Obituaries

Carol J. Purcell, 82, of Williams Township, died Friday, October 21, 2022 in St. Luke’s Hospital. Born July 30, 1940 in Shamokin, she was the daughter of the late Clarence and Faye (Jones) Snyder. She and her husband, Harry Purcell were married 17 years. Her first husband, Bruce Robison, Sr. died in 2004. Carol worked for the Northampton County Soil Conservation District and was a school bus driver for the Wilson Area School District. She graduated from Easton Area High School in 1959 and was a member of Belfast Bible Church.

Surviving with her husband, Harry, are a son, Bruce Robison, Jr. and his wife, Karen; a daughter, Faye Freer and her husband, Rich; a brother, Robert Snyder; a step-brother, Mark Snyder; a step-sister, Joyce Kostenbader; and two grandchildren, Nicole and Richie. Her brother, Raymond Snyder died earlier.

Services will be held at 10:30 am on Thursday, October 27, 2022 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton. A visitation will be held from 9:30 am until service time on Thursday in the funeral home. Interment will be in Northampton Memorial Shrine. Memorial contributions may be made to Belfast Bible Church, 483 Belfast Rd., Nazareth, PA 18064. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Richard Donald Shafer, 91 of Phillipsburg, NJ died Sunday, October 16, 2022 at home. Born June 2, 1931 in Wilson Borough, PA he was a son of the late Florence (Dornblazer) and Alvin Shafer. He was a 1950 graduate of Wilson High School and served in the Navy during the Korean War. He was employed by the Riegel Paper Mill for 39 years before retiring. Richard was Phillipsburg School Crossing Guard for 20 years and avid Phillies and Eagles fan. He also loved to fish.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, the former Joan Kohler; 5 children: Jill Deemer (Phil) of Raubsville, PA, Richard Shafer, Jr. in Florida, Gary Shafer (Jennifer) of Fairless Hills, PA, Kathy Moyer (William) of Easton, PA, Melissa Shafer (Mathew Fachet) of Hellertown, PA; a sister: Mae Rapp of Easton; 8 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by 4 brothers: Charles, John, Harold and Robert Shafer and a sister: Shirley Galante.

Services are 11 AM Friday (October 21) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA with visitation 10 to 11 AM. Interment is in Easton Cemetery (formerly Easton Heights). Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com

Myrna Margaret Thomas, 83 of Forks Twp., PA died Sunday, October 16, 2022 at home. Born September 24, 1939 in Pittsburgh, PA she was a daughter of the late Jennie (Seibold) and Charles Swann. She was employed by Light of Life (a charity mission) in Pittsburgh for many years before retiring. She was a member of Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, Easton and the Family YMCA. She loved time with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and her extended Goodyear family.

She is survived by her daughters: Jennifer Goodyear (Robert) of Forks Twp., Janice Thomas-Lowery (Deion) of Orlando, FL, Judith Lanham (C. Paul) of Orlando, FL; brother: Jay Swann; sisters: Charlene Swann, Sally Hochdoerfer; 7 grandchildren: Nicole Yi, Brandon Goodyear, Tyler Ann Goodyear, Michael Lowery, Mathew Lowery, Emily Lowery, Hayley Lanham; 5 great-grandchildren and her extended Heimbach/Goodyear family. She was predeceased by a brother: Wayne Swann, a sister: Arlene Black and a grandson: Dusten Lanham.

A memorial service will be held 11 AM Thursday, October 20 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA with a calling period from 10 to 11 AM. A graveside service will be held 11 AM Friday, October 28 at Christ Our Redeemer Cemetery, 204 Cemetery Lane, Pittsburgh, PA.

Memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of Mercy Church, 132 S. 5th St., Easton, PA 18042 or UPMC Presbyterian CT Transplant, 200 Lothrop St., C Suite 900, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, RE: Patient Assistance Fund in memory of Myrna Thomas. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

John R. Ahart, Jr., 73 of Saylorsburg, PA died Tuesday, October 11, 2022 at St. Luke’s Hospital, Monroe Campus. Born June 12, 1949 in Phillipsburg, NJ he was a son of the late Ida (Hartenstine) and John “Duke” Ahart, Sr. He and his wife, the former Ruthann Trauger were married for 52 years. John served in the Army during the Vietnam War and was employed by the Phillipsburg School District for more than 30 years before retiring. Jack was a volunteer firefighter at Jersey Hose in Phillipsburg and very proud of his military service. He also loved hunting and fishing

He is survived by his wife, Ruthann; sons: John R. Ahart, III of Ocala, FL and Donald H. Ahart (Amy) of Catasauqua, PA; 2 grandchildren: Donovan and Rylee; a stepbrother: Burton Brewer; and stepsister: Joan Phillips.

Graveside services with military honors will be held 11 AM Tuesday (October 18) at the Northampton Memorial Shrine, 3051 Green Pond Rd., Easton. In honor of Jack’s casual spirit, casual attire is fine. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to Wounded Warriors or Center for Animal Health and Welfare, Easton. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com

Winifred T. Pearsall, 99, of Forks Township, died Thursday, October 13, 2022 in her home. Born March 15, 1923 in Evanston, Illinois, she was the daughter of the late Milton P. Tilley and Winifred L. Holly. She grew up in New Canaan, CT and moved to Easton in 1957. Over the years, she served on the board of the Easton Children’s Home and taught synchronized and Red Cross swimming at Easton High and the Third Street Alliance. Her interests included tennis, Tai Chi, skiing, water exercise, crossword puzzles and bridge. She was a member of College Hill Presbyterian Church.

She is survived by two daughters, Holly Kilpatrick (Merton) of East Bangor and Deborah C. of Mt. Bethel; four sons, Mason P., Jr., Richard A. (Charlotte), James M. (Annette), all of Houston, TX, and John T. (Margie) of Easton, 13 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, November 5, 2022 in College Hill Presbyterian Church, 501 Brodhead St., Easton.  Interment will be in The Historic Easton Cemetery.  The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Luke’s Hospice, Development Office, 801 Ostrum St. Bethlehem, PA 18015, www.SLHN.org/development. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.