Obituaries

Joan Marie (Clifton) Herb of Gainesville, FL formerly of Palmer Township, PA peacefully passed away on February 2, 2026.  Joan was born to John L. Clifton and Mildred Marsh Clifton on November 28, 1931, in Easton, PA.  She was a proud 1949 graduate of Wilson Area High School.  While attending high school, Joan met the love of her life, James H. Herb.  Upon Jim’s graduation from Penn State University in 1953 the couple wed and shared their lives for 46 years until Jim’s passing in 1999. After raising their children, Joan was involved in many things.  She was employed as a secretary for both Brensinger and Stewartsville Elementary schools in New Jersey and worked as a poll worker for Warren County Elections Board in Phillipsburg, NJ.  She later followed her passion for travel becoming a tour escort with Trans Bridge Lines and a travel agent for Thomas Cook Travel.  She was very active in the Wilson Area High School Class of 1949 Reunion Committee, serving as secretary for many years and a member of the Red Hat Society and AARP Travel Club. Joan loved sports and was an avid fan of the Philadelphia Phillies and Eagles, Penn State Nittany Lions and the Phillipsburg Stateliners where her husband taught for 37 years.  She loved spending time with family and friends and travelling with her husband creating new memories.  No matter what Joan did in life, she made many lifelong friendships along the way. 

Joan is survived by her five children: James (partner Carlos Miranda) of Hellertown, PA, John (partner Kathy Ketchledge) of Palmer, PA, Jeffrey (wife Jennifer) of Macon, GA, Jerold (wife Sonja) of Ocala, Fl and Jan Herb Campbell (husband Andy) of Gainesville, FL, 8 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren and a sister-in-law Jean Herb Perruso and her husband T. Albert Perruso.

Visitation will be held from noon to 1PM Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St, Easton, PA followed by a service at 1 PM. She will be laid to rest at the Northampton Memorial Shrine. Memorials may be made to the Center for Animal Health and Welfare, 1165 Island Park Road, Easton, PA 18042. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

John D. (Jack) Bennett Jr., 98, of Easton, Pa,. died peacefully on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at St. Luke’s Hospital, Anderson. Born in Easton on March 11, 1927, he was the son of John D. and Elizabeth Bennett. Jack was married to Kathleen M. Sloyer for 61 years until her death in 2020.

Jack graduated from Easton High School in 1944 where he was the class president, historian, and treasurer while playing baseball, basketball, and participating in the band. He served in the US Navy aboard the USS Orca in the Pacific from 1945-1946. In 1950, he graduated from Lafayette College where he was class president and a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity.

Jack grew up in the family hardware business and became owner and President of Bennett Hardware beginning in 1965. He was a graduate of the Architectural Hardware Institute and became a certified hardware consultant.

Jack had a lifelong commitment to giving back to his community and did so with great pride. He wasn’t just affiliated with organizations—he actively held positions in each club. He was a Rotary Club of Easton member for 75 years, serving multiple terms as President and receiving the Paul Harris Fellow award. He also had a perfect attendance record for 60 plus years. He served as president, treasurer, and finance chairman at Christ Lutheran Church in Easton. He participated in and served in leadership roles with many organizations, including a founder of the Easton Downtown Improvement Group, Executive Director of the Easton Parking Authority, President of Two Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce, co-founder of the Bushkill Stream Conservancy, Director of the Lehigh Valley Red Cross, and coach for Bethlehem youth sports organizations.

Jack enjoyed golf, the Phillies, and an occasional cigar with a glass of VO on the rocks. His greatest pleasure came from spending time with his wife and family. He and Kathleen traveled the world together but always found time to attend countless sporting events, recitals, etc for their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. It’s an honor to all who knew him that his name will live on in the community with the annual Easton Rotary Club Jack Bennett Holiday Classic Basketball Tournament.

Survivors include sons Robert and wife Michelle of Center Valley; Daniel and wife Margaret of Palmer Township; Douglas and wife Lisa of Maineville, Ohio; and daughter Anne Bennett-Morse and husband Scott Morse of Forks Township. He leaves behind 13 grandchildren: Michael, Steven, Eric, David, Sarah, Avery, and Caroline Bennett; London, Zephrin, and Addison Morse; and Joseph, Jared, and Janelle Bidlow; seven great-grandchildren: Walker, Bristol, Paige, Colbie, Levi and Remy Bennett; and Riley DeLaigle. And his granddogs Macy and Minka.

A public visitation will be held from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Friday, February 6, 2026 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton. Burial will be private in Arndt’s Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Easton Rotary Service Foundation, https://www.eastonrotary.com/donate. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

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Melba May Green, 92, of Palmer Township, PA passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at Asbury Grace Park Senior Living in Stroudsburg, PA. Born on October 29, 1933, in Shippensburg, PA, Melba was the daughter of the late Jesse and Rhoda (Knoll) Forrester and stepdaughter of Hazel (Sellers) Forrester. She was a graduate of Shippensburg High School and spent many years working at May’s Men’s Store.

Melba was raised on a farm, and that love for the country never left her. She felt most at home outdoors—surrounded by wildlife, tending to her garden, or simply enjoying the beauty of nature. The rhythms of farm life shaped her gentle spirit, strong work ethic, and deep appreciation for God’s creation. She was a devoted Lutheran and longtime member of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church in Palmer Township, where her faith guided her throughout her life. Family was always at the center of her world. She cherished time spent with her loved ones and took great pride in watching her family grow. In later years, she also enjoyed watching football, which brought her comfort and many smiles.

She is survived by her son, Michael Green (wife Debbie); her son-in-law, Greg Graham; six grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, S. Raymond Green, Jr.; her daughter, Karen Graham; and her granddaughter, Jessica Green.

Melba will be remembered for her kindness, her quiet strength, her love of nature, and the deep devotion she had for her family and faith. Her life was one of simplicity, love, and grace.

Services are private, with interment at the Northampton Memorial Shrine. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, 3900 Freemansburg Ave., Easton, PA 218045. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Betty (Gross) Walter, 94, of Bethlehem, PA, passed away peacefully on January 23, 2026. She was born on February 1, 1931, in Ottsville, PA, and was the beloved wife of the late Bruce J. Walter, with whom she shared seventy-two years of marriage before his passing on July 5, 2025.
Betty was the daughter of the late Kenneth Gross and Elizabeth (Bayer) Gross. She was raised in Bucks County and graduated from Nockamixon High School. In her early years, she worked in a local silk mill before dedicating her life to her family as a full-time homemaker when her children were born.
Betty was the heart of her home. She was especially known for always making food for everyone, particularly her family. Her kitchen was a place of warmth, generosity, and comfort, where loved ones gathered and no one ever went hungry. She also found great joy in tending her flower gardens, lovingly planting spring tulips and caring for colorful summer annuals that reflected her patience, care, and appreciation for simple beauty.
She shared her husband’s deep faith and was a lifelong member of the former Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Betty lived with quiet strength, humility, and an unwavering devotion to her family.

She is survived by her two children, Deborah (Duke) Lindsay and Douglas (Patricia) Walter. Affectionately known as “Nanny” to her grandchildren, Betty was a devoted grandmother to Mark Walter, Brian Walter, John (Carina) Lindsay, and Kevin (Adrianna) Lindsay. She was preceded in death by her granddaughter, Sarah (Lindsay) Dudzic (Tom). Betty was also blessed with seven great-grandchildren.
Betty was preceded in death by her brothers, Richard and Jerald Gross, and her sisters, Florence Hancharik, Frances Weider, Gladys Conrad, Evelyn Fluck, and Delores Kuphal. She is survived by her siblings, Kenneth Gross and Judith Schulberger.

A graveside service will be conducted at Bethlehem Memorial Park Cemetery at Noon on Thursday, January 29, 2026. Arrangements are under the care of Ashton Funeral Home, Easton, PA.

Betty will be remembered for her selfless love, her nurturing spirit, and the countless meals that brought her family together. Her legacy lives on through the family she cherished and the lives she quietly touched.

Richard Edward McTague, 67, of Palmer Township, died on January 22, 2026, at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Muhlenberg. Born in 1958 in Easton, PA, he was a son of the late Iris (Watkins) and Robert E. McTague of Easton.  A 1976 graduate of Easton High School, he had been employed by the Steel Club in Hellertown and Harker’s Hollow Golf Club in Harmony, NJ.

Rick was an avid fisherman and enjoyed boating and fishing on Minsi Lake, the Delaware River, Oneida Lake in New York and trips to Ontario, Canada. He was previously a Boy Scout in Troop 25 of Palmer Township and participated in sports for the Palmer Township Athletic Association.

He is survived by his brothers: Robert McTague; formerly of Bangor, Roger McTague and his wife Janet of Bethlehem; his sister: Ruth Campbell and her husband Keith of Ft. Myers, FL; his longtime companion: Terry McLaughlin and her daughter: Robin Yurgartis; his aunt and uncle Ruth Ann and Tom Weeks of Montrose, PA, nephews: Collin and his wife Heather of Lancaster, Evan and his wife Elizabeth of Bethlehem, Robert Campbell and his wife Sara of Lincoln, Nebraska and Robyn Delsing and her husband Josh of Ft. Myers, FL, and six great nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service will be held 10:30 AM, Saturday, March 7, 2026, in St. Paul’s III Lutheran Church, 2561 Newburg Road, Palmer Twp. with a calling period from 10 to 10:30 AM in the church. Interment is in Northampton Memorial Shrine. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Carol A. Hughes, 79, formerly of Wind Gap, died Wednesday, January 21, 2026 in St. Luke’s Hospital. Born February 9, 1946 in Easton, she was the daughter of the late Harry Lutes and Olive (Grube) Martin. Her husband, Ronald E. “Pop” Hughes, Sr. died in 2022. Carol was an avid bingo player. Her happiest moments were spent with her kids and grandkids as they were her entire world. There was never a gathering or event that she missed and always enjoyed every second she got to spend with us. Carol was “Gram” to many that knew her as that was the title she was most proud of in this world. If you got to be loved by her you sure were lucky. She will be missed by many but is now back home with her love.

Surviving are two sons, Ronald E. Hughes, Jr. and Scott A. Hughes and his wife, Jenn; a daughter, Yvonne P. Beers and her husband, Christopher; eight grandchildren, Jared, Jessica, Kelsey, Alyson, Abygayle, Madysen, Emalie, and Sara; five great grandchildren, Kensleigh, Eliana, Theodore, Owen, and Charlotte; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by two brothers, Harry and Tom; two sisters, Sandra and Linda; and a daughter-in-law, Kitti-Jo.

Services will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, January 24, 2026 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton. A visitation will be held from 1:00 to 2:00 pm on Saturday in the funeral home. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Sylvan Lee Lutey, 76 of Bethlehem Twp., PA formerly of Montana, died Monday, January 19, 2026, at St. Luke’s Hospital Anderson Campus. Born March 26, 1949, in Butte, MT, he was a son of the late Emily (Wickham) and Sylvan M. Lutey. He was a graduate of Montana Tech and employed in the gypsum and cement industries. A work-acholic and fix-it guy, Sylvan traveled the world troubleshooting and offering his expertise in gypsum/cement manufacturing. He was a Kentucky Colonel, a Montana Tech Copper Guard, member of the Lions Club and an avid outdoorsman. Sylvan loved hunting, fishing and the Nebraska Cornhuskers, but he especially loved attending his daughters’ sporting events.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Kimberly (Wicks) Lutey; daughters: Shauna Lutey of White Lake, MI, Brandi Tew (husband Chad) of Rome, PA; siblings: Joanne Johnson, Bonnie Cyr (Wayne), Randy Lutey; granddaughters: Lucy and Lily Dalseg; many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at a later date in Montana. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton, PA is handling arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society at www.bloodcancerunited.org. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.