Stephen T. Smereczynsky

Stephen T. Smereczynsky, 62, of Hunter, NY and Copper Center, AK, formerly of Martins Creek and Bangor, died Thursday, May 22, 2014, unexpectedly at his home in Alaska. 

Born in Martins Creek on June 10, 1951, he was the son of the late Stephen T. and Angelina (Palmeri) Smereczynsky Sr.

Steve graduated from Easton Area High School, attended Shenandoah University on a basketball scholarship, and graduated from Millersville University.  He took graduate courses at Lafayette, Temple and the State University of New York when he attained his masters degree.  He was employed as a School Teacher for over 30 years in the Easton Area School District.  In addition to teaching Industrial Arts, he also was an excellent craftsman, building homes in the Lehigh Valley including his own in Bangor and Alaska. In retirement he continued his talent for crafting quality furniture pieces that matched his love of nature.

His true love was the outdoors, especially in his beloved Alaska.  He was an avid fisherman who consistently toured friends and family throughout the wilderness on hikes and fishing trips; all while teaching and sharing about nature and assimilating his love for Jack London’s writing with his own experiences.  He led hiking expeditions on the Chilkoot gold rush trail to the Yukon Territory and this year participated as a flag waver and course Marshall at the Iditarod Sled Race.

 He was a former member of St. Rocco’s Roman Catholic Church, Martins Creek.  He was also a member of the Easton Schoolman’s Association, where he was honored as Schoolman of the Year in 1995.   

Surviving:  Daughters, Paula, wife of Todd Hull, Bangor and Dr. Sonya, wife of Dr. Mike Daley, Chalfont, PA.  Son, Stephen, and his wife Lillian, of Brunswick, OH.  Sisters, Maryann, wife of Robin Kessler, Martins Creek and Karen, wife of Jeff Piscanio, Bernville, PA.  Companion, Ali VanHorn, Hunter, NY.  Grandchildren, Madelyn, Julia, Sophrina, and Tyler.  Nephew, Jake Piscanio, and his dog Rocky. 

Memorial Services will be held on Sunday, June 1, 2014 at 3:00 PM at the James J. Palmeri Funeral Home, 6602 Alpha Ave., Martins Creek, PA.  Visitation from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. 

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Easton Schoolman’s Association, 1801 Bushkill Drive, Easton, PA 18040-8186 or Trout Unlimited’s Alaskan Program at 3105 Lakeshore Drive, Anchorage, AK 99801.

Beverly M. Poegelt

Beverly M. Poegelt, 76, formerly of Laurel, DE, North Bergen, NJ, and Farmington, NH died on Saturday, May 17, 2014, at Woodland Terrace, Allentown, PA.  She was the widow of the late Hugo E. Poegelt, who died in February.

Born in Greenfield, New Hampshire, she was the daughter of the late Charles and Nellie (Howe) Brown.

She was a graduate of Farmington High School, Class of 1956.  A devoted grandmother, she enjoyed gardening and playing with her dog.

Surviving is a daughter, Barbara, wife of Christopher A. Taylor, Bangor, and Grandson Matthew Taylor.   She is predeceased by brothers, Walter, Arthur and Kenneth.  Sisters, Florence, Ruth, Elsa and Carolyn.

Memorial Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, May 31, 2014 at Noon at the James J. Palmeri Funeral  Home, 6602 Alpha Ave., Martins Creek, PA.  There will be a visitation one hour prior to services.  Interment will be private. Online Condolences may be offered at www.palmerifuneralhome.com

Memorial Contributions may be made to the American Lung Association, 55 W. Wacker Drive, Suite 1150, Chicago, IL 60601.

Stentzee B. Woepple

Stentzee B. Woepple, 34, of Bethlehem Township, PA died Tuesday, May 6, 2014. 

Born in Easton, PA, she was the daughter of Harry Woepple and Gene and Jan Tresslar Williamson.

A graduate of Pen Argyl High School, where she excelled in Softball and Basketball, she became a scholar athlete at Slippery Rock University, graduating in 2002. 

Stentzee was a Health and Physical Education Teacher at Hackettstown Middle School since 2003.  She was the Varsity Girls Cross Country Coach and JV Softball coach at Hackettstown High School.

Surviving are: Father, Harry Woepple of Easton. Mother, Jan, wife of Gene Williamson of Belfast.  Grandmother, Elizabeth Tresslar of Martins Creek.  Uncles, Jon Tresslar, and his wife Lisa, of Easton, and Jeffrey Tresslar, and his wife, Sue, of Saylorsburg.  Aunt Eleanore Black, Ft. Walton Beach, FL. Many cousins and beloved pets.

Funeral Services will be private and entrusted to the James J. Palmeri Funeral Home, Martins Creek, PA. 

Memorial Contributions may to made to The Center for Animal Health & Welfare, 1165 Island Park Rd, Easton, PA 18042.

Jacquelyn S. Grifo

Jacquelyn S. Grifo, 87, of Del Haven, Bangor, PA, died  Saturday, May 3, 2014 at Saucon Valley Manor, Hellertown, PA.  She was the widow of the late Richard A. Grifo, with whom she was married for 55 years.  

Born in Easton, she was the daughter of the late Russell and Minna (Buenning) Schooley.

She was a graduate of Easton High School, Class of 1945 and attended the Tobe-Coburn School for Fashion Careers in New York City.  She later became a lab assistant working at GAF, Easton, PA for a few years till her marriage to Dick.

She was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church, Easton, PA where she sang and served as a choir mother.  Always involved with her children’s activities, she was a “cookie mom” for her daughters’ Girl Scout Troop.  As a family, they spent many years traveling and camping throughout the United States.

In her retirement years, she and her husband enjoyed being snowbirds and living in Largo, FL.  She was active in several Bridge groups and enjoyed traveling overseas with her husband.  But, there was no doubt that her favorite place was “up the river”, in Del Haven, enjoying family activities with her children and grandchildren.

Surviving are:  Sons, James, and his wife Cyndee, Punta Gorda, FL, and Russell, and his wife Nancy, Georgetown, TX.  Daughters, Cathie Grifo, Forks Twp., Minna, wife of Jim Ziegenfuss, Lower Mt. Bethel Twp., and Phyllis, wife of Steve Higginbotham, Spring, TX.  Sister in Law, Lucy B. Grifo, Easton.  Grandsons, Gregg Bonstein, and wife Sara, Brett Grifo, and wife Jen, Drew Grifo, and wife Ann, Eric Ziegenfuss, and wife Lindsey, Scott Grifo and Ross Higgenbotham.  Granddaughters, Jennifer, wife of Yuri Brunetti, Cara Capobianco, Heather, wife of John Buckles, Gretchen, wife of Mike Adams, Amy, wife of Eric Blom, Julie, wife of Blake Mote, Andrea Grifo and Lauren Higgenbotham. 14 Great Grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday at Noon AM at James J. Palmeri Funeral Home, 6602 Alpha Ave., Martins Creek. Interment will be in Church Hill Cemetery, , PA.  Friends may call from 11:00 AM to Noon.  Interment in Church Hill Cemetery.  Online Condolences may be offered at www.palmerifuneralhome.com.

In addition to flowers, donations may be made to the Center for Animal Health & Welfare,  1165 Island Park Rd, Easton, PA 18042