Obituaries

Ruth Elanore Erb, 100, formerly of Palmer Twp., Easton, PA, died restfully Monday, February 26, 2024, while residing in The Masonic Home of Florida, Saint Petersburg, FL. Born May 4, 1923, in Easton, PA, she was a daughter of the late Irvin Ephraim and Anna Margaret (Strunk) Sholley. Ruth acted in the high school play and became proficient with the clarinet. In the early 1950’s, Ruth was a floor supervisor at Shapiro Co. in Easton. In the early 1970’s she became a ward clerk in the medical and surgical intensive care units at Easton Hospital, retiring in 1985. After 65 years at the same Easton address, Ruth moved to Florida in 2016 to The Fountains at Boca Ciega Bay, an independent living facility. Ruth soon was elected to the Resident Council where she robustly promoted the activities program through example by daily exercise, walking, and attending aerobic classes. In August 2023, Ruth entered the Masonic Home after a fall.

Ruth was a member of Earl Held’s All-Girl Band which performed in the region and was an officer of the reunion committee for the Easton High School Class of 1940. She was a lifetime member of First Moravian Church, Easton, serving as a sacristan, member of the board and various committees, and a greeter for the roast beef dinners.

She is survived by an older sister: Thelma S. Spencer of Martinsburg, WV; a son: Glenn R. and his wife, Vickie of Morrisonville, NY; a daughter: Shelley E. Ziegler and her husband, Tim Kehoe of St. Petersburg, FL; three grandchildren: Benn R. Erb and his wife Danielle, Plattsburgh, NY; Anna C. Erb and life-partner Eric Barnhill, Garner, NC; Katharine E. Ziegler, Nashville, TN; four great-grandchildren: Adison J., Bryson R., and Calliope L. Erb of Plattsburgh and Althea G. Barnhill of Garner. Predeceased are her husband, Donald H. Erb, and her younger brother, Irvin E. “Duke” Sholley, Jr.

Services are 2 PM Wednesday (March 6) at First Moravian Church, 225 N. 10th St., aston, with visitation from 1 to 2 PM. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling arrangements. Interment in Northampton Memorial Shrine.  The family requests, in lieu of flowers, donations in Ruth’s memory to First Moravian Church, 225 N 10th St., Easton, PA 18042. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.