Obituaries

Marcella Ann “Marcia” Franczak, 78, of Wind Gap Manor, formerly of Easton, died Sunday, February 14, 2021 in St. Luke’s Hospice House.

Born May 13, 1942 in Trenton, NJ, she was a daughter of the late Albert and Helen (Kowalski) Wszolek.

Marcia graduated from Georgian Court College, Lakewood, NJ and worked at Easton Hospital for many years. She was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church, Nazareth and a former member of St. Jane Frances de Chantal Catholic Church, Palmer Township.

Surviving are her birth daughters, Aimee Allen and Cara Franczak and her life partner, Michael Mahoney; a daughter from another mother, Helene Langman; a sister, Virginia Martin; and three grandchildren. Her sister, Dolores Wornczyk died earlier.

Since Marcia was a 2nd mother and grandmother to so many, a Memorial Mass will be held on Mother’s Day weekend, Saturday, May 8, 2021 at 10:30 am in St. Jane Frances de Chantal Catholic Church, 4049 Hartley Ave., Palmer Township. Burial will be in St. Hedwig Cemetery, Ewing Township, NJ.
The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to the ambulance crew who saved her life so many times, Bushkill Township Volunteer Fire Co., 155 Firehouse Dr., Nazareth, PA 18064.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Robert Harvey Egolf, 81, of Forks Township, PA passed away peacefully on February 12, 2021. Bob was born in Allentown, PA the son of the late Harvey and Althea (Bernhard) Egolf. A 1957 graduate of Allen High School, Bob received a Bachelor’s degree from Muhlenberg College, followed by a Master’s degree and PhD from Lehigh University. While pursuing his bachelor’s degree, he worked at The Morning Call as a compositor. After the completion of his bachelor’s degree, he was employed by the Allentown School District, teaching English at his alma mater. In addition, Bob served as the English Department chair at Allen, president of the Pennsylvania Council of Teachers of English and later the English Language Arts curriculum coordinator for the Allentown School District. He was also an adjunct professor at Muhlenberg and Lehigh. Passionate about teaching, Bob loved working with students.

After his retirement, he served on the Forks Township Zoning Hearing Board and later was elected as Forks Township Supervisor for two terms and was the secretary treasurer for a number of years. He was a member of the Lehigh County Historical Society, the Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society, the Forks Township Historical Society and was the President for the Bushkill Stream Conservancy. Bob enjoyed volunteering at the Sigal Museum and at the National Museum of Industrial History where he helped to organize a special printing exhibit. He was a member of Forks UCC Church. He enjoyed the outdoors, music, theater, and reading, but most of all spending time with his family.

Bob is survived by his wife, Brenda (Petersen) Egolf, with whom he shared 59 years of marriage; children Robert S. Egolf and Sue Burns (husband Drew); grandchildren Andy and Maggie Burns; nephews Chris and Jon Kohl; and sister-in-law Marjory Petersen. Bob was predeceased by his sister Jean Kohl, brother-in-law Charles Kohl, and daughter-in-law Margaret “Peggy” Egolf.

Services will be private at this time; however, a memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Muhlenberg College, 2400 Chew St., Allentown, PA 18104. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

The family wishes to thank the caring staff at Moravian Hall Square for their wonderful services.

Joyce A. Bowyer, 84 formerly of Easton, PA died Thursday, February 11, 2021 at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Muhlenberg. Born January 6, 1937 in Petaluma, CA she was a daughter of the late Leo and Gertrude Villareal. She was a member of the PA Fiddler’s Association and the Easton Choral Arts Society. Joyce loved country music, square dancing and caring for children.

She is survived by her sons: David L. Savitz of Cape Coral, FL, Barry A. Savitz of Newport, PA; grandchildren: Nathaniel Savitz, Christine Savitz; and stepchildren: Keven and Timothy Bowyer and Stephanie Buenrostro. She was predeceased by husbands: Clarence Savitz and Ivan Bowyer and stepdaughter: Sharon Achey.

Services are private. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Interment is in Northampton Memorial Shrine. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Joan E. Paulus, 89, of Easton, died Sunday, February 7, 2021 at The Gardens at Easton.

Born February 25, 1931 in Easton, she was a daughter of the late Paul E. and Mayme E. (Heims) Clewell.

She graduated from Wilson High School in 1948 and worked in the Easton Medical Group building on Fairview Ave., Wilson Borough for several years. Joan was a member of the former Christ Lutheran Church, Easton and a member of New Creation UCC, Palmer Township where she sang in the choir. She was also a volunteer for Phoebe Home, Allentown.

Surviving are two children, Donald Paulus and Patricia Paulus and a sister, Judy Rohn.

Services will be private. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to Phoebe Home, www.phoebe.org.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Gloria Joan (Stannard) Kocher passed away on Friday, February 5, 2021, at the age of 86. She was a caring wife, mother, sister, daughter, aunt, cousin, and friend. She will be remembered for many things but especially her contagious smile, sparkling blue eyes, and kindness.

She was the loving wife of John Earl Charles Kocher Jr. They shared many wonderful memories in their 60 years of marriage. They had a mutual love of animals, birds, and butterflies. She had two grand-dog-ters, Abby and Whittle, along with two grandbirds, Abby and Boppers, that will miss her. She had an affinity for cats from her first Persian cat given to her by her husband as a Valentine’s Day gift early in their marriage to her last cat that was a Snowshoe Siamese, Picabo, who passed in 2018.

She was born on November 17, 1934, in Nazareth to the late Arthur Albert and Marion Charlotte (Jones) Stannard. Gloria and her family lived next to her parents in Stockertown until their passing. She enjoyed having them next door and took very good care of both her parents.

She graduated from Nazareth Area High School in 1952. She was a proud member of the Nazareth Blue Eagle Marching Band and Nazareth All-Girl Band playing first chair clarinet. She enjoyed playing many sports at Nazareth including baseball, volleyball, hockey, and basketball. She was also a member of their Glee Club. She was forever a Nazareth Blue Eagle throughout her life. She loved reminiscing about her years in Nazareth. One of her favorite things was seeing her classmates at their reunions. She was an active member of the Class of 1952 Reunion Committee up until her passing. She also was a welcome receptionist for Nazareth Area High School briefly after her retirement.

She also graduated with a Secretarial Degree from Churchman’s Business School. Before retiring, she worked as a clerk in the Tax Revenue Division of the Northampton County Government Center for many years.

Gloria was a member of Chapter 185 William Parsons Order of the Eastern Star; a member and past Royal Matron of the Dorothy Lim Memorial Court #110, Order of Amaranth; and member of the Allentown Shrine #27 Order of the White Shrine of Jerusalem.

Surviving with her husband are three daughters and a son-in-law, who she felt was more of a son than an in-law. Her children are Sharon Allison Leh and her husband, Timothy, of Fredericksburg, PA; Karin Joan Kocher and Shawn-Kimberly Kocher, both of Stockertown. She was also preceded in death by a brother, Arthur Albert Stannard Jr. in 1982.

Service will be private at the mausoleum at Northampton Memorial Shrine in Easton. Arrangements are in the care of Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton Street in Easton. There will be no viewing hours.

The family requests that memorial remembrances be made to the Nazareth Area Blue Eagle Class of 1952 in care of Mrs. Bernice Correll, P.O. Box 398, Tatamy, PA 18085.

The Kocher Family thanks the members of the Nazareth Volunteer Ambulance Corps and Bushkill Township Ambulance Corps for their quick response and emergency care. We also thank the St. Luke’s – Anderson Campus Emergency Department staff for their emergency care and compassion.