Obituaries

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Bep Thi Bradley, a woman whose elegance, and unwavering love touched the lives of everyone she met. Bep passed away peacefully on November 12, 2024, at the age of 76, surrounded by the love of her family. Born on September 21, 1948, in Vietnam, Bep was the beloved eldest daughter of Bay Thi Pham. However, she felt life truly began in 1968 when she met the love of her life, Gene Bradley. Together, they began a journey filled with adventure, love, and deep devotion. Their travels took them across the globe, creating memories in every corner of the world. Bep especially cherished their visits to a small village in Germany, a place that held a special place in her heart.

Eventually, Bep and Gene made their home in Easton, Pennsylvania, where their lives revolved around family gatherings filled with love and laughter. Their home was always a welcoming haven for loved ones. Later, they moved to Columbia, South Carolina, but their hearts remained rooted in the bonds of family, traveling often to Easton and Iowa to stay close to those they loved most. Bep’s greatest joy was her family, and she found her purpose in loving them with all her heart. She was a caring mother to Tony Le, a loving mother-in-law to Yen Do, a doting grandmother to Cindy Le and Phuong Le, and a proud great-grandmother to Raelynn Beattie. She cherished her role as a homemaker, creating a home filled with warmth and beauty, where traditions were honored and memories were made.

Bep had a deep love for Christmas, a season she celebrated with unmatched joy. For her, it wasn’t just about the decorations or gifts—it was about gathering her family, dressing in her finest outfits, and wearing her favorite jewelry, each piece a reflection of her vibrant spirit. Her love, kindness, and gentle strength will be remembered by all who knew her. She leaves behind a legacy of unconditional love, cherished traditions, and the example of a life lived with grace and purpose.

Bep is survived by her devoted family: her mother, her son and daughter-in-law, her grandchildren, and her great-granddaughter. She also leaves behind her dear siblings, Viet Le, Nam Le, Nga Le, Van Le, June Le, and Trieu Pham and a large extended family, including her nephew Hoang Le, who will carry her memory in their hearts forever. As we say goodbye, we take comfort in knowing she is reunited with her beloved Gene, traveling together once more in eternal peace. A celebration of Bep’s extraordinary life will be held soon, with details to come. In her honor, the family asks that you hold your loved ones close, celebrate the beauty of life, and carry forward her legacy of love.

The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton, PA is handling arrangements. Interment is in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Evelyn “Evie” (Bellis) Gulick of Easton PA, 95, who devoted her life to her family, church, local amateur theatre, and her beloved city of Easton, died Sunday, November 10, 2024, at Abington Manor Memory Care.

Born March 6, 1929, in Easton PA, she was the daughter of the late Parks and Grace (Litsinger) Bellis. She and her husband, Charles “Chas” Gulick were married 67 years until his death in 2017.

Evie graduated from Easton Area High School in 1946, and was an active member of her class reunion committee.

In her early years, she was a drama teacher at Miss Jeanne’s School of Dance Arts in Bethlehem, coached Warren and Hunterdon County Miss America Locals in beauty pageants, and was the director of the Wilson Borough Jubilee Celebration. She worked as church secretary at the former Olivet Presbyterian Church in Easton PA, while also serving as its youth group director. She performed at Pennsylvania Playhouse and Guthsville Playhouse. She directed and wrote musical sketch comedy shows for TNT (The New Theatre).

Evie loved performing in community theater. In 1946, she joined the Easton Player’s Guild. The group merged with the Easton Express Glee Club in 1948 to form Chansonnette Theatre. It was there she met Chas, and they both became charter members of Chansonnette. Evie performed in over 80 shows for Chansonnette. Her favorite roles were Dolly Levi in “Hello Dolly”, Mame Dennis in “Mame”, Reno Sweeney in “Anything Goes”, Wildcat Jackson in “Wildcat”, Lorelei Lee in “Lorelei”, Lola in “Damn Yankees”, and Ella Peterson in “Bells Are Ringing”. When not performing onstage, Evie made costumes, choreographed, painted sets, and sold tickets and ads. In later years, she loved performing in Chansonnette’s small shows at various nursing homes throughout the Valley.

In her 50’s, Evie embarked on a new career incorporating her love of the City of Easton. She worked for the Downtown Improvement Group (DIG) in the 1970’s as its Executive Director, which later became Two Rivers Area Commerce Council (TRACC). Evie worked as TRACC’s Director of Marketing and Promotions. In 1976 for the Bicentennial, Evie was one of the co-founders of Easton’s “Community Spirit Days” with former Mayor Henry Schulz, his assistant Phil Levine, and the Reverend Harry Maue of the Olivet Presbyterian Church. For that event, Evie and her husband co-wrote a Bicentennial Pageant. It was such a success, the following year community leaders decided to make the event an annual one, and it was named Easton Area Heritage Day, which now draws tens of thousands of people to the downtown every year. Evie served as Executive Director of Heritage Day for close to 20 years. She also was Executive Director of Easton’s Shad Fishing Tournament, and was known as “Shad Lady” by fishermen on both sides of the Delaware.

Evie was the first female member of the Kiwanis Club in Easton, and was President Elect of the Sales & Marketing Executives of Easton. After retiring from TRACC, she became assistant manager of the then-restored Hotel Easton. Following that she decided to run her own marketing and special events consultancy company called Gulick Associates.

She was a member of the former Olivet Presbyterian Church, Easton where she loved singing in the church choir. Most recently, she was a member of the First Moravian Church, Easton.
 
Evie’s greatest role was that of mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Evie was loved and adored as “Nanny Evie” by her family, as well as many family friends.

She is lovingly missed by her two daughters, Donna Giobbi and her husband, Herb of Arlington, VA; Angel Gulick of Easton PA; a son, Mark Gulick and his wife, Rhonda of Whitehall, PA; her 6 grandchildren Shannon Cuocco, Matthew Giobbi, Ashley Ofray, Amanda Giobbi, Jared Gulick, and Benjamin Giobbi; and, her 3 great-grandchildren Lauren Cuocco, Jayden Ofray, and Savana Ofray.

Evie is predeceased by her parents, her husband, and her siblings Charles Lothrop, Audrey Bergenback, Dick Lothrop, Donald Bellis, and Carl Bellis.

Her family would like to recognize and thank Abington Manor for their exceptional care of their mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother during her journey with Alzheimer’s.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, November 18, 2024 in First Moravian Church, 225 N. 10^th St., Easton.  A visitation will be held from 10:00 am until service time on Monday in the church.  The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association and Ascend Hospice. Please offer online condolences at www.ashtonfuneralhome.com.

Ernest J. “Butch” Bailey, 75 of Wilson Borough, PA died Thursday, November 7, 2024 at St. Luke’s Hospital, Warren Campus. Born August 25, 1949 in Philadelphia, PA he was a son of the late Dorothy (Burgess) and Ernest Bailey. He served in both the army and the navy and was employed as a security guard for several years. Butch loved his children and grandchildren and was an avid Eagles fan.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 25 years, Virginia (Alercia) Bailey; children: Mike and Joe Bailey, Christine Oberly, Anita Reph, Christine Tomino, Steve and Dave Kaiser; a sister: Sandy; 13 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren and one on the way. He was predeceased by a son, Matthew Bailey.

Services are private. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton, PA is handling arrangements.  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Richard E. “Dick” Jones, 95, of Easton, died Thursday, November 7, 2024 surrounded by his family. Born December 28, 1928 in West Easton, he was the son of the late Albert M. and Sadie V. (Martin) Jones. His wife, Shirley R. (Ward) Jones died in 2017. He was an engineer for Man Roland, Inc., Middlesex, NJ from 1983 until retiring in 1991. Prior to that he worked for Bridgeport Controls, Harris Corp. and Dixie Cup. Dick graduated from Easton High School in 1946. He was a member of the former Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Wilson Borough and Easton Lodge, #152, F&AM. He served as president of the American Institute of Designers and Drafters and was a member of the Palmer Township Planning Commission, the Palmer Township Zoning Hearing Board, and the Executive Board of the Millstone I Condominium Association.

Surviving are a son, Robert S. Jones and his wife, Katie of Hilton Head, SC; a daughter, Terri A. Souders and her husband, Robert of Palmer Township; three grandchildren; and five great grandchildren. He was predeceased by a brother, a sister, and a grandson.

Services will be private with interment in Northampton Memorial Shrine. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Carol Edith Harrison, 85 of Williams Twp., PA died Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at Alexandria Manor, Nazareth, PA. Born September 23, 1939 in Williams Twp., she was the daughter of the late Edith (Hoffman) and Allen Wolbach. She was a self-employed housekeeper and seamstress in the Easton area for many years before retiring. A 1958 graduate of Wilson High School, Carol was an avid crafter and loved to sew for herself and others. She was a lifelong member of St. John’s Church on Morgan Hill. Carol was predeceased by her husband Benjamin Harrison in 2010 and her brother Stewart Wolbach.

Graveside services will be held 2 PM Monday (Nov. 11, 2024) at St. John’s Union Cemetery, New Williams on Morgan Hill Rd., Williams Twp. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton, PA is handling arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to the Center for Animal Health and Welfare, 1165 Island Park Rd., Easton, PA 18042. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Joyce A. Washburn, 92, of Easton, died Monday, November 4, 2024 in her home. Born July 4, 1932 in Slateford, PA, she was the daughter of the late Delbert and Violet (Heller) Frey. Her husband, Donald W. Washburn died in 1992. Joyce worked at A&H Sportswear, Easton and retired in 1997. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Easton.

Surviving are a daughter, Donna Washburn with whom she resided; six grandchildren; and six great grandchildren. She was predeceased by two sons, Ronald Washburn and Donald Washburn.

Services will be held at 1:00 pm on Friday, November 8, 2024 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton. A visitation will be held from 6:00 to 7:00 pm on Thursday in the funeral home. Interment will be in Northampton Memorial Shrine. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Shirley Fehr Messenlehner, 87 formerly of Easton, PA died Tuesday, October 29, 2024 at Seneca View in Montour Falls, NY. Born November 4, 1936 in Palmerton, PA she was the daughter of the late Maria (Elliott) and Elmer Miller. She graduated from Wilson High School in 1954 and attended her 70th class reunion last year. She was employed by Dr. Dominick J. Raso for more than 30 years before retiring. Shirley was a member of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church and was predeceased by husbands: Paul L. Fehr Jr. and Robert R. Messenlehner.

Shirley loved spending several months during the year in Bonita Springs, Florida, enjoying the warmth and sun for many years. She also was a member of the Red Hat Society, loved going to the Northampton County Senior Center in Forks Township, and enjoyed playing bingo and card games.

She is survived by 2 daughters: Linda Restivo (husband Glenn) of Burdett, NY and Joanne Thomas (husband Scott) of New Braunfels, TX; 2 stepsons: Randy Messenlehner (wife Darla) and Rick Messenlehner; grandchildren: James Young (wife Colleen), Lauren Seckington (husband Ryan), Brad Thomas, Britney Kempf (husband Bobby), Amanda Restivo and Adam Messenlehner (wife Maggie); and several great-grandchildren.

Services are 10:30 AM Thursday (Nov. 7) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA with a calling period from 9:30 to 10:30 AM. Interment in Northampton Memorial Shrine.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association of Rochester and the Finger Lakes Region either on-line at https://www.alz.org/rochesterny via the “yellow square donate button.” OR mailed to 200 Meridian Centre Blvd., Suite 110 Rochester, N.Y. 14618.  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Jean S. Transue, 85 of Easton, PA passed away Saturday, October 26, 2024 at home surrounded by her loving family. Born March 14, 1939 in Camden, SC she was a daughter of the late Cleo (Bell) and James Ray. Her beloved husband of 63 years, Richard G. Transue died October 23, 2018. Jean was devoted to her family and leaves behind four daughters: Margaret Breiner and her husband Richard of Easton, Deborah Katz and her husband Michael of Telford, PA, Sandra Daiello of Easton, and Linda Daiello and her husband Joseph of Easton; a sister: Catherine Gaul of Lamar, SC; 12 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, Richard and three siblings: Ruby Knight, Woodrow Ray and Lonnie Ray.

Services will be held for family and close friends in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.