Obituaries

Irene Mary Nicholas, 95 of Palmer Twp., PA died Sunday, April 30, 2023 at Northampton Post Acute, Bethlehem Twp., PA. Born September 13, 1927 in Bangor, PA she was a daughter of the late Minnie (Gloss) and Earl Labar. She had been employed as a presser at various area garment factories for many years. Irene was a member of St. Paul’s III Lutheran Church, Palmer, where she served communion to the homebound. She also loved bowling in her bowling leagues.

She is survived by her children: Bruce Nicholas and his wife Nancy of Palmer Twp., PA, Bonnie Nicholas of Forks Twp., PA, Jeff Nicholas and his wife Sheila of Owasso, OK; grandchildren: Brendon, Kyle and Colin; and great-grandchildren: Winter, Autumn, Ava and Corbin. She was predeceased by grandchildren: Brett and Crystal.

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

Thomas J. Gaillard, 62, of Forks Township, formerly of Palmer Township, died Thursday, April 20, 2023 in his home. Born September 23, 1960 in Avenel, NJ, he was the son of the late Benjamin John Gaillard, Sr. and Anna Patricia (French) Gaillard. He and his wife, Diana (Campitelli) Gaillard were married 35 years. Tom served in the US Marines and was a tour bus driver and dispatcher. He loved watching his children play baseball and he enjoyed playing poker with his family and friends. He was also an avid chess player.

Surviving with his wife, Diana, are two sons, Thomas D. Gaillard and his wife, Amanda, and Daniel J. Warzynski; a sister, Debbie Saporowski; three brothers, Ben Gaillard and his wife, Paula, Alfred Gaillard, and Arthur Gaillard; and a granddaughter, Addison.

Services will be held at 7:30 pm on Thursday, April 27, 1923 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton. A visitation will be held from 6:00 to 7:30 pm on Thursday in the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation, www.t2t.org. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Marianne Billiard, 67 of Forks Township, PA passed away April 14, 2023 at St Luke’s Hospital, Anderson Campus. Born May 21, 1955 in Allentown, PA, she was the daughter of the late Anthony and Rosemary (Kellogg) Krisukas. She and her husband, Thomas Billiard shared 43 years of marriage. Marianne was a 1973 graduate of Easton Area High School and a Ward Clerk at Easton Hospital for 30 years before retiring. She was a member of Arndt’s Lutheran Church and a devoted wife, mother and grandmother.

She is survived by her husband: Thomas; son: Andrew Billiard and his wife Christine of Fullerton, CA; daughter: Kathryn Billiard and her partner Todd Brunstetter of Raubsville, PA; grandchildren: Corralyn Yoona, Jack Denz, Baelah Louise; brother: Michael Krisukas and his wife Miriam Huertas of Allentown and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Services are 1:30 PM Wednesday (April 19) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA with visitation 6 to 7:30 PM Tuesday. Interment is in Arndts Cemetery, Forks Twp., PA.  Memorial contributions may be made to Arndts Lutheran Church, 1851 Arndt Rd, Easton, PA 18040. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Carmella Rose Youngkin, who died on April 11, 2023. She was a loving and devoted mother and homemaker, who will be remembered for the love she had for her family

She was born January 19th, 1923, the daughter of Italian immigrants, Giuseppe and Marietta Pintande. Carmella was the youngest of 6 children. She was predeceased by brothers Nick, Thomas, Joseph (Pino), Salvatore and her sister Constance Relvas. Nick, Thomas and Joseph were part of the well- known band “The Vagabonds”. Carmella was a very talented singer and guitar player, but was not allowed to be a part of the band because her father, Giuseppe, was a very strict, old-fashioned Italian father.

Carmella was also predeceased by her first husband John Pinto in 1944. He was killed in action during WW2. She was also predeceased by Harry Youngkin in 2018, her husband of almost 70 years, and by her son, James Youngkin in 1987.

She is survived by her sons, John Pinto (wife Lois Pinto) and Anthony Youngkin, 3 grandchildren Gemella Pinto McNally, Elizabeth Youngkin Wilson, and John Pinto, and 3 great-grandchildren Seamas McNally, Vonnegut Wilson and Grace Pinto

She created a beautiful and loving home for her cherished family, who loved her deeply. Her life centered around them. She instilled strong values in her family, and Italian traditions. She was a product of a Catholic school education and was a member of St. Anthony’s Church.

Carmella was an amazing woman, and loved by everyone that knew her. All who knew her remember her smile and her pleasant personality.

Her legacy will live on through her family, who will continue to make her proud. Many will miss her. She was one of the kindest and most selfless woman you could ever find. Hopefully the wonderful memories of her will sustain us.

Service will be at 10:30 AM Friday April 14th in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, Pa 18042 followed by burial at Easton Cemetery. Visitation is at 9:30 AM on Friday in the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers please send memorial donations to St. Luke’s Hospice, c/o Development Office, 801 Ostrum St., Bethlehem, PA 18015. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Dorothy M. Gebhardt, 98 of Easton, PA died Saturday, April 8, 2023 at Alexandria Manor, Nazareth, PA. Born March 20, 1925 in Easton, she was a daughter of the late Stanley and Sarah (Bullman) Smith. Her husband Donald T. Gebhardt, Sr. died in 2022. She was a 1943 graduate of Easton High School and member of Arndt’s Lutheran Church, Forks Twp., PA.

She is survived by her son: Donald Gebhardt, Jr. and his wife Deborah of Palmer Twp., PA; granddaughters: Kirsten Kutza (husband John), Josalyn VanFleet (husband Patrick); 4 great-grandchildren: Anthony and Jordan Kutza, Penelope and Paxton VanFleet; and sisters: Elizabeth Kupsky of Berwick, PA and Jane Kohler of Easton. She was predeceased by her siblings: Marie Metzgar, Stanley Smith, Jr. and Nancy Assise.

Services are 11:30 AM Wednesday (April 12) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA with a calling period from 10:30 to 11:30 AM. Interment in Northampton Memorial Shrine.

Memorial contributions may be made to Arndt’s Lutheran Church, 1851 Arndt Road, Easton, PA 18040. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Richard S. Mann, 86 of Center Valley, PA died Sunday, April 2, 2023 at home. Born December 3, 1936 in Philadelphia, PA he was the son of the late William and Irma (Stockton) Mann. He graduated from Massbaum High School in 1953 and was drafted into the Army in 1962. He was a self-employed carpenter and stone mason for 50 years. Dick was a well-known and accomplished muzzle loader, flint lock and percussion gun reproducer. He played bagpipes with the MacGregor Bag Pipe Band for 5 years and was  a guitar and banjo player, with his wife and others, in an old timey mountain music band, “Poor Mouth”, for 15 years. Dick enjoyed outdoor adventures such as canoe trips, learning to fly, horseback riding and camping.

He is survived by his loving wife, Connie Woodring, with whom he shared 48 years. Also surviving are cousins. A musical celebration of his life is being planned. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.