Obituaries

Robert C. Peters, 84, of Bethlehem Township, died Monday, September 12, 2022 in his home. Born May 16, 1938 in Tatamy, he was the son of the late Carl and Ruth (Frey) Peters. He graduated from Nazareth High School in 1956 where he was the manager for the football team. He joined the U.S. Air Force in 1956 and served for four years. He then worked for Mack Printing for 41 years. Bob was an avid Nazareth football and wrestling fan for over 50 years.

Surviving are his wife, Jane L. (Bonstein) Peters; four sisters, Virginia Siegfried, Ruth Kemmerer, Ellen Laurito, and Elaine Gorby; a half-sister, Susan Worman; two brothers, Carl Peters and Danny Peters; and many nieces and nephews. Three sisters, Elizabeth Laubach, June Long, and Sandra Brown died earlier.

Services will be held at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, September 20, 2022 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton. A visitation will be held from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Tuesday in the funeral home. Interment will be private in Northampton Memorial Shrine. Memorial contributions may be made to Epworth United Methodist Church, 3245 Oakland Rd., Bethlehem, PA 18020. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Pearl M. Dopilka, 94, died Friday, September 9, 2022 in Bethlehem Manor Memory Care. Born October 29, 1927 in Easton, she was the daughter of the late Paul and Emma (Kappish) Patoki. Her husband, John J. Dopilka died in 2010. Pearl was the head waitress at Marquis Dining Hall of Lafayette College for many years until retiring. She was also an active member of Fellowship Church, Phillipsburg.

Surviving are a son, Randy Decker and his wife, Tee; a daughter, Holly Kociolek and her husband, Tony; seven grandchildren; and six great grandchildren. A daughter, Gail Kuypers; a brother, John Patoki; and two sisters, Helen Repsher and Ethel Mettler died earlier.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, October 8, 2022 in Fellowship Church, Phillipsburg. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to Fellowship Church, 300 Cromwell St., Phillipsburg, NJ 08865. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Beverly Ann Ryerson, 65, of Allentown, PA formerly of Wilson Borough died Monday, September 5, 2022 at St. Luke’s Hospital Allentown. Born April 18, 1957 in Lehighton, PA she was the daughter of the late Brian Smith and Joanne (Rodgers) Rosetti. A graduate of Lehighton High School, she was employed by Wegman’s, Allentown for the past 3 years and prior to that by Giant Foods for 30 years.

She is survived by two sons: Michael Presto (Jill) of Coopersburg, PA and David Ryerson (Amanda) of Catasauqua, PA; and grandchildren: Jessie, Autumn, Colton, Caden, Hanna, Gavin, Jacob and Noah. Her husband of 39 years, David A. Ryerson died in 2019.

Services are 10:30 AM Monday (Sept. 12) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA with visitation 7 to 8:30 PM Sunday in the funeral home. Interment is in Easton Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Children’s Home of Easton, 2000 S. 25th St., Easton, PA 18042 for their Firmstone Family Services Behavioral Health Clinic. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

William D. “Bill” Black, Sr., 88, of Palmer Twp., PA died Monday, September 5, 2022, after a long illness. He was the son of the late Agnes (Pasch) and James Black. A graduate of Easton High School, Bill was an entrepreneur who had several successful businesses, the last of which was as a subcontractor for the US Postal Service. He was an avid horseman who raised and trained racing trotters.

He is survived by his son, William Black, Jr. (Cathy), his two daughters, Agnes “Cookie” Black and Valerie Black, and his youngest brother, Joe. He was the loving grandfather of Taylor (Ali) and Will, Jennifer and Chuck, Muriel and Connie, and Julian and great-grandfather of four. Bill was predeceased by his wife, Ann Louise Hevner, his beloved daughter, Shirlee Frey, his brother, James Black, and his sister, Shirley Beasley.

The family will hold a private service of remembrance. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Elizabeth A. “Betty” Cooper, 95, of Bethlehem, died Thursday, September 1, 2022 in Kirkland Village. Born October 1, 1926 in Washington, DC, she was the daughter of the late Rosewell and Anne (Stansberry) Jinkins. She grew up in Highland Park, IL. Her husband, John G. Cooper died in 1998. Betty attended Iowa State University and she and John graduated from the University of Iowa. They were long time residents of Bethlehem having moved to Bethlehem after World War II and finishing college. She loved living in Bethlehem and was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem and the Bethlehem Garden Club. She enjoyed playing golf at Saucon Valley Country Club with John and her friends. She was also an honorary lifetime member of the Bethlehem branch of AAUW.

Surviving are a son, John R. Cooper and his wife, Charlotte; a daughter, Beth Cooper Rogers and her husband, Steven; a daughter-in-law, Kim Cooper. Her son William (Bill) S. Cooper preceded her in death. She is survived by six grandchildren – Ben Rogers, Caitlin Cooper Montalvo, Julie Rogers, Emily Cooper and Cheyenne and Autumn Cooper. She is also survived by her brother Robert L. Jinkins and two great grandchildren – Henry and Warren Montalvo.

Services will be private. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem, 2344 Center St., Bethlehem, PA 18017 or Ascend Hospice, 1120 Welsh Rd., Suite 220, Gwynedd Corporate Center, North Wales, PA 19454.

Elwood J. Sargent, Sr., 69, of Easton, died Monday, August 22, 2022 in St. Luke’s Hospice House. Born March 27, 1953 in East Stroudsburg, he was the son of the late Elwood D. and Emily Jane (Miller) Sargent. He worked for Easton Plating and Metal Finishing for over 20 years.

Surviving are two sons, Elwood Sargent, Jr. and Mike Sargent and his wife, Monica Kennedy; a daughter, Monica Savercool and her husband, Thomas; three sisters, Bonnie Altemose, Linda Thompson, and Tami Dugey; five grandchildren; and 1 great grandson. Two sisters, Connie Reiss and Georgeanne Sargent died earlier.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 2:00 to 6:00 pm on Saturday, September 3, 2022 in Strausser Community Center, Wilson Borough. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.