Obituaries

Lila Godown, 64 of Palmer Twp., PA died Saturday, May 30, 2020 at home. Born April 13, 1956 in Charleston, SC she was a daughter of the late Dorothy (Free) and Marshall R. Huffstutler. A 1974 graduate of Easton High School, she had worked in the service industry and as a caretaker for many years. She was an active member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Easton.

She is survived by her daughter: Alison White of Bethlehem Twp., PA; sisters: Beverly Wagner and Terri Piro of Easton, PA, Shirley Sharp of Bluffton, SC; brothers: Robert Huffstutler of Easton and Richard Weatherby of Pitman, NJ; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews whom she loved dearly. She was predeceased by her husband: Henry John “Hank” Godown, Jr. and her sister: Marshell Durnin.

A Celebration of her Life will be held at a later date due to Covid-19 restrictions. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church, 330 Ferry St., Easton, PA 18042 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Merle S. Rissmiller, Sr., 97, of Easton, died Monday, May 25, 2020 in ManorCare, Old Orchard. Born December 8, 1922 in Stockertown, he was a son of the late Samuel and Florence (Messinger) Rissmiller. His wife, Shirley (Paul) Rissmiller, died in 2011.

Merle served in the Army during WWII and was a self employed mason contractor in the Lehigh Valley. He was a member of St. John’s Church on Morgan Hill.

Surviving are two sons, Merle Rissmiller and his wife, Deborah, and Samuel Rissmiller and his wife, Barbara; a daughter, Sheri Lyons; six grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

Services will be private with interment in Raubsville Cemetery. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Colleen Mary Altimare, 71, of Wilson Borough, PA, passed away on Sunday, May 24, 2020, at St. Luke’s Hospital, Anderson Campus. She was the wife of Paul J. Altimare, with whom she celebrated 43 years of marriage in January. Born October 6, 1948, in Lebanon, PA, she was the daughter of the late Blanche (Slingwine) and Lawrence Mullen. Colleen was a 1966 graduate of Easton Area High School. She went on to work for the Architectural Studio in Easton and served as the Executive Director of the Northampton County Housing Authority for many years before her retirement in 2014. Colleen enjoyed cooking, gardening, and spending time with family and friends, especially her granddaughters.

She will always be lovingly remembered for her kind heart. Over the years Colleen welcomed into her home and cared for both her mother and in-laws and always kept the door open for her many “sons” – friends of her own son, Paul Adam. Family and friends alike will always treasure the memories of her cherished tradition of hosting elaborate Christmas Eve gatherings at her house.

A beloved wife, mother, “Lolly”, sister, and aunt, Colleen will be deeply missed by: her husband; her son: Paul A. Altimare and his wife, Kristen, of Easton, PA; her sister: LuRae Zehnder of Peoria, IL; two granddaughters: Gabriella and Ellianna; nieces: Julia and Ashlee; and a foster son: Lamont Dodson.

Friends are invited to drive by the Chapel at Easton Cemetery on N. 7th St., Easton, to greet the family between 10 to 11 AM on Monday, June 1st. Due to current COVID-19 restrictions, services will be private. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Interment will be in Easton Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or The Center for Animal Health and Welfare, Easton, PA. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Alice May Lowe, 95, formerly of Forks Twp., PA died Tuesday, May 19, 2020 at home in Garwood, NJ. Born February 5, 1925 in Easton, PA she was a daughter of the late Helen (Illick) and Norman Sterner, Sr. She was a 1942 graduate of Easton High School where she was a member of the Girl Reserves. She was the office manager for Dr. Francisco Serrano in Phillipsburg, NJ for many years. Prior to that she was employed by Warren Hospital and Mack Printing. Alice was a member of the former St. Marks United Church of Christ, Easton and in her early years was active with PTA, Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts. A loving wife, mother and grandmother, she enjoyed traveling, nature, birding and was an avid Collegiate and NFL fan. She was a very positive woman who loved life in all its many forms.

She is survived by 6 children: JoAnn Wolfram of Voorhees, NJ, Richard D. Lowe (wife Suzanne) of Cocoa, FL, Helen Watkins (husband Aaron ) with whom she resided in Garwood, Jon Lowe (wife Rebekah) of Franklin, TN, Julieann Ziegenfuss (husband Charles) of Wartburg, TN, Scott Lowe (wife Gina) of Raleigh, NC; 15 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband: Richard Lowe in 2008 and brother: Norman Sterner, Jr. and sister: Frances Trach.

Services are private due to COVID-19 restrictions. Interment is in Forks Cemetery, Forks Township. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to Abilities of Northwest Jersey at www.abilities.com. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Jerald Lynn Davis, 68 of Nazareth, PA died Monday, May 18, 2020 at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Muhlenberg. Born June 12, 1951 in Alamosa, CO he was a son of the late Mary (Spotten) and Harold Davis. He was a Navy veteran and earned a bachelor’s degree in business. He worked in retail and was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Nazareth. Jerry enjoyed woodworking, bike riding, cooking and reading. He is survived by his beloved sons: Jason (wife Kathleen), Ryan (wife Wanda), Chad (wife Marta); siblings: Warren, Joyce, Leora and Roann; and grandchildren: Olivia, Avery, Sebastian and Niko.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, services are private. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, Grand Central Station, P.O. Box 477, New York, NY 10163. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Jane Louise Adams (nee Roecker), of Easton PA, formerly of Stamford CT , Allentown and Bethlehem PA, passed away May 16, 2020 at the age of 95 following a long illness. Born December 18, 1924 in Easton she was a daughter of the late Arthur and Zulah (Hartzell) Roecker.

Jane graduated with Easton High School’s Class of 1942 and was a friend to everyone who knew her. While her children were at Palmer Elementary School, Jane was active in the PTO and a Girl Scout Leader. During her working years she enjoyed being a travel agent and working in retail. In Stamford, CT she was an agent with both Lindblad and Liberty Travel. In retail she worked for Talbots. After returning to the Easton area she worked for Liberty Travel, C. Leslie Smith and Baby & Me in Allentown. She developed lifelong friendships with coworkers and clients. Jane learned tailoring from her father and enjoyed sewing. She was the first president of Easton’s Couturiere Club and remained active with them for many years. She was passionate about her family, friends, travel and sewing.

A beloved mother, sister, grandmother, aunt and dear friend, she leaves behind one son: Charles F. Adams (wife Sandy) of Easton; two daughters: Nancy Adams Gelb (husband Larry) of St Louis, MO and Doretta Adams Heckman (husband John) of Apex, NC; one sister: Faye Christian of Easton; five grandchildren: Eric C. Adams (Jennifer) of Easton, Lauralee Heckman (John Szewczul) of Orange, CT, Keith Heckman (Sandi) of Garner, NC and Karen and Bill Gelb of St Louis, MO; she was also blessed with three great grandchildren: Alex Adams of Easton, and Katie and Emma Heckman of Garner. Her loving husband, Charles F. Adams of Easton, whom she married in 1942, preceded her in death as well as her brother, Jack Roecker.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, services will be held 11 AM Saturday, October 9, 2021 at the Easton Cemetery Chapel. Interment is in Easton Cemetery. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of choice or to Palmer Moravian Church, 2901 St John Street, Easton PA 18045. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.