Obituaries

Altita M. “Tita” Maurer, 88 of Bethlehem Twp., PA died Monday, March 21, 2022 at home. Born February 14, 1934 in Chicago, IL she was a daughter of the late Teresa (Herbes) and Gregory Perez. She was a registered respiratory therapist at Easton Hospital for more than thirty years before retiring. Prior to that she worked for Dr. Alan Dutkin, DDS in Easton for several years. Tita was a volunteer at the St. Francis Friary and member of the former Easton Junior Women’s Club. She devoted her whole life to helping people including assisting with tax filings and even after death, by donating her body to science.

She is survived by four children: Rhonda, Karl, Daryl (wife Nancy) and Brian Imhoff and seven grandchildren: Jenna Minter, Marc Shireman, and Eric, Alex, Karl, Douglas and Spencer Imhoff.

A Memorial Service will be held 11 AM Tuesday, June 27, 2023 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA. Memorial contributions may be made to Turning Point of Lehigh Valley or St. Francis Retreat House, Easton. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Helen Mae Galloway, 80, of Easton, passed away peacefully Wednesday afternoon, March 16, 2022, in Lehigh Valley Hospital, Cedar Crest surrounded by family and loved ones. Born May 3, 1941 to William and Ella (Allen) Ahart, Helen attended Wilson Public Schools before marrying her husband Paul in August, 1960.

In her youthful days, Helen enjoyed traveling the country with her husband, kids, and family friends. Among her favorite destinations were Gettysburg, Niagara Falls, Las Vegas, California, and Florida. Helen’s most reflected trip was the Amtrak journey her and her husband took together, traveling from Coast to Coast, she always awed at the breathtaking scenery she had seen, and would always recall the ‘snoring incident’ that really made it a memorable trip. Aside from traveling and her family to which she was immaculately devoted, Helen loved the music of the late Elvis Presley and kept a treasure trove of memorabilia. Cooking was also among her greatest passions, proud to never measure ingredients, Helen never kept a recipe book, choosing instead to pass her recipes down through the act itself. Helen will be missed dearly by those she has left behind and welcomed warmly by those who have gone ahead of her.

Helen is survived by her dedicated husband of 62 years Paul Galloway of Easton, two sons Scott of Catasauqua and Paul Jr. of Spokane, Washington; grandchildren: Douglas, of Easton and Maegan of Catasauqua, among others; great-grandchildren, her adored cat Stevie; and two “great-grand dogs” Lilo and Stitch. Helen was preceded in death by her parents, sister Lilian, and beloved middle son William Edward.

A memorial service for Helen will be held privately at a later time as per the family’s request. In lieu of flowers the family asks that a donation be made in Helen’s honor to the American Cancer Society. The Ashton Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com

Hazel L. Werkheiser, 94 of Plainfield Twp., PA died peacefully at home, Monday, March 14, 2022. She was born December 22, 1927 in Asbury, NJ. Hazel worked in garment factories and the cafeteria at Plainfield Elementary School for many years before retiring and was a member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Plainfield Twp.

She is survived by her children: Janice L. Melmed and Craig M. Werkheiser (companion Michele); her grandsons: Gabriel Melmed and Garvey Melmed (wife Sarah) and her granddog: Rocky. She was predeceased by her husband, Marlen and a sister, Ruth Forsythe.

Services will be private. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Interment is in Plainfield Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 1422 Church Rd., Pen Argyl, PA 18072. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com

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