Obituaries

Donald F. Kester, 84, of Williams Twp., PA died Thursday, December 24, 2020 at St. Luke’s Hospital, Bethlehem. Born January 6, 1936 in Easton he was a son of the late James and Grace (Anthony) Kester. He was married for 57 years to the former Pauline Hockman before her passing in 2016. Don was a roofing and siding contractor for 40 years, working for Lehigh Penn Contractors. He loved stock cars and at one time had his own. He enjoyed racing at Nazareth, Reading, Middletown and others. Don also loved snowmobiling and spent many weekends just doing the things he loved.

He is survived by children: Don Kester, Jr. of Walnutport, PA, Sharon Grube of Easton, PA; stepdaughters: Beverly Schenewolf (widow of Joe), Donna Allen (husband Steve) all of Easton; 6 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren and 8 nephews.  4 brothers, 2 sisters and a grandson, Steven Craig Allen died earlier.

Services are private. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Interment is in South Easton Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Grace E. Jenkins, 67, of Easton, died Wednesday, December 23, 2020 in her home.

Born January 31, 1953 in Somerville, NJ, she was a daughter of the late Harold and Anne Elizabeth (Palmer) Emmons. Her husband, Allan R. Diziki died in 2016.

Grace worked for NJPLIGA in Basking Ridge, NJ.

Surviving are a daughter, Allison Phillips-Krutsick and her husband, Maurice of Easton; a son, Brian Jenkins of Easton; a step-son, Christopher Diziki; a sister, Kathleen Jamhoury; and six grandchildren. She was predeceased by a granddaughter.

A visitation will be held from 5:00 to 6:30 pm on Wednesday, December 30, 2020 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Doris M. Fisher, 88 of Easton, PA died Tuesday, December 22, 2020 at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Muhlenberg. Born February 28, 1932 in Easton, she was a daughter of the late Emma (Kish) and Russell Frankenfield. Her husband George L. Fisher, Jr. died Dec. 11, 1991. She was a 1949 graduate of Easton High School where she was a twirler in the marching band. Doris lived most of her life on College Hill in Easton and worked in retail sales at Sages Leather Store and later at May’s Men Store and Seidel’s Shoes. She enjoyed spending time with family and socializing with friends from the 6 plus 6 club over the years. She was also fond of playing poker with her poker club friends and going to the casinos. Doris was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Easton.

She is survived by three sons: George L. Fisher, III (wife Pat), Elliott Fisher (wife Lorraine), Gary Fisher (wife Sara); 6 grandchildren: Laura Pribzick (Andy), Peter Fisher, Ryan Fisher (Amanda), Brett Fisher (Felicia), Zachary Fisher, Sean Fisher; and 6 great-grandchildren: Louis, Aly, Logan, Olivia, Molly and Spencer. She was predeceased by her husband: George, her brother: Ronald Frankenfield and a great-granddaughter Evelyn Hope Fisher.

Graveside Services will be held 1 PM Tuesday (Dec. 29) at Durham Cemetery, 820 Durham Rd., Durham Twp., PA. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Friends of Gracedale Foundation, P.O. Box 138, Nazareth, PA 18064. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Kevin G. Van Buskirk, Sr., “Van the Meat Man”, 77, of Wilson Borough, died Monday, December 21, 2020 in his home.

Born April 19, 1943 in Buffalo, NY, he was a son of the late Emma Marie Van Buskirk.  He and his wife, Robin J. (Kugler) Van Buskirk were married 24 years.

Kevin served in the Army during the Vietnam War.  He was a custodian at Wilson Borough Elementary School.  Prior to that he worked for Shafer Bologna, Palmer Township.

He bowled at Bar-Don Lanes, enjoyed dirt track racing and was a member of American Legion, Post #9, American Legion, Post #611 and Wilson Democratic Association.

Surviving with his wife, Robin, are his children, Kevin Van Buskirk, Jr., Corey Van Buskirk, Carla Siegfried, Colleen Kresch and Courtney Van Buskirk; four grandchildren and a great grandson.

A visitation will be held from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Monday, December 28, 2020 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton.  A graveside service will be held at 10:00 am on Tuesday, December 29, 2020 at Northampton Memorial Shrine, Palmer Township.

Memorial contributions may be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation, www.tunnel2towers.org.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Judith Ann “Judy” Miller, 78, of Forks Twp., PA died Sunday, December 20, 2020 at Gracedale. Born September 5, 1942 in Easton, she was a daughter of the late Helen (Wagner) and Robert Huff. She was a 1959 graduate of Wilson High School and member of the former Christ Lutheran Church in Easton. She had been employed by Mack Printing Credit Union; Padua Federal Credit Union; and Lafayette College in the registrar’s office for many years. Judy was a loving wife and devoted mother. Her kind, thoughtful and gentle spirit will be dearly missed by family and friends.

She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Donald H. Miller; her son: Eric R. “Rick” Miller (wife Lori) of Morgantown, WV; and grandchildren: Rachel Miller Sine and Logan E. Miller of Morgantown, WV. Her daughter: Debra Jean Barbacci died in Dec. of 1984.

Graveside services will be held 11 AM Monday (Dec. 28) at Northampton Memorial Shrine, 3051 Green Pond Rd., Easton. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Sheila E. Rogers, 74, of Wilson Borough, PA died December 19, 2020 at home. Born August 2, 1946 in Easton, PA, she was a daughter of the late Russell and Bertha Harstine. She grew up in Tatamy, graduating from Nazareth High School and was happily married to her husband, Edward J. “Buddy” Rogers, Jr. for 54 years before his death in 2018. Sheila was employed by Easton Hospital for more than 30 years with her last position proudly in the oncology unit as a breast cancer survivor herself. She loved bus trips to New York City to see shows and traveling to Las Vegas and Walt Disney World.

She is survived by her sons: Edward Rogers, III of Wilson Borough, Russell Rogers (wife Tara) of Sciota, PA, Kevin Rogers (wife Tanya) of Bethlehem, PA; 8 grandchildren, 6 great- grandchildren and 2 brothers.

A Celebration of her life will be held later in the year in 2021. Memorial contributions may be made to family c/o the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA 18042. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.