Obituaries

Anna Smestad, 89 of Forks Twp., PA died Saturday, January 11, 2020 at ManorCare Old Orchard. Born June 6, 1930 in Long Branch, NJ and raised in Norway, she was a daughter of the late Herman and Kristine Marie (Markussen) Thoresen. Anna returned to the United States after WWII and met her husband of 69 years, Hans Smestad, in Brooklyn, NY. They moved to Manalapan, NJ in 1963 where they raised their six children until moving to Forks Twp. in 1987. She was a member of Arndts Lutheran Church and a Meals on Wheels volunteer. Anna took great pride in her home and her garden and her greatest joy was caring for her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her husband, Hans; her children: Linda Ann Smestad (husband Eivind) of Tovdal, Norway, John H. Smestad (wife Kim) of Kissimmee, FL, Judy Smestad-Nunn (husband Richard) of Brick, NJ and Jupiter, FL, Astri Myhre (husband Sigbjorn) of Cranford, NJ, Kristian Smestad (wife Jerelyn) of Westerly, RI; sister: Sylvia Larsen of Arendal, Norway; 13 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by a son Erik Smestad in 2017 and a sister Thelma Bjornsti.

A Memorial Celebration of her Life will be held 12:30 PM Saturday, Jan. 18 in Arndts Lutheran Church, 1851 Arndt Rd., Forks Twp. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to Arndts Lutheran Church, 1851 Arndt Rd., Easton, PA 18040. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Dr. John D. Werley, 92, formerly of Palmer Township, died Friday, January 10, 2020 in Moravian Hall Square, Nazareth.

Born March 21, 1927 in Reading, he was a son of the late Dr. Walter W. Werley and Martha Washington (Hook) Werley. His wife, Annette E. (Eisenbrown) Werley died in 2010.

Dr. Werley was a radiologist at Easton Hospital from 1958 to 1987 where he was a co-founder of the x-ray technician training program and established the Nuclear Medicine Department. He was also a radiologist for Redi-Care Medical Centers from 1986 to 1998. He served in the Navy during WWII, graduated from Albright College in 1950 and Jefferson Medical College in 1954 where he was a member of Theta Kappa Psi and Kappa Beta Phi. He served his Internship at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Reading and his Residency in Radiology at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Reading and St. Joseph’s Mercy Hospital, Ann Arbor, Michigan. He was Board Certified in Nuclear Medicine. He and his brother, Dr. Charles Werley, launched a fund to introduce the polio vaccine in the Lehigh Valley. He was a board member of Valley Federal and Sovereign banks, a 20+ year board member at Northampton Country Club where he was a member of the Board of Governors, the Greens Committee and was General Golf Chairman. He served on the Board of the Lehigh Valley American Cancer Society and American Lung Association and the Executive Committee of the Doctors Golf Association of Philadelphia. He was also a member of the American Medical Association, Pennsylvania Medical Society, Northampton County Medical Society, American College of Radiology, Radiological Society of North America, American College of Medical Imaging, Pennsylvania College of Nuclear Medicine, Pennsylvania Radiology Society, Past President of American Society of Radiologists and Pathologists and Charter Member of Society of Nuclear Medicine. He was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and of the Moravian Hall Square Choir.

Surviving are two daughters, Betsy Werley and her husband, Robert Plows and Wendy Barth and her husband, David; a son, Mark Werley and his wife, Pamela; four grandchildren, Michael Werley, Zachary Werley, Stephen Barth and his wife, Carmen Lujan Cano and Alex Barth and his wife, Kayleigh Galliher.

A memorial service will be held at 11:30 am on Wednesday, January 15, 2020 in Moravian Hall Square, Kortz Hall, 175 W. North St., Nazareth. A visitation will be held from 5:30 to 7:00 pm on Tuesday in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton.

Memorial contributions may be made to Outer Banks Forever, https://obxforever.org, The Children’s Home of Easton, http://thechildrenshome.org, or Moravian Hall Square – Staff Advancement Fund, c/o Morningstar Senior Living, Inc., 175 W North St., Nazareth, PA, 18064.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Randall J. Fazekas, 52, of Easton, died Tuesday, January 7, 2020 in St. Luke’s Hospital.

Born April 21, 1967 in Easton, he was a son of Sandra (Haydu) Peters and the late Phillip J. Fazekas.

He worked for Merkin Body and Hoist, Easton and was a member of Citizen’s Hose, Avona Volunteer Fire Co. and Fleas Club.

Surviving with his mother, Sandra, are his children, Jennifer and Brandon, and his siblings, Stephanie, Stacy, Daniel and Michael.

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

Memorial contributions may be made to Gift of Life Donor Program, www.donors1.org.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Paul Louis Hartzell, 55 of Easton, PA died Monday, January 6, 2020 at home. Born January 20, 1964 in Easton he was a son of Nelson and Janice (Wood) Hartzell. A 1982 graduate of Easton High School, he had been employed by Victaulic and Crayola for many years. He was also a member of the Weston Club, Easton.

He is survived by his parents; his children: Ryan L. Hartzell (wife Shannon) in GA, Shilene Hartzell (fiancé Master Howard) in SC, their mother: Joanne Rey in GA; brothers: Robert Hartzell, Henry Fernsler; sister: Lori Smith; 3 grandchildren and step-children: Charles Cuvo, Michael Jacoby and Dana Teske.

Services are private; the Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Norma Lee Stem, 76 formerly of Easton, PA died Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020 at her daughter’s home in York Springs, PA. Born July 21, 1943 in Sayre, PA she was a daughter of the late Rev. Raymond and Zelia Steinhart. She was employed by Easton Hospital as a nurse’s aide and by the former Dixie Cup Co. in Easton and was a dispatcher for the Palmer Police Dept. Norma was a volunteer first aid responder and ambulance driver for Suburban Rescue and a member of the former 1st Evangelical Congregational Church. She was also a member of the Wayne Newton Fan Club and an avid dog lover, adopting many pets over the years.

She is survived by 4 children: Eugene D. Stem of Las Vegas, NV, Kimberly L. Stem with whom she resided, Michael W. Stem (wife Andrea) of York Springs, Stephen A. Stem (wife Diana) of St. Petersburg, FL; 2 sisters: Darla Sayles, Trudy Hill; 9 grandchildren and 2 great-grandsons. She was predeceased by her husband Gerald W. Stem in Aug. of 2018.

Services are 12:30 PM Thursday (Jan. 9) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton with visitation 12 to 12:30 PM. Interment is in Easton Cemetery. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Loretta E. Thomas, 92 of Nazareth, PA died Saturday, December 28, 2019 at Gracedale. Born October 7, 1927 in Phillipsburg, NJ she was a daughter of the late Albert and Laura (Heins) Stubblebine. Her husband Harry G. Thomas died in 2013. She had been a baker for the Easton Area School District for 25 years before retiring in 1990. Loretta also served on the Board of South Easton Cemetery.

She is survived by her daughter: Deborah E. Harman (husband Nelson) of N. Myrtle Beach, SC; sister: Shirley Thatcher of Easton, PA; 3 grandchildren: Kelly-Jo Smith (husband Shawn), Deborah Frace (husband Brian) and Nelson Harman (wife Amy); sister-in-law: Joan Stubblebine, Seattle, WA; 6 great-grandchildren: Vanessa and Trevor Smith, Michael Frace (wife Kathryn), Jessica Davis (husband Sean), Alexis and Zoe Harman; and a great-great-granddaughter: Nova Smith. She was predeceased by 3 brothers and 2 sisters.

Services are 11 AM Friday (Jan. 3) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton with visitation 10 to 11 AM. Interment is in Hays Cemetery (formerly South Easton Cemetery). Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Assoc. at www.alz.org. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.