Obituaries

John W. Bronico, 78, of Moore Township, formerly of Palmer Township, died Saturday, June 22, 2024 in Lehigh Valley Hospital. Born December 9, 1945 in Easton, he was the son of the late Joseph and Wilma (Groover) Bronico. His wife, Janet M. (Pfeffer) Bronico died last year. John owned Bronico Financial Planning, Palmer Township for over 40 years. He was a member of Living Hope Lighthouse, Palmerton and a former member of Middlecreek Christian Church, Kresgeville, Ebenezer Bible Fellowship Church, Bethlehem Township, and First Evangelical Congregational Church, Easton. He was a member of the Northampton County Chapter of Gideons and he enjoyed playing racquetball at the Easton YMCA. He was an avid golfer, quoit player and softball player and enjoyed 50’s and 60’s music.

Surviving are his children, Mary Katherine Barnhardt and her husband, Thomas of Arlington, TX, Barbara A. Mathis and her husband, Jim of Palmer Township, Brian J. Bronico and his wife, Lezlie of North Richmond Hills, TX, and Chris D. Bronico of Moore Township; seven grandchildren; four great grandchildren; a brother, Tony Bronico; and a sister, Mary Taylor. He was predeceased by a brother, Joseph Bronico, Jr. and a granddaughter.

Services will be held at 10:30 am on Friday, June 28, 2024 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, A visitation will be held from 6:30 to 8:00 pm on Thursday in the funeral home. Interment will be in Northampton Memorial Shrine. Memorial contributions may be made to The Gideons, www.Gideons.org. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Burton E. Brewer, 93 of Forks Twp., PA passed away peacefully June 22, 2024 surrounded by family. Born February 13, 1931 in Easton, PA he was a son of the late Walter Brewer and Ida (Hartenstein). He was married 65 years to the late Adele (Columbo) from Harmony, NJ. Burton attended Phillipsburg High School and served in the United States Army from 1948 to 1953 serving as an Honor Guard in Washington DC and in the Korean War. He retired as superintendent of the Phillipsburg Waste Water Treatment Plant after 35 years.

Burton was an exempt member of the Jersey Hose Fire Company in Phillipsburg and member of the New Jersey Exempt Fireman’s Association. He was also a life member of the New Jersey Water Environment Association and served as president in 1973 for the North Jersey section

He is survived by his children: Burton Brewer, Jr., Darlene Yost, Dolores Dailey and Theresa Wells; a sister: Joan Phillips; 9 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

Service Timing Update: Services will be held July 13 at 10:30 AM in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton with a calling period from 9 to 10:30 AM. Interment in Northampton Memorial Shrine. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org) or the American Heart Association (www.heart.org). Online condolences may be offered at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Quentin L. Patterson, 92 of Forks Twp., PA died Friday, June 21, 2024 at home. Born April 18, 1932 in Norwalk, CT he was a son of the late Frederick and Gertrude (Lewis) Patterson. He was a 1957 graduate of Lafayette College where he received his BSME. He was employed by Western Electric (AT&T) from 1959 until retiring in 1987. Quentin served in the Army during the Korean War and was a member of the Lehigh Valley Woodworkers Guild, Lehigh Valley Woodturning Club and Lehigh Valley Bridge Association. Along with woodworking and bridge, Quentin loved tennis, sailing, and flying radio-controlled model planes. Extremely handy and able to fix most anything, he was also the “go to guy” for tennis racquet restringing.

He is survived by his children: James F. Patterson (Nadine) of Jobstown, NJ, Q. Scott Patterson (Jill) of Kent, WA; Christine Buttillo (Raymond) of Bethlehem, PA; a brother: Alban Patterson of Norwalk, CT; a sister: Linda Perkins of Walnut Creek, CA; grandchildren: Ryan, Ally and Georganna and great-grandson: Byler. He was predeceased by his wife: Helen (Lamb) Patterson in 2006 and his brother: Frederick W. Patterson in 2024.

Services are 2:30 PM Thursday, June 27 in the Life Church, 1451 Northampton St., Easton with visitation from 1:30 to 2:30 PM . Interment in Northampton Memorial Shrine. Memorial contributions may be made to the Boys and Girls Club of Easton, 210 Jones Houston Way, Easton 18042. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Charles Spencer Klabunde, 88, of Easton, died Thursday, June 20, 2024 in his home. Born October 1, 1935 in Omaha, Nebraska, he was the son of the late Otto and Suzanne (Rohrbough) Klabunde. He owned Charles Klabunde Gallery and Studio and was a master printmaker, painter and fine artist. His works have been displayed in many museums, including Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; Museum of Modern Art, New York; National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C; Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris; Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; and National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin Ireland. He had the honor of working with the renowned playwright Samuel Beckett illustrating a box book edition of The Lost Ones.
Charles earned his B.F.A. at the University of Nebraska and his M.F.A. at the University of Iowa. In 1970, he received a Guggenheim Fellowship. He was an Assistant Professor of Art at The Cooper Union and was a Council Member of the Society of American Graphic Artists. Charles received many national and international awards and wrote for numerous publications.

Surviving are his beloved companion of 28 years, Lee Boyd; two sons, Jedidiah Klabunde and Noah Klabunde and his wife, Molly; and twin grandsons, Eli and James. He was predeceased by his sister, Ardeth Trowbridge and his brother, Otto Klabunde.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 13, 2024 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Charles’ home and Gallery, 73 N. 2nd St., Easton. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is assisting with the arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to Third Street Alliance for Women and Children, www.thirdstreetalliance.org or Safe Harbor Easton, www.safeharboreaston.com. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

William C. Lee, Jr. 57 of Easton, PA died Wednesday, June 19, 2024 at home. Born September 16, 1966 in Williams Twp., PA he was a son of the late Peggy (Rissmiller) and William Lee, Sr. He had been employed by Perkins in Bethlehem Twp. from 2009 until 2023.

He is survived by his wife: Jacquelyn “Jackie” Mackus of 15 years, his sister: Debra Ann Quakenbush and his brother: Frederick Lee.  Services are at the convenience of the family.

Memorial contributions may be made to the family c/o the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA 18042. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Steven E. Elchert, 64 of Easton, PA died Tuesday, June 11, 2024 at St. Luke’s Hospital, Easton. Born June 16, 1959 in Tiffin, Ohio, he was a son of the late Greg and Joanne (Longo) Elchert. He and his wife, Lisa owned and operated SLE Home Investments, LLC in Easton.

He is survived by his wife of 11 years Lisa (Lehr) Elchert; children: Eugene F. Elchert, Steven E. Elchert, II, Brandi L. Kyle, William G. Elchert, Rebecca E. Bennett, Sean P. Elchert, Rachel A. King, Clayton S. Elchert, and Brianna S. Bellis-Elchert; brothers: Michael Elchert and Frank Elchert; sister: Debbie Shannon; 12 grandchildren and a great-granddaughter.

Per his request there will be no public services. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.