Obituaries

Richard S. Jacoby, 75, of Northampton, died Wednesday, February 12, 2020 in Lehigh Valley Hospital, Muhlenberg.

Born December 12, 1944 in Philadelphia, he was a son of the late Charles and Stephania (Kolakowski) Jacoby. He and his wife, Marylou (Clancy) Jacoby, were married 54 years. He served in the Coast Guard during the Vietnam War and worked for Houghton International Oils and Chemicals for 40 years and retired in 2006.

Surviving with his wife, Marylou, are four children, Monica Harris and her husband, Stephen, Richard Jacoby and his fiancé, Donna Gaetaniello, Christopher Jacoby and his wife, Michelle Giaquinto-Jacoby and Andrew Jacoby and his wife, Rachel; two sisters, Eileen Blaess and her husband, George and Claire Jacoby; and six grandchildren, Anthony, Aidan, Ryan, Chase, Na’Lani and Isabella.

Services will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, March 7, 2020 in Queenship of Mary Church, 1324 Newport Ave., Northampton. A visitation will be held from 9:00 to 10:00 am on Saturday in the church. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to ASPCA, www.aspca.org or American Lung Association, www.lung.org. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Evangeline “Vangie” Sweitzer, 87 formerly of Palmer Twp., PA passed away Tuesday, February 4, 2020 at St. Luke’s Hospital, Bethlehem. Born July 11, 1932 in Newark, NJ she was the fourth daughter of the late Rev. Ralph Russell Roby and Mary Spencer Roby. Vangie’s varied careers included 25 years in radio, first with the faculty of her alma mater, Centenary College, then with various Lehigh Valley radio stations including WEST, WEEX and WKAP. She was a substitute teacher (K-8) in the Pohatcong and Phillipsburg School Districts for eight years. She retired in 1994 as Associate Director of the Bethlehem Area Chamber of Commerce, where she enjoyed seven fulfilling years. She retired a final time after two years as Historic Bethlehem Partnerships’ first public relations coordinator.

As a volunteer, she gave a lifetime of service to her churches, Wesley United Methodist Church, Phillipsburg, and since 1991, Central Moravian Church, Bethlehem. An active member of Minsi Trails Council, Boy Scouts of America for 24 years, Vangie earned the Silver Beaver award, a Scout Council’s highest honor, and was one of the first group of females inducted into the Order of the Arrow. She was in the second class of Cub Scout Trainers’ Wood Badge offered in the NE United States and served on staff several times. Vangie wrote and organized weekend training courses at Camp Minsi for leaders from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Massachusetts.

A writer for most of her life, she was author of three books on Bethlehem Moravian church history. The first, Christmas in Bethlehem – A Moravian Heritage, has been a consistent best seller. She was an avid gardener, caring for their three acres with her husband. Over past years, Vangie served on the Board of Directors of Minsi Trails Council, BSA; Executive Service Corps of the Lehigh Valley; Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society; Historic Bethlehem; and the Board of Elders, Central Moravian Church. She was the first female chairman of the Board of Trustees, Wesley Methodist Church.

She is survived by her husband of 58 years: Donald Laros Sweitzer; son: Mark A. Sweitzer and wife Elizabeth of Spring City, PA; two grandchildren: Maxwell Laros Sweitzer and Kathryn Grace Sweitzer; nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her sisters: Mary Trotter, Elizabeth Brown and Ellen “Bobbie” Diehl.

Services are 10 AM Monday (Feb. 10) in Central Moravian Church, 7 W. Church St., Bethlehem, PA; with visitation from 5 PM to 6:30 PM Sunday in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA. Interment: Northampton Memorial Shrine. Memorial contributions may be made to Central Moravian Church, 7 W. Church St., Bethlehem, PA 18018. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Carla Jo Sobler, 68 of Palmer Twp., PA died Wednesday, January 22, 2020 at home. Born January 19, 1952 in Flemington, NJ she was a daughter of the late Lillian (Stymiesc) and Carl H. Moyer, Jr. She was a graduate and avid fan of Phillipsburg High School where she had been named Susie Stateliner. A member of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, she was active with SAW (St. Andrew’s Women) and sang in the choir. Carla will be remembered for her infectious laugh and ability to engage in conversation with anyone.

She is survived by her sons: Benjamin C. Sobler (wife Stephanie) of Wilson Borough, Andrew K. Sobler of Palmer Twp.; sisters: Dawn G. Moyer of Easton, Linda Moyer-Hall of Bethlehem, PA; 3 granddaughters: Emma, Ella, Edith; many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by the love of her life, her husband Michael D. Sobler in 2000.

A Memorial Service will be held 11 AM Friday (Jan. 31) in St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, 3900 Freemansburg Ave., Easton; the Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to the ALS Association, 321 Norristown Rd., Suite. 260, Ambler, PA 19002. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Thomas H. Beegle, 79, of Wilson Borough, PA died Monday, January 20, 2020 at Easton Hospital. Born July 26, 1940 in Easton, he was a son of the late Harry and Ruth “Dolly” (Strauss) Beegle, and his ‘second’ mother Ada (Williams) Beegle who raised him after his mother passed in 1941. A 1959 graduate of Wilson High School, he had been employed by Bethlehem Steel for more than 30 years before retiring in 1996.

Tom served on the Board of Directors of the Liberty Hose Fire Co for many years. Tom was also a life member of the Wilson Democratic Club where he enjoyed playing shuffleboard with his friends every weekend. He was a life member of the Avona Vol. Fire Co., as well as numerous social clubs from PA to FL.

He is survived by 4 daughters: Tammy Curcio (Anthony) of Bethlehem, Traci Brunner (Anton) of Plainfield Twp., Trisha Beegle of Easton, Tanya Hannan (Thomas) of Easton; his former wife: Sharon Mannix; brothers: William and Richard Beegle (Mary); sisters: Ann Flank (the late Jerry), Linda Wettlaufer (Thomas), Mariclare Groller (George); 6 grandchildren: Dana, Nicholas, Kasilee, Shawn T.(Larissa), Anthony, Beca; and 3 great-grandchildren: Corey, Lilian, and Shawn J; and many loved nieces and nephews.

Tom was the president of the Easton Area Men’s Pool League; he loved his Yankees, watching Judge Judy and John Wayne movies. He also loved spending time with his 4T’s, his son-in-laws, and his grandkids.

A calling period will be held from 5 to 8 PM Friday (Jan. 24) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA. A Celebration of Life gathering will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.