Obituaries

Warren E. Bray, 95, of Palmer Twp., PA died Sunday, October 2, 2022, at Gracedale. Born March 1, 1927, in Phillipsburg, NJ he was a son of the late Lottie (Steinmetz) and Elwood Bray. He was a 1944 graduate of Phillipsburg High School and a Temple Tech graduate. Warren served in the Navy during WWII as a medical corpsman and was employed by Western Electric for more than 40 years before retiring. He was a 60-year member of the F. & A. M., Easton; a member of the American Legion, Lester Pfeffer Post and a very active member of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, where he had served on church council and was a member of the choir.

He is survived by his children: David Bray (Deborah) of Harvest, AL, Susan Vernarr (John) of Bethlehem, PA, Donna Siegel (Dr. Eric) of Shelbyville, KY; step-children: Stephen Neimiller (Janice) of Lower Mt. Bethel, PA, Virginia “Jean” Gerbino of Cinnaminson, NJ; a sister: Janet Donovan of Ellicott City, MD; 9 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his first wife: Roberta (Melvin) in 1977, second wife: Irmgard (Moller) in 2018, and his brother: Elwood Bray, Jr.

A Memorial Service will be held 10:30 AM Monday (October 10) at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, 3900 Freemansburg Ave., Easton, with a calling period from 9:30 to 10:30 AM in the church. Interment will be private in Fairmount Cemetery, Phillipsburg, NJ. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, 3900 Freemansburg Ave., Easton, PA 18045. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

May Margaret Castillo, 62 of Easton, PA died Saturday, October 1, 2022 at Aultman Hospital in Canton, OH. Born July 18, 1960 in Easton, PA she was a daughter of the late Ida Mae (Van Horn) and Lloyd King. She was nurse’s aide at Easton Nursing Center and the Hunterdon County Convalescent Center for more than 20 years.

She is survived by her children: Emery Clark, III (Lynette) of Bangor, PA, Lovetesha Clark (Holly) of Canton, OH; brothers: Marvin King (Phyllis) of Easton, James Van Horn of Bethlehem Twp., PA; sister: Ann Price of Canton; grandchildren: Shylin, Tyler, Ralph, Hailie, Jacob, Isaiah, Maylana; nieces and nephews:  Laura, Heidi, Alicia, Bo, Tanya, Jason and Miguel Ortiz whom she helped raise. She was predeceased by Emery “Poker” Clark, II and Juan Ortiz-Ruiz and a granddaughter, Ginette.

Graveside services will be held 1:30 PM Wednesday (Oct. 12) at Easton Cemetery, N. 10th St., Easton with visitation 12:30 to 1:30 PM in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA. Memorial contributions may be made to family, care of the funeral home. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com

Ethel Mae Olliff, 90 of Hellertown, PA died Friday, September 30, 2022 at Saucon Valley Manor. Born October 9, 1931 in Pt. Phillips, PA she was a daughter of the late Mabel (Stahley) and Clark F. Mackes. Her husband Joseph B. Olliff, Jr. died in 1969. She was a graduate of Liberty High School and St. Luke’s School of Nursing. Ethel was a registered nurse at St. Luke’s Hospital for more than 30 years before retiring and was a member of Trinity OPC, Easton.

She is survived by her children: Joseph B. Olliff, III (Jamey) of Easton, Christine A. Jorgensen (Jerry) of New Market, VA, Bonnie L. Olliff (Donald Coons) of Moseley, VA; grandchildren: Katie and Sally Roman; great-granddaughter: Abby Fitch; 3 step-grandchildren, 15 step-great-grandchildren; 8 great-great-grandchildren; and siblings: David, Miriam, Virginia, Patricia, Evelyn, Eugene and Emma. She was predeceased by siblings: Clark, Jr., Mabel, Franklin, Charles, Dorothea, Paul and Jay.

Services are 10 AM Friday (October 7) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton with visitation 6 to 7:30 PM Thursday in the funeral home. Interment in Cedar Hill Memorial Park. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com

Robert J. Reid, Sr., 85 yrs.

Husband, Father, Pop Pop, Brother

It is with heavy hearts, that we announce the passing of our beloved Patriarch, Robert J. Reid, Sr.
He passed away peacefully in his sleep and soared with the angels on September 27, 2022.

Born in Perth Amboy, NJ, he resided in Woodbridge, NJ for over 45 years before retiring to Easton, PA.
He was a graduate of Union High School and attended Newark School of Fine Art. He was a commercial Art Director working in NYC for Bon R Reproductions for over 40 years.
He was an avid/active golfer, took pride and joy in gardening and enjoyed flea marketing. He previously spent countless hours on his boat and fishing.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Ulla, his daughter Karen Ladym and partner Robert Longo and his son, Robert J. Reid, Jr. and wife Tammy, his cherished grandchildren, namesake Robert J. Reid, III and granddaughter, Erika Reid and fiance Ben Gilbert. Also, survived by his twin brother, Richard Reid and sisters Linda Zarenko and Bonnie Tompkins along with many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his sister, Barbara Reid and parents, Robert Ellsworth and Gladys Reid.

Family and Friends, please join us for a Memorial Service on Saturday, October 29, 2022 at 10:00 am, Arndt’s Lutheran Church, 1851 Arndt Rd.,
Easton, PA. 18040. Celebration of Life immediately following at Jacob’s Farm Clubhouse, 545 Biltmore Ave., Easton, PA. 18040.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Arndt’s Lutheran Church.

John E. Grube, Jr., 73, of Easton, passed away peacefully on September 24, 2022 in Old Orchard Health Care Center. Born June 9, 1949 in Bethlehem, he was the son of the late John Grube and Cora Yob. John was the devoted husband of 42 years to the late Sherry (Unangst) Grube. John proudly served in the US Army. He worked construction before retiring. He enjoyed archery and hunting and will be most remembered for his generosity, good heart, and great sense of humor.

John is survived by his daughters, Kristine Heckman and her husband, Bob of Bath, Susan Ely and her husband, Scott of Palmer Township, and Kendra Grube of Allentown; his sons, Ken Grube and his wife, Kim of Wind Gap, Mike Grube and his companion, Sandy Sottolano of Wilson Borough, Jim Grube of Denham Springs, LA, and Randy Grube and his wife, Lynn of Easton; his sister, Shirley Miller of Wilson Borough; his family and best friend, George Frack of Nazareth; twelve grandchildren; and six great grandchildren.

A graveside service with military honors will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, September 30, 2022 in The Historic Easton Cemetery, 401 N. 7th St., Easton. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to The Center for Animal Health and Welfare, www.healthyanimalcenter.org. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Evelyn C. Shafer, 80, of Avona Heights, died Monday, September 19, 2022 in St. Luke’s Hospital. Born September 21, 1941 in West Easton, she was the daughter of the late John E. and Helen B. (Connelly) O’Toole. She and her husband, John P. Shafer, Jr. were married 60 years. She worked at the Express-Times for 35 years until retiring in 2004. Prior to that she worked for Wilshire Curtain Company and Shapiro and Sons. She was a member of St. Jane Frances de Chantal Church. She was also a Life Member of Palmer Township Fire Company and Avona Volunteer Fire Company. Evelyn enjoyed shopping, Sunday drives, soap operas, reruns of The Waltons and Monk; and she especially enjoyed watching her grandchildren grow up.

Surviving with her husband, John are a son, John P. Shafer, III of West Easton; a sister, Anna Searfoss of Checotah, OK; four granddaughters, Beth Ann, Ashley, Briana, and Shana; and five great grandchildren.

Services will be held at 10:30 am on Wednesday, September 28, 2022 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton. A visitation will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 am on Wednesday in the funeral home. Interment will be in Gethsemane Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jane Frances de Chantal Church, 4049 Hartley Ave., Easton, PA 18045. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.