Obituaries

Donald Wilfred LeClair, Jr., age 83, passed from our sight but not from our hearts on Saturday, November 26, 2022. Don, the son of the late Donald W. LeClair, Sr. and Dorothy May (Haag) LeClair spent his final hours in the company of his beloved wife, Jackie and their children Amy Catherine and David (Alice). He is also survived by his cherished younger brothers David (Dorothy Watters) and Dale (Susanne).

A graduate of Wilson High School and Penn State University Don served his country in the Army. After relocating his family to Maine from Ohio in 1976 he established a retail location consulting firm, LeClair Associates. Don and Jackie retired to Williamsburg, VA in 2004 where they enjoyed fifteen wonderful years. In 2018 they chose to move to Nazareth, PA near Don’s boyhood home and to be nearer to their children.

While Don counted many professional accomplishments in his life, he loved most to spend time on the golf course and to read from a tall pile of books. Most of all he treasured his relationships with his family and a host of loyal friends. He was a generous, loving son to his parents, a steadfast friend to his two brothers, the adored “Papa” to his children and the cherished partner to his wife of 55+ years.

He served for decades in his local church communities as treasurer, lay speaker, Sunday School teacher and volunteer. He was revered by all who knew him as a caring listener and a wise counselor.  Though his active life was curtailed by Cardiac Arrest in 2019, which left him encumbered by limitations, he continued to be a shining light for his family and a kind, good-natured and gentle man to all who loved and cared for him.

A Memorial Service will be held 3:00 PM, Wednesday, November 30, 2022 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, with visitation from 2:00 to 3:00 PM Wednesday in the funeral home. 

Memorial contributions may be made to Bethlehem YWCA Adult Day Services Center, 3893 Adler Place Building B., Suite 180, Bethlehem, PA 18017.  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Petros “Peter” B. Hronis, 87 of Palmer Twp., PA died Saturday, November 26, 2022 at New Eastwood Rehabilitation Center. Born August 29, 1935 in Kalithea (Zaha), Greece, he was a son of the late Alexo (Lambropoulos) and Vasilios Hronis. His wife, Christine (Hadgistavrou) Hronis died in November of 2018. Pete owned and operated the Palmer Diner (formerly Pete’s Steak Shop) and the Forks Diner for more than 50 years. He also loved attending restaurant auctions to buy and sell equipment.

Pete worked hard his whole life with his beloved wife Hrisavghi (Mama) by his side. Starting as a dishwasher and with a lot of hard work and sacrifice they built the two businesses. Many of their employees and customers were like family. He especially loved to take the younger children to see the chickens he raised behind Forks Diner…sometimes finding a few eggs. Family was very important to him. His greatest joy was being with his grandchildren and now great-granddaughter. He loved telling stories of Greece and his experiences in the Greek Army. He was a member of the Sertoma Club and the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Wilson Borough.

Pete is survived by his son William Hronis and his wife Tammy of Palmer Twp.; sisters: Eleni Kotretos (husband Nick) in Greece, Althea Mihalopoulos (late husband George) of Northampton, PA; brother: Dimitrios Hronis (wife Demetra) of Harrisburg, PA; sister-in-law: Syrmo Saroglou of Myrtle Beach, SC; grandchildren: Christina Capitano (husband Richie) of Bethlehem, PA, Peter Hronis (wife Breea) of Charlotte, NC and a great-granddaughter: Gianna.

Services are 11 AM Thursday (Dec. 1) in the church, 319 S. 20th St., Easton, PA with visitation 10 to 11 AM in the church. Interment in Northampton Memorial Shrine. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton, PA is handling arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 319 S. 20th St., Easton, PA 18042. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

The family would like to thank all the family and friends who helped and stopped by to visit. It meant a lot to him and the family. Also, to Interim Healthcare for all their services.

Robert David Lambert 87, of Bethlehem, PA died Thursday, November 24, 2022 at Sacred Heart Assisted Living, Northampton, PA. Born November 7, 1935 in Easton, PA he was a son of the late Florence (Auble) and William J. Lambert. His wife Doris (Weaver) Lambert died in 2018. He was a 1953 graduate of Wilson High School and served in the Marine Corps during the Korean War. Robert was employed by Met-Ed for 39 years before retiring, which included a number of years at the Three Mile Island Plant. Following his retirement, he drove school bus for the Stroudsburg School District. He was very active in Masonic organizations including as past-Master of the Pocono Lodge, Past-Grand Tall Cedar, the Shriners and Consistory.

He is survived by his children: Kim Badillo (Frank) of Easton, David Lambert (Aleta) of Pittston, NJ, William Lambert (Kellie) of Bethlehem, Wes Lambert (Mandi) of Milford, PA; stepchildren: Jill Musselman (Douglas) of Allentown, Scott Grandi (Perian) of Northampton; 11 grandchildren: Zechariah, Anthony, Hanna, Jordan, Lexi, Jennifer and Amanda Lambert, Katie and Ilana Badillo, Josh Pireda, Tyler Musselman, and numerous great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife Doris and siblings: Franklin and Shirley Lambert and Alma Noll.

Services are 10 AM Saturday (Dec. 3) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA with a calling period from 9 to 10 AM. Interment with military honors will be in Easton Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children at www.donate.lovetotherescue.org. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com

Kandy Kane Reed, 57 of Mountaintop, PA formerly of Easton, PA died Tuesday, November 22, 2022 at home. Born August 23, 1965 in Hazleton, PA she was a daughter of the late Sharon (Jackson) and Armond Wheeler, Jr.

She is survived by her children: Sara Wheeler, Shania Reed, Dakota Reed; step-sons: Robert Reed, George Reed, Todd Conover; siblings: Peggy Wheeler, Debby Wackerman, Armond Wheeler, III, Arnold Wheeler, Armanda Crandall-Wheeler, Adrianne Perry, Mark Wheeler, Matthew Wheeler, John Wheeler; and among her extended family: Mary Ann Reed, Matt Reed, Dawn Reed and John Reed. She was predeceased by: her husband Albert McConnell; 2 children: Sharon McConnell, Mario Amato; and 2 siblings: David Wheeler and Shelly Wheeler.

A family celebration of her life will be held at a later date. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton, is handling arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to the family % the funeral home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA 18042. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com

Donald Calvin Frick, 97 of Forks Twp., PA went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on November 11, 2022 in the home where he lived for 97 years. Born October 3, 1925 in Forks Twp., he was a son of the late Leslie and Carrie (Bigley) Frick. Challenged with a severe heel injury in his teens, he designed innovative and specialized rigging techniques to use in the family business of moving large household furnishings and massive industrial equipment. These techniques are still esteemed and used in his family’s business, Frick Transfer, Inc.

Don met his wife Betty (the former Elizabeth Irene Houck) while she was a nurse at Betts Hospital. They were married 56 years before her passing in 2001. Together they enjoyed traveling, motorcycling, boating, family times, hospitality, and a vibrant Christ centered life. Don’s early interests were the Boy Scouts, the family business, inventive mechanics, and rigging. He faithfully attended and generously served as a deacon at Fellowship Church in Phillipsburg, NJ; as a board member at Camp HaLuWaSa in Hampton, NJ and TeleMissions International among other mission endeavors.

He will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by his three daughters: Betsy Crouthamel (and her husband Russ), Donna Allen (and her husband Dave), Pamela Smith (and her husband Dean); grandchildren: Don Witmer, Derric Allen (wife Becky), Darian Allen (wife Debbie), Lisa Smith; six great-grandchildren; and his sister: Lee Messinger. He was predeceased by his loving wife: Betty, brothers: Robert and Wayne Frick, sister: Beverly Jacobs, and grandchildren: Ronald Witmer and Melanie Smith.

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, December 17th at 3 PM in Fellowship Church, 300 Cromwell St., Phillipsburg, NJ with a calling period from 2 to 3 PM in the church. Interment will be private in Northampton Memorial Shrine. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton, PA is handling arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to ProMedica Hospice, 951 Marcon Blvd., Ste 3, Allentown, PA 18109 or a charity of choice. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Ronald E. “Pop” Hughes, Sr., 82, of Wind Gap, died Friday, November 4, 2022 in ProMedica, Easton. Born January 23, 1940 in Old Forge, he was the son of the late Evan and Mabel (Carey) Hughes. He and his wife, Carol A. (Lutes) Hughes were married 57 years. Pop served in the Army during the Korean War and was a self-employed general contractor in the Lehigh Valley. He founded the H. & S. Construction softball team and was the coach for over 30 years. Pop was the epitome of what a family man should be. His happiest moments were spent with his wife, children, grandchildren, and extended family. His grandchildren were his world, he never missed a function involving them and was always there to show his love and support. His face would light up every time he talked about them. He was “pop” to many and will be deeply missed by those who were lucky enough to meet him.

Surviving with his wife, Carol, are two sons, Ronald E. Hughes, Jr. and his wife, Kitti-Jo and Scott A. Hughes and his wife, Jenn; a daughter, Yvonne P. Beers and her husband, Christopher; eight grandchildren, Jared, Jessica, Kelsey, Alyson, Abygayle, Madysen, Emalie, and Sara; three great grandchildren, Kensleigh, Eliana, and Theodore; a great grandson Owen on the way; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death along with his parents by his five brothers, William, George, Teddy, Jack, and Bob and two sisters, Betty and Dorothy.

Services will be held at 6:00 pm on Wednesday, November 9, 2022 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton. A visitation will be held from 5:00 to 6:00 pm on Wednesday in the funeral home. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.