Ashton Funeral Home

Obituaries

Ronald E. Siegfried, Sr.

January 25, 2021

Ronald E. Siegfried, Sr. 84 of Easton, PA died Monday, January 25, 2021 at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Muhlenberg. Born August 28, 1936 in Easton, he was a son of the late Earl and Mae (Miller) Siegfried. He was a graduate of Wilson High School and served in the Air Force during the Korean War. He was employed by McGraw-Edison for many years and A & H Sportswear.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Evelyn (Ferency) Siegfried; his son: Ronald Siegfried, Jr. of Phillipsburg, NJ; granddaughter: Kalyssa and great-grandson: Siere.

Services will be held at a later date due to COVID concerns. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to the family c/o the funeral home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA 18042. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Gregory R. Reed

January 25, 2021

Gregory Reed

Gregory R. Reed, Attorney at Law, 74, of Nazareth, PA died and went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday, January 25, 2021 at St. Luke’s Hospice House, Bethlehem, PA. Born November 19, 1946 in Allentown, PA he was the son of the late Vernon and Emma (Horning) Reed. He was a graduate of Catasauqua High School, Lehigh University and Temple Law School. Greg served as a Sergeant in the Army and practiced law from his Nazareth law office since 1994. He was a member of Fellowship Church, Phillipsburg, NJ and the Northampton County Bar Association.

He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Kathryn (Shute) Reed; 4 children: Douglas and Christopher Reed of Bethlehem, Jason Reed (wife Erin) of Gainesville, VA, Jessica Reed (husband Caleb) of Denver, CO; a sister Kathy Ann Yacone (husband James) of Felton, DE; and granddaughters: Emma and Hannah.

A Memorial Service will be held 11 AM, Saturday, June 26, 2021 at Fellowship Church, 300 Cromwell St., Phillipsburg, NJ.  A luncheon will follow at 12 PM in the church. CDC guidelines will be followed (if vaccinated, no mask is required). Dress is summer business casual.

Contributions in his memory may be made to Fellowship Church, 300 Cromwell St., Phillipsburg, NJ 08865. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Kenneth A. Rush

January 25, 2021

Kenneth A. Rush, 77, formerly of Palmer Township, died Monday, January 25, 2021 in his home in Picture Rocks, PA.

Born January 27, 1943 in Easton, he was a son of the late Steward and Dorothy (Hoover) Rush. His wife, Rose Marie (Trinkley) Rush died in 1996.

Kenneth served in the Army during the Vietnam War and worked at Ingersoll-Rand. He was also a waiter at Uncle Wesley’s, Easton and a former member of St. Paul’s Third Lutheran Church.

Surviving are two sisters, Dorothy Cyphers and Doris Eck. His brother, Carl Rush died earlier.

Private graveside services will be held at Northampton Memorial Shrine. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Kenneth T. Cunningham

January 23, 2021

Kenneth T. Cunningham

Kenneth T. Cunningham, 94, of Wilson Borough, PA died Saturday, January 23, 2021 at Alexandria Manor, Nazareth, PA. Born January 28, 1926 in Alpha, NJ he was a son of the late Russell and Mabel (Halpin) Cunningham. He was a graduate of Easton High School and Churchman’s Business College. He was employed by Easton Bank and Trust, then Washington Trust Co., who merged with Midlantic Bank and is now PNC. Ken retired as Vice President of PNC Bank in 1992 after more than 30 years in banking. He was a member of St. Peter’s United Church of Christ, Tatamy; the Washington Rotary Club; Easton Lodge, F. & A.M. and received a Certificate of Recognition as a Meals on Wheels volunteer. Ken also loved gardening and playing cards with family.

He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Jessie (Cann) Cunningham; son: Timothy Cunningham; stepchildren: Frank Schippers (Frani), Debbie Patterson (John), Amy McWilliams (John), Jackie Warner (Steve), Jill Kerbaugh (Donald), Becky Sands (Mark), Cathy Creveling (Robert); brother: William Cunningham (Joann); sister: Pauline Minger; 17 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; a great-great-granddaughter; nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his daughter: Rebekah Cunningham; 5 brothers: Harry, Clayton, Richard James, Joseph and Robert Cunningham; and 4 sisters: Martha Schermerhorn, Betty Benner, Doris Ostrander and Francis Slack.

A graveside service will be held 1:30 PM Thursday (Jan. 28) at Northampton Memorial Shrine, 3051 Green Pond Rd., Easton. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Peter’s UCC, 401 Broad St., P.O. Box 188, Tatamy, PA 18085. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Fay Stimmel

January 21, 2021

Fay Stimmel, 73, of Easton, died Thursday, January 21, 2021 in her home.

Born August 25, 1947 in Easton, she was a daughter of the late Edward and Irene Mae (Pensyl) Okidet.

She worked at The Express-Times and was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Easton.

She is survived by her siblings, Virginia Shirley Weinreich, Helen Krammer, Gloria Miller, Jean Van Horn, Robert Moser and James Moser; four step-daughters, Cheri Searfass, Traci DeSimone, Denise Tittle and Michele Tilwick; three grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Her husband, Jess LaFever died earlier.

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

Memorial contributions may be made to the family in care of the funeral home.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Robert W. Lesher

January 21, 2021

Robert W. Lesher, 86, of Plainfield Township, died Thursday, January 21, 2021 in St. Luke’s Hospice House.

Born July 13, 1934 in Easton, he was a son of the late Edward and Elizabeth (Graver) Lesher. He and his wife, Marion E. (Igo) Lesher, were married 58 years.

He worked at the Hunterdon Developmental Center for 15 years and retired in 2002. Prior to that he worked at Taylor-Wharton for 28 years. He graduated from Wilson High School where he was on the football, baseball, and track and field teams and later he served in the Army National Guard with the 503rd Combat Engineers Division. He also played football on The Citadel football team that beat the Marine Corps team for the first time in 1955 on Parris Island and was on the cover of Life Magazine. He was a member of the Open Arms Senior Connection at Arndt’s Lutheran Church and sang in the Brothers in Harmony barbershop quartet and in the New Jersey Gents chorus.

Surviving with his wife, Marion, are two sons, Edward Lesher and his wife, Joanne, of Bath, Kurt Fretz and his wife, Sandra, of Saylorsburg; two daughters, Sharon Schmauder and her husband, Gene, of Pen Argyl, and Brenda Corkins of Phillipsburg; a brother, John Lesher; a sister, Dolores Wilson; nine grandchildren; and six great grandchildren. A son, Fred Lesher; three brothers, Fred Lesher, Raymond Lesher, and Tony Lesher; three sisters, Marion Rider, Margaret Kelly, and Elizabeth Stokes; and a granddaughter, Kelly, predeceased him.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, July 10, 2021 at 5607 Sherwood Dr., Easton, PA 18040.  Please RSVP by June 19th to Sharon Schmauder or Jessica Pensyl. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Luke’s Hospice House, www.slhn.org/vna/donate or Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Nicholas V. Leone

January 19, 2021

Nicholas V. Leone, of Easton, PA passed away Tuesday, January 19, 2021 at Country Meadows, Bethlehem Twp., PA. Born in Easton, he was the son of the late Nicola and Rose Leone. A graduate of Easton High School and Lafayette College, he served proudly in the US Navy. He operated the family business, Leone Brothers Bakery in Easton, for many years before retiring. He was a gourmet cook and baker, who loved gardening, reading, history and traveling. As a member of the Alfa Romeo Club he traveled to Italy and was able to tour the vehicle factory. He was also an avid horseback rider and attended a riding school in Spain. Nick was a kind man who loved his family and friends and was always willing to help others.

He was a best friend and advisor to his sister, Rosalie Leone of Easton. And best friend to his sister, Amelita who died in 1994 and to his sister, Janet who died in 2018. 

Due to COVID concerns, services will be held at the graveside, 11 AM Tuesday (Jan. 26) at Easton Cemetery, N. 7th Street, Easton. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to a veteran’s organization of one’s choice. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Betty Ann Joyce

January 17, 2021

Betty Ann Joyce, 91, of Upper Mt. Bethel Township, died Sunday, January 17, 2021 in her home. Born October 13, 1929 in New York City, she was a daughter of the late Samuel M. and Mabel (O’Leary) Calamar. Her husband, Charles R. Joyce died in 2006.

She was a claims representative for the Social Security Administration, Easton for 22 years.

Surviving are her friends and caretakers, Christine and Harold Gordon and her honorary great grandchildren, Kaytlyn, Emily and Evan Gordon.

Services will be private with interment in Northampton Memorial Shrine. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Center for Animal Health & Welfare, www.healthyanimalcenter.org. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.