Pennsylvania Obituary and Marriage Records, 1947-2010
Helga Kawlath Farrell
Helga Kawlath Farrell died on January 1, 2010, after a short illness. She was diagnosed with lung cancer five months ago and put up a courageous fight. Born: She was born Helga Ida Amalia Kawlath on September 14, 1939 in Schladen, Germany to Emil and Elisabeth. Personal: Helga had three younger brothers, Harald, Hans, and Hartmut of Germany. Arriving originally to this country as an au pair, she moved subsequently to a position in accounting in New York City. There she met Norman Farrell in 1961 and they were married in 1963. Five years later she became a U.S. citizen. For 18 years she was Office Manager at the College Hill Presbyterian Church and following retirement went to work for Lafayette College as an administrative assistant in the Comptroller's Office for another 13 years. Helga was fortunate in having an extensive network of friends which she gathered from her wide range of her interests and accomplishments. As a friend she was always loyal and dependable. She was passionate, persistent and eminently practical. As a leader, she was an organizer, par excellence. Helga, an avid reader, was always a member of a book club. During the 1970's, tennis had been her game. Aside from almost always being seeded first in Northwood Racquet Club's league, her other claim to fame were her sewing skills. Consequently, each member of the team had been outfitted in matching team uniforms, all sewn by Helga. She had a love for dogs and for most of her adult life Helga had one, sometimes two. She and Norman enjoyed traveling to such places as Portugal, Greece, Turkey, England, Brazil, Italy, France, Scotland, Romania, the Black Sea and the Ukraine. In retirement, she enjoyed playing bridge, mah jong and joined a walking group. Memberships: Helga was an active member of the Trinity Episcopal Church in Easton since 1964 by offering leadership in areas such as the Vestry, the Search Committee and the Garden of Remembrance. Following her love for music, she sang in Trinity's choir for over 20 years. Helga was a long time member of the Junior League of the Lehigh Valley and served as the League's treasurer. She also had been treasurer while serving on the Committee for the Children's Home and was a member of the Young Republican's Club of Easton. Survivors: In addition to her husband of 46 years and her three brothers, there are two children, Sloan, of Arnold, MD and Elisabeth, of W. Lebanon, NH. Son, Sloan and his wife, Susan have three children, Samuel, Caroline and Isabelle. Daughter, Elisabeth Berthasavage and her husband, Ronald, have two children, Katherine and Thomas. Services: Her service will be at Trinity Episcopal Church, Easton, the Rev. Canon Andrew Gerns, celebrating at 10 a.m. on Thursday, January 7, 2010. Memorials: Memorial gifts may be made to the Trinity Episcopal Church Memorial Fund and/or the SPCA.
Jean A. Nerette
Jean Armand "J Dott Com" Nerette, 26, of Allentown, Pa, died Monday, April 21, 2008. Born: On June 24, 1981, in Haiti, he was a son of Jean E. Nerette and Zulmelie Donuyon-Nerette. Personal: He was employed by Mogul International and was a musician for Mogul Urban, www.mogulurban.com. He was a star athlete in Easton High School, playing basketball and participating in track and field. He graduated in 2000. He had a tremendous love for children and frequently volunteered at the Boys and Girls Club with troubled youths. Memberships: He was a member of ASCAP music and Shiloh Baptist Church. Jean will never be forgotten and will forever be missed. Survivors: In addition to his parents, Jean and Zulmelie, he is survived by sisters, Marietta, Manuella, and Tian Nerette, and Joanna Donuyon; brothers, Ves and Richard Donuyan, plus many friends. Services: A viewing was held Friday, April 25, 2008 from 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at 436 Franklin Street, Hempstead, NY 11550, 516-489-4492. A Funeral Mass was held Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Queen of the Most Rosary, 196 W. Continental Avenue, Roosevelt, NY 11575, 516-623-1391. Memorials: Donations can be mailed to the Nerette family at P.O. Box 281, Roosevelt, NY 11575.
Lucie Evelyn Sheets
Lucie Evelyn Sheets, 85, of Cheyenne, died Saturday, April 17, 2010 at Davis Hospice Center. Born: She was born October 5, 1924 in Flemington, NJ, a daughter to Russell and Helen Bourgart Mannon. Personal: Lucie married Donald Sheets on September 16, 1955 in Clinton, NJ. They moved to Cheyenne 12 years ago from Bloomsbury, NJ. Mr. Sheets passed away on November 25, 2001. Memberships: She belonged to the Bloomsbury Presbyterian Church, the Garden Club, the Women's Club and she enjoyed cooking, arts & crafts and gardening. Survivors: She is survived by three daughters, Beth Inman, Cheyenne, Kim Mahon, Cheyenne, Linda Iducello, Easton; a brother, Richard Mannon, Flemington, NJ; five grandchildren, and six great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband and her parents. Services: Funeral Services were conducted on Wednesday, April 21, 2010 at 10 a.m. at Wiederspahn-Radomsky Chapel of the Chimes. Interment will be Friday, April 23, 2010 at 1 p.m. at the Bloomsbury Cemetery. Memorials: Memorial Contributions may be made in Lucie's name to the Bloomsbury Presbyterian Church. Local arrangements are with the Rush-Devlin Funeral Home in Bloomsbury.
Robert H. Wilson
Robert H. Wilson, 85, of Harmony Twsp, NJ, passed away on Thursday, October 28, 2010 at Lehigh Valley Hospital. Born: He was born in Murdo, S.D. on June 26, 1925 to the late Homer P. and Rowena Marie Haines DeVoss Wilson . Personal: Robert was a Steel Fabricator at Ingersoll-Rand, West Easton Plant, retiring in 1987. After his retirement, he was Zoning Officer for both White Township and Harmony Township, NJ. He Served in the Army and was assigned to the 1st Infantry Division in Europe and served with the Anti-Tank Company of the 16th Infantry of the 1st Division. He served in the countries of France, Belgium, Germany and Czechoslovakia, under generals Eisenhower, McNary, Taylor, and Patton. He was also activated during the Korean conflict and was promoted to the rank of Master Sergeant. He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed his fishing trips to Canada. Memberships: He was an active member of the Harmony Township Volunteer Fire Company for 50 years and a member of Harmony Presbyterian Church for over 50 years. He volunteered for Meals-On-Meals. He was Past Master at Bloomsbury Lodge #140 and Phillipsburg Lodge #52 F& AM, and was Past Treasure at Phillipsburg Lodge #52 F& AM. Robert served on the Harmony Presbyterian Cemetery Board. Survivors: Robert is survived by a daughter, Karin E. Glenn and her husband, Jim, of White Township, NJ; two sons, Erik R. Wilson and his wife, Vickie, of Farmville, VA , and David H. Wilson and partner, Sidney Boudreaux, of New Orleans, LA; two brothers, Paul Wilson of Pineallis, FL and James P. Wilson of Texarkana, Arkansas; and four grandchildren, Krissie and Mark Wilson, Erin Whitehead, and Kellie Glenn. He was predeceased by his wife, Birgit E. Frelin Wilson; a Step-Brother, Fredrick DeVoss Wilson; a Sister, Katharine Ann Wilson; and a Brother, David L. Wilson. Services: A viewing will be held on Thursday, November 4, 2010 from 5 to 8 p.m. with Masonic Services at 8 p.m. at the Rupell Funeral Home LLC, 465 Memorial Parkway, Phillipsburg, NJ 08865. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, November 6, 2010 at 1 p.m. at Harmony Presbyterian Church, 2727 Belvidere Road, Harmony Township, Phillipsburg, NJ. Burial of Cremains will be at Harmony Presbyterian Cemetery. Memorials: Memorials may be made in Robert's name to the Harmony Presbyterian Church or Harmony Township Volunteer Fire Company 440 Brainards Road, Phillipsburg, NJ 08865.
Ruth E. Wagner
Ruth E. Wagner, 92, formerly of Wilson Borough, passed away Wednesday, November 10, 2010 in Old Orchard Healthcare. Born: April 22, 1918, in Allentown, she was a daughter of the late James G. and Clara Mae Albright Kleckner. Personal: Her former spouse, Walter G. Wagner, died May 30, 2007. Ruth was last employed as a secretary by IBEW, Local 367, Easton, where she worked for 16 years. She was a 1936 graduate of William Allen High School. Ruth's favorite past-time was counted cross-stitch and she also enjoyed crewel. Memberships: She was a member of the former Memorial United Church of Christ and a former member of the American Business Women's Association. Survivors: two daughters, Kathleen A. Napoli and her husband, Carmen, of Palmer Township, and Patricia A. Stasak, of Forks Township; a granddaughter, Jennifer Squire and her husband, Matthew; two great-grandchildren, Samantha and William Squire. A son, W. Craig Wagner, died in 1990, and two sisters, Mildred Handwerk and Dorothy Kleckner, died earlier. Services: 1:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Strunk Funeral Home, Inc., 2101 Northampton St., Wilson Borough. Call Monday 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the funeral home. Burial will be in Northampton Memorial Shrine. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Dream Come True, PO Box 21167, Lehigh Valley, PA 18002-1167 or the , 111 S. Independence Mall East, Philadelphia, PA 19106-2521, or the Heartland Hospice, 881 Marcon Blvd., Ste. 3700, Allentown, PA 18109.
Carolyn P. Rutt
Carolyn P. Rutt, 96, of Easton, formerly of Phillipsburg and Bloomsbury, NJ, passed away on Monday, January 3, 2011 at Easton Hospital. Born: In Phillipsburg on August 31, 1914, she was a daughter of the late William and Caroline Stone Pursel. Personal: Carolyn was a homemaker; a devoted wife, mother and Nana. She was a 1933 graduate of Phillipsburg High School. She loved to travel. Memberships: Carolyn was active at the First Presbyterian Church of Easton, where she was a deacon. She volunteered at the Phillipsburg Free Public Library, was a member of the Pomfret Club and Young Republicans Club, both of Easton. Survivors: A daughter Patricia Rutt Pursell of Easton; three grandsons: Michael Pursell and his wife Jill of Easton, Mark Pursell and his wife Barbara, and Brian T. Pursell, all of Bethlehem; three great-grandchildren: Meghan, Brittany, and Michael Pursell. She was predeceased by her husband Thomas H. Rutt; a daughter Sharon C. Rutt; a grandson Jeffrey Pursell; a brother Donald Pursel and two sisters: Helen Kelly and Elizabeth Pursel. Services: Services will be held 11 a.m. Friday, January 7, 2011 at the Rupell Funeral Home, 465 Memorial Pkwy., Phillipsburg, NJ 08865. Friends may call from 10 a.m. until service time at the funeral home. Burial will be in Bloomsbury Cemetery, Bloomsbury, NJ. Memorials: Memorials may be made in Carolyn's name to The Easton Home, 1022 Northampton Street, Easton, PA 18042.
Richard G. Wildrick
Richard G. Wildrick, 75, of Easton, passed away on Saturday, September 5, 2010 in Easton Hospital. Born: in Washington, NJ, he was a son of the late George and Marie Edgar Wildrick. Personal: He is survived by his wife Ann Peters. They were married 34 years. Richard served in the Air Force and had worked for the State of New Jersey as a correctional officer, retiring in January 1996. Richard was a regular donor to the Keystone-Miller Blood Bank. He was an avid bowler. Richard was a loving husband, father and grandfather. Memberships: He was a member of the H. Stanley Goodwin Masonic Lodge #648. Richard was an active member of Christ Church-United Church of Christ in Bethlehem where he served as Deacon, on the Finance and Grounds Committees, usher, and was also a member of Peanut Makers, Senior Club Cards and Rubicon. Survivors: Richard is survived by his wife, sons, Troy and his wife Christina of Avondale, Allan of Willow Spring, NC, John and his wife Susan of Camden, DE, Joseph and his wife Rebecca of Bethlehem; daughters, Dawn Rutt and her husband Jim of Wilson Borough, Lynne Dorshimer of Allentown; step-daughter, Carol Repyneck of Bethlehem; grandchildren, Olivia, Tyler and Erica Wildrick, Elizabeth and Jessica Rutt, Kristen Repyneck, Katherine May, Heather and Alex Bergold. He was predeceased by his brother, Clifford. Services: A celebration of Richard's life will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, September 11, 2010 in the Christ Church-United Church of Christ, 75 E. Market, Bethlehem, 18018. The family invites friends to call Friday 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Snyder-Hinkle and Lunsford Funeral Home, 527 Center St., Bethlehem or Saturday 1 to 2 p.m. prior to the service in the church. Condolences may be made online at www.shlfh.com. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in memory of Richard to the church or the American Cancer Society, 893 Adler Pl. Suite 70,Bethlehem,PA18017.
Jeanette Blanche Heard
Jeanette Blanche Heard, 86, formerly of Bangor, PA, passed away Sunday, June 13th, 2010 at Old Orchard Manorcare, Bethlehem Twp., PA. Born: August 12, 1923, in Wells, KS, the daughter of the late Chester A. and Elizabeth Harder Piersee. Personal: She and her husband, W. JohnHeard, observed their 66th wedding anniversary this past January. She was employed as a Sale Consultant for Avon Cosmetics for 20 years and was a member of the Presidents Club. Prior to that she was employed as Secretary to the Dean of Women at Rider College in Trenton, NJ. Jeanette was also a secretary at the former Ingersoll-Rand in Phillipsburg, NJ and while still living in Kansas she was a Teller for Met Life Ins. Co. in Wichita, KS. She was a 1941 graduate of Tescott High School in Tescott, KS, and a graduate of Brown-Mackey Business College in Salina, KS. She enjoyed spending time with her family, she especially enjoyed the time she spent with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Jeanette enjoyed crocheting, sewing, reading and gardening. She was an avid Philadelphia Phillies fan, Penn State Football fan and Duke Basketball fan. Memberships: She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Bangor, PA, where she was the Financial Secretary for 18 years and sang in the choir for over 40 years. Jeanette was a past president and member of the Bangor Elementary PTA. Survivors: In addition toher husband, W. John Heard; Jeanette is survived by two daughters, Mary Beth Gadaker of Princeton, NJ and Martha Van Etten of Mullica Hills, NJ; three sons, W. John "Pete" Heard of Bangor, PA, Jeffrey L. Heard of Bethlehem, PA, and Joel E. Heard of Allentown, PA; a sister, Pauline Kloss of Oklahoma City, OK; a brother, Edwin Piersee of Salina, KS; three grandchildren, Heather Heard of Yardley, PA, Kyle Gadaker of Seattle, WA, and Clay Gadaker of Snohomish, WA; and three great-grandchildren Elliott, Corinne, and Elise. Jeanette was predeceased by one sister Bonnie Marie Piersee. Services: 11 a.m. Friday, June 18, 2010 in the First United Methodist Church, 55 N. Third Street, Bangor, PA.Call Thursday 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the James B. Gaffney Funeral Home, 314 S. First Street, Bangor, PA, and also on Friday from 10 to 11 a.m. in the church.Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery, Bangor, PA. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, 55 N. Third Street, Bangor, PA 18013.
Darwyn E. Happel
Darwyn E. Happel, 75, of Mansfield, TX, formerly of Bangor, PA, passed away Thursday, September 2nd, 2010 in Mansfield, TX. Born: February 23, 1935, in Bangor, PA, he was a son of the late Roy H.T. and Grace McIlhaney Happel. Personal: His wife, Gloria M. Pysher Happel, died in 2006. He was employed as a accountant, office manager, executive administrator, and human resource coordinator at various companies in the Slate Belt area.He was a graduate of Bangor High School and Churchman's Business School. Memberships: He was a member of the Portland Masonic Lodge #311, F & A.M. Survivors: Darwyn is survived by two sons, Craig Happel and his wife Lynn Happel, and Brian Happel all of Mansfield, TX; a brother, Sherwood Happel of Ackermanville, PA; and six grandchildren, Steven, Michael, John Mark, Austin, Alec, and Ashlee. Darwyn was predeceased by one brother Roderick Happel. Services: Graveside services will be held Monday, September 13, 2010 at 10 a.m. in East Bangor Cemetery, East Bangor, PA. Arrangements have been entrusted to the James B. Gaffney Funeral Home, Bangor, PA. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Pius X High School, Roseto, PA 18013.
John A. Marzano Jr.
John A. Marzano, Jr. 87, of Wilson Borough, Passed away Wednesday January 13, 2010 in Easton Hospital, Wilson Borough. Born: He was born on January 10, 1923 in Easton, he was a son of the late John A. and Madeline Russo Marzano, Sr. Personal: John was employed as a presser in the garment industry and also as a bar tender for the Safety First Fire Company for many years. He served in the Navy during World War II. John was a graduate of Easton High School class of 1940. Memberships: He was a member of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Easton. Survivors: John is survived by a son, John A. Marzano, III and wife Jamie of Windermere, FL; a daughter, Catherine Buschi and husband Mark of Bethlehem Township; grandchildren, Ben and Bart Buschi; and his former spouse Rose C. Rothrock. A brother Daniel preceded John in death. Services: A calling hour will be held on Saturday from 10 until 11:00 a.m. in the Morello Funeral Home, Inc., 3720 Nicholas St. Palmer Township. Funeral services will be held on Saturday at 11 a.m. in the funeral home. Interment will be in St. Anthony's Cemetery, Williams Township. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Meals on Wheels, Northampton County 4240 Fritch Dr, Bethlehem, PA 18020 in memory of John.
Earl LaBarre
Earl LaBarre, 94, of Bangor, PA, died Monday, August 16, 2010 at Gracedale, the Northampton County Home, Upper Nazareth Township, PA. Born: February 3, 1916, in Washington Township, PA, he was a son of the late John H. and Stella Longyhore LaBarre. Personal: He was the widower of Evelyn Albert LaBarre, who died in 2006. He was employed as a project supervisor at the former J.H. Beers, Inc., in Wind Gap, PA for 47 years retiring in 1981. Earl served in the Army during World War II. Memberships: He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Bangor, PA, where he was a Trustee of the church. Earl was also a member of the E.H. Evans American Legion Post 378 in Bangor and a member of the Slate Belt AARP. Survivors: Earl is survived by two sons, Rodney LaBarre of Slatington, PA, and Dr. Jeffrey LaBarrett of Corpus Christi, TX; a sister, Hilda Miller of Bangor, PA; a brother, Elwood LaBarre of Stone Church, PA; six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Earl was predeceased by six sisters, Ida Miller, Ethel Rutt, Ella Buzzard, Bertha Wilhelm, Esther Ott, and Ruth Kayler and five brothers, Stanley, Alvin Sr., Floyd, Orville, and Walter LaBarre. Services: 1 p.m. Friday, August 20, 2010 in the First United Methodist Church, 55 N. Third St., Bangor, PA. Call Friday 12 to 1 p.m. in the church. Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery, Bangor, PA. Arrangements have been entrusted to the James B. Gaffney Funeral Home, Bangor, PA. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, 55 N. Third Street, Bangor, PA 18013.
