Obituaries

Karen Sue George, 64 of Forks Twp., PA died Tuesday, July 12, 2022 at home. Born December 24, 1957 in Gaylord, MI, she was a daughter of Verda (Schwendener) Simms, with whom she resided and the late William Simms, Sr. She was a graduate of Easton High School and the St. Luke’s School of Nursing. Karen had been employed by the Brookmont Health Care Center in Effort, PA as a nurse administrator.

She is survived by her mother, Verda; sisters: Pamela Smith and Marsha Simms; brothers: William, Jr., Glenn and Mark Simms; and her many beloved nieces and nephews. A sister, Sharon Simms died earlier.

Services will be private; the Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or charity of choice. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com

Mark S. Walker, 68, of Lower Saucon Township, died Monday, July 11, 2022 in his home. Born December 29, 1953 in Newark, NJ, he was the son of the late Edward and Shirley (Morris) Walker. He and his wife, Sherry A. (Datesman) Walker were married 28 years. Mark graduated from Hillsborough High School and Duquesne University. He worked for the St. Luke’s University Health Network and was a private practice family and marriage counselor.

Surviving with his wife, Sherry, are his children, Christopher Walker and his wife, Kerry, Jason Walker and his wife, Amy, Allison Burrington and her husband, David, Amy Bartholomew and her husband, Ken, Taryn Gusick and her husband, Andrew, and Jason Winterburn and his wife, Susan; two sisters, Patricia Hicks and Cindy Walker; a brother, Harry Walker; and twelve grandchildren. His brother, Edward Walker died earlier.

Services will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, July 16, 2022 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton. A visitation will be held from 6:00 to 7:30 pm on Friday in the funeral home. Interment will be private in Union Cemetery of Hellertown. Memorial contributions may be made to Samaritan’s Purse, www.samaritanspurse.org. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

John K. Clause, 76, of Bethlehem Twp., PA died Monday, July 11, 2022 at Temple University Hospital. Born May 11, 1946 in Bethlehem he was the son of the late Ulysses and Miriam (Brunner) Clause. He was a graduate of Liberty High School, Moravian College and received his master’s degree from Lehigh University. He was a teacher in the Bethlehem School District. John was a former PIAA Track and Field Official and an athlete in the 1997 U.S. National Senior Sports Classic VI in Tucson, AZ. He also raced stock cars at the Nazareth Speedway. He owned and operated Rainbow Antiques and loved English Sheepdogs, especially his beloved Sneakers, KC, Augie and Indy.

Services are private with interment in Cedar Hill Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to the Center of for Animal Health and Welfare. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com

Doris Lifland, 98 formerly of Easton, PA died Saturday, July 9, 2022 at Moravian Hall Square. Born May 8, 1924 in Brooklyn, NY she was a daughter of the late Jennie (Wexler) and Morris Cravits. Her husband Elmer Lifland died in 1984. She was a graduate of Allentown High School Class of 1942 and was employed by the Northampton County Department of Public Assistance. After retiring, she was appointed to the Northampton County Board of Public Assistance by the late Gov. Robert Casey.

Doris was a member of Bnai Abraham Synagogue (now Congregation Bnai Shalom) and the Sisterhood. She was also a life member of Hadassah and past president of the URW Club. She was a member of the Red Hat Ladies, the Knitting Group of the Synagogue and Temple and she organized theatre groups to NYC for over 50 years. As a resident of Moravian Hall Square, she and their Chaplain planned a community wide 8-day Chanukah celebration to teach others about the holiday. Doris loved playing canasta and loved teaching people the game.

She is survived by her children: Shari Lifland of Sarasota, FL, Larry S. Lifland (Kathy) of Jupiter, FL; grandchildren: Logan Lifland Ruppel, Richard, Jennifer and Margaret Lifland; great-grandchildren: Ryleigh and Breanna; and many beloved nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Elmer and her sister, Shirley Ytkin.

Services are 11 AM Tuesday (July 12) in Congregation Bnai Shalom, 1545 Bushkill St., Easton with interment in Bnai Abraham Cemetery, Forks Twp., PA. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements.  

Memorial contributions may be made to Hadassah at www.hadassah.org or Theatre Development Fund Wendy Wasserstein Project at www.give.tdf.org. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Kim E. Jacoby, 61 of Easton, PA died June 30, 2022 at St. Luke’s Hospice House. Born April 5, 1961 in Easton she was a daughter of the late Carol (Jacoby) Wieder. She is survived by her children: James Beers of Philadelphia, PA, DeWayne “Bubba” Beers (Jessica) of Pen Argyl, PA, Tabitha Beers of Conroe, TX, Christina “T.T.” Forbes (Chad) of Tomball, TX; her dad: Frank “Jr.” Kleintop; siblings: Frank, Ed, Jeremiah, Debbie, Brenda and 10 grandchildren. Her husband: Willard “Odey” Odenwelder died in 2015.

A Celebration of her Life will be held from 1 to 4 PM, Sept. 3 (Saturday) in the Safety First Fire Hall, 601 Keystone Ave., Easton. Please bring any photos, mementos and/or memories to be shared.

Memorial contributions may be made to the family c/o the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA 18042. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com

Sally Somers Heck, 93 of Easton, PA died Tuesday, June 28, 2022 at home. Born August 3, 1928 in Easton, she was a daughter of the late Mary (Keeler) and Edward P. Somers. She was a graduate of Easton High School and employed by Easton National Bank & Trust, the Easton Redevelopment Authority and Weichert Realty for many years before retiring. Sally enjoyed traveling, opera and her weekly bridge games.

She is survived by her children: George H. Heck (wife Maryann) of Easton, James S. Heck (wife Loretta) of Palmer Twp., PA, Maura Heck of Forks Twp., PA; 4 grandchildren: Kara Kline, Jacob Heck, Alison Fink, Ian Heck; and 8 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband: Eric Rhodin and 2 brothers and 2 sisters.

Services are private with interment in Easton Cemetery. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to Second Harvest Food Bank, 6969 Silver Crest Rd., Nazareth, PA 18064. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com