Obituaries

Richard “Rick” R. Ruland, 89, of Bethlehem Township, died Wednesday, March 31, 2021 in his home.

Born May 29, 1931 in Clarks Green, PA, he was a son of the late Royd A. J. and Thelma R. (Cook) Ruland. His wife, Dorothy “Toby” (Kellow) Ruland died in 2006.

Rick graduated from Wilson High School in 1949 and Lafayette College in 1953 with a BA in Economics and Business. He then served in the US Army at Fort Benning, GA as a 2nd Lieutenant. He was an executive at Bethlehem Steel Corporation for more than 30 years. Later he served as President of Green Pond Golf Course. In addition he was on the Board of Directors of Green Pond Golf Course and General Supply Company.
He and Toby were volunteers for Meals on Wheels. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends on the Delaware River at the family summer cottage in Foul Rift, PA and was an avid deer hunter.

Surviving are his daughter, Ricki R. Briggs and her husband, Jeffrey M. Briggs of Lyme, CT; his son, Rodd R. Ruland and his wife, Lorie F. Ruland of Amherst, NH; and four grandchildren, Devin T. Briggs and his wife, Terese E. Briggs, Chase R. Briggs, Reid R. Ruland and his wife, Dana H. Ruland, and Paige I. Ruland. His brother, Donald B. Ruland and his sister, Irene R. Potter died earlier.

Services will be private. Donations can be made to The Greater Lehigh Valley Meals on Wheels, www.mowglv.org. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

John F. Kies, 90, of Nazareth, PA died Sunday, March 28, 2021 at home surrounded by his loving family. Born September 13, 1930 in Easton, he was a son of the late John Kies, Sr. and Pauline (Pevorous) Kies Sigafoos. He was a 1950 graduate of Easton High School and served in the Coast Guard during the Korean War. He had been employed by Metropolitan Edison for 35 years before retiring in 1991. He was also a skilled electrician. John was a member of the VFW, where he bartended and worked Bingo. He was a member of the Fleas, American Legion, Brown and Lynch Post and he  coached football and baseball.

He is survived by his children: Harold Kies (Susan) of Bangor, PA, Sandra Muschock (Barry) of Portland, PA; brothers: Richard and Bradley; 4 grandchildren: Jen Werkheiser (Marvin) with whom he resided, Casey Kies, Kara Muschock, Nicole Evans; 3 great-grandchildren: Ian, Alyssa, Caleb and a great-great-granddaughter: Haley. His wife: Adele W. (Quick) Kies died in 2017.

A graveside service will be held 2:30 PM Monday (April 5) in Northampton Memorial Shrine, 3051 Green Pond Rd., Easton. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Eugenia Lois “Jean” Foss, 92 of Martins Creek, PA died Sunday, March 28, 2021 at home. Born May 26, 1928 in Easton, PA she was a daughter of the late Sara D. (VanNortwick) and Thomas F. Mandarino. A 1945 graduate of Easton High School, she had been employed by the City of Easton in the Office of the Treasurer. Jean was a lifetime member of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, Easton.

She is survived by her children: Scott Foss, with whom she resided, Steve Foss (wife Marcia) of Old Forge, PA, Sally Murgia (husband Peter) of Forks Twp., PA; a sister: Ellen Moskella of Bethlehem Twp., PA; and 4 grandchildren: Marissa, Katrina, Giavanna and Matthew. She was predeceased by her husband of 66 years, Clarence E. “Chub” Foss who died March 24, 2020 and her brother: Thomas Mandarino.

A Funeral Mass will be held 10 AM Wednesday (March 31) at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 9th and Lehigh Streets, Easton. Interment will be private in St. Anthony’s Cemetery. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements.  The funeral will be on Facebook LIVE on St. Anthony’s Church Parish page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/stanthonyeaston

The family wants to thank Heartland Hospice, especially Jean’s aide, April, for their friendship and their care. Memorial contributions may be made to Heartland Hospice, 951 Marcon Blvd., Suite 3, Allentown, PA 18109 or Heartlandhospicefund.org/donate. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com. 

David C. Bowser, 65, of Easton, PA died Tuesday, March 23, 2021 at St. Luke’s Hospital, Anderson Campus, Bethlehem Twp., PA. Born December 11, 1955 in Olean, NY he was the son of Mary Pat (Heliker) Livingston of Bloomington, IN and the late Archie M. Bowser, Jr. David’s strong work ethic showed at an early age. Starting in grade school he worked in the tobacco fields in Broad Brook, CT. He was a caddy for the local golf course and wrote a newspaper for his community. He attended Rutgers University and owned and operated All Inclusive Kitchens with his son for 16 years. Prior to that he was the Vice President of a Burger King franchise in Plainfield, NJ.

Dave was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He completed a two-year mission in the Washington, D.C. area before moving to the Easton Ward where he served in many positions. He especially enjoyed serving in the Philadelphia LDS Temple. He was a Cubmaster, Easton Den 187; Northampton County Judge of Elections and once ran for Easton City Council. Dave will be remembered as a diehard Giants and Red Sox fan. He will be loved and missed by all his family and friends.

In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife of almost 43 years: Patricia (Steele) Bowser; his son: David Bowser, II (wife Amber) of Palmer Twp., PA; daughters: Kara Bowser and Katlyn Gordon (husband Scott) all of Greencastle, PA; sisters: Debra Glenn of South Jordan, UT, Esther Bowser in Brazil; stepmother: Erika Bowser, stepfather: Julian Livingston and grandchildren: Ava, Alivia, Amelia and Dechlan. Granddaughter Kayla predeceased him.

Services will be 11:15 AM Thursday (April 1) in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 120 Rose Inn Ave., Nazareth with visitation from 10 to 11 AM in the church. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Interment is in Easton Cemetery. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

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 Barbara Kowitz, 64, of Easton, PA died Friday, March 19, 2021 at home. Born February 19, 1957 in Wilson Borough, PA she was a daughter of the late Marjorie L. (Krohn) and Jack N. Kowitz. She was a graduate of Drew University with a degree in Sociology. Barb was employed by Northampton County in the Public Assistance Office and prior to that she was with the Sigal Museum, ProJeCt of Easton and City of Easton Planning Department. She had been a member of the Easton Kiwanis Club, the ACLU and the former Temple Covenant of Peace.

She is survived by her sons: Andrew D. Kelly and Jacob B. Kelly, her “adopted” son: Kevin M. Schimes all at home; and a sister: Deborah.

A calling period will be held from 1 to 2 PM Thursday (March 25) at the Easton Cemetery Chapel, 401 N. 7th St., Easton. Services are private. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to ProJeCt of Easton, the ACLU or the NAACP. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.