Stanley W. Brown, John T. Kennedy, Robert C. Walinski, Phyllis V. Martin Ungaro, Phillip M. McLaughlin, Veronica L. Becker, Ruth Ella Forker, Janet E. Mich, Cynthia L. Avery, Clifford J. Sheppard
Stanley W. Brown
MAPLETON, Maine Stanley W. Brown, 67, died Dec. 16 at home.
Mr. Brown worked as a long haul truck driver for many years, moving to Maine in October 2004 after his retirement. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and participated in a moose hunt after moving to Maine. He also enjoyed fishing in Little Egg Harbor.
He was a member of Cornell Rod and Gun Club in Trenton and loved to race stock cars in his early years.
He is survived by his wife, Jane Brown of Mapleton, Maine; his mother, Frances LoPresti, and stepfather, James, of Trenton; two daughters and sons-in-law, Terri and Mike Young of Trenton, and Erica Lynn and Mike Keane of Cream Ridge; three grandsons, William Frymire of Trenton, and Jacob and Nicholas Keane of Cream Ridge; a brother, Paul LoPresti of Trenton; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Gilbert and Cathy Vandermark of Little Egg Harbor; a niece, Jeanette Hoffman; and many cousins.
Funeral was held Dec. 22 at Saul Colonial Home, Hamilton Square. Funeral Mass was celebrated from St. Gregory the Great Roman Catholic Church, Hamilton Square. Cremation will be private.
Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 3076 Princeton Pike, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648.
John T. Kennedy
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP John T. Kennedy, 74, died Dec. 18 at JFK Memorial Hospital, Edison.
Born in Trenton, Mr. Kennedy attended Trenton Catholic High School and Rider University. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1951 to 1953 and was a Korean War veteran. During his service he received the Korean Service Medal with two stars, United Nations Service Ribbon, Purple Heart Medal and the National Defense Service Ribbon. He received an honorable discharge on April 30, 1957.
Mr. Kennedy started his career in law enforcement at the Bordentown Correctional Facility until 1956. He then became a Trenton police officer until 1968. He was a member of the Trenton Police Pistol Team, where he was a distinguished expert. In 1968 Mr. Kennedy left the Trenton Police Department to join the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, where he served as a detective until his retirement in 1993.
He was a member of the Mercer County Emerald’s Society and an associate member of the Police Benevolent Association, Local No. 11, 187 and 339.
He enjoyed his vacation home in Chincoteague, Va., and spending time with his grandchildren.
Predeceased by his parents, his brother, Robert Kennedy of Levittown, Pa., his sister, Grace Kennedy-Benham of Boca Raton, Fla., and stepdaughter Patricia Ann Buchko of Trenton, Mr. Kennedy is survived by his wife of 33 years, Irene; a sister-in-law, Margaret Kennedy of Levittown, Pa.; several sons and daughters and their spouses, Mary and Michael Colvin of Hamilton, John and Leah Buchko of Whiting, Donald and Holly Buchko of Hamilton, Carol Buchko of Hamilton, and Patrick Kennedy of Robbinsville; and many nieces and nephews and seven grandchildren.
The family will receive friends from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Kingston & Kemp Funeral Home, 260 Whitehorse Ave., Hamilton.
Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Gregory The Great Catholic Church, Hamilton Square. Interment followed at Brig. Gen. William C. Doyle Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery, Arneytown.
Contributions be made to the Arc/Mercer, 180 Ewingville Road, Ewing, NJ 08638 in the name of John T. Kennedy.
Robert C. Walinski
HAMILTON Robert C. Walinski, 59, died Dec. 18 at home.
Born in Trenton, Mr. Walinski was a lifetime area resident.
Mr. Walinski served in the U.S. Army National Guard during the Vietnam War and was a consultant with Becton Dickison and Company. He was a former assistant basketball coach at Mercer County Community College and was a graduate of Seton Hall University.
Son of the late Alexander and Charlotte Dembenski Walinski, he is survived by his wife of 34 years, Alice Krol Walinski; a daughter, Karen Walinski at home; a brother and sister-in-law, Donald and Patricia Walinski of Robbinsville; and a nephew and two nieces, Christopher Walinski, Judith Papiez, and Sharon Zimmerman.
Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, Hamilton. Burial was in New St. Hedwig’s Cemetery, Ewing.
Contributions can be made to either St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or American Heart Association, 2550 Highway 1, North Brunswick, NJ 08902.
Phyllis V.
Martin Ungaro
CHARLESTON, S.C. Phyllis V. Martin Ungaro, 79, formerly of Trenton, died Dec. 20 at Roper Hospital, Charleston, S.C.
Born in Trenton, she resided most of her life in the Trenton area and for the past 20 years in Charleston, S.C.
Ms. Ungaro retired in 1986 after 25 years from the Mercer County Sheriffs Department. She was a member and volunteer at the James Island Senior Citizens Center, Charleston, S.C.
Daughter of the late Robert G. and Ann E. Grose Martin, wife of the late John R. Ungaro Jr., and sister of the late Robert G. Martin Jr., she is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, John R. III and Windy Ungaro of Charleston, S.C., and Keith and Judy Ungaro of Lower Makefield Township, Pa.; a daughter and son-in-law, Kathi and Frank DiGiuseppe of Allentown; a brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Joan Martin of Florida; a sister and brother-in-law, Sally and Thomas Davis of Robbinsville; four grandchildren, Cara DiGiuseppe, Justin, Jonathan, and Juliana Ungaro; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral was held Wednesday at Brenna Funeral Home, 340 Hamilton Ave., Trenton. Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at Saint Anthony’s Church, 626 S. Olden Ave., Trenton. Burial followed in Greenwood Cemetery, Hamilton.
Contributions may be made to the American Lung Association, 1941 Savage Road, Charleston, SC 29407.
Phillip M.
McLaughlin
EWING Phillip M. McLaughlin, 59, died Dec. 21 at Compassionate Care Hospice at St. Francis Medical Center, Trenton.
Born in Trenton, Mr. McLaughlin resided in the Trenton area most of his life. He retired in 1995 from Hill Refrigeration after 33 years. He worked as a drug and alcohol counselor for Capital Health Systems at Fuld and as an outpatient supervisor for three years in Kauai, Hawaii.
Mr. McLaughlin was a past member of the Robbinsville Elks Lodge #2580 and was a member of Alcoholics Anonymous since 1990. He was honorably discharged from the U.S. National Guard after six years of service.
Son of the late James McLaughlin, he is survived by his mother, Ruth Roberts McLaughlin; his wife, Marion McLaughlin of Groveville; three sons and daughters-in-law, Phillip M. Jr. and Christine McLaughlin of Groveville, Joseph J. and Mary McLaughlin of Somerset, and Craig A. and Yamei McLaughlin of Groveville; four grandchildren, Christopher, Michael, Kevin and Courtney; four brothers and sisters-in-law, James G. and Judith McLaughlin of Trenton, Theodore and Elizabeth McLaughlin of Hudson, Fla., Robert and Kathy McLaughlin of Hamilton, and Matthew and Christy McLaughlin of Seal Bay, Maine; two sisters and one brother-in-law, Dawn and Jim Brossoie of Ewing, and Donna Gooch of Morrisville, Pa.; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral were held at the Parkside Brenna-Cellini Funeral Home, Ewing. Burial will be private. Contributions may be sent to the Compassionate Care Hospice Unit at St. Francis Medical Center, 601 Hamilton Ave., Trenton, NJ 08629 or to the American Cancer Society, 3076 Princeton Pike, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648.
Veronica L. Becker
Veronica L. "Gidget" Becker, 49, of Hightstown died Dec. 20 at home.
Born in Princeton, she was a lifelong resident of Hightstown.
She was a graduate of the Burlington County Special Services High School and a member of the St. Anthony of Padua R.C. Church. She loved bowling and had won several Special Olympics medals.
Daughter of the late Jerome L. Jr. and Rose V. Becker, sister of the late Larry Becker and sister-in-law of the late Buddy Nachtman, she is survived by one brother, Dennis M. Becker of Hightstown; four sisters and three brothers-in-law, Patricia and Gerald Hullfish of Plainsboro, Barbara and Frank Ficarro of Hightstown, Jeri and Jay Stanford of Bordentown, and Teri Nachtman of Roosevelt; five aunts and uncles, John and Joan O’Rourke, Margaret O’Rourke, Mary Ruth Kelley, Elizabeth Emens, and Claire Kutch; nieces and nephews, Matthew and Susan Hullfish, Patrick Hullfish and Tessa Ashton, Andrea Ficarro and Jerome Cupples, Larry Ficarro, Alita Ficarro, Joshua and Tara Inskeep, Devin and Nadia Inskeep, Rebecca and Jay Swanson, Eric Nachtman and Jeanette Pavia, and Tiernan Nachtman; one great-niece, Bianca Ficarro; and one great-nephew, Brendan Swanson.
Funeral services will be private.
Contributions may be made to the St. Anthony of Padua R.C. Church Building Fund, 251 Franklin Street, Hightstown, NJ 08520 or to the Arc/Mercer, 180 Ewingville Road, Ewing, NJ 08638.
Ruth Ella Forker
COLUMBUS, Ohio Ruth Ella Forker, 78, died Dec. 24 at the Scioto Community Nursing Home in Columbus, Ohio.
Born in Prospertown, Ms. Forker was a longtime resident of New Egypt before moving to Ohio five years ago. She was a retired computer librarian for Fort Dix.
Daughter of the late Norman and Mary Goff, she is survived by two sons, Steven J. Forker of Easton, Pa., and Richard P. Forker of Port Charlotte, Fla.; a daughter and son-in-law, Paulette R. and Tom Henry of Columbus, Ohio; a brother, Jim Goff of Pluckemin; a sister, Eva Johnson of Browns Mills; and four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Funeral will be held at 11 a.m. today (Thursday) at the Tilghman Funeral Home, 52 Main St., New Egypt. Interment will be in Jacobstown Cemetery in Jacobstown.
Contributions may be made to VistaCare Hospice, 2760 Airport Drive, Suite 100, Columbus, OH 43219 or to the Alzheimer’s Association, 100 North 17th St., 2nd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103.
Janet E. Mich
WHITING Janet E. Mich, 75, died Dec. 25 at home.
Born and raised in Fieldsboro, she was a resident of New Egypt most of her life before moving to Whiting 15 years ago.
Daughter of the late Henry and Ada Weaver, she is survived by her husband of 58 years, Francis William Mich; a son, Jim Mich of New Egypt; four daughters, Nancy Stephens and her husband, Jack, Bonnie Kernan, and Donna Hughes and her husband, Ronnie, all of New Egypt, and Carol Kozabo and her husband, Ed, of North Port, Fla.; a sister, Lois Carrie and her husband, Jim, of Fort Myers, Fla.; and 11 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral arrangements and interment were private at the convenience of the family.
Contributions may be made to Embracing Hospice Care of New Jersey, 2101 Route 34 South, Suite B, Wall, NJ 07719 or to the Deborah Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 820, Browns Mills, NJ 08015.
Cynthia L. Avery
HAMILTON Cynthia L. Avery, 71, died Dec. 22 at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital at Hamilton.
Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, she was a longtime Hamilton resident. Ms. Avery retired from the Mercer County Board of Social Services as supervisor of social work. After her retirement, she was employed as a greeter at the Old Barracks Museum in Trenton. A member of the D.A.R., Ms. Avery was a world traveler and was committed to animal welfare.
Daughter of the late Howard R. and Doris Andrews Lane and wife of the late Dorland L. Avery, she is survived by her a daughter, Jocelyn and her husband, Guy Dorgan, of Robbinsville, two sons, Garrett Avery and his wife, Sharon Berte, of Somerville, Mass., and Brandon Avery of North Brookfield, Mass.; a sister, Patricia Snyder of Hamilton; a brother, John D. Lane of Staunton, Va.; three grandchildren, Avery and Tara Dorgan and Valerie Avery; and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service was held Dec. 27 at Kingston & Kemp Funeral Home, Hamilton.
Donations may be made to The Fund for Animals, 200 West 57th St., New York, NY 10019
Clifford J. Sheppard
BORDENTOWN TOWNSHIP Clifford J. Sheppard, 54, died Dec. 22 at Kennedy Memorial Hospital in Stratford.
Born in Trenton, he resided in Bordentown Township for the past 18 years.
Mr. Sheppard was formerly employed with the New Jersey State Police for 37 years before his retirement in 2004. He was employed with Yardville Supply Company in Yardville at the time of his death. He was an avid golfer.
Son of the late Henry C. and the late Roseann Caserta Sheppard, and brother of the late Janet and Barbara Sheppard, he is survived by his wife of 31 years, Joanie; one brother, David D. Sheppard of Trenton; his father-in-law, Thomas R. Miller of Lawrenceville; two brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Michael T. and Dorothy Miller of Hamilton, and Hank and Lynn Kush of Newtown, Pa.; three nephews, Michael T. Miller Jr. of Hamilton, and Reid and Grant Kush of Newtown, Pa.; two aunts, Jay Barwick of Robbinsville and Mary Caserta of Hamilton; his uncle, Ernest C. Cerino of Hamilton; and many cousins.
Funeral will be held today (Thursday) from Chambers D’Errico and Correnti Funeral Home, 825 Chambers St., Trenton. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. Thursday at Our Lady of the Angels-Immaculate Conception Church, 540 Chestnut Ave., Trenton. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Hamilton.
Contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1942

