Obituaries

Charity Akua Yeboah, 85 of Bethlehem, PA died Wednesday, November 18, 2020 at ManorCare, Bethlehem. Born December 25, 1934 in Ghana, she was a daughter of the late Opanin Yaw Yeboah and Yaa Adomakoa.  She was of the Pentecostal faith.

She is survived by 4 children: John Sagoe-Brock of Somerset, NJ, Joanna Sagoe-Brock in Germany, Joyce Danquah-Aminu of Bethlehem, Joshua Danquah in Ghana; 14 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

Services for the family will be held at the Ashton Funeral Home in Easton. Interment is in Forks Cemetery.  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

James Richard Halvorsen, 74 of Bethlehem Twp., PA formerly of Connecticut died Monday, November 16, 2020 at home. Born May 28, 1946 in Madison, WI he was a son of the late John and Mary (Peterson) Halvorsen. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Whitewater and served in the Army Reserves. He had been employed by the IBM and Lexmark Companies for many years before retiring. A member of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity, he was an avid golfer, sports enthusiast and skier. Jim also loved time spent with his family, especially his grandson.

He is survived by his children: Peder Halvorsen (wife Elizabeth) of Palmer Twp., PA, Annie Copperthwaite (husband Jay) of Bethlehem, PA; sisters: Carol Pechauer, Jane Hinkel, Julie Keesey and his grandson: Jackson. A sister, Mary Jo Parker died earlier.

Services will be held at a later date. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Devonte Javon Harvey was born sleeping on November 11,2020. He was the son of Elaine Lorraine Harvey (Counterman) and DeShawn Harvey Sr.  He was the grandson of Trevor L. Moyer and the late Sally Moyer (Counterman) and Darick Manzano and the late Denise Harvey.  He was the brother of Rasheen Beston, Daquan Harvey, Dontay Harvey, DeShawn Harvey Jr., Daniel Harvey, Dashawna Beston, Aaliyah Harvey,  April Harvey and  Brianna  Harvey.

He was the nephew of Rebecca Counterman, Patricia Chapman (Paul),  Leeann Nuttall (Danny), Raylene Nuttall (Joseph), Wassy Harvey, Brandy Teabo, Boyd Teabo, Jr. (Carrie), Edward Teabo, Jr. (Amber), Carl Dunbar (Kayley), Lawrence Harvey, Nyeem Harvey and Nyreel Manzano. 

Devonte was preceded in death by a sister: April Harvey; grandmothers: Sally Moyer (Counterman-Teabo) and Denise Harvey; uncles: Nyeem Harvey and Nyreel Manzano; grandfathers: Edward Teabo, Sr. and Boyd Teabo, Sr. and great-grandmothers: Elise Counterman (Labar), Frances Manzano, Maryjane Moyer and  Shirley Durand; great-grandfathers: William Counterman, Edmond Durand and Richard Moyer; great -great  grandmother: Maggie Carter; aunt Rachel Counterman;  great-uncles: Martin and Marvin and Paul Counterman; and great -aunts: Viola Mcammon and Janet Crown.

He is also survived by many cousins, a few nieces and nephews and by many great aunts and uncles.

Charles David Updegrove, 95, of Bethlehem, PA, formerly of Easton, PA, passed away Wednesday, November 4, 2020. He was the husband of the late June (Wesley) Updegrove who passed away in 2018. Born December 22, 1924 in Easton, he was the son of the late Dr. Harvey Updegrove and Gladys (Collins) Updegrove. David was in the March School Class of 1939 and the Easton High School Class of 1942. He entered Lafayette College in September 1942, enlisted in the United States Navy in December 1942 in their Aviation Program and was called to active duty in August 1943. He graduated from the Naval Midshipman School in Ft. Schuyler, NY and was commissioned an Ensign USNR. After 37 months he returned to Lafayette College and graduated in June 1949 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering. He was a member of the Easton High School and Lafayette College tennis teams and a member of Hillcrest Tennis Club. He was also an avid bowler, golfer and fisherman.

David was employed by Warren Webster & Co., Camden, NJ, a manufacturer of Heating & Cooling Equipment as a Sales Engineer. After 16 years, he joined S.I. Handling Systems of Easton, PA in 1965 as an Assistant Sales Manager. During the next 21 years he held positions as General Sales Manager, Contract Administrator and Product Manager. After his position was eliminated in May 1986, he sold cellular car phones for Palmer Audio and worked as a consultant for Easton Area Industrial Land Development Company. He was a member of College Hill Presbyterian Church, Easton where he served as a deacon and he was a former member of the Northampton Country Club, Harker’s Hollow Golf Club and the Pomfret Club of Easton.

He is survived by a daughter: Kim Wagner and her husband David of Allentown; a son: Kevin Updegrove and his wife Diane of Carson City, NV; five grandchildren: Alex, Daniel, Adam, Nicole, Andrew; and two great-granddaughters: Hannah and Mae. In addition to his wife of 62 years, June Updegrove, he was preceded in death by his sister: Elizabeth Maguire and his brother: Dr. John Updegrove.

Services are private. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Jean L. Fairchild, 94, of Palmer Township, died Wednesday, October 28, 2020 in her home. Born August 8, 1926 in Montandon, PA, she was a daughter of the late Rufus R. and Iona M. (Wolfe) Deppen. Her husband, Angus A. “Hank” Fairchild died in 2001.

Jean retired from the former ITT Electron Technology Division, Palmer Township and was a member of Green Pond United Methodist Church where she sang in the choir. She loved her family, music, singing, playing the piano and organ, puzzles and the Phillies.

Surviving are a daughter, Barbara J. Kichline, her husband, Curt and their son, Joey of Palmer Township; a son, Dale A. Fairchild of Nazareth; two brothers, James Deppen and Donald Deppen; her dearest companion, Vic Dennis and many nieces and nephews. A sister and three bothers died earlier.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, November 4, 2020 in the Northampton Memoria Shrine, Palmer Township. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to Green Pond United Methodist Church, 4411 Green Pond Rd., Easton, PA 18045. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Harry James Heck, 90 of Savannah, GA formerly of Easton, PA and Doylestown, PA passed away peacefully, Saturday, October 24, 2020. He was born on April 24, 1930 in Easton, to the late G. Harris Heck and Lillian (Wesley) Heck. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his bothers G. Harris, Jr. and Robert W. Heck.

Harry was educated in the Easton Public School System, at Lafayette College (where he was a member of the Chi Phi fraternity) and at Eckels College of Mortuary Science. After college, he joined the family business, the Heck Memorial Home in Easton, but this part of his career was interrupted by the outbreak of the Korean War. Harry enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, received his training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX and completed Air Force radio training school at Scott Field, IL. Following his training, he was assigned to the occupation forces in Germany. The end of hostilities in Korea coincided with the end of the occupation and after 4 years, Harry returned home to Easton where he met his wife, the former Nancy Moss and they were married in 1955.  Harry returned to the family business, receiving his funeral director’s license in 1956.

Harry left the family business and joined McNeil Laboratories (part of the Johnson & Johnson family of companies) in June of 1959 as a territory representative and progressed in multiple managerial positions. He was promoted to Executive Director of Sales in 1976. Harry’s career spanned 33 years with McNeil when he retired in 1992. Harry was active in multiple churches throughout his life including St. John’s Lutheran Church in Easton and St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Doylestown. Harry and Nancy retired to the Landings on Skidaway Island in Savannah. He and Nancy, together, enjoyed a busy retirement. He loved to golf, sail, fish and travel abroad. He and Nancy especially enjoyed exploring North America in their RV with his beloved English Springer Spaniel, Maggie, in tow.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Nancy; three daughters: Amy Gheysens (husband Edward, Jr.) of Pittsgrove NJ, Elizabeth DeMaioribus (husband James, Jr.) of Morristown, NJ, Karen Innes (husband David) of Horsham, PA; and six grandchildren: Katherine, Stephen, Lauren, Nicholas, Samantha, and Christine.

Services for family only will be held 1 PM Monday (Nov. 2) at the Historic Easton Cemetery Chapel, N. 7th St., Easton. Masks and social distancing will be observed. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton, PA is handling arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to Operation Homefront, San Antonio TX, the Humane Society of Greater Savannah, the Alzheimer’s Association or Hospice Savannah. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Doris Elaine Yiaski, 89 of Bethlehem Twp., PA died Friday, October 23, 2020 at St. Luke’s Hospital, Anderson Campus. Born August 8, 1931 in Philadelphia, PA she was a daughter of the late Clarence Astle and Ethel (Kester) Astle Kiefer. Her husband of 70 years, Joseph Yiaski died in July. She was a 1949 graduate of Liberty High School and member of the ILGWU. She had been employed by Just Born Candy, NickiLynn Sportswear and Forte Neckwear for many years before retiring. Doris loved gardening, arts and crafts, time at the mountains, holidays and time with her family. 

She is survived by four children: Joseph Yiaski, III of Center Valley, PA, Elaine Pittack of Bethlehem Twp., PA, Robert Yiaski of South Whitehall Twp., PA, Linda Cawley of Stockertown, PA; 9 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, Joe and her brother: Robert Kiefer.

Graveside services are 10:30 AM Saturday (October 31) at Northampton Memorial Shrine, 3051 Green Pond Rd., Easton. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements.  Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.