Obituaries

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.

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.