie Cup/James River Corp. for 40 years before retiring in 1991. Richard was the president of Wilson High School class of 1947 and served in the Air Force during the Korean War. He also spent many enjoyable hours woodworking.

Memberships: An active member of St. John s Lutheran Church, Easton; he was a past president of Council, Sunday school teacher for 40 years and in their choir for 60 years. He had also been a member of the Experimental Aviation Association.

Survivors: A son Karl T. of Broadview Heights, Ohio; a daughter Kathryn E. of Wilson Borough; and two grandsons: Cameron and Christian. He was predeceased by siblings: Walter, Lester, Edward, Ada Purdy, Arlene Nolf, Pauline LaRose and Jean Marsteller.

Services: Will be 10:30 a.m. Monday in the Ashton Funeral Home, 14th and Northampton Streets, Easton with a calling period from 9:30 to 10:30. Interment will be in Northampton Memorial Shrine. Memorials: may be made to St. John s Lutheran Church, 330 Ferry Street, Easton, PA 18042 or American Heart Association.

Lillian R. Schocker, 91, of Easton died Tuesday, June 21, 2011 in Country Meadows, Bethlehem Township.

Born: September 5, 1919 in Manhattan, she was a daughter of the late Max and Sadie Goltz Mark.

Personal: Her husband, Paul Schocker died in 2007. She was a social worker for Northampton County.

Memberships: Lillian was a member of B nai Abraham Synagogue, Wilson Borough.

Survivors: Three sons, Gary Schocker and his partner, Richard Norton, David Schocker and Edward Kurlansik; a son-in-law, Sheldon Wecker and five grandchildren, Robert Wecker, Jonathan Wecker, Aaron Kurlansik, Nathan Kurlansik and Rafi Kurlansik. Her daughter, Laurel Kurlansik Wecker, her grandson, Noah Kurlansik and her brothers, Alton Mark and Sam Mark died earlier.

Services: Services were held on Tuesday, June 21 with interment in B nai Abraham Cemetery, Forks Township. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton handled the arrangements.

Luong Minh Nguyen, 54, of Easton, died Monday, June 20, 2011 in the VNA Hospice of St. Luke’s.

Survivors: His wife Kim; three sons: Peter, Vincent and John; and a daughter Cecelia.

Services: were held Saturday. The Ashton Funeral Home, 14th and Northampton Streets, Easton was in charge of arrangements. Interment was in Holy Saviour Cemetery.

Geraldine E. B. Jopling, 81, of Bethlehem Twp., PA died Monday, June 13, 2011 in ManorCare Health Services, Old Orchard.

Born: July 1, 1929 in Bethlehem she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Gertrude LaSchober Biro.

Personal: Her husband Rodney B. Jopling died in 1966. She was a graduate of Easton High School and Churchman Business College.

Memberships: She was a member of Faith Community Assembly of God, Palmer.

Survivors: daughter, Jeri Spaziani of Nazareth; two granddaughters and a great-granddaughter. She was predeceased by her husband and a brother, Joseph Biro.

Services: A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 1, 2011 in the Church, 3000 Freemansburg Ave., Easton. The Ashton Funeral Home, 14th and Northampton Sts., Easton is in charge of arrangements.

Memorials: Heartland Hospice, 881 Marcon Blvd., Suite 3700, Allentown, PA 18109.

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.