Obituaries

Rochelle “Shelly” Pritz, 65 of Bethlehem Twp., PA died suddenly, Wednesday, October 26, 2022 at St. Luke’s Hospital-Anderson Campus. Born September 25, 1957 in Easton, PA she was the daughter of Mabel (Horvath) Metzger of Palmer Twp., PA and the late James Metzger. She was a graduate of Easton High School and Bauder College. She had been employed by Macy’s for many years. Shelly was a wonderful and beloved daughter and mother.

She will be missed by her mother, Mabel, her son, Jason with whom she resided and her cherished chocolate lab, Emma. She was predeceased by her father, her brother James and her aunt Matilda Malan.

Mass will be held 11 AM Thursday at Holy Family Catholic Church, 410 W. Center St., Nazareth, PA with interment in Northampton Memorial Shrine, Palmer. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton 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.

Evelyn K. Melick of Southlake, Texas passed away at the remarkable age of 98 on October 26, 2022. Evelyn was born to Hannah Wainwright and Charles F. Kennedy on July 8th, 1924. She married Donald W. Melick, from Oldwick, New Jersey who predeceased her on March 20th, 1992. Together, they had 2 children: Warren Melick of Ottsville, PA and Betsy Birmingham of Southlake, TX; 5 grandchildren: Megan Weldon of Kent, Washington, Zachary Melick of Portland, Oregon, Laurel Ansbro of Kintnersville, PA, James Birmingham II, of Denton, TX and Melissa Barnard of Justin, Texas; and 5 great grandchildren: Aiden Weldon, Evie Melick, Asher Weldon, Lily Melick and Sylas Barnard. She is also survived by James Birmingham, son-in-law, MaryAnn Melick, daughter-in-law, Alex Weldon, grandson-in-law, Meghan Melick, grand daughter-in-law, Colton Ansbro, grandson-in-law, and Dylan Barnard, grandson-in-law.

Evelyn and Don traveled the world together visiting exotic places like Japan, the Philippines, England, and South America. They were also big fans of ocean cruises, with Bermuda being their favorite destination. Evelyn had a zest for life and offered a warm welcome to people she encountered every day. She loved spending time in the kitchen, creating delicious meals for her family, golfing with friends and volunteer work; however, her greatest joys came from being a caring wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.

Evelyn also had two children from a previous marriage to the late Frank Lentini. Together they had two children and many more grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.

The funeral ceremony will be held in Texas. A private burial service will be held 2 PM, Saturday, Nov. 5 at the Northampton Memorial Shrine, where she will be laid to rest next to her late husband, Donald. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling local arrangements. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to either the MD Anderson Cancer Center at https://www.mdanderson.org or the Breast Cancer Research Foundation at https://www.bcrf.org.

Robert V. Kutzler, Sr., 87, of Palmer Township, died Tuesday, October 25, 2022 in Bethlehem Manor. Born August 7, 1935 in Easton, he was the son of the late W. Donald and Margaret A. (Bartholomew) Kutzler. His wife, Joyce L. (Bakros) Kutzler died in 2019. Robert served in the Air Force during the Korean War and was the owner/operator of Kutzler Trucking. He enjoyed traveling with his wife and was an avid private pilot. He was a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association and was a life member of the Bushkill Valley Motorcycle Club.

Surviving are a son, Robert V. Kutzler, Jr. and his wife, Susan; a sister, Florence E. Flory; four grandchildren; and four great grandchildren. His twin brother, Roger W. Kutzler; his brother, Donald B. Kutzler; and two sisters, Shirlee J. Warren, and Linda J. Erk died earlier.

Services will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, November 1, 2022 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton. A visitation will be held from 10:00 am until service time on Tuesday in the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Jeffrey A. Kline, 62, of Forks Township, died peacefully in his home on Sunday, October 23, 2022 after a courageous battle with cancer. Born August 27, 1960 in Phillipsburg, he was the son of Vilma A. (Mannicci) Kline and the late Stanley R. Kline, Jr.  Jeff  was a supervisor for the New Jersey Department of Children and Families for over 35 years until retiring earlier this year.  He was a graduate of West Chester University and for 40 years he was the organist and Director of Music at Arndt’s Lutheran Church.

Surviving with his mother, Vilma, are his partner, Tom Mantoni; two brothers, Stanley Kline and his wife, Jeanne, and Gary Kline and his wife, Missy; and a sister, Michelle Buonfiglio.

Services will be held at 10:30 am on Wednesday, November 2, 2022 in Arndt’s Lutheran Church, Easton. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to Arndt’s Lutheran Church, 1851 Arndt Rd., Easton, PA 18040; Lehigh Valley Health Network Hospice, www.lvhn.org/giving; or Peaceable Kingdom, www.lvpeaceablekingdom.info/donate. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Sidney Richardson Garrett of Easton died Sunday, October 23, 2022 in Bethlehem, PA just two weeks short of his 95^th birthday. Born November 9, 1927 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana he was a son of the late Adella Elizabeth (Richardson) and Fritz Albert Garrett, Sr. 

He was a truly creative and kind person, with an unfailing sense of humor and a deep appreciation of excellence in any field. A talented athlete, he played football for Georgia Tech before returning to Baton Rouge and completing both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Louisiana State University (LSU). He was a sculptor and professor of art and art history at LSU for 25 years, retiring in 1993 as a professor emeritus. 

He is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Ann Harding, sons Tyler Armin Garrett and Matthew Richardson Garrett and his wife Cassandra, and grandson Oliver. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Mary Elizabeth Garrett Cunningham, and his brothers Fritz Albert Garrett, Jr. and George William Garrett.   

Memorial contributions may be made to the LSU School of Art General Scholarship Fund.  [Link: https://securelb.imodules.com/s/1585/cart21/form.aspx?sid=1585&gid=1&pgid=439&cid=1080&bledit=1&dids=2514]  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Carol J. Purcell, 82, of Williams Township, died Friday, October 21, 2022 in St. Luke’s Hospital. Born July 30, 1940 in Shamokin, she was the daughter of the late Clarence and Faye (Jones) Snyder. She and her husband, Harry Purcell were married 17 years. Her first husband, Bruce Robison, Sr. died in 2004. Carol worked for the Northampton County Soil Conservation District and was a school bus driver for the Wilson Area School District. She graduated from Easton Area High School in 1959 and was a member of Belfast Bible Church.

Surviving with her husband, Harry, are a son, Bruce Robison, Jr. and his wife, Karen; a daughter, Faye Freer and her husband, Rich; a brother, Robert Snyder; a step-brother, Mark Snyder; a step-sister, Joyce Kostenbader; and two grandchildren, Nicole and Richie. Her brother, Raymond Snyder died earlier.

Services will be held at 10:30 am on Thursday, October 27, 2022 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton. A visitation will be held from 9:30 am until service time on Thursday in the funeral home. Interment will be in Northampton Memorial Shrine. Memorial contributions may be made to Belfast Bible Church, 483 Belfast Rd., Nazareth, PA 18064. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.