Obituaries

Mary Ann Schoeneck, 80 of Palmer Twp., PA died Wednesday, July 17, 2024 at St. Luke’s Hospice House. Born August 26, 1943 in Nazareth, PA she was the daughter of the late Emma (Grembowicz) and Joseph C. Pintande. She was a 1961 graduate of Notre Dame High School and member of St. Jane Frances de Chantal Catholic Church. Mary Ann had been employed by Keystone Packaging in Phillipsburg, NJ where she met her husband John R. Schoeneck who died in 2015. She was an avid gardener, who loved her cats, her children and her grandchildren.

She is survived by her children: John G. Schoeneck of Christianburg, VA, Julia M. Licari (husband Louis) of Easton, PA, Tricia L. Schoeneck Lambert (husband David) of Hopkinton, NH, Elizabeth A. Funseth (husband Karl) of Pipersville, PA; and nine grandchildren: John and David Licari, Shea, Ava, and Reed Lambert, Caroline, Grant, Cece and Evelyn Funseth.

Mass will be celebrated 10:30 AM Saturday (July 20) in St. Jane Frances de Chantal Catholic Church, Palmer Township with burial in Gethsemane Cemetery. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton, PA is handling arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to the church, 4049 Hartley Ave., Easton, PA 18045. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Shirley A. McBride, 83 of Bethlehem, PA died Sunday, July 14, 2024 at Kirkland Village. Born January 4, 1941 in Easton, PA she was the daughter of the late Charles and Kathryn (Davidson) Hart. She was a 1959 graduate of Wilson High School and received her bachelor’s degree from Moravian College and her master’s from Drew University. She had been a teacher in the Parsippany School District and at Wilson High School. Shirley was a past-president of AAUW in Bethlehem and Houston, TX. She spent summers in Ocean Grove, NJ for 45 years, where she was a member of the Auditorium Choir. Shirley was a member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church Hellertown and their choir director for 10 years, and a former member of the Asbury UM Church.

She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Gerald D. McBride and her cousin Judy Willever (husband Barry) of Wilson Borough, PA.

A graveside service will be held 2 PM Friday (July 19) in the Northampton Memorial Shrine, 3051 Green Pond Rd., Easton and a Memorial Service on Sunday (July 21) at 3 PM in St. Paul’s UM Church, 645 Main St., Hellertown, PA. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul’s UM Church or to Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Assoc. at www.oceangrove.org. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com. The Memorial Service on Sunday will be livestreamed at:  https://youtube.com/live/hU4OWTJQ_WM?feature=share

James D. Ealer, 65 of Nazareth, PA died Thursday, July 11, 2024 at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Hecktown Oaks. Born June 10, 1959 in Easton, PA he was a son of the late Walter and Helen (Miers) Ealer. He was a graduate of Phillipsburg High School and is survived by a brother: David Ealer and sisters: Deborah Ealer, Donna Lewis and Cindy Whelchel.

Services will be private with burial in Easton Cemetery. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Stacey L. Hoff, 47, of Easton, died Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in Lehigh Valley Hospital. Born September 8, 1976 in Easton, she was the daughter of Allan and Vicki (Hockman) Gold. She and her husband, Todd P. Hoff were married 20 years. Stacey was a bank teller at PNC bank, Palmer Township. She was a graduate of Easton Area High School and Churchman Business School and was an avid camper and gardener. Stacey was diagnosed with breast cancer 12 years ago. She always said that she was going to fight until she couldn’t fight any more. And she was still fighting to the end. She put up a good fight and was a warrior. Hopefully she is at peace now. 

Surviving in addition to her husband and parents are her children, Brandon Hewko, Tanner Hoff, and Katelynn Hoff; a brother, Robby Gold; two sisters, Kristy Burks and Jodie Tawfik; two granddaughters, Paige and Isabella; and many nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at 12:30 pm on Sunday, July 14, 2024 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton. A visitation will be held from 11:00 am until service time on Sunday in the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Horse Plus Humane Society, horseplus.org, or The Center for Animal Health and Welfare, healthyanimalcenter.org. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Gregg Adamson Freyling, 66 of Bethlehem Twp., PA died Wednesday, July 3, 2024 at home. Born May 21, 1958 in Easton, PA he was a son of Virginia (Rogers) Freyling and the late Nelson W. Freyling. He was a 1975 graduate of Wilson HS, West Lawn, PA and served in the US Air Force for 4 years. He was employed by American Airlines, as a Purser for 35 yrs., NAS Willow Grove. He was also a Fire Fighter for the Wilson Fire Dept. for 15 yrs. and Fire Fighter/EMT in Palmer Township, and the Reading Fire Dept., Liberty Fire Co. #5.

Gregg enjoyed scuba diving, fishing, being with family and friends and celebrating whatever the occasion and was an avid Philadelphia Eagles and Phillies fan. While employed by American Airlines, he had the pleasure of traveling mostly abroad and enjoyed lay-overs in various cities and making friends wherever he was.

He is survived by his mother: Virginia of Shillingtion, PA; his wife: Mary Beth (Banks) (Marello) Freyling married 1 year with the love shared between them for 38 years; his son: Skyler Freyling Hawke, wife Kristi Hawke of Anaheim, CA; his daughter: Irelyn Freyling, fiancé David Ramirez, of St. Cloud, FL; step-son: Nicholas A. Marello of Sinking Spring, PA; his sister-in-law: Diane Freyling; niece: Lauren Freyling; cousins; faithful companion: “CC” the cat and neighbors: Bob, Jim, Jen and Tony with their wonderful friendship throughout the years. He was predeceased by his father, Nelson, and brother: Scott Allen Freyling.

The family would like to send a sincere heartfelt thank you to Dr. Faroun and staff, doctors, nurses, and caregivers of St. Luke’s Hospital, Anderson-Cancer Department, Infusion Center and the caring hospice staff. Memorial Gifts may be made to: St. Luke’s Hospice c/o Development Office, 801 Ostrum St., Bethlehem, PA 18015 or www.slum.org/Development/ways-to-give/make-a-gift.

Services will be private at the family’s discretion. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Merle Rae (Flitter) Grollman, 84, of Scottsdale, AZ, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 30, at her home after a short illness. Born on December 1, 1939, she was the beloved wife of the late Joseph W. Grollman and the daughter of the late Miriam (Rosenthal) Flitter and S. Maxwell Flitter. Alongside Joe, Merle was instrumental in running the family business, Grollmans, a women’s fashion store in downtown Easton, which was established in 1904. After the store closed in 1991, Merle transitioned to a successful career as a realtor with Weichert Realtors until her retirement.

Merle was a dedicated member of several civic organizations, including the Children’s Home of Easton, the Junior League of the Lehigh Valley, and the State Theatre for the Performing Arts. She played a pivotal role in fundraising efforts to save the treasured theatre from closure. Additionally, she was a long-time member and volunteer of the women’s board at Easton Hospital, where she also served as president as well as a trustee of the Two Rivers Health and Wellness Foundation. Her commitment to her community extended to serving on the City of Easton’s Zoning Hearing Board and the Wilson Borough Zoning Board of Adjustment.

Actively involved in Easton’s Jewish community, Merle was a member of B’nai Abraham Synagogue and Temple Covenant of Peace. She cherished summers at Eddyside Pool with friends and family, enjoyed traveling across the United States and abroad, and treasured her time in both the Easton and Scottsdale communities. Merle’s infectious energy and enthusiasm were felt by all, as was her competitive spirit for those who dared to play her in Scrabble.

She is survived by a daughter: Julie Shinbaum and her husband Dana of Scottsdale, AZ; 2 sons: Michael Grollman and his wife Dana of Redondo Beach, CA, Peter Grollman and his wife Alexa of Merion Station, PA; 7 grandchildren: Noah and his wife Ellen Shinbaum, Naomi and Natalie Shinbaum, Max and Jack Grollman; Jesse and Sasha Grollman and brother: Dr. Marc Flitter and his wife Alice.

Services are private with interment in Easton Cemetery. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.