Obituaries

Richard Donald Shafer, 91 of Phillipsburg, NJ died Sunday, October 16, 2022 at home. Born June 2, 1931 in Wilson Borough, PA he was a son of the late Florence (Dornblazer) and Alvin Shafer. He was a 1950 graduate of Wilson High School and served in the Navy during the Korean War. He was employed by the Riegel Paper Mill for 39 years before retiring. Richard was Phillipsburg School Crossing Guard for 20 years and avid Phillies and Eagles fan. He also loved to fish.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, the former Joan Kohler; 5 children: Jill Deemer (Phil) of Raubsville, PA, Richard Shafer, Jr. in Florida, Gary Shafer (Jennifer) of Fairless Hills, PA, Kathy Moyer (William) of Easton, PA, Melissa Shafer (Mathew Fachet) of Hellertown, PA; a sister: Mae Rapp of Easton; 8 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by 4 brothers: Charles, John, Harold and Robert Shafer and a sister: Shirley Galante.

Services are 11 AM Friday (October 21) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA with visitation 10 to 11 AM. Interment is in Easton Cemetery (formerly Easton Heights). Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com

Myrna Margaret Thomas, 83 of Forks Twp., PA died Sunday, October 16, 2022 at home. Born September 24, 1939 in Pittsburgh, PA she was a daughter of the late Jennie (Seibold) and Charles Swann. She was employed by Light of Life (a charity mission) in Pittsburgh for many years before retiring. She was a member of Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, Easton and the Family YMCA. She loved time with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and her extended Goodyear family.

She is survived by her daughters: Jennifer Goodyear (Robert) of Forks Twp., Janice Thomas-Lowery (Deion) of Orlando, FL, Judith Lanham (C. Paul) of Orlando, FL; brother: Jay Swann; sisters: Charlene Swann, Sally Hochdoerfer; 7 grandchildren: Nicole Yi, Brandon Goodyear, Tyler Ann Goodyear, Michael Lowery, Mathew Lowery, Emily Lowery, Hayley Lanham; 5 great-grandchildren and her extended Heimbach/Goodyear family. She was predeceased by a brother: Wayne Swann, a sister: Arlene Black and a grandson: Dusten Lanham.

A memorial service will be held 11 AM Thursday, October 20 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA with a calling period from 10 to 11 AM. A graveside service will be held 11 AM Friday, October 28 at Christ Our Redeemer Cemetery, 204 Cemetery Lane, Pittsburgh, PA.

Memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of Mercy Church, 132 S. 5th St., Easton, PA 18042 or UPMC Presbyterian CT Transplant, 200 Lothrop St., C Suite 900, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, RE: Patient Assistance Fund in memory of Myrna Thomas. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

John R. Ahart, Jr., 73 of Saylorsburg, PA died Tuesday, October 11, 2022 at St. Luke’s Hospital, Monroe Campus. Born June 12, 1949 in Phillipsburg, NJ he was a son of the late Ida (Hartenstine) and John “Duke” Ahart, Sr. He and his wife, the former Ruthann Trauger were married for 52 years. John served in the Army during the Vietnam War and was employed by the Phillipsburg School District for more than 30 years before retiring. Jack was a volunteer firefighter at Jersey Hose in Phillipsburg and very proud of his military service. He also loved hunting and fishing

He is survived by his wife, Ruthann; sons: John R. Ahart, III of Ocala, FL and Donald H. Ahart (Amy) of Catasauqua, PA; 2 grandchildren: Donovan and Rylee; a stepbrother: Burton Brewer; and stepsister: Joan Phillips.

Graveside services with military honors will be held 11 AM Tuesday (October 18) at the Northampton Memorial Shrine, 3051 Green Pond Rd., Easton. In honor of Jack’s casual spirit, casual attire is fine. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to Wounded Warriors or Center for Animal Health and Welfare, Easton. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com

Winifred T. Pearsall, 99, of Forks Township, died Thursday, October 13, 2022 in her home. Born March 15, 1923 in Evanston, Illinois, she was the daughter of the late Milton P. Tilley and Winifred L. Holly. She grew up in New Canaan, CT and moved to Easton in 1957. Over the years, she served on the board of the Easton Children’s Home and taught synchronized and Red Cross swimming at Easton High and the Third Street Alliance. Her interests included tennis, Tai Chi, skiing, water exercise, crossword puzzles and bridge. She was a member of College Hill Presbyterian Church.

She is survived by two daughters, Holly Kilpatrick (Merton) of East Bangor and Deborah C. of Mt. Bethel; four sons, Mason P., Jr., Richard A. (Charlotte), James M. (Annette), all of Houston, TX, and John T. (Margie) of Easton, 13 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, November 5, 2022 in College Hill Presbyterian Church, 501 Brodhead St., Easton.  Interment will be in The Historic Easton Cemetery.  The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Luke’s Hospice, Development Office, 801 Ostrum St. Bethlehem, PA 18015, www.SLHN.org/development. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Hiroshi Togawa, 51 of Nazareth, PA died Wednesday, October 12, 2022 at St. Luke’s Hospital, Bethlehem, PA. Born June 5, 1971 in Tokyo, Japan he was the son of Masako (Yoshimura) Togawa and the late Masahiro Togawa. He was employed by the Amerisource Bergen Company in Bethlehem.

Hiroshi had a hard life. He’d fallen in with the wrong people, made wrong decisions, chose the wrong way to deal with everything by following his father’s example and finding solace in alcohol. But, in the end, he found the right path and made the right decision when it counted the most. He said yes to rehab and it finally stuck. He spent the last few years of his life surrounded by the family who continuously gave him the chances and strength he needed to win the fight of his life. He was celebrating two years of sobriety. Throughout all his years of struggle, he still found the will to laugh at life, always with a mischievous sparkle in his eyes. He leaves behind fond memories of thumb wars and playful wrestling, of chasing dogs around the house in a game of tag. He was always willing to lend a hand to his sister in her recent endeavors to build a flower business and was very handy with a set of tools, particularly when it came to carpentry. The last few years will always be treasured in the minds of those he left behind. 

He is survived by his mother, Masako; his sister: Miyo Holt and her husband Kevin with whom he resided; and nieces and nephew: Misha, Kayla and Logan Holt.

Hiroshi, in his passing, gave the most generous gift of life to three people through organ donation. 

All are welcome to join the family for a Memorial Reception honoring Hiroshi’s life on November 1 from 6 to 8 PM at Quadrant Book Mart & Coffee House, 20 N. 3rd St., Easton (dinner will be served).

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Debra DiTaranto, 62, of Forks Twp., PA an extraordinary grandmother, sister and friend passed away peacefully, Tuesday, October 11, 2022 surrounded by her adoring family. Born in Somerville, NJ, she was the daughter of Clara DeFazio and the late Anthony DeFazio. Debra always exuded a kind and gentle spirit towards others. She was a God loving woman who was filled with deeply held Christian values and principals. Those who were fortunate enough to come in contact with her found themselves immediately attracted to her infectious smile.

She worked in an administrative position for the real estate developer, J. G. Petrucci Co. for 12 years, often speaking fondly of her co-workers and boss. Debra was sincerely thankful and humbled by the kindness and generosity shown by her place of work who supported her unspeakably throughout her illness.

Debra loved cooking Sunday dinners for her family, spending time with her children and grandchildren, and cherished making memories with her husband on their many excursions. She will be deeply missed by all her family and friends. A member of House on the Rock Church, Wind Gap, one of her final prayers included “…and I’m going to wake up in Paradise with Jesus Lord”. Her family finds solace in knowing that Debra is now in the beautiful Heaven of our father Jesus Christ our Savior.

She is survived by her mother, Clara of Raritan, NJ; her loving husband of 40 years, Silvio “Lenny” DiTaranto; her twin daughters: Korene Swint, wife of Michael Swint of Easton, Nicole Strong, wife of David Strong of Easton; sisters: Donna Crispo, Doris Miller and many grandchildren.

Services are 10:30 AM Saturday, October 15 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA with visitation from 6 to 7:30 PM Friday in the funeral home. Interment will be in Forks Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the family, c/o the funeral home. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com