Ashton Funeral Home

Obituaries

Ruth K. Reiter

December 20, 2019

Ruth K. Reiter, 95 formerly of Easton, PA died Thursday, December 19, 2019 at Moravian Hall Square, Nazareth, PA. Born July 3, 1924 in Philadelphia, PA she was a daughter of the late Lillian and Joseph Koplin. A graduate of Temple University, she was a case manager and supervisor for the Northampton County Department of Public Assistance for many years before retiring. Ruth was an active member of Bnai Abraham Synagogue, Easton where she had been President of the Sisterhood and a member and youth group advisor of the former Jewish Community Center. She was also very active in the community, receiving an Outstanding Senior Award in 2018. She was on the Boards of Planned Parenthood, the Neighborhood Center and a volunteer for Meals on Wheels and Lehigh Valley Seniors to name a few.

She is survived by her daughter: Sally Goldstein (husband Rabbi Josh) of Monroe Twp., NJ; 4 grandchildren: Eric Reiter (wife Tracy), Heidi Messina (husband Jim), Dov Goldstein (wife Stacey), Zach Goldstein; and 6 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband: Dr. Norman S. Reiter in 1988, her son: Joel “Sandy” Reiter in 2010 and brothers: Leonard and Irving Koplin.

A Graveside Service will be held 11 AM Sunday (Dec. 22) at the Bnai Abraham Cemetery, Arndt Rd., Easton, PA. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to Bnai Abraham Synagogue, 1545 Bushkill St., Easton, PA 18042. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Joseph Pickenpack, Jr.

December 18, 2019

Joseph Pickenpack, Jr., 79, of Easton, died Wednesday, December 18, 2019 in his home.

Born July 14, 1940 in High Point, NC, he was a son of the late Joseph and Mae (Diggs) Pickenpack.

Surviving are his children, Joseph Andrew, Julia Anne and Tiara Joy; a brother; six sisters; two grandchildren and a great granddaughter.

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

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Allen V. Hardy, Jr.

December 16, 2019

Allen V. Hardy, Jr.

Allen V. Hardy, Jr. 93 formerly of the Country Meadows Retirement Community died Monday, December 16, 2019 at Gracedale in Nazareth. Born March 19, 1926 in Lopatcong Twp., NJ he was a son of the late Margaret (Schlough) and Allen Hardy, Sr. He proudly served in the US Navy in the South Pacific during WWII and was employed by Met-Ed for more than 30 years before retiring. Allen was a member of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, the Ambassador’s Club, the West Easton AA and was a life member of the American Legion Lester Pfeffer Post and Fearless Fire Co.

He is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 75 years: Evelyn (Moser) Hardy; 3 children: Allen “Skeeter” Hardy, III (wife Sandra) of Greensboro, NC, Karen Hardy- Kutz and Denise Klabunde (husband Scott) all of Palmer Twp., PA; sister: Mae Slack of Bloomsbury, NJ; 7 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by a brother and 5 sisters.

Services are private. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, 3900 Freemansburg Ave., Easton, PA 18045. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Robert L. Hinkel

December 13, 2019

Robert L. Hinkel

Robert L. Hinkel, 66 of Palmer Twp., PA died Friday, December 13, 2019 at St. Luke’s Hospital, Anderson Campus. Born February 18, 1953 in Easton, PA he was a son of the late Grace (Sortino) and Rolland “Bob” Hinkel. He was a graduate of Easton High School and a self-employed general contractor. He was also an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting and fly-fishing.

He is survived by his wife Mary M. (Wismer) Hinkel and two brothers: Jon C. Hinkel of Moore Twp. and Scott E. Hinkel of Palmer Twp., PA.

A calling period will be held from 10 to 11:30 AM Wednesday (Dec. 18) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association at www.diabetes.org. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Jean L. Stapleton

December 13, 2019

Jean L. Stapleton, 91, of Easton, died Friday, December 13, 2019 in St. Luke’s Hospital.

Born April 5, 1928 in Staten Island, NY, she was a daughter of the late Alfred and Gertrude (Dorr) LeCornec. Her husband, Michael F. Stapleton died in 1986.

Jean was the Northampton County Jury Clerk for over 25 years until retiring in 1996. She was a member of URW and volunteered for many years for Meals on Wheels.

Surviving are a son, Michael Stapleton and his wife, Patricia; a daughter, Jane Stapleton Deziel and her partner, John Deziel; and three grandchildren, Luke, Emma and Johannah. A brother, Buddy and a sister, Fran died earlier. Jean was close to her nephews, nieces, and friends and caregivers at Country Meadows.

The Memorial Service originally scheduled for Saturday (Jan. 18) has been postponed due to the weather forecast.  Service timing will be announced when rescheduled in late Spring.

Memorial contributions may be made to Lehigh Valley Meals on Wheels, https://mowglv.org. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Joseph G. Peake

December 9, 2019

Joseph G. Peake

Joseph Gabriel Peake, 86 of Palmer Twp., PA died Monday, December 9, 2019 at ManorCare, Palmer Twp., PA. Born December 17, 1932 in Sheppton, PA he was the son of the late Mary (Kovacs) and Joseph E. Peake. He was a graduate of Liberty High School and an army veteran. He earned an associate degree in criminal justice from Lehigh County Community College and worked for 9 years as an Easton Police Officer. He had been employed by the Easton Area School District for 25 years in charge of transportation and was also a Northampton County Sheriff’s Deputy for 13 years. He was a member of Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, Easton. Joe was married for 63 years to the love of his life, the Anna “Annie” (Bencak) Peake. He was deeply rooted in the belief that service to others was the best way of life and he lived his life by being many things to many people.

He is survived by his beloved Annie, a sister Bernadine Lynn (husband Milton); sister-in-law: Mary Galasso; and will be missed by many nieces and nephews: Joe Gross, Nicholas, Frank and Ronnie Galasso, Ernestine Snyder, Roxanne Frye, Tina Walp, Janet Andersen, Cynthia Bagin, and Karen Achey. He was predeceased by sisters: Naomi Illigasch, Hannah Gross and Verna Souders.

Services are 9:30 AM Friday (Dec. 13) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton with visitation 6 to 7:30 PM Thursday. Entombment is in Holy Saviour Cemetery, Bethlehem.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Judes Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Rose C. Mason

December 9, 2019

Rose Catherine Mason of Easton, PA formerly of Verplanck, NY died Monday, December 9, 2019 at Easton Hospital. Born July 13, 1937 in Verplanck she was a daughter of the late Catherine (Serafano) and John Furfaro. She received her nursing degree from Pace University and was a nurse at the FDR VA Hospital in Montrose for 20 years. She was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Verplanck.

She is survived by her husband of 62 years William Mason, Sr.; her son William R. (wife Donna) of Easton; 2 grandchildren: Sarah Rockwell (husband Luke) and Clayton Mason and 2 great-grandchildren: Samuel and Jacob Rockwell.

Services will be announced at a later date. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to the Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living at www.lvcil.org. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Eugene P. O’Donnell

December 9, 2019

Eugene P. O’Donnell, 96, of Bethlehem Township, died Monday, December 9, 2019 in Easton Hospital.

Born July 15, 1923 in Easton, he was a son of the late Michael and Agnes (Smyth) O’Donnell. His wife, Katharine Marie (Lieberman) O’Donnell died in 2001.

Eugene graduated from Wilson High School and Temple University, served in the Army during WWII and retired from the Iron and Steel Foundry at Ingersoll-Rand, Phillipsburg.

Surviving are his daughter, Dr. Nancy J. O’Donnell-Betts and her husband, Mark; and grandsons, Brendan and Ryan. His sisters, Julia Lawler and Cecelia Ruth and his brothers, Neal O’Donnell and Aloysius O’Donnell died earlier.

Services will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, December 17, 2019 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton. A visitation will be held from 10:00 am until service time on Tuesday in the funeral home. Interment will be in Easton Cemetery. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.