Obituaries

Charles E. “Chot” Massey, 88, of Palmer Township, died Friday, March 11, 2022 in Lehigh Valley Hospital. Born September 15, 1933 in Easton, he was the son of the late Edward W. and Anna Madeleine (Allem) Massey. He and his wife, Linda Lou (Dressler) Massey were married 65 years. He graduated from Wilson High School in 1951 and was a staff sergeant in the Marine Corps during the Korean War. He was a design draftsman for 36 years working for Bethlehem Steel, Weller Electric, Penn Pump and Cooper Industries. He was also a truck driver for ETI. Charles was a member of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, Palmer Township. In the past, he was a coach for the Junior Bowling League at Bar-Don Lanes. He served as the first aid chairman of the American Red Cross, was a volunteer for Suburban Rescue, was an assistant fire chief at the Pocono Raceway, was a member of the safety team at Nazareth Speedway, and was CPR and EMT certified.

Surviving with his wife, Linda, are a son, C. David Massey; two daughters, Cynthia L. Hart and Diana L. Droesch, five grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. His son, Bruce E. Massey and a grandson died earlier.

Services will be held 11:00 am on Friday, March 18, 2022 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton. A visitation will be held from 10:00 am until service time on Friday in the funeral home. Interment will be in Northampton Memorial Shrine. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Andrews Lutheran Church, 3900 Freemansburg Ave., Easton, PA 18045 or The Center for Animal Health and Welfare, www.healthyanimalcenter.org. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Charles W. Chidsey, 81, of Mt. Bethel, died Monday, March 7, 2022 in Lehigh Valley Hospital, Pocono. Born August 30, 1940 in Easton, he was the son of the late William C. and Helen (Butler) Chidsey. He served in the Navy on the U.S.S. Bennington during the Vietnam War and worked at Bell and Howell in Phillipsburg and Allentown for over 35 years until retiring in 2001. He was a member of the former Portland United Methodist Church, the Bangor Jacksonian Club, and the Portland American Legion. He was also an avid Pittsburgh Steelers and Jeff Gordon fan.

Surviving are his wife, Geraldine F. (Setsodi) Chidsey; two sons, Charles A. Chidsey and his wife, Christi, and Edward Chidsey and his wife, Karen; eight grandchildren, Daniel and his wife, Crystal, Cody and his wife, Caitlin, Connor, Elizabeth, Luke, Miranda and her fiancé, Andrew, Jason, and Adam and his wife, Caitlin; seven great grandchildren, Noah, Caliana, Carter, Brayden, Raelynn, Kane, and Everleigh. His daughter, Kerri Dombrosky and his sister, Carolyn Vlahakis died earlier.

A graveside service with military honors will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, March 12, 2022 in The Historic Easton Cemetery, 401 North 7th Street. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Rosemarie Linda Gilbert, 66 of Bangor, PA died Monday, February 28, 2022 at St. Luke’s Hospice House, Bethlehem. Born July 11, 1955 in Easton, PA she was the daughter of Rosemarie (Tamborelli) Gordon of Easton and the late Charles Gordon. She was employed by Berry Plastics, formerly Captive Plastics in Phillipsburg, NJ for 36 years before retiring. She and her husband Brooke H. Gilbert would have been married 48 years this March. 

In addition to her mother and her husband, she is survived by 3 children: Connie Augustine of Nazareth, PA, Tracey Nenna (husband Jack) of Bethlehem, PA, Michael Gilbert of Bangor, PA; her brother: Charles Gordon of Middlesex, NJ and 3 grandchildren: Olivia Augustine, Kathryn and Sophia Nenna.

Services are 10:30 AM Friday (March 4) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, with visitation from 6 to 7:30 PM Thursday in the funeral home. Interment is in The Historic Easton Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Susan B. Komen Breast Cancer Organization at www.komen.org. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com

Vernon G. Altemose, Jr., 89, of Palmer Twp., PA, died Tuesday, February 22, 2022 at Moravian Hall Square, Nazareth, PA. Born August 23, 1932 in Forks Twp., PA, he was the son of the late Vernon G. Altemose, Sr. and Anna (Miller) Altemose, and stepson of Elda Stout Altemose.

A 1950 graduate of Nazareth High School and a 1954 graduate of Temple University in Business Administration, Vernon was a member of the Temple Honorary Accounting Society as well as Sigma Phi Epsilon, serving as his fraternity’s treasurer during his years at Temple. He was an avid baseball, football, and basketball fan of the Temple Owls, The Philadelphia Eagles, and the old Brooklyn Dodgers and Philadelphia Athletics. Vernon was a partner in the accounting firms of Degan Messer and Co. and D.H. Messer and Co., serving as a Certified Public Accountant. For 30 years, Vernon also served as the accountant and treasurer of The Easton Home from 1957 – 1988.

Vernon served his community as a member of the Easton Lions Club for over 58 years, acting as treasurer for 40 years and as president in 1969. He was honored with the Lions Club’s highest and most prestigious award “Melvin Jones Award”. Additionally, along with his wife, Vernon was a member of and active in the life of St. Peter’s UCC, Tatamy, PA, having served as a deacon and elder for over 50 years and as treasurer for over 38 years. Other memberships included: The American Institute of CPA’s, The Pennsylvania Institute of CPA’s, lifetime member of the Pomfret Club, the Tatamy Fire Co., Junior Chamber of Commerce of Easton, Temple University Owl Club, and the F&AM Easton Lodge #152.

Vernon and his wife enjoyed traveling the country. His favorite place was Hilton Head Island, SC, which he visited with friends and family many, many times over the years. He took great pleasure in the beauty of the island, bicycling, walking the white, sand beaches, and local fine dining. Vernon also spent many hours zigzagging up and down the east coast, “chasing” down light houses, his wife’s passion. Vernon and his wife, the former Kathryn “Kitt” Engler, celebrated sixty-three years of marriage prior to her death in December 2017.

Vernon is survived by his four children and their spouses: Pam Valcante (husband, Gregory) of Gainesville, FL, Matthew Altemose(wife Bonnie) of Easton, Gregory Altemose (partner Kathy Haines) of Troy, MI, David Altemose (wife Rachelle) of Palmer Twp.; 14 grandchildren;10 great-grandchildren; and sisters: Marion Starner of Lancaster County and Frances Stoudt of Nazareth. He was preceded in death by his brother: Charles Altemose and sisters: Edith Powell and Alice Pristash.

A Memorial Service will be held April 2, 2022 at 11 AM in St. Peter’s United Church of Christ, 401 Broad St., Tatamy, PA. A calling period with refreshments will be held from 9:30 to 11 AM in the church fellowship hall. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.act.alz.org/donate. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com

Heather Stirner Nutting, 59, of Easton, died Saturday, February 19, 2022 in Lehigh Valley Hospital, Hospice. Born December 15, 1962 in Philadelphia, she was the daughter of Heather (Harland) Applegate and the late Karl Stirner. She and her husband, Mark A. Nutting were married 26 years.
Heather and Mark owned Jiva Fitness, Easton. Prior to that she worked for Easton Academy of Dance and was a graduate of Palisades High School.

Surviving with her husband, Mark are her sons, Ian Nutting and Jackson Nutting; her sister, Noelle Stirner; and her brother, Jonas Stirner.

Services will be private. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to Cancer Support Community of the Greater Lehigh Valley, www.cancersupportglv.org. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.