Mrs. Altobelli, 95, of Old Bridge died March 1 in Long Island, N.Y. She was predeceased by her husband, Frank Altobelli. Surviving are three sons, Leo Altobelli of the Toms River section of Dover, Frank Altobelli of Linden and John Altobelli of Millstone; a sister, Margaret Ricciardi of Edison; nine grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. A Mass was offered at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Old Bridge. Interment was in St. Gertrude’s Cemetery, Colonia section of Woodbridge.
Charles Gerlt
Mr. Gerlt, 87, of Freehold Township died March 9 at Care One at Holmdel. Born in Rahway, he had lived in Livingston for many years before moving to Freehold Township four years ago. A U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, he had served aboard the USS Europa and the USS Leyden and was awarded the American Theater, Victory, and European Theater medals. A graduate of Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, he was an engineer for Bell Labs, Whippany, for more than 30 years, retiring in 1978. Mr. Gerlt was the holder of 27 patents, which included work on the ground equipment for the Titan and Nike Missile systems, as well as the Whippany Centrifuge. He was a communicant of St. Philomena’s Roman Catholic Church, Livingston; a member of the Livingston Lions Club; and a charter member of Knights of Columbus, Our Lady of the Mountain Council No. 3533, Livingston. He was also a sports writer for the West Essex Tribune, where his column "Livingston Spotlight on Sports" appeared. He was predeceased in 2000 by his wife, Mary Gerlt. Surviving are a son, James Robert Gerlt of Northwood, N.H.; a daughter, Kathleen Ann Falcon of Freehold; a brother, Raymond Gerlt of Connecticut; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. The funeral liturgy was celebrated at St. Robert Bellarmine Roman Catholic Church, Freehold Township, followed by interment at Brig. Gen. William C. Doyle Veterans Cemetery, Arnytown. Higgins Memorial Home, Freehold, was in charge of arrangements.
Geraldine Tomer
Mrs. Tomer, 83, of Highland Park died March 6 at Sunrise Assisted Living, East Brunswick. Born in New Brunswick, she lived in Highland Park for most of her life before entering Sunrise Assisted Living four years ago. She was a longtime member of the Reformed Church of Highland Park and a former member of the Highland Park Senior Citizens. She began her work career in retail sails at her father’s business, Goldstein’s Shoe Store, New Brunswick, and later worked at Bamberger’s (now Macy’s), East Brunswick, for many years, retiring several years ago. Mrs. Tomer was predeceased by her husband, Louis F., in 1985. Surviving are three sons, John of Troy, N.Y., Thomas of West Valley City, Utah, and Richard of Millstone; a brother, Irving Gordon; four sisters, Gladys Donnelly, Ida Sibert, Ethel Podraza and Charlotte Burke; seven grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. A memorial service will be held March 13 at Reformed Church of Highland Park, 19-21 South Second Ave., Highland Park. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 400 Morris Ave., Suite 251, Denville 07834-1365. The Jaqui-Kuhn Funeral Home, Highland Park, is in charge of arrangements.
Rachael Booker
Mrs. Booker, 88, of Freehold died March 7 at Avante at Red Bank. Born in Hubert, Ga., she had lived in Bayonne for many years and in Marlboro before moving to Freehold more than 50 years ago. She attended the Bethel A.M.E. Church, Freehold, and the Friendship Baptist Church, Bayonne. Surviving are her husband, Willie Booker; a son, Robert Funchess of Jersey City; a daughter, Jean Funchess of Lawrenceville; a sister, Shirley Huntley of Lakeland, Fla.; 10 grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held at Higgins Memorial Home, Freehold, followed by interment at Brig. Gen. William C. Doyle Veterans Cemetery, Arnytown.