BARBARA K. BUTASH, 56, of Manalapan died June 6 at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township, after a battle with cancer. Born in Scranton, Pa., she lived in Brooklyn, N.Y., before moving to Manalapan 30 years ago. She was a communicant of St. Thomas More Roman Catholic Church, Manalapan. She is survived by her husband, Stephen; a son and daughter-in-law, Brad and Andrea of Aberdeen; a daughter, Anisa Butash of Tinton Falls; and a twin brother, E. John Fedor of York, Pa. The funeral liturgy was celebrated at St. Thomas More Church, followed by interment at Old Tennent Cemetery, Tennent section of Manalapan.
THOMAS B. O’BRIEN, 74, of Hazlet died June 12 at Arnold Walter Nursing Home, Hazlet. Born in Hazlet, he lived most of his life in Keansburg before moving to Hazlet three years ago. He was a switchman for N.J. Bell System, Middletown, for 33 years, retiring in 1986. He served with the U.S. Navy during World War II, and the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict. He was a founding member and ex-deputy mayor of the Keansburg Borough Council, a founding member and member of the Keansburg Municipal Utilities Authority, and also served on the Keansburg Planning and Zoning Boards. He was a life exempt member of the New Point Comfort Fire Company, Keansburg, and ex-chief of the Keansburg Fire Department. He was also a member of the Keansburg Board of Education, and the Telephone Pioneers of America. He was predeceased by a brother, Eugene O’Brien. He is survived by his former wife, Joan Clark O’Brien of Hazlet; two daughters, Kathleen J. Pfleger of Middletown, and Pegeen Commiso of Pine Beach; two sons, Thomas O’Brien of Middletown, and Timothy O’Brien of Shrewsbury; three brothers, William O’Brien of Jackson, Edward O’Brien of Everett, Wash., and Richard O’Brien of Cullowhee, N.C.; and nine grandchildren. Visitation will be June 14 from 2-4 p.m. and 6-7:30 p.m. at John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown. A funeral service will follow at 7:30 p.m.