Obituaries

Matthias W. “Matt” Schuler, 83, of Wilson Borough, died Thursday, February 18, 2021 surrounded by family.

Born September 11, 1937 in Easton, he was a son of the late Matthias H. and Edith (Franklin) Schuler. He and his wife, Donna (Kreitz) Schuler were married 36 years.

Matt graduated from Wilson High School in 1956 and served in the Army. He worked for North Penn Transfer, Easton for over 30 years. He was a member of Our Lady of Mercy Parish; American Legion, Lester Pfeffer, Post 611; Concordia Maennerchor; Citizen’s Hose Co.; and Avona Volunteer Fire Co. He also served on the board of Wilson Democratic Association.

Surviving with his wife, Donna, are a son, Matt Schuler and his wife, Sharon; a stepson, Keith Noble and his companion, Kim Farnack; three stepdaughters, Terri Moulthrop and her husband, Dave, Michelle Mammana, and Sharon Santiago; fourteen grandchildren; and eighteen great grandchildren. A stepdaughter, Brenda Roebuck; three brothers, Michael Schuler, John Schuler, and Frank Schuler; and four sisters, Vivian Laffey, Eleanor Ackerman, Carolyn Best, and Mary Jane Schuler died earlier.

A visitation will be held from 5:00 to 6:30 pm on Wednesday, February 24, 2021 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, www.stjude.org.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Clair A. “Sonny” Fehr, Jr., 77 of Easton, PA died Wednesday, February 17, 2021 at St. Luke’s Hospital, Anderson Campus. Born March 6, 1943 in Bethlehem, PA he was a son of the late Erna (Sharer) and Clair Fehr, Sr. He was a 1962 graduate of Easton High School and served in the Navy during the Vietnam War. He had been employed by MCS Industries for many years. Sonny was a life member of Concordia Maennerchor and past-commander and current 1st vice commander of Am Vets Post 17. He was also an avid quoits player and sports fan, especially the Eagles, Phillies and Flyers.

He is survived by his wife Betty (Butler) Fehr with whom he shared 53 years; children: Dawn Bittner (fiancé Ronald) of Palmer Twp., Shirley Ann Gehman of Wilson, Harold Christian, Jr. of Bethlehem, Laura Trenberth of Wilson, JoAnn DeReamus (husband David) of Palmer, Brenda Christian of Easton, James H. (girlfriend Penny) of Pen Argyl; siblings: Jane Querin of Grafton, OH, Susan Harding, Dawn Gerlach, Elwood Fehr all of Hazleton, Harold Fehr of Readyville, TN, Ruth LaPlante of Melbourne, FL; 17 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren and his cat: Tiger. A grandson Jeffrey died earlier.

A calling period will be held from 2 to 3 PM Friday (Feb. 26) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton; COVID guidelines will be observed. A Celebration of his Life will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or any veteran’s organization. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Marcella Ann “Marcia” Franczak, 78, of Wind Gap Manor, formerly of Easton, died Sunday, February 14, 2021 in St. Luke’s Hospice House.

Born May 13, 1942 in Trenton, NJ, she was a daughter of the late Albert and Helen (Kowalski) Wszolek.

Marcia graduated from Georgian Court College, Lakewood, NJ and worked at Easton Hospital for many years. She was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church, Nazareth and a former member of St. Jane Frances de Chantal Catholic Church, Palmer Township.

Surviving are her birth daughters, Aimee Allen and Cara Franczak and her life partner, Michael Mahoney; a daughter from another mother, Helene Langman; a sister, Virginia Martin; and three grandchildren. Her sister, Dolores Wornczyk died earlier.

Since Marcia was a 2nd mother and grandmother to so many, a Memorial Mass will be held on Mother’s Day weekend, Saturday, May 8, 2021 at 10:30 am in St. Jane Frances de Chantal Catholic Church, 4049 Hartley Ave., Palmer Township. Burial will be in St. Hedwig Cemetery, Ewing Township, NJ.
The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to the ambulance crew who saved her life so many times, Bushkill Township Volunteer Fire Co., 155 Firehouse Dr., Nazareth, PA 18064.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Robert Harvey Egolf, 81, of Forks Township, PA passed away peacefully on February 12, 2021. Bob was born in Allentown, PA the son of the late Harvey and Althea (Bernhard) Egolf. A 1957 graduate of Allen High School, Bob received a Bachelor’s degree from Muhlenberg College, followed by a Master’s degree and PhD from Lehigh University. While pursuing his bachelor’s degree, he worked at The Morning Call as a compositor. After the completion of his bachelor’s degree, he was employed by the Allentown School District, teaching English at his alma mater. In addition, Bob served as the English Department chair at Allen, president of the Pennsylvania Council of Teachers of English and later the English Language Arts curriculum coordinator for the Allentown School District. He was also an adjunct professor at Muhlenberg and Lehigh. Passionate about teaching, Bob loved working with students.

After his retirement, he served on the Forks Township Zoning Hearing Board and later was elected as Forks Township Supervisor for two terms and was the secretary treasurer for a number of years. He was a member of the Lehigh County Historical Society, the Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society, the Forks Township Historical Society and was the President for the Bushkill Stream Conservancy. Bob enjoyed volunteering at the Sigal Museum and at the National Museum of Industrial History where he helped to organize a special printing exhibit. He was a member of Forks UCC Church. He enjoyed the outdoors, music, theater, and reading, but most of all spending time with his family.

Bob is survived by his wife, Brenda (Petersen) Egolf, with whom he shared 59 years of marriage; children Robert S. Egolf and Sue Burns (husband Drew); grandchildren Andy and Maggie Burns; nephews Chris and Jon Kohl; and sister-in-law Marjory Petersen. Bob was predeceased by his sister Jean Kohl, brother-in-law Charles Kohl, and daughter-in-law Margaret “Peggy” Egolf.

Services will be private at this time; however, a memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Muhlenberg College, 2400 Chew St., Allentown, PA 18104. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

The family wishes to thank the caring staff at Moravian Hall Square for their wonderful services.

Joyce A. Bowyer, 84 formerly of Easton, PA died Thursday, February 11, 2021 at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Muhlenberg. Born January 6, 1937 in Petaluma, CA she was a daughter of the late Leo and Gertrude Villareal. She was a member of the PA Fiddler’s Association and the Easton Choral Arts Society. Joyce loved country music, square dancing and caring for children.

She is survived by her sons: David L. Savitz of Cape Coral, FL, Barry A. Savitz of Newport, PA; grandchildren: Nathaniel Savitz, Christine Savitz; and stepchildren: Keven and Timothy Bowyer and Stephanie Buenrostro. She was predeceased by husbands: Clarence Savitz and Ivan Bowyer and stepdaughter: Sharon Achey.

Services are private. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Interment is in Northampton Memorial Shrine. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Joan E. Paulus, 89, of Easton, died Sunday, February 7, 2021 at The Gardens at Easton.

Born February 25, 1931 in Easton, she was a daughter of the late Paul E. and Mayme E. (Heims) Clewell.

She graduated from Wilson High School in 1948 and worked in the Easton Medical Group building on Fairview Ave., Wilson Borough for several years. Joan was a member of the former Christ Lutheran Church, Easton and a member of New Creation UCC, Palmer Township where she sang in the choir. She was also a volunteer for Phoebe Home, Allentown.

Surviving are two children, Donald Paulus and Patricia Paulus and a sister, Judy Rohn.

Services will be private. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to Phoebe Home, www.phoebe.org.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.