Obituaries

     Richard William Marzuoli passed away at his home on January 27, 2022, surrounded by his family. He was born at home in Easton on May 24, 1938, in the building that now houses the College Hill Tavern. Richard’s father, Antonio (Anthony), was born in Cittá Sant’Angelo in the province of Pescara, Abruzzo, Italy and immigrated to Phillipsburg, NJ at age 7. His mother, Dorothy (Belkey), was from Easton. Richard was born and raised on College Hill, attending March School through grade nine, where he cultivated his personal relationships and sense of humor.

     After graduating from Easton High School in 1955, he attended Churchman’s Business College and went on to earn a B.B.A. in business administration from Temple University. Richard enjoyed a career in sales and marketing, working at a number of companies over the span of four decades. Those companies included Alpha Portland Cement, RCA (Computer Systems Division), Intertec Data Systems, Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC), and SI Handling Systems (two years of which were spent in Sydney, Australia). He finished out his career at the National Federation of Independent Business (N.F.I.B.) before retiring in 2004. After retirement, he was fortunate enough to spend much of his time traveling with his wife Lora; their travels included going on several European river cruises, crisscrossing the country a number of times visiting National Parks, and ultimately accomplishing the goal of visiting all 50 states. Richard also loved singing, reading history books, discovering new music, and showing off his 1947 MG-TC.

     Richard was civic-minded and participated in a number of local organizations. He was a member of the Easton JayCees and was the chairman of the first Halloween parade in Easton. After the JayCees, he joined the Lion’s Club, a membership which has spanned 35 years. As a Lion, he received the Melvin Jones Fellow Award in 2021. He was also a member of the Easton Area Joint Sewer Authority for 25 years, serving as chairman for the final eight years of his involvement until his retirement from service in 2020. He was also a board member of the Y.R. Club of Easton for many years.

     Richard had many endearing qualities and was known by various nicknames throughout his life, including “Rocky” and “Chardo.” Everyone who knew Richard could attest to his easy-going and fun-loving nature. He was always ready with a joke and formed many lasting relationships throughout his life.

     Richard passed away at home from complications of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a disease which has no known cause or cure. Richard is survived by his wife of 54 years, Lora (Hackenburg), whom he met at the Y.R. Club; his three daughters, Elizabeth Scott (Mark), Alison Marzuoli, and Meredith Marzuoli (Patrick Swillinger); his four grandsons Teddy and Luke Scott, and Silas and Asa Swillinger; and his sweet pets, dog Ellie, cat Oscar, and his guard cat Jake, who was his constant companion in the final months. He was predeceased by his parents and his sister Eleanor Neff.

     A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to Lehigh Valley Hospice (2024 Lehigh Street, Allentown, PA, 18103 or online at tinyurl.com/lvhospicedonation (select “Hospice” designation)) or the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (pulmonaryfibrosisfoundation.org).

Bette Rush Herr Wood of Ruckersville VA died peacefully at home, surrounded by her family, on Thursday, January 21, 2022. She is now in Heaven with her Lord and Savior, her family and the love of her life, husband Dale. She was born July 30, 1940, daughter of the late Semple and Evelyn Rush.  Bette graduated from Phillipsburg High School, Phillipsburg, NJ. After her marriage to Dale Herr and moving to the Barboursville VA area, she worked many years for A&P, Superfresh in the bakery. She also sold Avon for many years and was a substitute teacher. She was a loving mother and grandmother who devoted her life to her family. Her church and church friends were a large part of her life also. She missed them terribly due to health reasons, during her last few years.

She enjoyed travel especially cruising, beach trips with her children, interior design, decorating for holidays, shopping at flea markets and collecting antiques. Cooking great home cooked meals was also her specialty during many holidays around the big, stone fireplace, at her beautiful log home on the mountain in Stanardsville VA. Most of all, she enjoyed the company of family and good friends. Later after retirement, Bette downsized and purchased a “perfect for her” home in Ruckersville, VA.

She is survived by her daughter Audrey Cicero of Niota TN; son Steven Herr of Ruckersville VA, grandson Mackenzie Miller of Niota TN, and grandson, Tashan Taylor of Charlottesville, VA and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends in PA, NJ and VA. She is also survived by her special little dogs Lucy and Smokey.

Mrs. Wood was preceded in death by her husbands: Dale Stanley Herr and Clayton Wood, her parents Semple and Evelyn Rush; four brothers; John E., Raymond C., & Carl L. Rush, and Jack Rush and one sister Ruth A. Kunsman.Our family would like to thank our mother’s home care givers, Whitney Lawson and Melinda Peery for excellent, loving care of our mother during the last years of her life. Our family is forever grateful for your care, kindness and love given to our mother. Thank you to everyone for your friendship, prayers and condolences.

A graveside service will be held 1:00 P.M. Friday, January 28, 2022 at Farmersville Cemetery, William Penn Hwy. Bethlehem, PA. In lieu of flowers, Memorial donations may be made to the American Stroke Association. Offer online condolences at www.ashtonfuneralhome.com.

Betty Jane Fehr, 86 of Easton, PA died Sunday, January 23, 2022 at St. Luke’s Hospital, Anderson Campus. Born July 12, 1935 in Easton she was the daughter of the late Laura (Genther) and Harry Butler. Her husband, Clair “Sonny” Fehr died last year. She was a life member of Am Vets, Post #17 and Concordia Maennerchor. She was an avid quoit player and loved playing Yahtzee and Garbage with her family. She also loved to dance, to cook and Elvis Presley.

She is survived by 7 children: Shirley Gehman of Wilson, Harold Christian, Jr. of Bethlehem, Laura Trenberth of Wilson, JoAnn DeReamus (David) of Palmer Twp., Brenda Christian with whom she resided, James Christian (Penny) of Pen Argyl and Dawn Handwerk (Ronald) of Palmer; 19 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren and her cat Buddy. She was predeceased by her husband: Sonny, a grandson: Jeffrey and brothers: William and Clarence Butler.

A calling period will be held from 5 to 6:30 PM Friday (Jan. 28) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton. A Celebration of her Life will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or the Center for Animal Health and Welfare. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

William H. Ackerman, Jr., 93, of Centreville, Va., died Saturday, January 22, 2022 in Country Meadows, Mechanicsburg, Pa. Born June 6, 1928 in Easton, he was the son of the late William Harvey Ackerman, Sr. and Helen May Ackerman. His wife, Doris (Sandercock) Ackerman died in 2010. He served in the Army during WWII and in Korea. He was a graduate of the Academy of Aeronautics, East Elmhurst, NY where he also was an instructor. William was an engineer for Grumman, Bethpage, NY for 37 years and during that time, he worked on the F-14 and the NASA Freedom Space Station contract, retiring in 1990. He was a member of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, Centreville; a life member of the American Defense Preparedness Association; and a member of the American Legion. He was also an amateur radio operator.

Surviving are a daughter, Burneda May Russell and her husband, Rev. James M. Russell of Gettysburg, Pa; a son, William Harvey Ackerman, III, of Bear, Del.; a sister, Marie Lehr of Jacksonville, Fla.; and two granddaughters, Jennifer C. Brashears and Laura E. McCarley. He was predeceased by his sister, Elizabeth “Betty” Diefenderfer.

Services will be private with interment in Plainfield Cemetery, Plainfield, Twp., Pa. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation in memory of his loving wife, Doris. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Leocadio Pedraza, 86 of Easton, PA died Saturday, January 22, 2022 at St. Luke’s Hospital, Easton Campus. He was born December 9, 1935 in San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico. He had been employed by Lafayette College for many years before retiring. He is survived by his life partner: Virginia Miller; 9 children: including Tina, Michael and Tom; and many brothers, sisters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A Celebration of his life will be held at a later date. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Mae P. Miller, 92, of Wilson Borough, died Tuesday, January 18, 2022 in Manor Care, Old Orchard. Born May 3, 1929 in Bangor, she was a daughter of the late Clarence and Laura (Morris) Tucker. Her husband, Albert H. Miller died in 2001. She worked for A & H Sportswear, Easton; Delight Form, West Easton; and Smiley Candy Factory, Avona Heights. Mae was a member of Green Pond United Methodist Church and the Red Hat Society.

Surviving are a daughter, Brenda Reddy of Palmer Township; a son, Ron Miller and his wife, Mary, of Sinking Spring, Pa; a brother, Neil Tucker and his wife, Lois, of East Bangor; seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Two brothers, Steve Tucker and Glenwood Tucker and four sisters, Virginia Reed, Elaine Mackes, Gloria Ott and Joyce Sullivan died earlier.

Services will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, January 21, 2022 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton. A visitation will be held from 10:00 am until service time on Friday in the funeral home. A private family interment will be held on Monday in East Bangor Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Green Pond United Methodist Church, 4411 Green Pond Road, Easton, PA 18045. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Thomas Joseph Schuyler, 75, of Easton, PA died January 16, 2022, at St. Luke’s Sacred Heart Hospital, Allentown, PA. Born and raised in Ashland, PA, he was the son of the late Joseph H. Schuyler and Assunta (Trio) Schuyler and graduated from Immaculate Heart High School in 1964. A 1968 graduate of Temple University, he was a longtime employee of Hoffman La Roche in Belvidere, NJ.

A lifelong lover of food and outstanding cook, Tom frequently showed his love for others by cooking for them, and was often happiest in the kitchen, trying new recipes and planning large meals for family and friends. Though he was outgoing and the life of many parties, he was happiest spending time with his beloved wife of nearly 37 years, Cathy, whom he (and he alone) affectionately called “Kate.” A devoted and loving father to his two children throughout their lives, he was also an incredible Nonno to his five grandchildren, all of whom adored him. He spent many hours playing and reading to them, and as they each grew, cheering them on through every single academic, art, and sporting milestone. There was nothing he loved more than his family, and he expressed his love and pride for his wife, children, and grandchildren to all who would listen.

His kindness and generosity extended well beyond his family and friends, and after retirement, he became a fixture in the community, serving on a variety of committees throughout Williams Township, and devoting hundreds of hours to improving municipal services. A voracious reader, his true love was the Mary Meuser Library in Wilson Borough, and he was a longtime member of the library’s board of trustees, including a term as board president.

Tom is survived by his wife Catherine (Kelchner) Schuyler; his children Justin Schuyler and his wife Eslovenia (Peralta) Schuyler of Gilbert, AZ, Jonna (Schuyler) Rubin and her husband Adam of Framingham, MA; his grandchildren, Ayden and Connor Schuyler, Sam, Alexandra, and Joshua Rubin, as well as his sister Anne Marie (Schuyler) Madden of Towanda, PA.

Funeral services will be private, the Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations, in Tom’s memory, to Mary Meuser Library, 1803 Northampton St., Easton, PA 18042.  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

It is with profound sadness we share the news of Clyde P. McIntyre’s passing on Sunday, January 16, 2022, at Chandler Estate, Pen Argyl, PA, just 6 days after his 91st birthday. Born January 10, 1931 in Palmer Twp. he was a son of the late Lillian (Kuhns) and Charles S. McIntyre. His wife, Elizabeth “Betty” (McBriar) McIntyre died in 2017. A 1949 graduate of Wilson High School, Clyde was employed by Easton Electrical, Sheridan Machines, Mack Truck, and Cooper Industries/Penn Pump. In 1988 he became the owner of Abel’s Express where he worked for many years before retiring.

He was a member of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, Palmer Twp. and life member of the West Easton Fire House. He was awarded a life membership in the Palmer Athletic Association and was a founding father of the Community Basketball League. Clyde was also a manager of the Palmer Legion Baseball Team; a player and manager of the Sheridan Machine Industrial League Softball Team, and a manager of the Moose Softball Team in the Easton City League. An avid fan of Wilson and Easton High School sports, Clyde especially enjoyed attending his grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s sporting events.

Clyde will always be remembered for his devotion to family, his loving care of his dear wife, Betty prior to her passing, pride in his family and sense of humor. In return, he was loved by his family, friends and his second family at Chandler Estate where he resided since 2018. We thank all his caregivers at Chandler Estate for their wonderful care, therapists from Fox Rehabilitation who enhanced his quality of life and the hospice nurses from Compassionate Care who ensured Clyde’s comfort and supported his family at the end of his life.

He is survived by 3 children: Edward McIntyre (wife Debra) of Palmer Twp., Debra Henry (husband Leo) of Wilson Borough, PA, Sharyn Pysher (husband Russell) of Punta Gorda, FL; sisters: Shirley Curto, Dolores “Dolly” Creager; 6 grandchildren: Lyssa McLaine, Maureen Rinda (Brian), Stephanie Smith (Jeremy), Ryan Breckon, Shennon Bush (Jesse), Chad Pysher; 11 great-grandchildren: Tyler, Molly, Brooke, Halle, Briar, Audrey, Karli, Abby, Carson, Peyton, Erin; and two great-great-granddaughters: Myla Jo and Alayah. He was predeceased by his wife, Betty; brothers: Charles, Howard, Richard, James and Russell McIntyre and sisters: Eleanor Snyder, Frances Hofford, Kathleen Lazarus and Carol McIntyre.

Due to concerns about Covid, services are private. A Celebration of His Life will be announced and held at a later date. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Interment in Northampton Memorial Shrine.  Memorial contributions may be made to St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, 3900 Freemansburg Ave., Easton, PA 18045 or to a charity of one’s choice. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com