Obituaries

Robert C. Thoma, 67 of Bethlehem, PA died Sunday, September 29, 2024 at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Muhlenberg. Born July 8, 1957 in Paterson, NJ he was a son of the late Pauline M. (Chubb) and Frank C. Thoma. He attended the County College of Morris and had been employed by Peak Construction. Bob was a member of Life Church in Nazareth.

He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Daisy (Rivera) Thoma; children: RJ and his wife Jaclyn of Easton, PA, Tiffany Whitehead and her husband Eric of Bethlehem Twp., PA; stepdaughters: Anita Bendesky and her husband Brad of Haddonfield, NJ, Athena LaBoy of Elmer, NJ; brothers: Richard F. Thoma and his wife Cheryl of Denver, NC, Donald L. Thoma and his wife Petra of McLean, VA; grandchildren: Sydney, Callie, Jordan, Christian, Joey, Jessica, Eric, Andrew, Ana, Julia and Sean; nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a stepson: Nathan LaBoy, and a grandson: Danny.

Services are 10 AM Saturday (Oct. 5) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA with visitation 6 to 7:30 PM Friday and 9 to 10 AM Saturday. Interment in Northampton Memorial Shrine. Memorial contributions may be made to Life Church, 4609 Newburg Road, Nazareth, PA 18064.
Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

James Ferri, 93 of Easton, PA passed away peacefully on Friday, September 27, 2024. He was born on August 24, 1931 to the late Antonio and Antoinette (Cilli) Ferri in Easton. Jim graduated from Easton High School in 1949 and went on to marry the love of his life, Dorothy A. (Kirchhofer) Ferri in 1952. He is a Navy veteran, having served in the Seabees. Jim and Dorothy had one child, Debra (Ferri) Bohr.

Jim was an athlete his whole life. He played quarterback for Easton High School’s football team and was on the first Easton wrestling team. He enjoyed attending football games and wrestling matches his whole life. Jim supported the Lehigh wrestling program and was a season ticket holder to Lafayette basketball games. He was an avid tennis player, golfer and in his later years, walker.

Jim worked for Ingersoll-Rand, Phillipsburg, NJ as a draftsman. He also worked for Dresser Rand when he and Dorothy temporarily relocated to Olean, NY. While in Olean they became converted Buffalo Bills fans attending many games. They made many friends while there and continued those friendships upon returning to Easton. After his retirement from Dresser he was hired by private companies proudly working until he was 88 years old.

Jim was passionate about his love of friends and family. His deep devotion to his wife was something spectacular to witness. He loved being a father, grandfather and great grandfather. He took pride in his family, and often was behind a video camera, capturing special family moments. Jim’s big heart was also reflected in his lifelong friendships. His golfing crew, all well into their 80’s, consisted of friends from his youth.

Jim leaves a legacy of love and kindness. He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Dorothy A. (Kirchhofer) Ferri; his daughter: Debra Bohr (husband Jeffrey) of Forks Twp., PA; a brother: Carmen Ferri of Phillipsburg, NJ; 2 grandchildren: Jarad Bohr (wife Erica), Jordan Miller (husband Michael); and 2 great-grandchildren: Cole James and Archer. His brothers: John, Samuel and Anthony Ferri predeceased him.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:30 AM Thursday (Oct. 3) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton with a calling period from 10 to 11:30 AM. Interment will be private. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

V. Daniel Smoker, 69, of Bushkill Township, died unexpectedly Saturday, August 31, 2024 in St. Luke’s Hospital. Born March 17, 1955 in Oxford, PA, he was the son of the late Vernon and Mary (Umble) Smoker. He and his wife, Lou Ann (Trinchere) Smoker were married 45 years. Dan was employed in various capacities in the banking industry for 50 years. He was a member of Maranatha Family Christian Fellowship. He served on the board of directors of Bright Hope Pregnancy Support Centers and was the president of the Tuesday Night Golf League at Whitetail Golf Club.

Surviving with his wife, Lou Ann, are a son, Jonathan Smoker and his wife, Lauren of Avondale, PA; two daughters, Jennifer Haddad and her husband, Nicolas of St. Cloud, FL and Jillian Bruch and her husband, Jeffrey of Nazareth; three sisters, Wanda Creeger, Rose Olsen, and Barbara Dollinger; four brothers, Paul Smoker, Ronald, Smoker, Timothy Smoker, and Glenn Smoker; ten grandchildren, Elsa, Audra, Pierson, and Hendrick Smoker, Nathan, Katelyn, and Tyler Bruch, and Valor, Lincoln, and Brighton Haddad; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Angelo and Shirley Trinchere; and stepmother, Ada Nancy Smoker.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, September 7, 2024 in River of God Church, 813 Reynolds St., Easton. A visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 pm on Friday in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton. Interment will be in Northampton Memorial Shrine. You are encouraged to wear your golf shirt to the services. Memorial contributions may be made to Bright Hope Pregnancy Support Centers, www.brighthopecenters.org; Loaves and Fishes, c/o St. John’s United Church of Christ, Nazareth, www.sjuccnaz.com; or Maranatha Family Christian Fellowship, www.mfcfonline.org. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Jerry C. Thomas, 79, of Palmer Township, died Friday, August 30, 2024 in St. Luke’s Hospice House. Born July 26, 1945 in New York City, he was the son of the late Wesley C. and Bettie V. (Ashton) Thomas. He and his wife, Lilia (Padilla) Thomas were married 37 years. He worked for AM Best, Oldwick, NJ. Prior to that he was an engineer for IBM for 30 years. Jerry served in the Navy during the Vietnam War. He was a member of Palmer Moravian Church where he was a Head Sacristan and the youth group leader. He was a member of Kiwanis Club of Easton and a tax preparer volunteer and district coordinator for AARP. Jerry was also a volunteer at the Sigal Museum and a member of the Easton Opioid Awareness Task Force.

Surviving with his wife, Lilia are two daughters, Maria Thomas and Laura Thomas-Durham; a son Jerry Thomas, Jr.; a sister, Sallie Mallach; a brother, David Thomas; his first wife, Patricia Thomas; three grandchildren; and four great grandchildren.

Services will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, September 6, 2024 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton. A visitation will be held from 6:00 to 7:30 pm on Thursday in the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Palmer Moravian Church, www.palmermoravian.org or Sigal Museum, www.sigalmuseum.org. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.