Obituaries

Betty (Gross) Walter, 94, of Bethlehem, PA, passed away peacefully on January 23, 2026. She was born on February 1, 1931, in Ottsville, PA, and was the beloved wife of the late Bruce J. Walter, with whom she shared seventy-two years of marriage before his passing on July 5, 2025.
Betty was the daughter of the late Kenneth Gross and Elizabeth (Bayer) Gross. She was raised in Bucks County and graduated from Nockamixon High School. In her early years, she worked in a local silk mill before dedicating her life to her family as a full-time homemaker when her children were born.
Betty was the heart of her home. She was especially known for always making food for everyone, particularly her family. Her kitchen was a place of warmth, generosity, and comfort, where loved ones gathered and no one ever went hungry. She also found great joy in tending her flower gardens, lovingly planting spring tulips and caring for colorful summer annuals that reflected her patience, care, and appreciation for simple beauty.
She shared her husband’s deep faith and was a lifelong member of the former Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Betty lived with quiet strength, humility, and an unwavering devotion to her family.

She is survived by her two children, Deborah (Duke) Lindsay and Douglas (Patricia) Walter. Affectionately known as “Nanny” to her grandchildren, Betty was a devoted grandmother to Mark Walter, Brian Walter, John (Carina) Lindsay, and Kevin (Adrianna) Lindsay. She was preceded in death by her granddaughter, Sarah (Lindsay) Dudzic (Tom). Betty was also blessed with seven great-grandchildren.
Betty was preceded in death by her brothers, Richard and Jerald Gross, and her sisters, Florence Hancharik, Frances Weider, Gladys Conrad, Evelyn Fluck, and Delores Kuphal. She is survived by her siblings, Kenneth Gross and Judith Schulberger.

A graveside service will be conducted at Bethlehem Memorial Park Cemetery at Noon on Thursday, January 29, 2026. Arrangements are under the care of Ashton Funeral Home, Easton, PA.

Betty will be remembered for her selfless love, her nurturing spirit, and the countless meals that brought her family together. Her legacy lives on through the family she cherished and the lives she quietly touched.

Richard Edward McTague, 67, of Palmer Township, died on January 22, 2026, at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Muhlenberg. Born in 1958 in Easton, PA, he was a son of the late Iris (Watkins) and Robert E. McTague of Easton.  A 1976 graduate of Easton High School, he had been employed by the Steel Club in Hellertown and Harker’s Hollow Golf Club in Harmony, NJ.

Rick was an avid fisherman and enjoyed boating and fishing on Minsi Lake, the Delaware River, Oneida Lake in New York and trips to Ontario, Canada. He was previously a Boy Scout in Troop 25 of Palmer Township and participated in sports for the Palmer Township Athletic Association.

He is survived by his brothers: Robert McTague; formerly of Bangor, Roger McTague and his wife Janet of Bethlehem; his sister: Ruth Campbell and her husband Keith of Ft. Myers, FL; his longtime companion: Terry McLaughlin and her daughter: Robin Yurgartis; his aunt and uncle Ruth Ann and Tom Weeks of Montrose, PA, nephews: Collin and his wife Heather of Lancaster, Evan and his wife Elizabeth of Bethlehem, Robert Campbell and his wife Sara of Lincoln, Nebraska and Robyn Delsing and her husband Josh of Ft. Myers, FL, and six great nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service will be held 10:30 AM, Saturday, March 7, 2026, in St. Paul’s III Lutheran Church, 2561 Newburg Road, Palmer Twp. with a calling period from 10 to 10:30 AM in the church. Interment is in Northampton Memorial Shrine. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Carol A. Hughes, 79, formerly of Wind Gap, died Wednesday, January 21, 2026 in St. Luke’s Hospital. Born February 9, 1946 in Easton, she was the daughter of the late Harry Lutes and Olive (Grube) Martin. Her husband, Ronald E. “Pop” Hughes, Sr. died in 2022. Carol was an avid bingo player. Her happiest moments were spent with her kids and grandkids as they were her entire world. There was never a gathering or event that she missed and always enjoyed every second she got to spend with us. Carol was “Gram” to many that knew her as that was the title she was most proud of in this world. If you got to be loved by her you sure were lucky. She will be missed by many but is now back home with her love.

Surviving are two sons, Ronald E. Hughes, Jr. and Scott A. Hughes and his wife, Jenn; a daughter, Yvonne P. Beers and her husband, Christopher; eight grandchildren, Jared, Jessica, Kelsey, Alyson, Abygayle, Madysen, Emalie, and Sara; five great grandchildren, Kensleigh, Eliana, Theodore, Owen, and Charlotte; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by two brothers, Harry and Tom; two sisters, Sandra and Linda; and a daughter-in-law, Kitti-Jo.

Services will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, January 24, 2026 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton. A visitation will be held from 1:00 to 2:00 pm on Saturday in the funeral home. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Sylvan Lee Lutey, 76 of Bethlehem Twp., PA formerly of Montana, died Monday, January 19, 2026, at St. Luke’s Hospital Anderson Campus. Born March 26, 1949, in Butte, MT, he was a son of the late Emily (Wickham) and Sylvan M. Lutey. He was a graduate of Montana Tech and employed in the gypsum and cement industries. A work-acholic and fix-it guy, Sylvan traveled the world troubleshooting and offering his expertise in gypsum/cement manufacturing. He was a Kentucky Colonel, a Montana Tech Copper Guard, member of the Lions Club and an avid outdoorsman. Sylvan loved hunting, fishing and the Nebraska Cornhuskers, but he especially loved attending his daughters’ sporting events.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Kimberly (Wicks) Lutey; daughters: Shauna Lutey of White Lake, MI, Brandi Tew (husband Chad) of Rome, PA; siblings: Joanne Johnson, Bonnie Cyr (Wayne), Randy Lutey; granddaughters: Lucy and Lily Dalseg; many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at a later date in Montana. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton, PA is handling arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society at www.bloodcancerunited.org. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Linda S. Miller, 75, of Lake Harmony, PA, died Sunday, January 18, 2026 in Forest Hills Rehabilitation Center. Born December 14, 1950 in Phillipsburg, NJ, she was the daughter of the late Willard J. Daly, Jr. and Pearl M. (Shafer) Daly. She and her husband, David A. Miller were married 55 years.
Linda was a legal secretary for Herbert Litvin in Easton. She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church, Easton and a volunteer for Bethlehem Christian School.

Surviving with her husband, David, are two daughters, Amy Matla and Krista Harrison; a brother, Richard J. Daly; and four grandchildren. She was predeceased by a sister, Sharon Amico.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, February 14, 2026 in Calvary Baptist Church, 5300 Green Pond Rd., Easton. A visitation will be held from 10:00 am to 11:00 am on Saturday, February 14th in the church. Private interment was in Forks Cemetery. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to Calvary Baptist Church, 5300 Green Pond Rd., Easton, PA 18045, https://calvarybaptistpa.org/give. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Nancy L. Garrett, of Easton, passed away January 12, 2026. Born July 13, 1937 in Asbury, NJ, she was the daughter of the late Mathias T. and Helen E. Jennings. Her husband, Walter E. passed away in 1993. She was of the Baptist faith.

She is survived by her daughter, Terri A. and husband, Nicholas Gross with whom she had a loving and close relationship. There are also two sons and a daughter, one granddaughter and one grandson. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Wendi Lynn. Nancy was a cancer care nurse doing private duty for years until retiring in 1996.

Services will be private with interment in Easton Cemetery. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, www.cff.org or The Center for Animal Health and Welfare, www.healthyanimalcenter.org. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Miriam K. Cassel , 93 of Newtown, PA died Saturday, January 10, 2026 at St. Mary’s Medical Center, Langhorne, PA. Born March 27, 1932 in Bethlehem PA , the fifth of seven children, she was a daughter of the late Tillie (Margolis) and Max Goldberg. She was a graduate of Liberty High School and spent her working years in the family medical practice community. Miriam had a lifelong devotion to her Jewish faith, holding leadership and volunteer roles, including serving as Sisterhood President and Ritual Committee Chair, at three synagogues over her lifetime. She also taught bar and bat mitzvah classes at Temple Beth El Israel in Port St. Lucie, FL. Miriam was known for her love of cooking and entertaining and was famous for her red velvet cake, challah and rugelach. Rarely seen without a book, she also enjoyed cards, bingo and mahjong.

Miriam will be lovingly remembered for her laugh, her smile and her warm presence by her children: Celia Connor (husband Ed), Michael Kutner (wife Stacy); a sister: Freda Klugman; 9 grandchildren: Timothy Kutner (Sendy), Jennifer Stoffels (Bill), Lauren Miller (Brian), Dana Kutner, Leah Burnite (George), Skye Kutner, Raina Vaughn (Preston), Kevin Kutner (Casey), Justin Kutner; 11 great-grandchildren who lovingly knew her as G-G-Mom; her stepchildren: Neil Cassel, Stacey Busch (Howard) and their 3 children, spouses and grandchildren. She was predeceased by husbands: Robert Kutner in 1974, Arno Cassel in 2024 and her son: Allen Kutner in 2000.

Services will be held 11 AM Tuesday (Jan. 13, 2026) at Congregation B’nai Shalom Synagogue, 1545 Bushkill St., Easton followed by interment in B’nai Abraham Cemetery, Forks Twp. The Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA is handling arrangements.  Memorial contributions may be made to MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger (reflecting her love for feeding and caring for others.) Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.