Valentine Lanshe

Valentine “Val” John Jerome Lanshe, 83, of Easton, PA passed away on Saturday, September 6, 2008. Born on March 28, 1925 in Tamaqua, PA, he was the son of the late Jules C. and Florence C. (Bassler) Lanshe. He has been living at Gracedale Nursing Home in Nazareth for the past five years. Val was founder and president of “Val Lanshe’s TV and Appliance Company” which he started in 1947. He ran the successful Downtown Easton, PA appliances business for forty-nine years until his retirement in 1996. He took business courses at the American University in Washington, D.C. and served on the General Electric National Television Advisory Board for ten years. During his career, Val also received numerous General Electric “Distinguished Merchant” awards for his contribution to the appliance and electronics merchandising profession. Prior to starting his business, Val graduated from Allen High School in Allentown in 1943. He then worked as a Sales Manager for Eastern Light, also in Allentown, before opening his retail store. He enjoyed golf, golf, and more golf! Every Wednesday and Sunday (and any other day he could), he’d be out playing on a course. His love of golf also included watching any and all golf tournaments on TV! Locally, Val sponsored his annual “Val Lanshe Golf Tournament” for many years. In addition to golf, he was an avid Larry Holmes Boxing Fan, attending numerous boxing matches throughout the country. His friendship with Larry developed as a result of both of their interests in, and love for, the City of Easton. Val was a former member f Palmer Moravian Church in Easton and had attended Durham Evangelical Lutheran Church in Durham, PA. He was a former member of The Pomfret Club in Easton, Brookside Country Club, Harkers Hollow Country Club, and was one of the founders of the Stones Crossings Swim Club. Survivors: He is survived by his loving wife, Phyllis Nicholas Lanshe, of Easton; three children, daughter, Linda Lanshe, of Allentown, and sons Scott Lanshe of Allentown, and Robert Lanshe of Houston, TX, step-daughter and step-son-in-law, Sandra Bachman Vigilante and Michael Vigilante, of Lititz, PA, a grandson, Jesse Lanshe, of Valparaiso, IN; 2 step-grandchildren, Alexander and Taylor Mae Vigilante, and 2 nieces, Lynn Eyer, of Germansville, PA and Sue Simonnet of Allentown, PA. In addition to his parents, his first wife, Kathryn (Hartman) Lanshe, died in 1991; and his only sister, Betty Dotter, died in 2005. Services: A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2008 at 1 PM at The Chapel of Serenity at Northampton Memorial Shrine, 3051 Green Pond Road, Easton, Pa with the Reverend Floyd R. Ritz, Sr. officiating. Friends may call from 12:00 PM until services at the chapel. There will be no viewing. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family. The Falk Funeral Homes & Crematory Inc, Hellertown is in charge of arrangements. On-line condolences may be made at www.falkfuneralhomes.com. Contributions: Those wishing to honor Val’s life by making a difference in the lives of other Alzheimer’s patients and their family, may send to: Gracedale Volunteer Services, Gracedale Nursing Home, 2 Gracedale Avenue, Nazareth, PA 18064 Memo line: Therapeutic Recreational Aides-SouthEast2; or to the Alzheimer’s Assn., 399 Market Street, Suite 102, Philadelphia, PA 19106 Val’s family would like to extend a heartfelt “thank you” to the entire staff of Gracedale Nursing Home. Their professionalism and concern, not only for Val, but for the family is most appreciated. Our special thanks go out to the employees of Southeast 2-Alzheimer’s/Dementia Unit for their dedication, patience, and love.