Obituaries

Shirley M. Datesman, 94, of Bethlehem Township, died Saturday, February 21, 2026 in Sacred Heart Senior Living. Born April 22, 1931 in Upper Mt. Bethel Township, she was the daughter of the late Herbert and Eva (Correll) Keiser. Her husband, Dyle L. Datesman died in 2002. Shirley graduated from Bangor High School in 1949 and earned her nursing degree from Easton Hospital School of Nursing. She was a pediatric nurse and an orthopedic nurse at Easton Hospital. Shirley was a member of the former First Evangelical Congregational Church, Easton and attended the Bethlehem Township Community Center.

Surviving are three daughters, Becky Houser, Sherry Walker, and Deana Sewald; a sister, Madge Ackerman; nine grandchildren; and thirteen great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her stepmother, Ruth Keiser; a brother, Paul Keiser; and a sister, Brenda Sue Rice.

Services will be held at 11:30 am on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton. A visitation will be held from 10:30 to 11:30 am on Tuesday in the funeral home. Interment will be in Northampton Memorial Shrine. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Jerry Ralph Baker, 81 of Palmer Twp., PA died Thursday, February 19, 2026 at the St. Luke’s Hospice House, Bethlehem, PA. Born April 25, 1944 in Phillipsburg, NJ he was a son of the late Estella (Woodring) and Joseph A. Baker. He was a graduate of Phillipsburg High School and served in the Navy Reserve. He was employed by Witco Corp. in Harmony, NJ for 28 years before retiring. Jerry was a member of the Conchordia Maennerchor, Easton and a member of several quoit leagues and Bel-Pike Lane’s bowling leagues.  

He is survived by his wife of almost 39 years: Janice M. (Cosper) Baker; his sons: Dana Baker (Lisa Compton) of Phillipsburg, NJ, Terry Baker (Claudia) of Palmer Twp., PA; stepdaughters: Denise Diehl (Randy), Bath, PA, Tammy Haas of Easton, PA; a brother: Joseph Baker (Michelle) of Las Vegas, NV; 5 grandchildren; 4 step-grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren and 3 step-great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by a brother: David Baker (Marie).

Services are private. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Interment is in Northampton Memorial Shrine. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Margaret “Peggy” Cochran, 66 of Easton, PA died Monday, February 9, 2026 following a brief illness. Born February 9, 1960 in Easton, she was the third daughter of four, of the late James and Barbara (Dickenshied) Hemstreet. She was a graduate of Easton High School and Cedar Crest College. Peggy was employed by Bixler’s Jewelers in Easton as an appraiser in her early years, then spent 20 years teaching aerobics at the Easton YMCA. 

She is survived by her husband of 34 years: Peter Cochran; her two sons: Douglas and Henry Cochran; a grandson: Justin; and her sisters: Gretchen Fegley, Kathy Weber and Heidi Jurgens.

A calling period will be held from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM Saturday, February 21, 2026 at the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA. Memorial contributions may be made to the Third Street Alliance for Women and Children, 41 N. 3^rd Street, Easton, PA 18042 (thirdstreetalliance.org). Online condolences may be offered at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Gail A. Sailer, 80, of Harmony Township, died Monday, February 9, 2026 in her home. Born September 22, 1945 in Philadelphia, she was the daughter of the late Frederick and Ethel (Tompson) Adkin. She and her husband, James R. Sailer were married 61 years. They co-owned Sailer’s Florist and Gifts in Easton and Belvidere. Gail graduated from Belvidere High School in 1964. She was a member of Harmony Presbyterian Church, the Harmony Township Fire Co. Ladies Auxiliary, the Harmony Township Lions Club and she loved playing with her grandchildren.

Surviving with her loving husband, Jim, are a son, Raymond F. Sailer and his wife, Judy; a daughter, Sandra L. Wilson and her husband, Doug; grandchildren, Ryan Sailer-Taynor, Drew Wilson, Jade Lewis, and Skylar Wilson; and great grandchildren, Ivy Rose, Ezra, Elijah, Ezekiel, Oliver, Jayla, Ryland, and Brian and great granddaughter on the way. She was predeceased by her sister, Margie Hajcak

Services will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, February 28, 2026 in Harmony Presbyterian Church, 2727 Belvidere Rd., Phillipsburg. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton, is handling the arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to Harmony Presbyterian Church, Harmony Township Lions Club, or Harmony Township Fire Co. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Keisha Kidada Fredericks aka Butta, 48 of Easton, PA passed away on Monday, February 9, 2026 surrounded by her loving family at St. Luke’s Hospital, Fountain Hill, PA. Born April 1, 1977 in Easton, she was a daughter of Charlene Fredericks of Easton.

She is survived by her mother: Charlene, with whom she resided; her son: Zymece of Easton; her loving sister and “bestie”: Aleaha Fredericks of Bath, PA and her 3 sons; her brother: Joseph Boyer (Annette) of Bethlehem and their 7 children; her brother: Abdullah Boyer of Philadelphia, PA; her companion of 10 years: Eddie Laney; many aunts, uncles and a host of cousins.

Visitation will be held from 10 to 11 AM Monday, February 16, 2026 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA followed by a service at 11 AM. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Kidney Fund. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Gloria Lorraine Riegel, 95 of Tatamy, PA passed away comfortably under hospice care, on Friday, February 6, 2026 in the presence of her family. Born October 9, 1930, in Easton, PA she was a daughter of the late Florence (Blake) and Lewis Brown. Her husband Clarence Riegel, Jr. died in 2023. Gloria was a 1948 graduate of Easton High School and had been employed by Yankee Sportswear. She was a member of the Bushkill Valley Motorcycle Club Auxiliary. She was a member of Hope Lutheran Church, Tatamy and had taught Sunday School at the former St. Luke’s Lutheran Church.

She is survived by 3 children: Stephen H. Riegel and his companion Norma of Tatamy, Vickie A. Erb and her husband Glenn of Morrisonville, NY, Michael L. Riegel and his wife Barbara of Kutztown, PA; 6 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and 3 great-great-granddaughters. She was predeceased by her husband Clarence and her sister: Lois Williams.

Services are private. The Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA is handling arrangements. Interment is in Northampton Memorial Shrine. Memorial contributions may be made to Hope Lutheran Church, 240 S. 8^th St., (Tatamy), Easton, PA 18045. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.