Obituaries

Dave’s family is heartbroken to announce that David L. Ott, 65, of Easton, PA passed away peacefully at home on January 19, 2023, surrounded by his loving family and faithful companion, Lilly, his English Cream Retriever, after a courageous battle with ALS. Born December 15, 1957 in Betts Hospital, Easton, he was the son of the late Edward and Lois (Lennen) Ott. He graduated from Easton High School in 1975 and later earned his Master’s Plumbers license from LCCC. He worked at Easton Hospital for 30 years, transitioned to Dual-Temp and finally, followed his dream by owning and operating Ott’s Plumbing, LLC. He was often referred to as the plumber of College Hill.

Dave touched many lives in his short time with us, he was known as “Otter” to some of his closest friends and was the kindest, most gentle, hardworking, and caring man anyone could know. A true gentleman, he was dedicated to his family, with a passion for life and, of course, his black C6 Corvette. But Dave’s zest for life came mostly from time spent on the Delaware River. There are so many special memories created from canoeing, jet skiing, boating, waterskiing, or even just sitting peacefully on the dock with family and friends! The river will always be “our happy place” because of Dave!

Dave was a member of the Delaware Canoe Club, Easton Area Corvette Club, Allentown Area Corvette Club, Easton Hospital Bowling League and a member of numerous softball leagues throughout the area, including: Industrial League, Metro League and Palmer League.

He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Lisa (Hess) Ott; his daughter: Jennifer Ott of Easton; his siblings: Edward Ott (Nancy) of Forks Twp., PA, Tom Ott of Kansas City, MO, Janet Miller (Allen) of Mt. Bethel, PA, Robert Ott of Easton, Paul Ott (Lori) of Cummings, GA; 3 grandchildren, whom he loved dearly: Isabel, Isaac, and Cali and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

A calling period will be held Friday, Feb. 3, from 4 to 6 PM in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St. Easton, PA. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

In lieu of flowers or donations, Lisa and Jennifer ask that you spend a little extra “quality” time with a loved one, as life is too short, and each moment is special.

Jennifer Kaye Foster, 58 of Easton, PA died Monday, January 16, 2023 at her home. Born May 26, 1964 in Easton, she was a daughter of the late Joseph Phillips and Dorothy Lee (Crowell) Kegler. She was a 1982 graduate of Easton High School and employed by the Easton Housing Authority for 23 years. Prior to that she was employed by the Easton Parking Garage and Nazareth National Bank.

She is survived by her daughters: Jennay Rachae’ Foster, Tiara Jemet Foster and Kayja Breale Foster all of Easton; her sister: Ida “Necy” Bullett , her brothers: Willie “Ben” and Rufus “Leon” Kegler and Shawn DeWitt all of Easton; 5 grandchildren: Ny’Vae Terry, Zarye Williamson, Jonathan Joseph, Aria Johnson and Jaxon Joseph; and her best friend and former husband: Michael Foster of Easton. She was predeceased by a brother: Jonathan Kegler and sister June Kegler.

Services are 11 AM Wednesday (Jan. 25) in the Revival Fire Ministries, 927 W. Berwick St., Easton with visitation from 10 to 11 AM. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Interment is in Hays Cemetery. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Richard F. Keiper, 88, of Bethlehem Township, died Monday, January 16, 2023 in ProMedica, Old Orchard. Born May 13, 1934 in Easton, he was the son of the late Claude E. Keiper, Sr., and Nina (Stone) Keiper. He and his wife, Linda L. (Carey) Keiper were married 43 years. He owned Richard F. Keiper Insurance Agency, Wilson Borough and was the broker/owner of Re/Max Professionals Real Estate Co., Wilson Borough. Richard was a member of First Moravian Church, Easton. He served in the US Army from 1957 to 1963 stationed in France. He began his career in life insurance at Colonial Life in Easton. After ten years, he opened his own insurance agency, representing Sun Life and The Travelers. Soon after, he obtained his insurance broker’s license in the states of PA and NJ. He became a Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) in 1969 and served as President of Easton and Vicinity Life Underwriters Association from 1970 to 1971. In 1984 he obtained his Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) designation. In 1978 Dick became an Associate Real Estate Broker with Cole-Salmon, Inc. Then in 1984 he opened his own real estate office, Re/Max Professionals as broker/owner and later became an associate broker with Re/Max 100 until his retirement.
Dick was larger than life. He loved being with people, had a great personality and a booming laugh that would rock the room. He enjoyed bowling throughout his life and with the MORA Club in recent years. He also enjoyed pitching quoits. Dick liked to remain active in later years working for Hertz Rental Cars at the LVIA. For many years he enjoyed tending his vegetable garden and that was a source of relaxation for him. He also loved bicycling and walking.

Surviving with his wife, Linda, are a daughter, Holly Schuster and her husband, Josh, of Kutztown; two grandchildren, Angela McCavera, her fiancé, Eric Berger and their daughter, Blake of Lehighton, and Maximillian McCavera of Allentown; and two nieces, Cynthia Gibbs and her husband, Edward of Morrison, Colorado, and Suzanne Coogan and her husband Kevin of Sykesville, Maryland. His brother, Claude Keiper, Jr. died earlier.

Services will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, January 20, 2023 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton. A visitation will be held from 9:00 to 10:00 am on Friday in the funeral home. Interment with military honors will be in Northampton Memorial Shrine. Memorial contributions may be made to First Moravian Church, 225 N. 10th St, Easton, PA 18042. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Dale William Harrison, 77, also known by many as the “General” passed away peacefully in his home in Kunkletown on Saturday, January 14, 2023. Born October 1, 1945 in Easton, PA he was a son of the late Gladys (Shupe) and Bishop Harrison. A 1963 graduate of Easton High School, he received his Bachelor’s degree from Tusculum College in Tennessee and his Master’s degree from Ol’ Miss followed by a fellowship at the University of Chicago. Dale proudly taught History at Nazareth High School for 33 years before retiring. He was a member of Mensa International and actively involved in the historical reenactment community through his historical reproduction business, the Blanket Brigade. Dale will be remembered for his deep affection of the past and his respect for our nation’s history.

He is survived by 4 children: Trevor Harrison (Tracey) of Souderton, PA, Kelley Cameron (Scott) of Palmer Twp., PA, Meghan McMahon (Dan) of Palmer Twp., PA, and Kathleen Harrison of Easton, PA; his 8 beloved grandsons: Justin Harrison, Quinn Cameron, Aidan Harrison, Alex Cameron, Logan Harrison, Greyson Harrison, Finn McMahon, Kayleb Zigubu; and his best friend and partner: Cecilia Rorro.

A calling period will be held from 5 to 7 PM Thursday (Jan.19) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA. Interment will be private in The Historic Easton Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Homestead Veterinary, Baby Blue Compassion Fund, 148 Jonas Rd., Kunkletown, PA 18058, to assist those in need of financial assistance to receive lifesaving medical care for their animals. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Geraldine Mae “Gerry” Fisher, 87 of Palmer Twp., PA died Friday, January 13, 2023 at home. Born April 18, 1935 in Easton she was a daughter of the late Simon Strouse, Sr. and Hilda (Richebacher) Heimbach and stepdaughter of the late Earl Heimbach. She and her husband Carl R. Fisher would have been married 68 years this February 19th. Gerry was a 1953 graduate of Easton High School and 1978 graduate of Northampton Community College where she was in the first class earning the title of Certified Legal Assistant.

She was employed as a legal secretary after graduating from high school, taking a short break to work the night shift at Binney & Smith, while raising her family. She returned to the legal field to serve as William Hogan’s legal secretary and then as secretary for Samuel Lavella, Northampton County Court Reporter. During this time, she was named Secretary of the Year by the Lehigh-Northampton Counties Legal Secretaries Association. She ended her career as a Judicial Secretary for the Honorable Judges Hogan and Franciosa for 14 years before retiring in 1998.

Gerry was a very active member of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, Easton where she was a member of SAW, the Altar Guild, SAC, Memorial Committee and a Lay Eucharistic Visitor. She was also a member of the National Association of Legal Secretaries, Lehigh-Northampton Counties Legal Secretaries Association and Past-Treasurer of the PA Association of Legal Secretaries, remaining active throughout her retirement even during her brief illness.

Lovingly call Nana by many who loved her and knew her favorite day was “Nana’s Christmas”, she is survived by her husband Carl; her pride and joy, 4 children and their children: Carl Fisher of Allentown (children: Sean (Paula) Fisher and James Fisher); Linda (Keith) Baskwell of Wilson Borough (children: Matthew (Courtney) Baskwell, Christopher Baskwell, Rachel (Rudy) Kinchen and Christine (Oliver) Thompson); Wayne (Daniella) Fisher of Cincinnati (children: Andrew and Joshua Fisher); Kurt (Jenn Turdo) Fisher (children: Brandi (Christopher) Cooper and Kristen Fisher); and her 9 beloved great-grandchildren: Tegan, Makenzie Jo, Alexander, Tatum, Elliot, Zachary, Andrew, Arielle and Sophie Mae; daughters-in-law: Kim Hudak and Lisa Fisher; sister: Karen (Bob) Wickkiser; brother-in-law: Robert (Linda) Fisher; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends who were considered family, especially the Beach Girls. She was predeceased by her brothers: Simon “Si” Strouse, Jr. and Richard “Ike” Strouse.

The family asks that you raise a glass of wine, or a fruity cocktail, and toast a life lived to its fullest. They also want to thank St .Luke’s Hospice and the caregivers from Caring Connection who made Gerry’s last week of her life peaceful.

A Memorial Service will be held February 11th at 11 AM in St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, 3900 Freemansburg Ave., Easton, PA 18045 with a calling period from 10:30 to 11 AM. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to the church, ATTN: Memorial Fund. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Carolyn Albert, 93, of Bethlehem, PA, and formerly of Pembroke Pines, FL and Riverhead, NY, passed away on January 12, 2023.   Carolyn was the youngest of 7 children of Abraham and Helen Fraint of Burlington, VT. Her parents had emigrated to the United States from Russia (now Ukraine). Growing up, besides going to school in Burlington, she worked at her father’s grocery store called Fraint’s Creamery. At 18, she left Vermont for New York City and entered nursing school at Mt. Sinai Hospital. She soon realized that nursing involved taking care of sick people and that was not her calling. At her exit interview, she said that she wanted to pursue a career as a secretary. The interviewer was looking for a secretary and hired her for the role. She later worked at non-profit agencies such as Twentieth Century Fund and the Ford Foundation in New York City.

In 1957, she met Eugene Albert at a dude ranch singles weekend in New Jersey and they were married 5 months later. The newlyweds soon moved to Riverhead, New York (on Long Island). Carolyn began working as an administrative assistant at Brookhaven National Laboratories and continued there for many years until her retirement.  Carolyn and Gene became the proud parents to one son, Andrew Albert, and one daughter, Jill Nathanson. Carolyn was very active in her local synagogue, Temple Israel in Riverhead, including serving as treasurer and with the sisterhood. She was a lifelong member of Hadassah.  After retirement, Carolyn and Gene moved to sunny Florida and enjoyed many happy years there. Carolyn especially enjoyed regular mah jongg games, going to the movies, reading books, and eating out with her friends. She also took many trips, especially cruises, often with friends or family.  After Eugene’s passing, Carolyn moved to Bethlehem PA to be near her daughter, and they enjoyed many fun activities together. She spent her Bethlehem years living at Country Meadows where she was active in the community and made many friends among the residents and staff. She is best known there for her love of shoes.  Carolyn was a kind person with a quick wit and a beautiful laugh. She was always dressed well, put on makeup and jewelry every day, and got her hair done every week when she was able. She was loved no matter where she went. 

Carolyn was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene Albert, her brothers Aaron Fraint, Saul Fraint and Herman Fraint and her sisters Gertrude Goldberg, Ruth Steirn, and Shirley Levin. She is survived by her children, Andrew Albert (Ilene) and Jill Nathanson (Howard), her beloved granddaughter; Rebecca Nathanson and two step-granddaughters, Cydney Wolchock and Rachel Wolchock.  Carolyn was laid to rest in Hollywood, Florida next to her husband, Eugene.  Memorial donations may be made to The Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley (702 N 22nd St, Allentown, PA 18104) or the Prostate Cancer Foundation (1250 Fourth Street Santa Monica, CA 90401).