Obituaries

Howard Selden of Bethlehem, PA passed away Tuesday, August 16, 2022 at the age of 92. His three children and spouses were with him in his final days as his struggle with declining health peacefully came to an end. Howard was born in the Bronx, NY, October 11, 1929 to parents Albert Selden and Marcia Liebster. His mother was a teacher and school principal, his father a grocery store proprietor in Harlem. He grew up with a loving extended family, became an Eagle Scout, and learned to love the great outdoors which fed his lifelong passion for hiking, biking, skiing, and boating.

Howard met his wife, Tamara Kleinfeld, at a dance in New York City, where he persisted in getting her to agree to dance after first declining. According to Tamara, Howard was a good dancer. He received a B.A. from New York University in 1951, a DDS from Temple University School of Dentistry in 1955, and an Endodontic Specialty Certificate from Temple School of Dentistry in 1962.

Howard served as a Captain in the US Army Dental Corps at Fort Riley, Kansas from 1955-57. He was in private dental practice from 1962 to 1994, primarily in Bethlehem. He served as a clinical assistant professor at Temple University School of Dentistry, published over 30 scientific papers in peer-reviewed dental journals, and after retiring, published six books of fiction and a non-fiction memoir, A Dental Odyssey (Unlikely Musings of a Dentist).

He was a member of Temple Covenant of Peace (now Bnai Shalom) in Easton, PA for over 40 years and a former Temple president.

Howard was preceded in death by his wife, Tamara, and his grandson, Sam Selden. He is survived by his children, Nathan Selden (Leigh), David Selden (Julie Wallick), and Rachel Scotti (Michael); grandchildren Robert Selden (Becky), Elizabeth Karabas (Nikkos), Jack Scotti, and Benjamin Scotti (Mariana); and 6 great grandchildren.

Services and burial in Easton Cemetery were held privately. People wishing to honor Howard, can donate to the Sam Selden Memorial Endowment at Northern Virginia Hebrew Congregation, 1441 Wiehle Ave, Reston, VA 20190. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Doris Violet Miller, 79 of Bethlehem, PA died Sunday, August 14, 2022 at Lehigh Valley Hospital Muhlenberg. Born September 20, 1942 in Bath, PA she was the daughter of the late Violet C. (Kern) and Arthur C. Bruch, Sr. She was a graduate of Liberty High School and a former member of St. Thomas UCC, Bethlehem. Doris was employed by Sure-Fit Products for many years before retiring.

She is survived by her daughters: Denise Madzik (husband Michael) of Allentown, PA, Donna Smith (husband James) of Palmer Twp., PA and 3 grandchildren: Jessica and Emily Madzik and Austin Smith.

A Celebration of Her Life will be held September 20, 2022 at 3 PM in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton with a calling period from 2 to 3 PM. Interment will be private in Altona Cemetery, Bethlehem. Memorial contributions may be made to any breast cancer organization or to the American Heart Assoc. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Lawrence J. Smith, Jr., 59 of Easton, PA died Monday, August 8, 2022 at St. Luke’s Hospital Anderson Campus. Born June 3, 1963 in Phillipsburg, NJ he was the son of the late Nancy and Lawrence Smith, Sr. He was employed by R.L. Reppert, Inc., Emmaus and prior to that was a self-employed contractor. He served in the Marine Corps and worked hard his whole life.

He is survived by 3 children: Justin Sokoloski, Lawrence Smith, III, Katrina Smith; his companion of 21 years: Tammy Brunstetter and her daughter Ashley; sister: Tammy and her daughter Nancy;  and 7 grandchildren.

A calling period will be held from 5 to 6:30 PM Thursday (August 18) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton. Memorial contributions may be made to the family in care of the funeral home. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Elaine E. Craig, 86, of Easton, died Sunday, August 7, 2022 in Arden Courts of Old Orchard. Born June 11, 1936 in Easton, she was the daughter of the late Burton A. and Mabel (Bellis) Jones. Elaine worked for the Selective Service and retired from the Easton Social Security office. She graduated from Easton High School in 1954 and was a member of Earl Held’s All-Girl Band. She also baked and decorated cakes.

Surviving are her sister, Joyce Marmelo and her husband, Tony; her special cousin, Karen Fulmer; an uncle, cousins, and members of her ex-husband’s family.

Services will be private. Interment will be in Easton Cemetery. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements. Her family wishes to thank the current and former staff of Arden Courts. Memorial contributions may be made to the Salvation Army of Easton, 1110 Northampton St., Easton, PA 18042 or St. Luke’s Old Williams Lutheran Church, 20 Church Rd., Hellertown, PA 18055. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Richard F. “Dick” Walters, 93 of Forks Twp., PA formerly of Wilson Borough, PA died Saturday, August 6, 2022 at St. Luke’s Hospital, Anderson Campus. Born Dec. 15, 1928 in Easton, PA he was a son of the late Russell W. and Tillie Anna (Reese) Walters. He was a 1946 graduate of Easton High School and WWII Army veteran. Dick was a self-employed painter and wallpaper hanger for many years before retiring. He was a member of Green Pond United Methodist Church, F & A M, Easton Lodge, Tall Cedars of Lebanon, Citizens Hose and Safety First Fire Co.

He is survived by a brother: Raymond Walters of Palmer Twp., PA; a nephew: Jeffrey Walters; nieces: Terry Kloiber and Lori Bachman; and great niece and nephews: Scott Walters, Erica Greer and Stephen Kloiber. A brother: Carl Walters, sisters: Arlene Price and Shirley Bachman and nephew: John Bachman all died earlier.

Services are 1 PM Tuesday, August 16 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, with visitation from noon to 1 PM in the funeral home. Interment with military honors will follow in Northampton Memorial Shrine.

Memorial contributions may be made to Green Pond UM Church, 4411 Green Pond Rd., Easton, PA 18045. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com

Donald Edward Miller, III, 47, died Saturday, August 6, 2022 peacefully in his home at Good Shepherd Home Raker Center in Allentown, PA. Edward, as he was known to his friends and family, was born in La Merida, CA to Sandra (Jones) Richardson and Donald E. Miller, Jr. He attended Carroll College in Helena, MT and held a Bachelor of Science degree in English Literature. Edward was a lover of all things outdoors. He loved to hike, camp, surf, fish, bow hunt, snowboard and so much more. He has often said Helena, MT was one of his most favorite places in the country.  Edward also loved literature, music and going on adventures with his friends and wife. Edward met Jennifer (Dutko) in 2003 and later married on December 31, 2011. They welcomed their son Nathaniel Ryan Miller on June 9, 2007. The Miller Family have had many cherished memories over the course of their relationship. Edward will always be remembered as an amazing father and husband, he was kind and genuine. Anyone who ever met Ed will always remember his smile and sense of humor.

In addition to Jennifer and Nathan; he is survived by his father Don and his wife Valerie; his mother Sandy and her husband Robert. He also has a brother, Christopher Miller and sister Robin (Richardson) Hill.

A Funeral Mass will be held 10:30 AM Friday (Aug. 12) at St. Jane Frances de Chantal Catholic Church, 4049 Hartley Ave., Easton, PA with visitation 6 to 7:30 PM Thursday in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton. Interment will be private in Gethsemane Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to: the Raker Center at Good Shepherd – 601 St. John Street Allentown, PA18103 and/or National MS Society Walk MS Team #wetrEDforED – https://mssociety.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.team&teamID=15256. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com

Donna L. Carrigan, 67, of Bethlehem Township, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, August 3, 2022 in St. Luke’s Hospital. Born November 22, 1954 in Easton she was the daughter of the late Paul E. and Mildred M. “Mickey” Fehr. Donna was a senior bookkeeper at Buckl Architects for over 20 years. Prior to that she worked at Lafayette Ambassador Bank.

Surviving are three children, Jason Martin and his wife, Nikki, Amanda Brady and her husband, Jimmy, and Ashley Carrigan; a sister, Diann Serfass; and five grandchildren, Mason and Julia Martin, David Williams, and Lukas and Cooper Brady. Her brother, Glenn E. Fehr predeceased her.

A visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Wednesday, August 10, 2022 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton. Interment will be private in Holy Cross Lutheran Cemetery, Bushkill Center. Memorial contributions may be made to Adopt a Boxer Rescue, www.adoptaboxerrescue.com. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

June Ann Vail, 87, formerly of Forks Twp., PA died Wednesday, August 3, 2022 at Country Meadows, Bethlehem. Born in New Rochelle, NY she was a daughter of the late Severio and Louise Gramatico. She and her husband Kenneth have been married 65 years. She was a graduate of New Rochelle High School and Lafayette College. June was a substitute teacher at Wilson High School for several years, and was the Executive Director for the Northampton County Bar Association in the 1980’s and was formerly employed by Lafayette College. She had also been the Tax Collector for Forks Twp. and an officer of the former Northampton County Republican Women’s Club. June was a member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Easton; the Forks Twp. Arts Society; and served on the Board of Lafayette Alumni Assoc., Lehigh Valley Chapter.

She is survived by her husband: Kenneth; her son: Kenneth T. Vail (Pam) of Bethlehem, PA; and 2 granddaughters: Allison Vail and Caroline Vail, D.O. (Austin Emmons), and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Her brother Richard Gramatico died earlier.

Services are private; the Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Lafayette College.