Obituaries

William Pares, 100 of Easton, PA died Friday, December 27, 2019 at St. Luke’s Hospice House, Bethlehem, PA. Born Nov. 7, 1919 in Vega Alta, Puerto Rico he was a son of the late Asuncion (Jimenez) and Manuel Pares. He was predeceased by his wife the former Juanita Cruz. He was a Staff Sergeant in the Army Air Force during WWII and a Supervisor for the US Postal Service in New York for many years before retiring.

He is survived by 2 daughters: Nancy Kraemer of Florahome, FL and Vivian Kroner of Easton, PA; 4 grandchildren: Lance and Spencer Kraemer, Laura Collopy and Lisa Zimmerman; 10 great grandchildren and a great-great-granddaughter.

Services are 1:15 PM Thursday, January 2 at the Purcell Chapel, Beyers Funeral Home, Bushnell, FL with military honors and interment to follow at 2:30 PM in the Florida National Cemetery. Memorial contributions  in lieu of flowers may be made to St. Luke’s Hospice House, c/o 801 Ostrum St., Bethlehem, PA 18015. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Irene C. Strzepek, 98 formerly of Bethlehem Twp., PA died Friday, December 27, 2019 in Minnesota. Born August 8, 1921 in Wilkes-Barre, PA she was a daughter of the late Gilbert and Emma (Smith) Culp. Her husband Adolph A. “Strez” Strzepek died in 1993. A graduate of the Wyoming Seminary School of Business, Kingston she had been employed by Duplan Corp, Kingston, Phillipsburg Trust and the Bethlehem School District before retiring. She was a member of St. Andrews’s Lutheran Church, Easton where she served as Financial Secretary and was very active with SAW, the Lunch Bunch and Steel Magnolias.

She is survived by two children: William R. Strzepek (wife Denise) of Columbus, OH, Deborah A. Contreras (husband Tony) of Plymouth, MN; a sister: Marilyn Evans of Kingston, PA; 5 grandchildren: Elysia Springer, Brent and Andrew Contreras, Gabriel and Keegan Strzepek; and 2 great-grandchildren: August and Merit Springer.

Graveside services will be held 1 PM Wednesday, January 8 at St. John’s Lutheran/UCC Church Cemetery, 770 St. Johns Rd., Drums, PA with a reception to follow at Top of the 80’s, 3 Top of 80’s Rd., Hazleton, PA; 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.

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, 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.

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.