Ashton Funeral Home

Obituaries

Rose M. Catalino

February 3, 2021

Rose M. Catalino, 90, formerly of Roseto, died Wednesday, February 3, 2021 in Lower Cape Fear Care Center, Wilmington, NC.

Born February 17, 1930 in Easton, she was a daughter of the late Angelo and Margarita (Caponigro) Palmisano. Her husband, Philip “Pip” Catalino died in 2018.

Rose worked for Ingersoll-Rand, Phillipsburg and was a seamstress in the Roseto area.
She was a member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church and was a volunteer at Pius X High School.

Surviving are her son, Guy Catalino and his wife, Jane of Calabash, NC; two brothers, Anthony Palmisano and Albert Palmisano; three sisters, Geraldine Fahringer, Maurgrite Mueller and Lucia Palmisano; four grandchildren, Tiffany, Sean, Jillian and Daniel and a great grandson, Liam. Three brothers, Angelo Palmisano, Carl Palmisano and Gerald Palmisano and a sister, Angie Palmisano died earlier.

Services will be private with entombment in Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Cemetery. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Stephen L. Poff

January 30, 2021

Stephen L. Poff, 35, of Easton, died Saturday, January 30, 2021.

He worked for various moving companies in the Lehigh Valley.

Surviving are his parents, Lisa (Conover) Poff and her fiancé, David, and Garner Poff; grandparents, Margaret Knecht and James Conover; his girlfriend, Amanda; a brother, Justin and his fiancé, Shelby; three nephews and a niece. His brother, Dallas died earlier.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at Noon on Saturday, April 10, 2021 at Upper Hackett Park, Easton. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Helene F. Kaplan

January 30, 2021

Helene F. Kaplan

Helene F. Kaplan, 84 of Wilson Borough, PA died Saturday, January 30, 2021 at home. Born February 22, 1936 in Brooklyn, NY she was a daughter of the late Abraham and Dorothy (Ehlin) Feuerman. Her husband Sidney Kaplan died in February of 2019. She was a graduate of Brooklyn College and received her master’s degree from Penn State University. Helene had been employed by Easton Hospital and had managed the Speech Pathology Department at Warren Hospital. She was a member of Bnai Abraham Synagogue, now Congregation Bnai Shalom, Wilson where she served on their Board of Directors and was active in the Hadassah and the Sisterhood. She was a past-president of the Jewish Community Center and was a member of URW and the Red Hat Society. She had previously volunteered for Meals on Wheels and was a donor to the Blood Bank.

She is survived by her son: David Kaplan (wife Snookie) of Wilson Borough; her daughter: Randi Kaplan of Forks Twp., PA; and her sister: Elaine Oxenberg of Hickory, NC. 

A Graveside service will be held 1:00 PM  Monday (Feb. 8) at Bnai Abraham Cemetery, Arndt’s Rd., Forks Twp. (COVID guidelines will be observed.) The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements.   

Memorial contributions may be made to the Synagogue, 1545 Bushkill St., Easton, PA 18042. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Richard F. Cortazzo

January 29, 2021

Richard Franklin “Rick” Cortazzo, 91, of Easton, PA died January 29, 2021 at Lehigh Valley Hospital Muhlenberg. Born July 9, 1929 in Flicksville, PA, he was the son of the late Carmine Antonio “Tony” Cortazzo and Anna (Stocker) Cortazzo Mack and stepson of the late Richard F. Mack. He graduated from Easton High School in 1947, Lafayette College in 1957 and received his MBA from NYU. He served in the Army during the Korean War and, after college, was employed by companies including Union Carbide, Monsanto, and Fuller Co. He was a concierge for the National Building in Easton following his retirement. Rick was a member of Toastmaster’s, Lions Club, Elks Club, American Legion and the Fleck Society at Lafayette.

He is survived by four children: Jeffrey Cortazzo (Emily) of Steilacoom, WA, Mark Cortazzo(Lynette) of Greenville, SC, Janis Cortazzo of Jacksonville, FL, Sierra Cortazzo (Eric Nemens) of St. Louis, MO; stepson: Bob Cortazzo Lockner; and six grandchildren. His wife, the former Florence “Cookie” Unger, died in August of 2020.

Services are private with interment at Northampton Memorial Shrine. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com. Memorial contributions may be made to Lafayette College c/o Development Office, Box 3000, Easton, PA 18042.

Delores J. “Dee” Connolly

January 27, 2021

Delores "Dee" Connolly

Delores J. “Dee” Connolly of Bethlehem Township, PA died Wednesday, January 27, 2021 at Fellowship Manor, Whitehall. She was the eldest daughter of the late Donald and Mary Kummer of Easton and widow of Francis H. Connolly. She was a 1948 graduate of Easton High School and member of their reunion and scholarship committees. She attended Churchman’s Business College and the John Robert Powers School of Modeling in New York City where she worked as a professional runway and TV game show model.

Dee retired from the Easton Area School District where she was employed for 34 years as the Administrator of the Easton Area Earned Income Tax office. An honorary life member of the PA Earned Income Tax Officers, Administrators and Collectors Association, she served on their Board of Directors for 22 years and was elected the first woman President. She also served on the Board of Directors of the Mideastern Chapter of the American Heart Association as its First Vice President and was a lifetime member of the Northampton County Chapter of the Association of School Retirees and member of the PA Association of School Retirees.

She was a speaker at local high schools’ career conferences sponsored by the Easton Kiwanis Club and in 1983, was named Woman of the Year by the Forks of the Delaware Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association. Dee was a member of Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, where she sang in the choir, served on the Finance, Building and Grounds Committees and was Past President of the Parish Council. She was also a member of the Catholic Daughters, Court Easton, the Council of Catholic Women, Past President of the Altar and Rosary Society and former Treasurer of the Women’s Guild.

She is survived by her sisters: Helen McCall of Grants Pass, OR, Donna Smull (Joseph), of Orefield, PA; nephews: Stephen and Matthew Smull, Dr. Gregory Smull (Amy), niece: Melissa Visco (Robert) and their families, as well as many other nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Francis and sister, Carolyn Phillips.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10 AM Thursday (Feb. 4) at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, 152 South 5th St. Easton. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Interment is in Northampton Memorial Shrine.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Our Lady of Mercy Church or the Center for Animal Health and Welfare. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Maurice Ehrlich, M.D.

January 26, 2021

Maurice Ehrlich, MD, 84 of Easton, PA died Tuesday, January 26, 2021 at St. Luke’s Hospice House, Bethlehem, PA. Born October 21, 1936 in the Bronx, he was the son of the late Jack and Rae (Kaplan) Ehrlich. He was a graduate of New York University Medical School and was a Captain in the US Air Force. Dr. Ehrlich was an Ophthalmologist in private practice in Phillipsburg, NJ and at several hospitals including Warren Hospital before retiring. He was of the Jewish faith.

He is survived by his niece Roberta Willet of Gallaway, NJ and his caregiver Walter Miller, Jr. His sister Dorothy Best died earlier.

Graveside services will be held 2:30 PM Thursday (Jan. 28) at Cedar Hill Memorial Park, 1700 Airport Rd., Allentown. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Contributions in his memory may be made to any animal rescue organization. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Ronald E. Siegfried, Sr.

January 25, 2021

Ronald E. Siegfried, Sr. 84 of Easton, PA died Monday, January 25, 2021 at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Muhlenberg. Born August 28, 1936 in Easton, he was a son of the late Earl and Mae (Miller) Siegfried. He was a graduate of Wilson High School and served in the Air Force during the Korean War. He was employed by McGraw-Edison for many years and A & H Sportswear.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Evelyn (Ferency) Siegfried; his son: Ronald Siegfried, Jr. of Phillipsburg, NJ; granddaughter: Kalyssa and great-grandson: Siere.

Services will be held at a later date due to COVID concerns. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to the family c/o the funeral home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA 18042. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Gregory R. Reed

January 25, 2021

Gregory Reed

Gregory R. Reed, Attorney at Law, 74, of Nazareth, PA died and went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday, January 25, 2021 at St. Luke’s Hospice House, Bethlehem, PA. Born November 19, 1946 in Allentown, PA he was the son of the late Vernon and Emma (Horning) Reed. He was a graduate of Catasauqua High School, Lehigh University and Temple Law School. Greg served as a Sergeant in the Army and practiced law from his Nazareth law office since 1994. He was a member of Fellowship Church, Phillipsburg, NJ and the Northampton County Bar Association.

He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Kathryn (Shute) Reed; 4 children: Douglas and Christopher Reed of Bethlehem, Jason Reed (wife Erin) of Gainesville, VA, Jessica Reed (husband Caleb) of Denver, CO; a sister Kathy Ann Yacone (husband James) of Felton, DE; and granddaughters: Emma and Hannah.

A Memorial Service will be held 11 AM, Saturday, June 26, 2021 at Fellowship Church, 300 Cromwell St., Phillipsburg, NJ.  A luncheon will follow at 12 PM in the church. CDC guidelines will be followed (if vaccinated, no mask is required). Dress is summer business casual.

Contributions in his memory may be made to Fellowship Church, 300 Cromwell St., Phillipsburg, NJ 08865. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.