Obituaries

Jeffrey A. Kline, 62, of Forks Township, died peacefully in his home on Sunday, October 23, 2022 after a courageous battle with cancer. Born August 27, 1960 in Phillipsburg, he was the son of Vilma A. (Mannicci) Kline and the late Stanley R. Kline, Jr.  Jeff  was a supervisor for the New Jersey Department of Children and Families for over 35 years until retiring earlier this year.  He was a graduate of West Chester University and for 40 years he was the organist and Director of Music at Arndt’s Lutheran Church.

Surviving with his mother, Vilma, are his partner, Tom Mantoni; two brothers, Stanley Kline and his wife, Jeanne, and Gary Kline and his wife, Missy; and a sister, Michelle Buonfiglio.

Services will be held at 10:30 am on Wednesday, November 2, 2022 in Arndt’s Lutheran Church, Easton. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to Arndt’s Lutheran Church, 1851 Arndt Rd., Easton, PA 18040; Lehigh Valley Health Network Hospice, www.lvhn.org/giving; or Peaceable Kingdom, www.lvpeaceablekingdom.info/donate. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Sidney Richardson Garrett of Easton died Sunday, October 23, 2022 in Bethlehem, PA just two weeks short of his 95^th birthday. Born November 9, 1927 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana he was a son of the late Adella Elizabeth (Richardson) and Fritz Albert Garrett, Sr. 

He was a truly creative and kind person, with an unfailing sense of humor and a deep appreciation of excellence in any field. A talented athlete, he played football for Georgia Tech before returning to Baton Rouge and completing both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Louisiana State University (LSU). He was a sculptor and professor of art and art history at LSU for 25 years, retiring in 1993 as a professor emeritus. 

He is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Ann Harding, sons Tyler Armin Garrett and Matthew Richardson Garrett and his wife Cassandra, and grandson Oliver. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Mary Elizabeth Garrett Cunningham, and his brothers Fritz Albert Garrett, Jr. and George William Garrett.   

Memorial contributions may be made to the LSU School of Art General Scholarship Fund.  [Link: https://securelb.imodules.com/s/1585/cart21/form.aspx?sid=1585&gid=1&pgid=439&cid=1080&bledit=1&dids=2514]  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Carol J. Purcell, 82, of Williams Township, died Friday, October 21, 2022 in St. Luke’s Hospital. Born July 30, 1940 in Shamokin, she was the daughter of the late Clarence and Faye (Jones) Snyder. She and her husband, Harry Purcell were married 17 years. Her first husband, Bruce Robison, Sr. died in 2004. Carol worked for the Northampton County Soil Conservation District and was a school bus driver for the Wilson Area School District. She graduated from Easton Area High School in 1959 and was a member of Belfast Bible Church.

Surviving with her husband, Harry, are a son, Bruce Robison, Jr. and his wife, Karen; a daughter, Faye Freer and her husband, Rich; a brother, Robert Snyder; a step-brother, Mark Snyder; a step-sister, Joyce Kostenbader; and two grandchildren, Nicole and Richie. Her brother, Raymond Snyder died earlier.

Services will be held at 10:30 am on Thursday, October 27, 2022 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton. A visitation will be held from 9:30 am until service time on Thursday in the funeral home. Interment will be in Northampton Memorial Shrine. Memorial contributions may be made to Belfast Bible Church, 483 Belfast Rd., Nazareth, PA 18064. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Richard Donald Shafer, 91 of Phillipsburg, NJ died Sunday, October 16, 2022 at home. Born June 2, 1931 in Wilson Borough, PA he was a son of the late Florence (Dornblazer) and Alvin Shafer. He was a 1950 graduate of Wilson High School and served in the Navy during the Korean War. He was employed by the Riegel Paper Mill for 39 years before retiring. Richard was Phillipsburg School Crossing Guard for 20 years and avid Phillies and Eagles fan. He also loved to fish.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, the former Joan Kohler; 5 children: Jill Deemer (Phil) of Raubsville, PA, Richard Shafer, Jr. in Florida, Gary Shafer (Jennifer) of Fairless Hills, PA, Kathy Moyer (William) of Easton, PA, Melissa Shafer (Mathew Fachet) of Hellertown, PA; a sister: Mae Rapp of Easton; 8 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by 4 brothers: Charles, John, Harold and Robert Shafer and a sister: Shirley Galante.

Services are 11 AM Friday (October 21) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA with visitation 10 to 11 AM. Interment is in Easton Cemetery (formerly Easton Heights). Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com

Myrna Margaret Thomas, 83 of Forks Twp., PA died Sunday, October 16, 2022 at home. Born September 24, 1939 in Pittsburgh, PA she was a daughter of the late Jennie (Seibold) and Charles Swann. She was employed by Light of Life (a charity mission) in Pittsburgh for many years before retiring. She was a member of Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, Easton and the Family YMCA. She loved time with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and her extended Goodyear family.

She is survived by her daughters: Jennifer Goodyear (Robert) of Forks Twp., Janice Thomas-Lowery (Deion) of Orlando, FL, Judith Lanham (C. Paul) of Orlando, FL; brother: Jay Swann; sisters: Charlene Swann, Sally Hochdoerfer; 7 grandchildren: Nicole Yi, Brandon Goodyear, Tyler Ann Goodyear, Michael Lowery, Mathew Lowery, Emily Lowery, Hayley Lanham; 5 great-grandchildren and her extended Heimbach/Goodyear family. She was predeceased by a brother: Wayne Swann, a sister: Arlene Black and a grandson: Dusten Lanham.

A memorial service will be held 11 AM Thursday, October 20 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA with a calling period from 10 to 11 AM. A graveside service will be held 11 AM Friday, October 28 at Christ Our Redeemer Cemetery, 204 Cemetery Lane, Pittsburgh, PA.

Memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of Mercy Church, 132 S. 5th St., Easton, PA 18042 or UPMC Presbyterian CT Transplant, 200 Lothrop St., C Suite 900, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, RE: Patient Assistance Fund in memory of Myrna Thomas. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.