Obituaries

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.

Robert T. Thompson, 95 of Williams Twp., PA died Sunday, March 26, 2023 at home. Born February 3, 1928 in Hoboken, NJ he was the son of the late Theodore and Bertha (Franke) Thompson. He was a graduate of Fairleigh Dickinson University and served in the Army during WWII. Following his retirement from Nokia Telecommunications after 30 years of employment, he remained active rehabbing homes, caning chairs and finishing furniture to name a few of his endeavors.

He is survived by his wife of 70 years, the former Jean Paccioretti and his daughters: Patricia Klinger of Hope, NJ and Lynn Thompson of Whitehouse Station, NJ.

Services are private. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton, PA is handling arrangements. Interment will be in The Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, PA. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Jean Williams, 84, of Oro Valley, Arizona, formerly of Palmer Township, died Friday, March 24, 2023 in her home.  Born December 4, 1938 in Easton, she was the daughter of the late Leon Charles and Esther Marie (Goth) Sigafoos.  Her husband, Roger Lowell Williams died in 2000.  She worked for the Ivy Tool Company, Allentown and was a member of Bethel Memorial Baptist Church, Palmer Township.  She was a dedicated mother to her three children.  She loved dogs and was an avid antique collector.  She also greatly enjoyed living in the Southwest.

Surviving are two sons, Scott D. Williams and his wife, Margaret, and Stephen R. Williams and his wife, Janela; and two sisters, Sandy and Joanne.  Her daughter, Sharon L. Williams died in 2013.

A graveside service will be held at 2:00 pm on Monday, April 3, 2023 in Northampton Memorial Shrine, 3051 Green Pond Road, Palmer Township. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements.  Memorial contributions may be made to ArizonaGoldenRescue.org.  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com. 

Joan Jacoby, 91 of Easton, PA passed away March 23, 2023 at the Old Orchard Rehabilitation Center with family by her side. Joan, affectionately known as Nanny, was born May 26, 1931 to Harvey and Ethel Detwiler. She married Joseph Reuben and was blessed with four daughters. After Joe’s passing in 1971, Joan was fortunate to find love twice and shared the latter part with Luther “Jake” Jacoby who passed in 2013. As a military family, Joan had the opportunity to live in California during Joseph’s career in the US Navy. Upon retirement they moved back to PA where Joan began a career as caregiver at the Hunterdon Developmental Center where she was loved by all in her 40 plus years of employment.

Joan loved music, dancing, old western movies, murder mysteries and she enjoyed a good meal and a glass of wine! But she especially loved spending time with her very large family and a girl’s trip with daughters and granddaughters to SC still brought a smile to her face. She was also blessed to have a second family at Old Orchard while calling it home for the past 10 years.

She is survived by daughters: Linda Olson (Jim), Karen Pursell; stepsons: Kirk Jacoby (Jeanne), Rodney Jacoby (Tina) and Keith Jacoby; 14 grandchildren: Lisa Warren (Mark), Jamie Olson , Angie Heckman (Jesse Held), Randi Jo Snyder (Brett), Toni Frankenfield (Craig Brown), Vicki Bratkovics (Bill), Wendy Heinzl (John), Theresa Soles (Dale Kearney), and Rodney, II, Jessica, Kylee, Douglas, Tyler and Jarred Jacoby; 23 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her daughters: Barbara Frankenfield and Joanne Heckman and sisters: Carol Avey and Marie Kuemmerle.

Graveside services will be held 1:30 PM Saturday (Mar. 25) at Northampton Memorial Shrine, 3051 Green Pond Road, Easton, PA. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Judes Children’s Research Hospital. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Darwood T. “Woody” Hoff, 70 of Wilson Borough, PA died Wednesday, March 22, 2023 after being stricken at home. Born February 4, 1953 in Easton, PA he was a son of the late Dorace (Bohn) and Norwood Hoff, Jr. He was a 1971 graduate of Wilson High School and former member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Woody had been employed by R. S. Hahn & Sons and Snyder Amusements for many years. He was a member of the F. & A. M. , Easton Lodge and several social clubs, including the Avona Fire. Co. and Wilson Democratic Assoc. Woody loved listening to Beatles music and had a wonderful sense of humor that will be missed by many.

He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Terry (Miller) Hoff; his daughters: Lindsay Hoff of Palmer Twp., PA, Laura Hoff of Carlsbad, CA; sisters: Donna Musselman (James) of Nazareth, PA and Darlene Holmes (David) of Wilson Borough.

Services are 3 PM Sunday (Mar. 26) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA with visitation from 2 to 3 PM. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Steve A. DiVietro, 63, of Easton, died Sunday, March 19, 2023 in St. Luke’s Hospice House. Born October 25, 1959 in Easton, he was the son of the late Nick J. “Chief” DiVietro and Elizabeth (Uhler) “Betty” DiVietro. Steve graduated from Easton Area High School in 1977 and was a truck driver for most of his life.

Services will be private. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.