Obituaries

Kenneth T. Cunningham, 94, of Wilson Borough, PA died Saturday, January 23, 2021 at Alexandria Manor, Nazareth, PA. Born January 28, 1926 in Alpha, NJ he was a son of the late Russell and Mabel (Halpin) Cunningham. He was a graduate of Easton High School and Churchman’s Business College. He was employed by Easton Bank and Trust, then Washington Trust Co., who merged with Midlantic Bank and is now PNC. Ken retired as Vice President of PNC Bank in 1992 after more than 30 years in banking. He was a member of St. Peter’s United Church of Christ, Tatamy; the Washington Rotary Club; Easton Lodge, F. & A.M. and received a Certificate of Recognition as a Meals on Wheels volunteer. Ken also loved gardening and playing cards with family.

He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Jessie (Cann) Cunningham; son: Timothy Cunningham; stepchildren: Frank Schippers (Frani), Debbie Patterson (John), Amy McWilliams (John), Jackie Warner (Steve), Jill Kerbaugh (Donald), Becky Sands (Mark), Cathy Creveling (Robert); brother: William Cunningham (Joann); sister: Pauline Minger; 17 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; a great-great-granddaughter; nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his daughter: Rebekah Cunningham; 5 brothers: Harry, Clayton, Richard James, Joseph and Robert Cunningham; and 4 sisters: Martha Schermerhorn, Betty Benner, Doris Ostrander and Francis Slack.

A graveside service will be held 1:30 PM Thursday (Jan. 28) at Northampton Memorial Shrine, 3051 Green Pond Rd., Easton. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Peter’s UCC, 401 Broad St., P.O. Box 188, Tatamy, PA 18085. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Robert W. Lesher, 86, of Plainfield Township, died Thursday, January 21, 2021 in St. Luke’s Hospice House.

Born July 13, 1934 in Easton, he was a son of the late Edward and Elizabeth (Graver) Lesher. He and his wife, Marion E. (Igo) Lesher, were married 58 years.

He worked at the Hunterdon Developmental Center for 15 years and retired in 2002. Prior to that he worked at Taylor-Wharton for 28 years. He graduated from Wilson High School where he was on the football, baseball, and track and field teams and later he served in the Army National Guard with the 503rd Combat Engineers Division. He also played football on The Citadel football team that beat the Marine Corps team for the first time in 1955 on Parris Island and was on the cover of Life Magazine. He was a member of the Open Arms Senior Connection at Arndt’s Lutheran Church and sang in the Brothers in Harmony barbershop quartet and in the New Jersey Gents chorus.

Surviving with his wife, Marion, are two sons, Edward Lesher and his wife, Joanne, of Bath, Kurt Fretz and his wife, Sandra, of Saylorsburg; two daughters, Sharon Schmauder and her husband, Gene, of Pen Argyl, and Brenda Corkins of Phillipsburg; a brother, John Lesher; a sister, Dolores Wilson; nine grandchildren; and six great grandchildren. A son, Fred Lesher; three brothers, Fred Lesher, Raymond Lesher, and Tony Lesher; three sisters, Marion Rider, Margaret Kelly, and Elizabeth Stokes; and a granddaughter, Kelly, predeceased him.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, July 10, 2021 at 5607 Sherwood Dr., Easton, PA 18040.  Please RSVP by June 19th to Sharon Schmauder or Jessica Pensyl. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Luke’s Hospice House, www.slhn.org/vna/donate or Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Nicholas V. Leone, of Easton, PA passed away Tuesday, January 19, 2021 at Country Meadows, Bethlehem Twp., PA. Born in Easton, he was the son of the late Nicola and Rose Leone. A graduate of Easton High School and Lafayette College, he served proudly in the US Navy. He operated the family business, Leone Brothers Bakery in Easton, for many years before retiring. He was a gourmet cook and baker, who loved gardening, reading, history and traveling. As a member of the Alfa Romeo Club he traveled to Italy and was able to tour the vehicle factory. He was also an avid horseback rider and attended a riding school in Spain. Nick was a kind man who loved his family and friends and was always willing to help others.

He was a best friend and advisor to his sister, Rosalie Leone of Easton. And best friend to his sister, Amelita who died in 1994 and to his sister, Janet who died in 2018. 

Due to COVID concerns, services will be held at the graveside, 11 AM Tuesday (Jan. 26) at Easton Cemetery, N. 7th Street, Easton. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to a veteran’s organization of one’s choice. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Kylie Elizabeth Philhower, 27, of Easton, PA died Wednesday, January 13, 2021. Born April 17, 1993 in Easton, PA she was a daughter of Lisa A. Mullen-Philhower of Palmer Twp., PA and Thomas L. Philhower of Easton.

She is survived by her parents; daughters: Aaliyah and Aaniyah; brothers: Ricky and Tommy Philhower; and sister: Tricia Mosier.

Visitation, following CDC guidelines, will be held from 6 to 7 PM Tuesday (Jan. 19) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA. Services are private. Memorial contributions may be made to the family c/o the funeral home. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.