Obituaries

Joseph A. Schiller, 91, of Williams Township died peacefully Monday, January 9, 2023 in his home. Born April 5, 1931 in Pittsburgh, he was the son of the late Joseph and Ann (Sauers) Schiller. He his wife, Jan (Covington) Schiller, were married 40 years. He served as a corporal in the Army during the Korean War and he owned and operated his own business called Ramcorp for over 40 years. Joseph was a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, served on the Williams Township Planning Commission, was a member of the First Baptist Church, Phillipsburg, the Pomfret Club, Grasshoppers in Legacy, Morgan Hill and was a volunteer for the State Theatre.

He is survived by his wife, Jan, and their children, Cathy Kaplan (Steve), Jeff Schiller (Sandy), Lisa Schiller, Sandra Matuska (Joe), Tim Sharkey (Kristen) and his brother Alan (Kathy). A son, Steven, passed away five years earlier. He was an amazing Poppy Joe to his 13 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. 

The family will receive visitors at Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton Street, Easton on Friday, January 13, 2023 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. The funeral will be held at the First Baptist Church, Red School Lane, in Phillipsburg on Saturday, January 14, 2023 at 10 a.m. 

Memorial contributions may be made to the State Theatre (www.statetheatre.org) or the First Baptist Church (www.fbcpburg.org). Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Gladys Winifred Caskey, 90 of Forks Twp., PA died Monday, January 9, 2023 at home. Born March 20, 1932 in Rome, NY she was a daughter of the late Theresa (McKee) and Franklin Zimmerman. Her husband Francis Caskey died in 2019. Gladys was a graduate of St. Mary High School in Rutherford, NJ and was employed by Allstate Insurance in Berkeley Heights, NJ for more than 20 years before retiring. Gladys was a member of St. Jane Frances de Chantal Catholic Church, Easton and Past-President of the Friends of Easton Library. She also volunteered at the Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society.

She is survived by her children: Karen Maron of Durham, NC, Alice Stolarz of Lynchburg, VA, F. Elaine Foote of Smallwood, NY, Paul Caskey of Springfield, NJ, Beth Caskey of Easton, PA and Kathryn DiBerardino of Belgrade Lakes, ME; a sister: Jeanann Cimino; 17 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, Francis; a daughter: Theresa Garrison; a sister: Ethel Ellefson; brothers: Albert and Robert Zimmerman and 4 grandchildren .

Mass will be celebrated 10:30 AM Tuesday (Jan. 17) at St. Jane Frances de Chantal Church, 4049 Hartley Ave., Easton with visitation 6 to 7:30 PM Monday in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton. Interment will be in St. Teresa’s Cemetery, Summit, NJ.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com

Kenneth Wayne Franco, 66 of Easton, PA died Saturday, January 7, 2023 at the Lehigh Valley Hospice, Allentown. Born December 10, 1956 in Easton, he was a son of the late Josephine (Mereo) and Armando Franco. He was a 1974 graduate of Easton High School and member of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church. Ken was an iron worker and forklift operator at various establishments before working part-time at Boscov’s. He was also a member of Liberty Hose, American Legion, Brown and Lynch Post and life member of the Fleas.

He is survived by his wife of nine years, Melissa (Hancock) Franco; his children: Kristina Franco (fiancé Robert Costa) of Palmer Twp., Dustin Franco of Easton; stepsons: Mark Stelma (Simona) of Nazareth, Cody Stelma of Bethlehem; a brother: Monte Franco (Michelle) of Williams Twp., sister: Carol Guida (John) of Bethlehem, 4 grandchildren: Arron, Alana, Dmitry, Maksim; his lifelong chosen brothers: John Pysher, Craig Dorsey, Dennis Andrews and his beloved puppy Zia. He was predeceased by a sister Darlene Jones.

A memorial service will be held 10:30 AM Friday, Jan. 13, in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA with a calling period from 9:30 to 10:30 AM. Interment will be in St. Anthony’s Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the family in care of the funeral home to help defray expenses. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Sherwood “Woody” Frankenfield, 83 of Forks Twp., PA died Wednesday, January 4, 2023 at St. Luke’s Hospital, Bethlehem. Born January 13, 1939 in Easton, he was a son of the late Beulah (Kelchner) and Marvin Frankenfield, Sr. A graduate of Easton High School, he was very active with the Class of 1956 where he served as their treasurer. He was in the antique auto restoration business and worked previously for the Easton Area School District and William Berg Volvo. He and his beloved wife, Virginia (Ricker) Frankenfield were married 60 years.

Woody was an avid sports fan…Easton Red Rover forever…and he loved Penn State and the Phillies. He was a past-president of the Easton Old Timers Club and member of Citizens Hose and the Fleas. He also played and coached in the Easton Quoit League for many years. He was his grandchildren’s biggest fan and supported them in all their sporting activities. But the best thing in life for him was when he was surrounded by all his family at the same time, it was then that all was right with the world.

He is survived by his wife and devoted caregiver these last few years, Virginia; 3 daughters: Jan Warga (Jim), Jill Heilman (Jim) and Jodi Hess (Greg) all of Easton; a brother: Martin Frankenfield; sisters: Frances Thomas and Betty Short; 6 grandchildren: Chad Warga, Kevin Heilman (Kayla), Samantha Jackson (Corey), Audra Payton (Michael), Victoria Hess and Christopher Hess; and 2 great-grandchildren: Maeve Payton and Grace Heilman. He was predeceased by siblings: Harold, Marvin and Dorothy Frankenfield and Bessie Daws.

A calling period will be held from 3 to 5 PM Sunday (Jan. 8) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA. Services and interment in Northampton Memorial Shrine will be private. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.st.jude.org. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

John F. “Jack” Bernhardt, 86 of Easton, PA died Sunday, January 1, 2023 at Holy Family Manor, Bethlehem. Born in Phillipsburg, NJ in 1936 to Frank and Theresa Bernhardt, he grew up and lived in Phillipsburg until he graduated from Philipsburg High School in 1955. Soon after this he met his beloved wife, Flo (Dungan) Bernhardt, and joined the Army in 1958. He served his country for 2 years, living in Texas while Flo was at home planning their wedding. Upon his return, Jack and Flo started a family on Rose Street in Philipsburg and had two sons, Ron and Bob. Jack worked at Hoffman La Roche in Belvidere, NJ for 30+ years while the boys were growing up.

He enjoyed going camping with his family, going to classic car shows with his and Flo’s twin 1956 Mercury’s, playing poker and quoits. Jack took his family across the country, seeing every landmark and staying at every campground he could. They also stopped at all of the casinos along the way, including Las Vegas. When the boys were older, the family moved to Easton, PA where they lived for 36 years. In this home lives his beloved model train collection, his player piano, and many memories for his grandchildren. Korynn, Brandon and Chenoa enjoyed many sleepovers in this home and in the RV as well, seeing the country and camping- eating Jack’s pancakes for breakfast every morning. Jack was a member of Sts. Philip and James Catholic Church, Phillipsburg.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Florence “Flo” Bernhardt, his two sons: Ron Bernhardt (Sharon) and Bob Bernhardt, three grandchildren: Korynn, Brandon, and Chenoa Bernhardt all of Easton, and sister Joyce Farley of Alpha, NJ.

Services are 10:30 AM Friday (Jan. 6) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA with visitation 9:30 to 10:30 AM. Entombment will be in the Holy Apostles Mausoleum, Greenwich Twp., NJ.  Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or Alzheimer’s Association. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Deanna J. Templeton, 85, of Easton, died Friday, December 30, 2022 in St. Luke’s Hospital. Born April 4, 1937 in Easton, she was the daughter of the late Harold F. and Margaret L. (Nimmo) Kreitz. She worked for the Northampton County Area Agency on Aging and was a member of Concordia Maennerchor, the Wilson Democratic Association, and the Avona Volunteer Fire Co.

Surviving are a sister, Donna Schuler; nieces, Michelle Mammana and Sharon Santiago; and great nieces and nephews, Shaun, Jamie, Janelle, Julianne, Aaron, and Christian.

A visitation will be held from 6:00 to 7:30 pm on Friday, January 6, 2023 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, www.stjude.org. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.