Obituaries

Gerald M. Scheetz, Sr. 75, of Lower Mt. Bethel Twp., PA died Friday, December 2, 2022 after being stricken at home. Born February 4, 1947 in Phillipsburg, NJ he was a son of the late Edith (DeHart) and Girard Scheetz, Sr. He was a steelworker for most of his life at various companies, including Ingersoll Rand and Atlantic States. He was a member of St. Rocco’s Catholic Church and former member of St. Phillip and James’ Catholic Church. Gerald was an avid Pittsburgh Steeler’s and NASCAR fan. He was a member of the Stockertown Rod and Gun Club and loved hunting and fishing, especially with his son.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Charlotte (Rasley) Scheetz; his children: Gerald Scheetz, Jr. (wife Linda), Charnell Socha (husband Paul), DeeAnn Keen (husband Paul); grandchildren; greatgrandchildren; nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his siblings: Girard “Pete” Scheetz, Jr., Thomas Scheetz, Catherine Tigar and Patricia Harrison.

Per his wishes, there will be no service. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Gerald R. “Jerry” Magnuson, 92, formerly of Cresco, died Thursday, December 1, 2022 in Ann’s Choice Senior Living, Warminster. Born March 12, 1930 in Easton, he was the son of the late Vernard and Violet (Keiser) Magnuson. His wife, Anne M. (O’Neill) Magnuson died in 2017. Jerry graduated from Wilson High School in 1948 and served in the Marines during the Korean War. He was a special agent for the federal government for over 20 years and retired in 1992. He also worked for the Liquor Control Board in East Stroudsburg and for Skytop Lodge. He was a member of American Legion Post #922, Canandensis.

Surviving are a son, Mike Magnuson of Philadelphia; a daughter, Karen Scannapieco and her husband, Edward of Bensalem; and two grandchildren, Emily and Brad.

Services will be held at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, December 7, 2022 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton. A visitation will be held from 1:00 to 2:00 pm on Wednesday in the funeral home. Interment will be in Northampton Memorial Shrine. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Linda Lou Helmick, 76, of Easton, died in her home Thursday, December 1, 2022. Born March 21, 1946 in Somerville, NJ, she was the daughter of the late Willard and Jennie Stoker.

Linda’s combined zest for living, enjoyment of people and great sense of humor made her laughter genuine and infectious, often making her the life of any social gathering.

Her incredible work ethic enabled her to work easily. Her two favorite positions being an awarded manager of the jewelry department within Laneco for many years followed by several years driving, first a school bus, then The Link bus.

An avid crafter and artist, Linda’s abundant talent was evident in everything she created, from handmade cottage-style wooden furniture and decor to beautifully painted canvas art. Whether creating something from scratch or turning discarded junk into one-of-a-kind treasures, she was undeniably gifted.

Linda’s faith began at an early age. She joyfully spent many years singing in the Neshanic United Methodist Church choir and proudly displayed the plaque she earned by her perfect attendance throughout her Sunday school longevity there.

Preceded in death by her siblings, Margaret Musa, Emily (Stoker) Villano, Willard (Sonny) Stoker, and Robert Stoker, she is survived by her son, Barry Thorwarth, her granddaughter, and her many beloved nieces and nephews.

A memorial visitation will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 pm on Friday, December 9th, 2022 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton Street. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

June Jeanette Kegler, 66 of Easton, PA died Wednesday, November 30, 2022 at home. Born June 1, 1956 in Cuthbert, GA she was a daughter of the late Dorothy Lee (Crowell) Kegler and Willie B. Kegler. She was a graduate of Easton High School (1974) and Churchman’s Business School. Jeanette was employed by Boscov’s for almost 25 years before retiring in October. Prior to that she was employed by Laneco, Southside Easton for many years and was a member of the former Paradise Club.

She is survived by daughters: Elisha and Taryn Kegler, sisters: Ida “Necy” Bullett, Jennifer Foster, brothers: Willie “Ben” and Rufus “Leon” Kegler and Shawn DeWitt all of Easton; 2 grandsons: Kalil Ellis, Davon Hawkins; 3 greatgrandchildren: Arielle and Layla Ellis and Reign Hawkins and a host of nieces and nephews. Her daughter: Tacarra Ward, brother: Jonathan Kegler and stepfather: Joseph Phillips predeceased her.

Services will be held 11 AM Thursday in Revival Fire Ministries, 927 W. Berwick St., Easton with visitation from 10 to 11 AM in the church. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton, PA is handling arrangements. Interment is in Hays Cemetery. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Donald G. “Mike” Laubach, Jr. 90, of Forks Twp., PA died Sunday, November 27, 2022 at home. Born November 12, 1932 in Easton, he was the son of the late Josephine (Rodenbough) and Donald G. Laubach, Sr. and grandson of the late William Laubach, founder of the former Wm. Laubach and Sons store on Northampton St. in Easton.

Although Mike, as he was called by family and friends, was a quiet man, he loved people from all walks of life. He loved being outdoors, whether it was at the Pocono cabin or vacationing in Bay Head, NJ. He loved cooking, gardening, swimming, entertaining and being entertained. He was a graduate of March Elementary School, Mercersburg Academy and attended Lafayette College. Mike was stationed in Korea with the 8th Army Headquarters Adjutant General Section and honorably discharged as First Class Sergeant in 1955. He was employed in the Display Advertising Dept. of the Easton Express, under the direction of the late William Stackhouse, for many years before retiring. He was also a member of the YMCA of Easton and College Hill Presbyterian Church, Easton.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Doris “Pat” (Randall) Laubach; sons: Michael “Chris” Laubach (wife Chris Stockwell) of Chicago, IL, Tim Laubach (wife Jessica) of Upper Macungie, PA; daughter-in-law: Gretchen Laubach; and grandchildren: Sam, Harley, Elliot, Jack, Meredith, Cameron and Caroline. He was predeceased by his son, Jonathan Laubach in 2013 and his sister, Barbara Lehr in 2017.

Services are private with interment in the Historic Easton Cemetery. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton, PA is handling arrangements. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Sharon L. Haas, 71, formerly of Wilson Borough, died Saturday, November 26, 2022 in Lehigh Valley Hospital. Born November 28, 1950 in Allentown, she was the daughter of the late Llewellyn and Carrie (Uhler) Williams. Sharon graduated from Wilson High School in 1968 and was a computer programmer for Electro-Space Fabricators, Topton. She was a Girl Scout leader and was a CPR instructor for the American Red Cross.

Surviving are a daughter, Jennifer Ide of Kutztown; a brother, Llewellyn J. Williams of Lehighton; a sister, Gail Savidge of Hopewell, VA; and two grandchildren, Samantha Ide and Abigail Ide.

Services will be private with interment in Forks Cemetery. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Red Cross, www.redcross.org. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Donald Wilfred LeClair, Jr., age 83, passed from our sight but not from our hearts on Saturday, November 26, 2022. Don, the son of the late Donald W. LeClair, Sr. and Dorothy May (Haag) LeClair spent his final hours in the company of his beloved wife, Jackie and their children Amy Catherine and David (Alice). He is also survived by his cherished younger brothers David (Dorothy Watters) and Dale (Susanne).

A graduate of Wilson High School and Penn State University Don served his country in the Army. After relocating his family to Maine from Ohio in 1976 he established a retail location consulting firm, LeClair Associates. Don and Jackie retired to Williamsburg, VA in 2004 where they enjoyed fifteen wonderful years. In 2018 they chose to move to Nazareth, PA near Don’s boyhood home and to be nearer to their children.

While Don counted many professional accomplishments in his life, he loved most to spend time on the golf course and to read from a tall pile of books. Most of all he treasured his relationships with his family and a host of loyal friends. He was a generous, loving son to his parents, a steadfast friend to his two brothers, the adored “Papa” to his children and the cherished partner to his wife of 55+ years.

He served for decades in his local church communities as treasurer, lay speaker, Sunday School teacher and volunteer. He was revered by all who knew him as a caring listener and a wise counselor.  Though his active life was curtailed by Cardiac Arrest in 2019, which left him encumbered by limitations, he continued to be a shining light for his family and a kind, good-natured and gentle man to all who loved and cared for him.

A Memorial Service will be held 3:00 PM, Wednesday, November 30, 2022 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, with visitation from 2:00 to 3:00 PM Wednesday in the funeral home. 

Memorial contributions may be made to Bethlehem YWCA Adult Day Services Center, 3893 Adler Place Building B., Suite 180, Bethlehem, PA 18017.  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Petros “Peter” B. Hronis, 87 of Palmer Twp., PA died Saturday, November 26, 2022 at New Eastwood Rehabilitation Center. Born August 29, 1935 in Kalithea (Zaha), Greece, he was a son of the late Alexo (Lambropoulos) and Vasilios Hronis. His wife, Christine (Hadgistavrou) Hronis died in November of 2018. Pete owned and operated the Palmer Diner (formerly Pete’s Steak Shop) and the Forks Diner for more than 50 years. He also loved attending restaurant auctions to buy and sell equipment.

Pete worked hard his whole life with his beloved wife Hrisavghi (Mama) by his side. Starting as a dishwasher and with a lot of hard work and sacrifice they built the two businesses. Many of their employees and customers were like family. He especially loved to take the younger children to see the chickens he raised behind Forks Diner…sometimes finding a few eggs. Family was very important to him. His greatest joy was being with his grandchildren and now great-granddaughter. He loved telling stories of Greece and his experiences in the Greek Army. He was a member of the Sertoma Club and the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Wilson Borough.

Pete is survived by his son William Hronis and his wife Tammy of Palmer Twp.; sisters: Eleni Kotretos (husband Nick) in Greece, Althea Mihalopoulos (late husband George) of Northampton, PA; brother: Dimitrios Hronis (wife Demetra) of Harrisburg, PA; sister-in-law: Syrmo Saroglou of Myrtle Beach, SC; grandchildren: Christina Capitano (husband Richie) of Bethlehem, PA, Peter Hronis (wife Breea) of Charlotte, NC and a great-granddaughter: Gianna.

Services are 11 AM Thursday (Dec. 1) in the church, 319 S. 20th St., Easton, PA with visitation 10 to 11 AM in the church. Interment in Northampton Memorial Shrine. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton, PA is handling arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 319 S. 20th St., Easton, PA 18042. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

The family would like to thank all the family and friends who helped and stopped by to visit. It meant a lot to him and the family. Also, to Interim Healthcare for all their services.