Obituaries

Robert W. Lesher, 86, of Plainfield Township, died Thursday, January 21, 2021 in St. Luke’s Hospice House.

Born July 13, 1934 in Easton, he was a son of the late Edward and Elizabeth (Graver) Lesher. He and his wife, Marion E. (Igo) Lesher, were married 58 years.

He worked at the Hunterdon Developmental Center for 15 years and retired in 2002. Prior to that he worked at Taylor-Wharton for 28 years. He graduated from Wilson High School where he was on the football, baseball, and track and field teams and later he served in the Army National Guard with the 503rd Combat Engineers Division. He also played football on The Citadel football team that beat the Marine Corps team for the first time in 1955 on Parris Island and was on the cover of Life Magazine. He was a member of the Open Arms Senior Connection at Arndt’s Lutheran Church and sang in the Brothers in Harmony barbershop quartet and in the New Jersey Gents chorus.

Surviving with his wife, Marion, are two sons, Edward Lesher and his wife, Joanne, of Bath, Kurt Fretz and his wife, Sandra, of Saylorsburg; two daughters, Sharon Schmauder and her husband, Gene, of Pen Argyl, and Brenda Corkins of Phillipsburg; a brother, John Lesher; a sister, Dolores Wilson; nine grandchildren; and six great grandchildren. A son, Fred Lesher; three brothers, Fred Lesher, Raymond Lesher, and Tony Lesher; three sisters, Marion Rider, Margaret Kelly, and Elizabeth Stokes; and a granddaughter, Kelly, predeceased him.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, July 10, 2021 at 5607 Sherwood Dr., Easton, PA 18040.  Please RSVP by June 19th to Sharon Schmauder or Jessica Pensyl. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Luke’s Hospice House, www.slhn.org/vna/donate or Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Nicholas V. Leone, of Easton, PA passed away Tuesday, January 19, 2021 at Country Meadows, Bethlehem Twp., PA. Born in Easton, he was the son of the late Nicola and Rose Leone. A graduate of Easton High School and Lafayette College, he served proudly in the US Navy. He operated the family business, Leone Brothers Bakery in Easton, for many years before retiring. He was a gourmet cook and baker, who loved gardening, reading, history and traveling. As a member of the Alfa Romeo Club he traveled to Italy and was able to tour the vehicle factory. He was also an avid horseback rider and attended a riding school in Spain. Nick was a kind man who loved his family and friends and was always willing to help others.

He was a best friend and advisor to his sister, Rosalie Leone of Easton. And best friend to his sister, Amelita who died in 1994 and to his sister, Janet who died in 2018. 

Due to COVID concerns, services will be held at the graveside, 11 AM Tuesday (Jan. 26) at Easton Cemetery, N. 7th Street, Easton. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to a veteran’s organization of one’s choice. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Kylie Elizabeth Philhower, 27, of Easton, PA died Wednesday, January 13, 2021. Born April 17, 1993 in Easton, PA she was a daughter of Lisa A. Mullen-Philhower of Palmer Twp., PA and Thomas L. Philhower of Easton.

She is survived by her parents; daughters: Aaliyah and Aaniyah; brothers: Ricky and Tommy Philhower; and sister: Tricia Mosier.

Visitation, following CDC guidelines, will be held from 6 to 7 PM Tuesday (Jan. 19) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA. Services are private. Memorial contributions may be made to the family c/o the funeral home. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Jacqueline Christine Selby, 73, of Bethlehem Twp., PA died Thursday, January 7, 2021 at home. Born Easter morning, April 6, 1947 in Boston, MA, she was the daughter of the late Peter and Elizabeth (Ehrenbolger) Kamenides. She and her husband, Richard Selby had a “great run” for 48 years before his passing. A graduate of Wiesbaden High School in Germany, she had been employed by Muhlenberg Hospital in the Emergency Room for 28 years. Jackie loved cooking, her gourmet group, card games, bowling, her exercise groups and attending her children’s activities through the years. She especially loved traveling to Europe, Asia, South and Central America, the Caribbean and the USA, exploring and learning along the way.

Now on her final trip, she is survived by her beautiful daughter: Julie Bell of Prosper, TX; her handsome son: Gregory (wife Renee) of Nazareth, PA; the grandchildren they blessed her with and so enjoyed: Chadwick Kennington and Ellie Bell, Paige and Benjamin Selby; her brother: Michael Kamenides of Granby, MA; two nephews and a niece. A brother Mark Kamenides died earlier.

Visitation will be held 5 to 6:30 PM Thursday (Jan. 14) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA. Services will be private with entombment in Bethlehem Memorial Park.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Center for Animal Health and Welfare, 1165 Island Park Road, Easton, PA 18042. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Elvira Smith Buchanan, 65, of Easton, PA died suddenly Thursday, January 7, 2021 at St. Luke’s Hospital, Easton Campus. Born January 6, 1956 in Bethlehem, PA she was a daughter of the late Amos and Beatrice (Graves) Smith. She was a bus assistant for a private school in the Lehigh Valley for several years.

She is survived by her children: Heather Smith and Robert Dunston; a sister: Betty Smith and her sons: Blane Sandt, Jr. and Tyson Sandt, Sr.; her longtime companion: Robert Starling; and grandchildren. A sister: Shirley and brothers: Amos and Edward died earlier.

Memorial contributions may be made to the family c/o the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA 18042. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.

Carol A. Lee, 78, of Palmer Township, died Wednesday, January 6, 2021. Born October 28, 1942 in Philadelphia, she was a daughter of the late Karl and Glenus (Ackerman) Kroening. Her husband, Marlen E. Lee died in 2001.

She and her husband owned Leslie’s Luncheonette. Carol worked for Wood Co. for 30 years and retired in 2012. She also catered for the F.O.E. and worked at Orr’s Department Store. She was a member of Palmer Moravian Church, volunteered for Meals on Wheels and was a poll worker in Palmer Township.

Surviving are her sons, Steven Lee, Alan Lee and his wife, Debbie, and Christopher Lee and his wife, Suzanne; nine grandchildren; and eleven great grandchildren.

A visitation will be held from 7:00 to 8:30 pm on Monday, January 11, 2021 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton. Private interment will be in Northampton Memorial Shrine.

Memorial contributions may be made to Palmer Moravian Church, 2901 John St., Easton, PA 18045.

Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.