Obituaries

Martha Willis, 79 of Frelinghuysen Township, NJ died Monday, March 30, 2026 at Hackettstown Medical Center, Hackettstown, NJ. Born in Easton, PA, she was a graduate of Easton Area High School and Moravian College, where she was a member of Phi Mu Epsilon Sorority.  Martha taught kindergarten and first grade at Littleton Elementary School and Parsippany-Troy Hills Elementary School for 40 years before retiring. 

Martha’s legacy is one of genuine selflessness, defined by a compassion and caring for others that shaped her personal and professional life.  Her smile and laughter will echo in our hearts forever.  

She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Mark Willis; her daughter Cara Willis (husband Jonathan Haut), sister Louise Durand (husband Lloyd Featherman), and brother Bernard Genua, Jr. as well as nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by her parents, Bernard Genua, Sr. and Anna (Holden) Gerspach, and a brother, Michael Genua.

Friends and family may call on Wednesday April 8, 2026 at the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm.  Services will follow at 1:00 pm with interment in Forks Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the nonprofit agency of the one’s choice. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Kathleen Sharon (DeRemer) Gray, 80, of Center Valley, PA passed away Wednesday, March 25, 2026 at home. Born February 6, 1946 in Easton, PA she was the daughter of the late Edward and Katherine (Allen) DeRemer. Sharon worked many jobs in the medical field, including as an EMT, EMT instructor, medical technician and mental health technician. She was a member of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church, Bethlehem, PA. She loved to travel and has visited Europe, Mexico and most of the eastern United States. A very social person, Sharon loved talking to family, friends and people she just met, but her greatest love was her family.

She is survived by her husband Mark; daughters: Ann Mary Swayze of Graceville, FL, Carrie Zeigafuse of Whitehall, PA, Jennifer Sanchez of Emmaus, PA; cousin: Heather Cassidy of Center Valley, PA; 11 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by a son: Shawn P. Schoenberger and grandson: Shawn E. Schoenberger.

Services will be held 1 PM Tuesday, March 31, 2026 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton with a viewing from 12 PM to 1 PM. Sharon will be cremated and interred with her husband Mark upon his passing. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Sandra Ellen Cates, 71 of Bangor, PA died Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at St. Luke’s Hospital, Anderson Campus. Born October 16, 1954 in Durham, NC she was a daughter of the late Clarence Cates and Jewelene (Franklin) Cates Johnson and Larry Johnson. She was the Assistant Manager for Dollar General Stores for many years and previously employed by Piedmont Electric, Guess Road Animal Hospital and Merry Maids.

She is survived by her companion of 22 years: James Nagy; sons: Christopher Sears and Robert Sears; sister: Candace Johnson; and brothers: Clarence Cates and David Johnson. She was predeceased by a brother: Michael Cates.

Services will be held at the convenience of the family. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton, PA is handling arrangements. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Aria Isalyse Martinez, the much wished for daughter of Anahi Ariaz and Cesar Martinez passed away before birth on Sunday, March 22, 2026 at St. Luke’s Hospital, Anderson Campus. In addition to her parents, Anahi and Cesar, she is survived by her brother Eden.

Services will be held 1:30 PM Friday, April 3, 2026 at the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA with a calling period from 12:30 to 1:30 PM. Contributions in Aria’s memory may be made to the family c/o the funeral home. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Marvin L. Boyer, 76, of Palmer Township, died Friday, March 13, 2026 in St. Luke’s Hospice House. Born June 12, 1949 in Easton, he was the son of the late Marvin L. and Clarine V. (Myles) Boyer. He and his wife, Valerie J. (Sampson) Boyer were married 47 years. Marvin retired from the corporate offices of Walgreens and was actively involved in the Easton community. At an early age, he showed signs of leadership. He was an Eagle Scout, an altar boy, and he played baseball, basketball and football. He was a star running back at his alma mater, Notre Dame where he graduated in 1967. Marvin had big shoes to fill, as he emulated his mother, Clarine, who was a lifelong activist in the community. Marvin graduated from Moravian College in 1972 with a degree in political science and was a long-time member of St. Joseph Catholic Church parish. He started his career as a paralegal at Legal Aid where he developed the handbook, Tenant/Renting Rights. He had a deep commitment to his family and community and served on many boards and committees: founding member, chairman, vice president and treasurer of Easton Area Neighborhood Center; Political Action Committee chairman of Easton Branch NAACP; Northampton County Prison Advisory Commission; Lehigh Valley Justice Institute chairman; ProJeCt; Color of Justice forum on criminal justice reform; leader and communicator of Toastmasters International; Pennsylvania State Law Enforcement Advisory Commission; Lafayette College Planning Committee. Marvin received various awards, including Boy’s and Girl’s Club Community Service Award, NAACP Image Award, certified member of PTCB emerging leaders program, certificate of recognition from Northampton County Area Agency on Aging for outstanding senior volunteer service, Pennsylvania State Law Enforcement Advisory Commission’s Citizen’s Advisory Community Contributor Award. Marvin appeared multiple times on CNN, made many TV and movie appearances and has an installment at the Sigal Museum.

Surviving with his wife, Valerie, are his children, Alisha, Todd and Reya; siblings, Marie, Ella, Joseph and Theresa; grandkids, Johnny, Max, Aiden and Alydia; and extended family.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, March 20, 2026 at 10:30 am in St. Jane Frances de Chantal Catholic Church, 4049 Hartley Ave., Easton. A visitation will be held on Thursday from 6:00 to 8:00 pm in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton. Please wear something blue in honor of his favorite color. Interment will be in Northampton Memorial Shrine. Memorial contributions may be made to Easton Area Neighborhood Center, www.EastonAreaNeighborhoodCenter.org. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Richard “Rich” Brown, 69, of Palmer Twp., PA died Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at St. Luke’s Hospital, Anderson Campus. Born January 21, 1957 in Easton, PA he was son of the late Theresa (Gabrielli) and Howard Brown. A graduate of Easton High School, he had been employed by Keystone Food Products for more than 40 years before retiring in 2024. Rich was a huge NY Giants and NY Mets fan and enjoyed attending Easton High School football games. He was also an avid hunter and fisherman.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Melanie (Bartha) Brown; his son: Steven L. Brown; a brother: Craig Brown; sisters: Brenda and Terry Brown, Nancy Grayewski and her husband, Ed, Janice “Sissy” Gilliland; brother-in-law: Barry Bartha; and sister-in-law: Kathy Rice (Larry).

Services are at the convenience of the family. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.