Obituaries

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.

C. David Howell, 83, of Forks Township, died Friday, August 30, 2024 in St. Luke’s Hospital. Born February 26, 1941 in Easton, he was the son of the late Chauncey D. Howell, Sr. and J. Kathryn (Shirer) Howell. He and his wife, Reta (Wells) Howell were married 43 years. David was a trial attorney in his earlier life and then became an Assistant Attorney General supervising both the Chicago and Springfield, IL areas. He retired in 2003. He attended Francis A. March School and Blair Academy and was a graduate of University of Virginia. He attended Tulane University Law School and received his law degree from Villanova University. David served on the Northampton County Democratic Committee and the Northampton County Children, Youth and Families advisory board. He was a member of the Forks Township Zoning Hearing Board and served on the Forks Township Board of Supervisors. In addition, he was a Lehigh County Court Appointed Special Advocate for Children and was a member of the Easton Lions Club, Wheels of Time, and the Pomfret Club.

When David and Reta retired in 2003, they moved from Chicago to David’s hometown of Easton – a place where, to Reta’s relief, there were more trees than people. David was not ready for retirement and immediately became involved in local Forks Township government. He was a strong advocate and led the way for major enhancements to the quality of life for its residents.

David enjoyed gardening and with Reta’s help planted trees and shrubs, built stone walls and created a beautiful garden on the barren, rocky hillside behind their house. He was a member of the Rhododendron Society of the U.S., Lehigh Valley Chapter.

David was a motorcycle enthusiast and even convinced Reta to ride with him at times. He loved old cars, Jaguars in particular, and his wonderfully restored old 1962 Ford truck. More importantly, David and Reta were avid supporters of the arts community of Easton. Their home was filled with works primarily by Pennsylvania artists.

David loved all animals – especially the deer on Paxinosa Road. They adopted two retired racing greyhounds and David greatly enjoyed walking Roxy, and in later years, Jersey Flyer. This gave him the opportunity to meet and talk with all of their neighbors.

David had a great interest in Civil War history and Abraham Lincoln. He was a member of the Civil War Round Table in Chicago. He was educated in the South and helped to register black voters during the 60’s. He was also a member of the Edward Howell Family Association, an ancestor who was one of the first settlers of Southampton, LI.

David wanted to thank all of his friends and neighbors who supported him and his wife during his extended illness. He was extremely grateful for their kindness.

Surviving with his wife, Reta, are a daughter, Caryn Pelegrino; a sister, Sally Gundy and two grandchildren. He was predeceased by a brother, Chauncey Howell, Jr.

Services will be held at 1:00 pm on Sunday, September 8, 2024 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton. Interment will be private in Forks Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org.

John C. George, 72 of Palmer Twp., PA died Monday, August 26, 2024 in Kenny Lake, Alaska while visiting family. Born May 1, 1952 in Phillipsburg, NJ he was a son of the late Catherine (Schafer) and Robert M. George. He was a 1970 graduate of Wilson High School and had been employed at the Bosch/Rexroth Corporation for more than 40 years before retiring. John was a very active member of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church where he gave endlessly of his time and his talents. He also loved to camp and he adored his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Donna L. (Reiss) George; his son: Timothy George (wife Natalie) of Kenny Lake, Ak; his daughter: Karen Celia (her husband Ryan) of Palmer Twp., PA; his brother: William George (wife Barbara) of Moore Twp., PA; sister-in-law: Diane Dutko (husband Stephen) of Palmer Twp.; 5 grandchildren: Natalie, Lindsey, Mason, Sawyer and Ember and a niece and nephew. He was predeceased by his parents and a brother: Robert George.

A memorial service will be held 11 AM Wednesday, Sept. 4, in St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, 3900 Freemansburg Ave., Easton with a calling period from 10 to 11 AM in the church. Memorial contributions may be made to the Church, 3900 Freemansburg Ave., Easton 18045. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Richard “Larry” Jennings, 77 of Bethlehem Twp., PA died Monday, August 26, 2024 at St. Luke’s Hospital, Anderson Campus. Born December 12, 1946 in Easton, PA he was a son of the late Alda May (Woolfe) and Walter Jennings. He was a 1964 graduate of Easton High School. He attended Penn State University before graduating from Northampton Community College and Bloomsburg University. Larry served in the US Navy during the Vietnam War. He was employed by St. Luke’s Health Network before retiring in 2011. Prior to that he was employed by various Hospital Systems, including Easton Hospital, Temple and the Lehigh Valley Health Network. He was a member of ARMM and an avid Penn State football and wrestling fan. He also loved the Phillies, the Eagles and followed Easton High School Sports.

Larry is survived by his wife of 46 years, Margaret “Peggy” (Wilson) Jennings; and his stepdaughter: Debbie Smith. He was predeceased by his parents and brother: Walter “Lee” Jennings.

Graveside services will be held 2 PM Tuesday, September 3 at Easton Cemetery (10th St. entrance). The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Brian V. Hageman, 62, formerly of Palmer Township, died Friday, August 23, 2024 in Gracedale. Born January 14, 1962 in Wilson Borough, he was the son of the late Richard H. and Mildred H. (Beohm) Hageman. Brian graduated from Easton Area High School and was a member of United Fellowship Lutheran Church. He was an avid bowler at Town and Country Lanes, Bethlehem and was lovingly known as The Mayor of Gracedale.

Surviving are a brother, Richard C. “Rick” Hageman; five nieces and nephews, Tim, Matt, Andrea, Jennifer, and James; and sixteen great nieces and great nephews. He was predeceased by a brother, David Hageman.

Services will held at 11:00 am on Thursday, August 29, 2024 in United Fellowship Lutheran Church, 2115 Washington Blvd., Wilson Borough. A visitation will be held from 10:00 to 11:00 am on Thursday in the church. Interment will be in Northampton Memorial Shrine. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to United Cerebral Palsy, www.ucp.org. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.