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.
JOAN ELLIN GLEASON, 74, of Middletown died May 5 at home. Born in Bridgeport, Conn., she resided in Middletown the past 47 years. She was a retired teacher at Middletown North High School for 30 years. She was a graduate of Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y. Her activities included choreographing plays at the high school, and spending time with her dog, Lady. She is survived by her husband, Chet Barshewski of Middletown; two sons, Steven F. Gleason of Atlanta, Ga., and Richard D. Gleason of Eatontown; two daughters, Cathy L. McMillan of Eatontown, and Barbara J. Devine of Shrewsbury; and two grandchildren.
GAIL A. SELLERS, 54, of the Port Monmouth section of Middletown died May 5 at Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank. Born in Red Bank, she lived in Rumson and Fair Haven prior to moving to Port Monmouth 30 years ago. She was a retired secretary for Family & Children’s Service, Long Branch, where she worked for several years. Prior to that, she worked for Riverview Medical Center. She was a communicant of St. Catherine’s Roman Catholic Church, North Middletown. She was a volunteer for the Port Monmouth First Aid Squad for several years. Her activities included bowling, and she was a member of several leagues. She was predeceased by her father, Harry Lyons. She is survived by her husband of 36 years, Joseph E. Sellers Jr. of Port Monmouth; her mother, Grace Lyons of Middletown; her son, Joseph E. Sellers III of Ephrata, Pa.; her daughter, Dawn Riley of the Navesink section of Middletown; her brother, Garry Lyons of Phoenix, Ariz.; her sister, Mary Maline of Middletown; and five grandchildren.
LOIS CAROLINE MEGILL GORNEE, 88, of Margate, Fla., formerly of Long Branch, died April 27 at her daughter’s home in Fair Haven. Born in Jamesburg, she lived most of her life in the shore area and moved to Florida 31 years ago. She was a homemaker and enjoyed devoting time to her family and friends. She was a member of the Order of Eastern Star, Deerfield Beach, Fla., and a member of Charity Court No. 38 Order of the Amaranth, Fair Haven. Mrs. Gornee was predeceased by her husband, Allan R. Sr.; and a brother, Otis D. Megill. She is survived by two daughters, Patricia A. Topfer of Fair Haven and Barbara J. Sinclair of Margate, Fla.; her son, Allan R. Gornee Jr. of Brockton, Mass.; her sister, Ruth M. Stout of Oakhurst; her brother, Joseph S. Megill of Oceanport; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Memorial donations may be made to Amaranth Diabetes Fund, c/o Erma Hoover, Grand Court Secretary, 81 Edgarton Blvd., Avenel 07001.
ADA EDWARDS JUDSON SMITH, 97, of Harleysville, Pa., and formerly of Long Branch, died Nov. 24 at Peter Becker Nursing Home, Harleysville. Born in Long Branch, she was a lifelong resident before moving to Harleysville. She was an English teacher and chairwoman of the English department at Long Branch High School for several years, retiring in 1969. Prior to that, she taught in Long Branch Grammar School and the Matawan school district. She was a trial attorney in Monmouth County during the early part of the 20th century. Her memberships included the N.J. Chapter of the American Association of University Women, and the Long Branch Public Library board of trustees. Her activities included researching Civil War historical data for a novel her husband was writing, and mentoring young teachers. She was predeceased by her first husband, Laurence H. Judson in 1949; and her second husband, James Anderson Smith in 2001. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, William H. and Theresa Judson of Cushing, Maine; her daughter, Janet J. Plona, also of Cushing; her stepdaughter and son-in-law, Anderson Jane Smith and Tom Reynolds of Mount, Pa.; four grandchildren; and four great-grandsons. The funeral service will be May 15 at 10:30 a.m. at Woodbine Cemetery, Oceanport.
META SCHMONSEES EICKMEYER, 93, of Middletown died May 2 at Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank. Born in Bremerhaven, Germany, she moved to the United States in 1936 and lived in New York City, prior to moving to Middletown in 1984. She was the retired owner and operator of Otto’s Deli, New York and also worked at Hempstead High School, Long Island, N.Y. She was predeceased by her husband, Otto Eickmeyer in 1947. She is survived by her son, Otto Eickmeyer of Ocean Township; her daughter and son-in-law, Linda and David Waite of Middletown; and seven grandchildren. Burial was at Nassau Knolls Cemetery, Long Island, N.Y.
JOAN ELLIN GLEASON, 74, of Middletown died May 5 at home. Born in Bridgeport, Conn., she resided in Middletown the past 47 years. She was a retired teacher at Middletown North High School for 30 years. She was a graduate of Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y. Her activities included choreographing plays at the high school, and spending time with her dog, Lady. She is survived by her husband, Chet Barshewski of Middletown; two sons, Steven F. Gleason of Atlanta, Ga., and Richard D. Gleason of Eatontown; two daughters, Cathy L. McMillan of Eatontown, and Barbara J. Devine of Shrewsbury; and two grandchildren. A funeral service was held at John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown, followed by burial at Fair View Cemetery, Middletown.