Obituaries

Donald G. “Mike” Laubach, Jr. 90, of Forks Twp., PA died Sunday, November 27, 2022 at home. Born November 12, 1932 in Easton, he was the son of the late Josephine (Rodenbough) and Donald G. Laubach, Sr. and grandson of the late William Laubach, founder of the former Wm. Laubach and Sons store on Northampton St. in Easton.

Although Mike, as he was called by family and friends, was a quiet man, he loved people from all walks of life. He loved being outdoors, whether it was at the Pocono cabin or vacationing in Bay Head, NJ. He loved cooking, gardening, swimming, entertaining and being entertained. He was a graduate of March Elementary School, Mercersburg Academy and attended Lafayette College. Mike was stationed in Korea with the 8th Army Headquarters Adjutant General Section and honorably discharged as First Class Sergeant in 1955. He was employed in the Display Advertising Dept. of the Easton Express, under the direction of the late William Stackhouse, for many years before retiring. He was also a member of the YMCA of Easton and College Hill Presbyterian Church, Easton.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Doris “Pat” (Randall) Laubach; sons: Michael “Chris” Laubach (wife Chris Stockwell) of Chicago, IL, Tim Laubach (wife Jessica) of Upper Macungie, PA; daughter-in-law: Gretchen Laubach; and grandchildren: Sam, Harley, Elliot, Jack, Meredith, Cameron and Caroline. He was predeceased by his son, Jonathan Laubach in 2013 and his sister, Barbara Lehr in 2017.

Services are private with interment in the Historic Easton Cemetery. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton, PA is handling arrangements. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Sharon L. Haas, 71, formerly of Wilson Borough, died Saturday, November 26, 2022 in Lehigh Valley Hospital. Born November 28, 1950 in Allentown, she was the daughter of the late Llewellyn and Carrie (Uhler) Williams. Sharon graduated from Wilson High School in 1968 and was a computer programmer for Electro-Space Fabricators, Topton. She was a Girl Scout leader and was a CPR instructor for the American Red Cross.

Surviving are a daughter, Jennifer Ide of Kutztown; a brother, Llewellyn J. Williams of Lehighton; a sister, Gail Savidge of Hopewell, VA; and two grandchildren, Samantha Ide and Abigail Ide.

Services will be private with interment in Forks Cemetery. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Red Cross, www.redcross.org. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Donald Wilfred LeClair, Jr., age 83, passed from our sight but not from our hearts on Saturday, November 26, 2022. Don, the son of the late Donald W. LeClair, Sr. and Dorothy May (Haag) LeClair spent his final hours in the company of his beloved wife, Jackie and their children Amy Catherine and David (Alice). He is also survived by his cherished younger brothers David (Dorothy Watters) and Dale (Susanne).

A graduate of Wilson High School and Penn State University Don served his country in the Army. After relocating his family to Maine from Ohio in 1976 he established a retail location consulting firm, LeClair Associates. Don and Jackie retired to Williamsburg, VA in 2004 where they enjoyed fifteen wonderful years. In 2018 they chose to move to Nazareth, PA near Don’s boyhood home and to be nearer to their children.

While Don counted many professional accomplishments in his life, he loved most to spend time on the golf course and to read from a tall pile of books. Most of all he treasured his relationships with his family and a host of loyal friends. He was a generous, loving son to his parents, a steadfast friend to his two brothers, the adored “Papa” to his children and the cherished partner to his wife of 55+ years.

He served for decades in his local church communities as treasurer, lay speaker, Sunday School teacher and volunteer. He was revered by all who knew him as a caring listener and a wise counselor.  Though his active life was curtailed by Cardiac Arrest in 2019, which left him encumbered by limitations, he continued to be a shining light for his family and a kind, good-natured and gentle man to all who loved and cared for him.

A Memorial Service will be held 3:00 PM, Wednesday, November 30, 2022 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, with visitation from 2:00 to 3:00 PM Wednesday in the funeral home. 

Memorial contributions may be made to Bethlehem YWCA Adult Day Services Center, 3893 Adler Place Building B., Suite 180, Bethlehem, PA 18017.  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Petros “Peter” B. Hronis, 87 of Palmer Twp., PA died Saturday, November 26, 2022 at New Eastwood Rehabilitation Center. Born August 29, 1935 in Kalithea (Zaha), Greece, he was a son of the late Alexo (Lambropoulos) and Vasilios Hronis. His wife, Christine (Hadgistavrou) Hronis died in November of 2018. Pete owned and operated the Palmer Diner (formerly Pete’s Steak Shop) and the Forks Diner for more than 50 years. He also loved attending restaurant auctions to buy and sell equipment.

Pete worked hard his whole life with his beloved wife Hrisavghi (Mama) by his side. Starting as a dishwasher and with a lot of hard work and sacrifice they built the two businesses. Many of their employees and customers were like family. He especially loved to take the younger children to see the chickens he raised behind Forks Diner…sometimes finding a few eggs. Family was very important to him. His greatest joy was being with his grandchildren and now great-granddaughter. He loved telling stories of Greece and his experiences in the Greek Army. He was a member of the Sertoma Club and the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Wilson Borough.

Pete is survived by his son William Hronis and his wife Tammy of Palmer Twp.; sisters: Eleni Kotretos (husband Nick) in Greece, Althea Mihalopoulos (late husband George) of Northampton, PA; brother: Dimitrios Hronis (wife Demetra) of Harrisburg, PA; sister-in-law: Syrmo Saroglou of Myrtle Beach, SC; grandchildren: Christina Capitano (husband Richie) of Bethlehem, PA, Peter Hronis (wife Breea) of Charlotte, NC and a great-granddaughter: Gianna.

Services are 11 AM Thursday (Dec. 1) in the church, 319 S. 20th St., Easton, PA with visitation 10 to 11 AM in the church. Interment in Northampton Memorial Shrine. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton, PA is handling arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 319 S. 20th St., Easton, PA 18042. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

The family would like to thank all the family and friends who helped and stopped by to visit. It meant a lot to him and the family. Also, to Interim Healthcare for all their services.

Robert David Lambert 87, of Bethlehem, PA died Thursday, November 24, 2022 at Sacred Heart Assisted Living, Northampton, PA. Born November 7, 1935 in Easton, PA he was a son of the late Florence (Auble) and William J. Lambert. His wife Doris (Weaver) Lambert died in 2018. He was a 1953 graduate of Wilson High School and served in the Marine Corps during the Korean War. Robert was employed by Met-Ed for 39 years before retiring, which included a number of years at the Three Mile Island Plant. Following his retirement, he drove school bus for the Stroudsburg School District. He was very active in Masonic organizations including as past-Master of the Pocono Lodge, Past-Grand Tall Cedar, the Shriners and Consistory.

He is survived by his children: Kim Badillo (Frank) of Easton, David Lambert (Aleta) of Pittston, NJ, William Lambert (Kellie) of Bethlehem, Wes Lambert (Mandi) of Milford, PA; stepchildren: Jill Musselman (Douglas) of Allentown, Scott Grandi (Perian) of Northampton; 11 grandchildren: Zechariah, Anthony, Hanna, Jordan, Lexi, Jennifer and Amanda Lambert, Katie and Ilana Badillo, Josh Pireda, Tyler Musselman, and numerous great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife Doris and siblings: Franklin and Shirley Lambert and Alma Noll.

Services are 10 AM Saturday (Dec. 3) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA with a calling period from 9 to 10 AM. Interment with military honors will be in Easton Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children at www.donate.lovetotherescue.org. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com

Kandy Kane Reed, 57 of Mountaintop, PA formerly of Easton, PA died Tuesday, November 22, 2022 at home. Born August 23, 1965 in Hazleton, PA she was a daughter of the late Sharon (Jackson) and Armond Wheeler, Jr.

She is survived by her children: Sara Wheeler, Shania Reed, Dakota Reed; step-sons: Robert Reed, George Reed, Todd Conover; siblings: Peggy Wheeler, Debby Wackerman, Armond Wheeler, III, Arnold Wheeler, Armanda Crandall-Wheeler, Adrianne Perry, Mark Wheeler, Matthew Wheeler, John Wheeler; and among her extended family: Mary Ann Reed, Matt Reed, Dawn Reed and John Reed. She was predeceased by: her husband Albert McConnell; 2 children: Sharon McConnell, Mario Amato; and 2 siblings: David Wheeler and Shelly Wheeler.

A family celebration of her life will be held at a later date. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton, is handling arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to the family % the funeral home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA 18042. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com