Ashton Funeral Home

Obituaries

Rosemary T. Ostertag

December 20, 2023

Rosemary Terese Ostertag, 66 of Black Mountain, NC, formerly of Easton, PA, died December 20, 2023 in North Carolina. Born May 8, 1957 in Morristown, NJ, she was the daughter of the late Patricia (nee McCullough) and Donald Hier. She graduated magna cum laude from Fairleigh Dickinson University, earning an undergraduate degree in psychology. She was a world traveler and an avid scrapbooker.

Rose is survived by her husband, George Ostertag; her sons, Noel Michael Ostertag and Patrick Kent Ostertag; her brother John Hier; and her sisters: Cathleen Markey, Heidi Hier, Julie Hier, and Abigail Grogard. She was predeceased by her son Daniel Henry Ostertag in 2005 and her brother Christopher Hier in 2022.

A Celebration of Her Life/ Open House will be held Saturday, April 13th in the family home, 613 Centre St., Easton. Memorial contributions may be made to the Daniel Henry Ostertag Scholarship Fund, c/o the Easton Area School District. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Isabelle M. Parr

December 14, 2023

Isabelle Parr

Isabelle Mae Parr, 98 of Easton, PA passed away Thursday, December 14, 2023 at New Eastwood Health and Rehab Center. Born August 24, 1925 in Phillipsburg, NJ she was a daughter of the late Christian and Elizabeth (Ricketts) Schlecht. Her husband Donald E. Parr died July 8, 1983. She retired from Acme Market after 30 years, then worked part-time for the Eric Theater and in the cafeteria at Tracy Elementary and Easton High School. Isabelle loved to dance, bake, crochet, stained glasswork and ceramics.

She is survived by her children: James Schultz (Mary) of Townsend, DE, Donald Parr, Jr. (Gina) of Carlsbad, CA, Darlene Haffner (Frank) of Brodheadsville, PA, Dana Parr (Kathy) of Williams Twp., PA, Denise Parr of Palmer Twp.; a brother: Harold Schlecht; 9 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren and 7 great-great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, 4 brothers, 2 sisters and a granddaughter.

A memorial service will be held 4 PM Thursday (Dec. 21) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton with a calling period from 3 to 4 PM. Memorial contributions may be made to the Jeff Dailey Foundation at www.doitfordailey.com. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Lois D. Williams

December 9, 2023

Lois D. Williams, 91, of Bethlehem, died Saturday, December 9, 2023 in St. Luke’s Hospital. Born March 28, 1932 in Easton, she was the daughter of the late Lewis J. and Florence T. (Blake) Brown. She was a graduate of Easton High School and Easton Hospital School of Nursing. Lois served in the US Air Force and took her basic training at Gunter Air Force Base, Montgomery, Alabama in 1955. She graduated as a flight nurse in 1957 and was later promoted to 1st Lieutenant stationed at Mitchel Air Force Base, Long Island, New York. She was a nurse at Cedar Crest Hospital and a member of First Baptist Church, Bethlehem and Marine Corps League, Northampton County Detachment #298.

Surviving are three grandchildren, Blake, Wendy, and Ashleigh; and a sister, Gloria L. Riegel. She was predeceased by her children, Tracy A. Dennis and Kevin A. Williams.

Services will be private. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to Marine Corps League, Detachment #298, 1621 Lehigh St., Easton, PA 18042. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Janet M. Bronico

December 8, 2023

Janet M. Bronico, 78, of Moore Township, formerly of Palmer Township, died Friday, December 8, 2023 in Lehigh Valley Hospital. Born October 9, 1945 in Easton, she was the daughter of the late Lester E. “Pete” and Dorothy J. (Madison) Pfeffer. She and her husband, John W. Bronico, were married 58 years. Janet graduated from Phillipsburg High School in 1963 and was a pharmacy technician for C R Pharmacy, Palmer Township. She was a member of Living Hope Lighthouse, Palmerton and a former member of Middlecreek Christian Church, Kresgeville, Ebenezer Bible Fellowship Church, Bethlehem Township, and First Evangelical Congregational Church, Easton.

Surviving with her husband, John, are her children, Mary Katherine Barnhardt and her husband, Thomas of Arlington, TX, Barbara A. Mathis and her husband, Jim of Palmer Township, Brian J. Bronico and his wife, Lezlie of North Richland Hills, TX, and Chris D. Bronico of Palmerton; seven grandchildren; and four great grandchildren. She was predeceased by a sister, Nancy J. Pfeffer and a granddaughter.

Services will be held at 10:00 am on Thursday, December 14, 2023 in Living Hope Lighthouse, 705 Third St., Palmerton. A visitation will be held from 6:30 to 8:00 pm on Wednesday in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton. Interment will be in Northampton Memorial Shrine. Memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Victoria R. “Vicky” Rosa

December 7, 2023

Victoria “Vicky” Rosa, 87, passed away peacefully on December 7, 2023 surrounded by her loving family. She was born and raised in Rochester, NY. In 1960 she married her sweetheart Victor “Bud” Rosa and moved into their new home in Hazlet, NJ where they raised their five children. She worked as a customer service representative for Comcast Cable in the Hazlet office for 16 years retiring in 1998. She was a parishioner at St. Benedict Church, Holmdel, NJ since 1960 where she was involved in many activities. Her favorite was singing at Mass with the Folk Group.

She enjoyed being a member of Sweet Adelines and The Red Hat Society. Vicky volunteered for the Boy and Girls Scouts of Monmouth County and the Hazlet Youth and Athletic League. She was preceded in death by her loving husband Victor “Bud” in 2000; parents Wady and Frances Sarkis; sisters, Shirley Sarkis and Elizabeth Shuhda; brothers, Lee and Joseph Sarkis. She is survived by her five adoring children Catherine (Philip) Vitale, Victor Rosa, James (Deborah) Rosa, Timothy (Gina) Rosa, and Robert Rosa; eleven beautiful grandchildren, Philip (Jordan) and Jennifer Vitale, Victor and Nicole Rosa, Stephanie (Mitchell) Cummings, Tara, Daniel, Brianna Rosa, Amanda, Alexa, Isabella Rosa; and two great grandchildren Charlotte and Carter Cummings; brothers Fred Sarkis, James (Jeannie) Sarkis, and Kenneth (Thomas) Sarkis; sisters Ann Nealon and Deanna O’Connell; and many devoted nieces, nephews, friends, and neighbors.

Forgoing a traditional wake, Vicky’s wishes were for services to be private. She will never be replaced but will live always in the countless memories she left with us. Vicky had the kindest heart and a gentle soul for every person with whom she encountered. Everyone enjoyed her hospitality, amazing humor, and her devotion to her family, friends, and neighbors. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made the American Heart Association, www.heart.org. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Ethel Joan Diefenderfer

December 6, 2023

Ethel Joan Diefenderfer, 90, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, December 6, 2023.  A lifelong Palmer Twp. resident, she was born January 29, 1933 and was the daughter of the late John and Mary (Vegh) Matase. Her husband Earl T. Diefenderfer died in 2008. Ethel was a 1950 graduate of Wilson High School and was employed by New Jersey Bell for many years before retiring. Ethel loved travel, shopping, volunteering, cooking and most of all her home, family, neighbors and many friends. She was a member of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, the Women’s Club of Easton Hospital and the URW Club.

Ethel is survived by her sons: Charles N. (Betsy) of Palmer Twp., Mark A. (Susan) of Incline Village, NV, Stephen E. (Guy) of New York, NY; and 4 grandchildren: Alison, Eric, James and Katherine. Her brother Jack Matase predeceased her.

Services are being planned for Friday, May 24, 2024. For details please email Stephen at Stephendiefenderfer@mac.com or call the Ashton Funeral Home at 610-253-4678. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, 3900 Freemansburg Ave., Easton, PA 18045. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Janet A. Davies

December 6, 2023

Janet A. Davies, 96, of Easton, died Wednesday, December 6, 2023 in her home. Born May 15, 1927 in Easton, she was the daughter of the late Arthur and Frances (Roling) Weston. She was predeceased by her husband, William C. Davies, Sr. Janet was a member of Palmer Moravian Church and served on the Women’s Board of Easton Hospital.

Surviving are three children, Bill Davies and his wife, Pat, Bob Davies, and Barbara Soloe and her husband, John; three grandchildren, Katelyn Davies, John Soloe and his wife, Marissa, and Steven Soloe; and two great grandchildren, Madalyn Rose Soloe and Brayden Alex Soloe.

Services will be private with interment in Northampton Memorial Shrine. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Luke’s Hospice, www.slhn.org/development. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Ralph Kenneth Spicer

December 1, 2023

Ralph Kenneth Spicer, 89 of Forks Twp., PA died Thursday, November 30, 2023 at Riverton Health Center, Allentown. Born June 28, 1934 in North Reading, MA, he was a son of the late Ralph and Dorothy (Patterson) Spicer. He served in the Army Reserves and was called to active duty during the Berlin Crisis. Ken retired from LGS in New York as their Produce Sales Manager and was a very active member of First Baptist Church in Phillipsburg, NJ.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Marion (Tilley) Spicer; his children: Nancy Miller (husband Jim) of Forks Twp., Robert Spicer of Palmer Twp., PA, Janet Puro (husband Scott) of Ewing, NJ; brother: Arnold Spicer, sister: Maryanne Spicer both of Meredith, NH; 5 grandchildren: Stephanie English, Alyson Goszewski, Vanessa Jimenez, Kendall Miller, Micah Puro; and 5 great-grandchildren: Russell, Liam, Grace, Lincoln and Solana. He was predeceased by a brother: C. Lowell Spicer.

Services are 10 AM Friday (Dec. 8) in First Baptist Church, 810 Red School Lane, Phillipsburg, NJ with visitation 6 to 7:30 PM Thursday in the church. Interment is in Forks Cemetery. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church or to Gift of Life, 401 N.3rd St., Philadelphia, PA 19123. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.