Obituaries

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

Dean Russell Ecke, 79, formerly of Englewood, NJ died Saturday January 15, 2022 at St. Luke’s Hospice House in Bethlehem, PA. Born April 11, 1942 in Englewood, NJ he was the loving son of the late Rita (Walsh) and Russell Ecke of Cresskill, New Jersey. He grew up in North Bergen, NJ upstairs from his beloved grandmother, Mary “Mame” Walsh. 

Dean worked as the Vice President alongside his father, for the W.M. Walsh Company, a test boring contractor and geological drilling operation, which his grandfather, Wilfred M. Walsh founded.  Dean was also an actor and as Dean O’Hara, he worked in many plays, commercials and television. He was a founder of the New Dimension Theater Group in Englewood, NJ. He was a proud member of the Screen Actor’s Guild and rejoined the union as he rebuilt his acting career as an older adult.

Dean’s mind, even through the plague of dementia, remained pliable for reciting Shakespeare’s monologues, poetry and various quotations in his larger than life voice which could project to the rafters. A voracious reader and a self-proclaimed autodidact, Dean was the person to turn to for information. He was an Intellectual and valued literature, culture, history, architecture and nature. He enjoyed art, fine dining, theater, music, cinema and all New York City had to offer. He was particularly taken with the works of Stephen Sondheim and Bach. His favorite films were The Big Lebowski and Withnail & I.   In NYC, he was a member of and donated to The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Museum of Modern Art, The Whitney Museum, The Roundabout Theater, The New York Botanical Garden, ASPCA, Film Forum, and in NJ, The Greenbrook Nature Sanctuary along the Palisades.

His sense of humor was unrivaled, absurd and simply hilarious. He could get a laugh out of anyone and always broke the tension with his humorous theatrics and stories. Everyone wanted Dean at their party. He was brilliant at spinning even tragedy, when appropriate, as funny. As his favorite Uncle Artie once said audibly over the casket of his older brother, “Goodbye you old Nanny Goat.” Dean would love to be remembered this way as it made his big, belly laugh boom.  He was kind to all animals and rescued many cats and dogs throughout his lifetime. He was a contributor to animal rights organizations and felt all animals should be treated with dignity and kindness. At the Rainbow Bridge he’ll be reunited with Colonel, Tigger, Baby, The Bat, Blue, Cassie, Alfie, Butterfly, Puck, Ripley and April.

He will be remembered as the most loving and supportive father and best friend of Deanna Gayle Ecke. He is the dear lifelong friend and ex-husband of his forever beloved Janet McVicker Ecke. He is the loving stepfather of Master William Christopher Sheridan. He is the loving “Poppa” of Lilly Olivia Ellsworth. He is the brother of Rita Altomara, brother-in-law of Gary Altomara and uncle of Ginevra Altomara. He is survived by his lovely canine friend, Matilda, whom he was instrumental in rescuing. He is predeceased by his beloved younger sister Deidre Gray Ecke who passed away just forty-six days prior. He is also predeceased by his first cousin and dear friend Walter A. “You Better Take It Easy” Ecke.

Per his wishes, a memorial party with champagne will be held in the warmer months of 2022. For details, please email deannaecke@gmail.com.
Also per his wishes, his ashes will be offered to the Cape Cod Bay in MA, the place he loved most and where he spent many joyous, unforgettable summers with his family. May your unique soul find solace in the depths of the green sea. Be at peace. We love you. Keep holding my hand Dad. You’ve finished the hat.

Memorial contributions, fostering or rescue of an animal in need may be made in his honor through Ready for Rescue in New York City. Their website is: www.readyforrescue.org. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.