Greater Media Newspapers prints obituaries as a free community service, at no charge to the families of the deceased or to the funeral homes that provide the information.
CHARLES T. VENA SR., 64, of the Cliffwood Beach section of Aberdeen died Jan. 19 at Bayshore Community Hospital, Holmdel. He was born in Cliffwood Beach. He was the owner and operator of CT Vena Excavating, Cliffwood Beach, retiring in 1995. He was predeceased by two sisters, Joan Grey and Anna Tier. He is survived by his wife, Evelyn Vena of Cliffwood Beach; two sons, Allan Vena of Keansburg, and Charles T. Vena Jr. of Cliffwood Beach; two daughters, Donna Marie Cook of Cliffwood Beach, and Missy Harder of Palm Bay, Fla.; six sisters, Louise Secondi, Connie Redmond, Shirley Hackmann, Carol Currier, Rosemary Nichols, and Marlene Kerchner; two brothers, Thomas Vena and John Vena; and eight grandchildren. A funeral liturgy will be offered Jan. 23 at 9:30 a.m. at St. Clement’s Roman Catholic Church, Matawan. Memorial donations may be made to American Lung Association of New Jersey, 1600 Route 22 East, Union 07083.
DARLENE V. CROSBIE, 40, of Lakehurst died Jan. 18 at home. Born in Long Branch, she lived in Middletown, Keansburg, and Hazlet prior to moving to Lakehurst 12 years ago. She was a school crossing guard and secretary for the Lakehurst Police Department the past 10 years. She was predeceased by her sister, Toni Ann O’Donnell, in 1970. She is survived by her husband of 20 years, Wayne Crosbie of Lakehurst; her daughter, Mandy Crosbie of Lakehurst; two brothers, Michael O’Donnell of Richmond, Va.; and John O’Donnell of Little Egg Harbor; her parents, John and Nancy O’Donnell Sr. of Whiting; and several nieces and nephews. A funeral gathering will be Jan. 23 at 10 a.m., followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m. at John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown. Burial will be at Fair View Cemetery, Middletown.
BENNETT "BUD" YERVES SR., 73, of Highlands died Jan. 18 at home. Born in New York City, he lived in the Elberon section of Long Branch prior to moving to Highlands 15 years ago. He was a building inspector for the township of Middletown for 13 years, retiring in 1999. Prior to that, he was vice president of Thompson Industries, Eatontown and Arizona. He served in the Merchant Marines during World War II. He was predeceased by his wife of 44 years, Claire Yerves, in 1997; and his son, Dennis Yerves Sr., in 1992. He is survived by six sons and three daughters-in-law, Tom Yerves of Elberon, Gerry and Debbie Yerves of Wall, Tim and Cindy Yerves of Highlands, Kevin Yerves of Highlands, Mick Yerves of Sea Bright, and Buddy and Rhonda Yerves of Freehold; two daughters and one son-in-law, Kathleen Yerves of Highlands, and Peggy and John Verange of the Navesink section of Middletown; 19 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. A funeral service will be held Jan. 23 at 10 a.m. at John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown, followed by burial at Bay View Cemetery, Leonardo section of Middletown.
HARRIET L. KERN, 78, of the Port Monmouth section of Middletown died Jan. 20 at home. Born in Colts Neck, she lived in Freehold and Middletown prior to moving to Port Monmouth 50 years ago. She was a homemaker. She was a member of Old First Church, Middletown. She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Watson W. Kern of Port Monmouth; her daughter and son, Cheryl L. Kern and Ralph W. Kern, both of Port Monmouth; her sister, Marcella Ladd of Freehold; and two grandsons, Joseph Kocis III and Jason McNerney. A funeral gathering will be Jan. 23 at 10 a.m., followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m. at John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown. Burial will be at Fair View Cemetery, Middletown.
IONA E. GRENGER, 93, of Eatontown died Jan. 11 at Meridian Nursing and Rehabilitation, Red Bank. Born in Matawan, she lived in Union Beach prior to moving Eatontown 20 years ago. She was a teacher with Marlboro Board of Education for 40 years, retiring in 1968. She taught Sunday school at Community Church, Leonardo section of Middletown; and was a member and corresponding secretary for Meadowbrook senior citizens association. She was predeceased by her husband, William Grenger in 1972; and her daughter, Susan J. States, also in 1972. She is survived by two sons, William J. Grenger of Union Beach, and Robert B. Grenger of Atlantic Highlands; her daughter, Judith A. Poulos of Weatherford, Texas; seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Burial was at Rosehill Cemetery, Matawan.
ROBERTA A. METULES, 67, of Matawan died Jan. 14 at home. Born in Staten Island, N.Y., she lived there until moving to Matawan 11 years ago. She was a teacher for the Hazlet school system for 39 years, retiring in 1994. She was a member of the New Jersey Education Association, and an avid bowler. She was predeceased by her father, Thomas Shannon. She is survived by her mother, Charlotte Shannon of Lakewood; two daughters, Patricia Stecz of Toms River, and Jean Thompson of Hazlet; her son, Michael Metules of Florida; her brother and sister-in-law, Jack and Rosemary Shannon of Chapel Hill, N.C.; her companion, Tom Brophy of Old Bridge; and five grandchildren.
ROBERT J. COTE, 47, of Atlantic Highlands died Jan. 15 at Meridian Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Brick. Born in Red Bank, he lived in the River Plaza section of Middletown prior to moving to Atlantic Highlands five years ago. He was a roofer for General Roofing Contracting, Red Bank, the past 20 years. He was predeceased by his father, Edmund Cote Sr.; and two brothers, Edmond Cote Jr. and Thomas C. Cote. He is survived by his mother, Ella V. Smith Cote of Atlantic Highlands; and his brother, Richard C. Cote of Red Bank. Memorial donations may be made to Meridian Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 425 Jack Martin Blvd., Brick 08723.
MARY A. CRUM, 85, of Middletown died Jan. 15 at Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank. Born in Orange, she lived in West Orange prior to moving to Middletown 45 years ago. She was a mail teller for Colonial First National Bank, Red Bank, for 12 years, retiring in 1982. She was a communicant of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, New Monmouth section of Middletown, where she was also a member of the Over 50 Club. She was a former volunteer for 12 years at Riverview Medical Center. She was predeceased by her husband, Robert Crum, in 1976; and two daughters, Barbara Hughes and Mary Alice Cleerdin. She is survived by her son, Robert Crum of Crozet, Va.; 10 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.
DOUGLAS J. JOHNSTONE, 75, of Middletown died Jan. 16 at Bayshore Community Hospital, Holmdel. Born in Bayonne, he resided there until moving to Middletown in 1957. He was a salesman for the Frito-Lay Corp., Little Falls, for 12 years, retiring 15 years ago. Prior to that, he was a salesman for Drakes Bakers, New Brunswick, for 12 years. He was a communicant of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, New Monmouth section of Middletown. He served with the U.S. Army during World War II, having attained the rank of sergeant. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Sheila Ward Johnstone of Middletown; two sons, Sean Johnstone of Boonton, and Kevin Johnstone of Middletown; two daughters, Bobbi-Jan Johnstone of Middletown, and Dawn McDonnell of Toms River; and six grandchildren. A funeral liturgy was offered at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, New Monmouth.
EDWARD MICHAEL STEINER, 44, of Hazlet died Jan. 17 at Rahway Hospital. Born in Staten Island, N.Y., he was a lifelong Hazlet resident. He was an assembler for General Motors, Linden, for 22 years. His memberships included the North Centerville Volunteer Fire Company, and the Sunday Night Mixed Masters Bowling league, both Hazlet. He was predeceased by his mother, Alice Steiner in 2001. He is survived by his wife, Charlene Kinney-Steiner of Hazlet; his father, John Steiner of Hazlet; two daughters, Elizabeth Steiner and Michele Steiner, both of Hazlet; his son, Robert Steiner of Hazlet; two brothers, John Steiner of Virginia Beach, Va.; and William Steiner of North Miami, Fla.; and three sisters, Mariellen Steiner of Roanoke, Va.; Carolyn Newman of Red Bank; and Dawn Carter of Vermont. Interment was at Cedarwood Cemetery, Hazlet. Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association, 2550 Route 1, North Brunswick 08902-4301.
MARGARET T. SQUIRES, 67, of Hazlet died Jan. 16 at Holmdel Convalescent Center. Born in Jersey City, she resided in Colonie, N.Y., prior to moving to Hazlet in 1969. She was a production worker for Charles of the Ritz, Holmdel, for 19 years, retiring in 1988. She was a communicant of St. Benedict’s Roman Catholic Church, Holmdel. She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Gerald Squires of Hazlet; two sons and daughters-in-law, Gerald and Doris Squires Jr. of Wydham, N.H., and John and Donna Squires of the Port Monmouth section of Middletown; her daughter, Nancy Squires of Manahawkin; three sisters, Theresa Costanzo of Fultonville, N.Y., Viola Luszcz of the West Keansburg section of Hazlet, and Rose McCabe of Bayonne; a brother, Edward Paul of Jersey City; six granddaughters; and five great-grandchildren. Burial was at Fair View Cemetery, Middletown.
JENNIE H. COUGHLIN, 79, of Hazlet died Jan. 17 at Community Medical Center, Toms River. Born in Jersey City, she lived there prior to moving to Hazlet 43 years ago. She was a homemaker. She was a communicant of St. Benedict’s Roman Catholic Church, Holmdel, as well as a member of its Golden Achievers Senior Club. Her memberships include The Hazlet Woman’s Club, and The Seniors of St. Clement’s Roman Catholic Church, Matawan. She was predeceased by her husband, John F. Coughlin, in 1991. She is survived by her daughter, Patricia Gleeson of Toms River; two sons, Kevin Coughlin of Ocracoke, N.C.; and John "Jack" Coughlin of Hazlet; two sisters, Mary Pesanello of Jersey City, and Ginger Barry of Florida; her brother, Vincent Barbetta of Jersey City; and four grandchildren. A funeral liturgy was offered at St. Benedict’s Roman Catholic Church, Holmdel. Interment was at Fair View Cemetery, Middletown.
LOUIS A. SANTO, 82, of the Belford section of Middletown died Jan. 18 at home. Born in the Bronx, N.Y., he lived there until moving to Belford eight years ago. He was a laborer for Triboro Bridge and Tunnel Authority, New York, for 30 years, retiring in 1982. He was a communicant of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, New Monmouth section of Middletown. He served with the U.S. Army during World War II. His affiliations included Local DC No. 37, New York City; and the Knights of Columbus, the Bronx. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Jessie LaPila Santo of Belford; his son, Michael Santo of Parsippany; his daughter, Lucy Amato of Belford; and five grandchildren. A funeral liturgy was offered at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, New Monmouth. Burial was at St. Raymond’s Cemetery, the Bronx.
RALPH J. MURO, 66, of the Port Monmouth section of Middletown died Jan. 20 at Bayshore Community Hospital, Holmdel. Born in Newark, he lived there until moving to Port Monmouth 31 years ago. He was an engineer for AT&T, Newark, for 30 years, retiring in 1992. He was a communicant of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, New Monmouth section of Middletown. He was a member of the Army National Guard. He was predeceased by his daughter, Suzanne Muro in 1977. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Jean Zoppo Muro of Port Monmouth; two daughters, Renee Muro of Rochester Hills, Mich.; and Lisa Muro of Port Monmouth; and his brother, James Muro of Charlottesville, Va. A funeral liturgy was offered at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, New Monmouth. Entombment was at Fair View Mausoleum, Middletown. Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, P.O. Box 50, Memphis TN 38101.
MATTHEW BERTRAM, 25, of Matawan, formerly of Old Bridge, died Dec. 19 in Ashland, Ore. He was a 1995 graduate of Old Bridge High School, where he was a member of the hockey team. His father, Anthony R. Bertram, died in 1998. Surviving are his mother, Patricia Monza Bertram of Matawan, and a brother, Anthony W. Bertram of Bloomfield. Memorial services were held at Calvary Chapel, Old Bridge.
FREDERICK J. FIGUEROA, 69, of Old Bridge died Jan. 9 in Raritan Bay Medical Center, Old Bridge division. Surviving are his wife, Joan Petroll Figueroa; two sons, Frederick Figueroa of the Toms River section of Dover and Joseph Figueroa of the Parlin section of Sayreville; five daughters, Eileen Renales of Lakewood, Diane O’Rourke of Keyport, Kathleen Stanzione and Sharon Barbatti, both of Keansburg, and Joanne Catalfano of Howell; three sisters, Kay Kobran of Irvington, Thelma Boyle of West Paterson and Joyce Konicki of Glen Gardner; 13 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Services were held at Gundrum Service Home for Funerals, South Amboy. Interment was in Franklin Memorial Park, North Brunswick.
MARY ELLEN CARLTON FITZPATRICK, 68, of Old Bridge died Jan. 5 in Victoria Health Care Center, Brooklyn, N.Y. Surviving are two sons, Michael of Old Bridge and Thomas of Hillsborough; a daughter, Ellen of Keyport; three brothers, James Carlton of Queens, N.Y., John Carlton of Long Island, N.Y., and Francis Carlton of Matawan; and three grandchildren. A Mass was offered at St. Ambrose Church, Old Bridge. Cremation was private. Memorial donations may be made to the family.
LOUIS J. FASANO, 77, of Middletown died Jan. 19 at Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., he resided in Union Beach for 27 years prior to moving to Middletown seven years ago. He was a warehouseman for Elk Transportation, Jersey City, for 21 years, retiring in 1985. He was a communicant of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, New Monmouth section of Middletown. His memberships included Teamsters Local No. 807, Long Island City, N.Y., and the Knights of Columbus, N.Y. He was predeceased by his wife of 49 years, Marilyn C. Sloan Fasano in 2000. He is survived by three sons, John J. Fasano of Austin, Texas; Mark L. Fasano of Union Beach; and Paul G. Fasano of Middletown; two daughters, Carol Ann Monte of Freehold, and Kathryn Ann Gullstrand of Union Beach; and seven grandchildren. Visitation will be Jan. 23 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown. A funeral gathering will be Jan. 24 at 8:30 a.m. at the funeral home, followed by a funeral liturgy offered at 9:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, New Monmouth. Burial will be at Bay View Cemetery, Leonardo section of Middletown.
FRANCES C. MULLIGAN, 84, of the Port Monmouth section of Middletown died Jan. 20 at McCarrick Care Center, Somerset. Born in Jersey City, she resided there until moving to Port Monmouth in 1960. She was a homemaker. She was a communicant of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, New Monmouth section of Middletown. She was predeceased by her husband of 44 years, John E. Mulligan in 1985; and her son, James Robert Mulligan in 1989. She is survived by her son, John Mulligan Jr. of the Philippines; four daughters, Frances O’Neill of the Dayton section of South Brunswick; Patricia Gromosaik of Hillsborough; Maryann Vandermark of Point Pleasant; and Elizabeth Stafford of Bear, Del.; 14 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Visitation will be Jan. 23 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown. A funeral gathering will be Jan. 24 at noon at the funeral home, followed by a funeral liturgy at 1 p.m. at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, New Monmouth. Burial will be at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Middletown. Memorial donations may be made to St. Mary’s Building Fund, 26 Leonardville Road, New Monmouth 07748.