Obituaries

Gary, a man of integrity, purpose, faith, generosity and always the gentleman, passed on June 29, 2024 at age 88. Born in Wilkes-Barre PA to Edith and Ralph Evans, Gary graduated from Lafayette College in 1957 Magna Cum Laude and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He married Betty Jane Gait in 1958. For the last nine years, they have resided at Kirkland Village in Bethlehem PA.

Gary’s extensive development career was one of passion and devotion. He successfully led major capital campaigns at Lafayette College, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, and forged enduring alumni friendships. Gary was a mentor to many and had an active consulting career following his college and university work. He taught at Harvard’s Institute for Educational Management and Harvard University Seminar for New Presidents; served on the faculty of the Williamsburg Development Institute; was a trustee of Lafayette College along with Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE); and authored several articles and book chapters on fundraising. Additionally, Gary served as Board of Directors Vice President of the Children’s Home of Easton, Inc.; Board of Directors member for Lehigh Valley Industrial Park; an Elder of First Presbyterian Church in Easton; and President and Director of Two Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce. He also was a US Army veteran.

His greatest joy, however, was his family and Evans gatherings were always full of love and laughter. Gary is survived by his wife of 66 years, Betty Jane Evans; daughter Karen Evans Gadson of Saint Michaels MD (husband Mark); son Steven Evans of Ambler PA (wife Laurie); son Daniel Evans of Oreland PA (wife Susanna); four grandchildren, Megan Gadson Benner (husband Mark), Abigail, Noah and Hadley Evans; and a great granddaughter, Charleigh Benner.

A Celebration of his Life will be held 2 PM, Wednesday, September 11, 2024 in the Kirkland Village Auditorium, 1 Kirkland Village Circle, Bethlehem, with a calling period from 1 to 2 PM. Overflow parking  in the First Presbyterian Church parking lot with shuttle service will be available.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests gifts be made in Gary’s memory to the Gary A. ’57 and Betty J. Evans Scholarship Fund at Lafayette College. Checks should be made payable to Lafayette College and make note of the scholarship fund on the memo line. Mail to Lafayette College, Advancement, Box 3000, Easton PA 18042. Or, please consider making a gift to the Alzheimer’s Association at 225 North Michigan Avenue, Floor 17, Chicago IL 60601. Online condolences may be offered at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Lisa (Yearian) McCormick, 52, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on June 26th 2024. She was born on October 17, 1971 in Phillipsburg, NJ. Daughter of Patricia Yearian.

She offered warmth and a smile to all of her customers served throughout her many jobs—pet care, retail, and Wegmans grocery store. In addition to her mother, Lisa is survived by her daughter Tasha Wirth of Philadelphia, PA ; son, Jarred Hoff and wife, Sarah of Easton; twin sister, Judy Yearian and partner Sam of Birdsboro, PA; sister, Patricia “Shelly” Heister and husband, Eddie of Sinking Spring, PA; brother, William Willever and wife, Amy of New Providence, PA.

Services are private at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are entrusted to Ashton Funeral Home, Easton. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

On June 24, 2024, as the sun was setting, illuminating the cross atop First Presbyterian Bethlehem, Carol Judy Vollmer Freebairn, 83,  joined those that have gone before. Born November 10, 1940 in Philadelphia, PA she was a daughter of the late Harry and Carolyn (Weidner) Vollmer. Carol has been a faithful disciple, serving as a deacon at First Presbyterian Easton and Nassau Presbyterian of Princeton. In her final days, we watched the Meals on Wheels pickup at the neighboring church, an adventure that she did with her friends or her husband over the years.  Carol, known as Judy in her youth, grew up outside of Philadelphia in Upper Darby. In her teens, she won Miss Aronimink, getting her picture in the paper, riding atop a convertible. She went to West Chester Teachers college briefly but knew that was not for her. Changing to what was a secretaries’ school at the time, she learned typing and other assistant related skills. She worked in Philadelphia for Presbyterian Church USA, Board of Christian Education as the secretary to the publisher of church school curriculum. At an event at a church supper, she met a young man with a new Mustang. She must have been interested in the man and the Mustang and after a whirlwind courtship, she wed Harry A. Freebairn in 1965 and had 59 years together, most of them joyous.

As a secretary, she was the voice of Nassau Presbyterian. People would call just to hear her. She spent about 10 years at Lafayette College, both in Admissions and then in Career Planning and Placement where all the students would rave about how kind and caring Mrs. Freebairn was. Carol’s daughter, Beth, a student herself,  often rolled her eyes at her fellow Pards, but her Mom helped even her with her resume and navigating Word Perfect.

Carol had a love of the beach. Ocean City NJ was her favorite spot. Many summers, winter breaks, holidays and 70’s gas crisis were spent in OCNJ. Carol continued to be involved in numerous activities as they moved back to Easton and Bethlehem, including traveling to the grandchildren’s activities. She touched many people.

Carol is survived by her husband: The Rev Harry A. Freebairn of Bethlehem PA, former pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Easton; her brother: H. William (Bill) Vollmer III (wife Lydia) of Cocoa Beach FL; her children: Beth Freebairn of Center Valley PA, Steven Freebairn (wife Maureen) of Frisco TX, and Nancy Freebairn Spicer (husband Peter) of Whitehouse Station NJ; six grandchildren: Kyle Roseberry (wife Erica), Erik Roseberry, Joey Freebairn, Tom Freebairn, Nathan Spicer and Gracie Spicer.

Carol was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease 10+ years ago. It is a rough disease. We feel for those that suffer with this and the other nasty diseases that take our loved ones. We thank God for the many years Carol shared with us all. Our family and our spouses would like any donations in Carol’s memory to go to the Parkinson’s Foundation (www.parkinson.org) or Ascend Hospice (www.ascendhealth.com) or to dad’s fondness, the Arbor Day Foundation (www.arborday.org).

To celebrate Carol’s life, please join us on July 12th at 3:30 pm in the Kirkland Village Auditorium, 1 Kirkland Village Circle, Bethlehem. A calling period will be held July 11th from 6 to 8 PM in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA.

Thank you, the Freebairn family

John W. Bronico, 78, of Moore Township, formerly of Palmer Township, died Saturday, June 22, 2024 in Lehigh Valley Hospital. Born December 9, 1945 in Easton, he was the son of the late Joseph and Wilma (Groover) Bronico. His wife, Janet M. (Pfeffer) Bronico died last year. John owned Bronico Financial Planning, Palmer Township for over 40 years. He was a member of Living Hope Lighthouse, Palmerton and a former member of Middlecreek Christian Church, Kresgeville, Ebenezer Bible Fellowship Church, Bethlehem Township, and First Evangelical Congregational Church, Easton. He was a member of the Northampton County Chapter of Gideons and he enjoyed playing racquetball at the Easton YMCA. He was an avid golfer, quoit player and softball player and enjoyed 50’s and 60’s music.

Surviving are his children, Mary Katherine Barnhardt and her husband, Thomas of Arlington, TX, Barbara A. Mathis and her husband, Jim of Palmer Township, Brian J. Bronico and his wife, Lezlie of North Richmond Hills, TX, and Chris D. Bronico of Moore Township; seven grandchildren; four great grandchildren; a brother, Tony Bronico; and a sister, Mary Taylor. He was predeceased by a brother, Joseph Bronico, Jr. and a granddaughter.

Services will be held at 10:30 am on Friday, June 28, 2024 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, A visitation will be held from 6:30 to 8:00 pm on Thursday in the funeral home. Interment will be in Northampton Memorial Shrine. Memorial contributions may be made to The Gideons, www.Gideons.org. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Burton E. Brewer, 93 of Forks Twp., PA passed away peacefully June 22, 2024 surrounded by family. Born February 13, 1931 in Easton, PA he was a son of the late Walter Brewer and Ida (Hartenstein). He was married 65 years to the late Adele (Columbo) from Harmony, NJ. Burton attended Phillipsburg High School and served in the United States Army from 1948 to 1953 serving as an Honor Guard in Washington DC and in the Korean War. He retired as superintendent of the Phillipsburg Waste Water Treatment Plant after 35 years.

Burton was an exempt member of the Jersey Hose Fire Company in Phillipsburg and member of the New Jersey Exempt Fireman’s Association. He was also a life member of the New Jersey Water Environment Association and served as president in 1973 for the North Jersey section

He is survived by his children: Burton Brewer, Jr., Darlene Yost, Dolores Dailey and Theresa Wells; a sister: Joan Phillips; 9 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

Service Timing Update: Services will be held July 13 at 10:30 AM in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton with a calling period from 9 to 10:30 AM. Interment in Northampton Memorial Shrine. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org) or the American Heart Association (www.heart.org). Online condolences may be offered at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Quentin L. Patterson, 92 of Forks Twp., PA died Friday, June 21, 2024 at home. Born April 18, 1932 in Norwalk, CT he was a son of the late Frederick and Gertrude (Lewis) Patterson. He was a 1957 graduate of Lafayette College where he received his BSME. He was employed by Western Electric (AT&T) from 1959 until retiring in 1987. Quentin served in the Army during the Korean War and was a member of the Lehigh Valley Woodworkers Guild, Lehigh Valley Woodturning Club and Lehigh Valley Bridge Association. Along with woodworking and bridge, Quentin loved tennis, sailing, and flying radio-controlled model planes. Extremely handy and able to fix most anything, he was also the “go to guy” for tennis racquet restringing.

He is survived by his children: James F. Patterson (Nadine) of Jobstown, NJ, Q. Scott Patterson (Jill) of Kent, WA; Christine Buttillo (Raymond) of Bethlehem, PA; a brother: Alban Patterson of Norwalk, CT; a sister: Linda Perkins of Walnut Creek, CA; grandchildren: Ryan, Ally and Georganna and great-grandson: Byler. He was predeceased by his wife: Helen (Lamb) Patterson in 2006 and his brother: Frederick W. Patterson in 2024.

Services are 2:30 PM Thursday, June 27 in the Life Church, 1451 Northampton St., Easton with visitation from 1:30 to 2:30 PM . Interment in Northampton Memorial Shrine. Memorial contributions may be made to the Boys and Girls Club of Easton, 210 Jones Houston Way, Easton 18042. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.