Mrs. Rifenburg, 79, of Matawan died Feb. 5 at Bayshore Community Hospital, Holmdel. Born in Toronto, she resided in Jersey City and Keansburg prior to moving to Matawan 35 years ago. She was an office manager at Sayreville Medical Group, retiring in 1990. Mrs. Rifenburg was predeceased by her husband, William Rifenburg, in 1990. She is survived by two sons, Rich Rifenburg of Freehold and Robert Rifenburg of Matawan; three grandchildren; and one nephew. Interment was at Fair View Cemetery, Middletown. Arrangements were by Day Funeral Home, Keyport.
Patricia A. Holden Pelo
Mr. Pelo, 57, of the Cliffwood Beach section of Old Bridge died Feb. 16 in Bayshore Community Hospital, Holmdel. She was predeceased by her father, Bill Holden, and by a daughter, Margaret Lillian Pelo. Surviving are her mother, Margaret Ardos of Westfield; her fiancé, James J. Doody of Cliffwood Beach; a daughter, Dawn McCauley of Cliffwood Beach; a son, Paul Pelo of Matawan; three brothers, Bill Holden Jr. of Texas, John Holden of Aberdeen and Frank Holden of Middletown; and a granddaughter. Arrangements were by Day Funeral Home, Keyport.
Delphine Pontecorvo DiLauro
Mrs. DiLauro, 71, of Hazlet died Feb. 17 at home. Born in West New York, she resided in Keyport prior to moving to Hazlet four years ago. She was a dispatcher at Prudential, Holmdel, retiring in 1986. Prior to that, she was employed as a seamstress. Mrs. DiLauro was a founding member of Keyport Pop Warner; a member of Jesus the Lord Roman Catholic Church Ladies Guild, Keyport; and a member of the Keyport High School Mothers Club. She was predeceased by her husband, Alfonso DiLauro, in 1998; a son, Anthony DiLauro, in 1986; and a brother, Joseph Pontecorvo, in 1984. She is survived by two daughters, MaryAnne DeVarti and Delphine Terry, both of Keyport; a son, Alfonso DiLauro Jr. of Parlin; two sisters, Suzanne Petruzelli of Hamlin, Pa., and Mary Viola of Hazlet; and six grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial was offered at Jesus the Lord Church. Interment was at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Keyport. Arrangements were by Day Funeral Home, Keyport.
Marcella Ann Donnelly Schepp
Mrs. Schepp of Middletown died Feb. 16 at home. Born in New York City, she resided in Middletown most of her life. She was a homemaker. She was a communicant of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, New Monmouth section of Middletown. She was an avid golfer. Mrs. Schepp was predeceased by her husband, George Schepp, in 2002; a brother, John Donnelly; and a son, Paul Schepp. She is survived by three sons and one daughter-in-law, Mark and Robina Schepp of Middletown, George T. Schepp of Monmouth Beach, and Richard P. Schepp of Atlanta; a sister, Marita Doody of Tarrytown, N.Y.; and five grandchildren. A funeral liturgy was offered at St. Mary’s Church, followed by burial at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Middletown. The John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown, was in charge of arrangements. Memorial donations may be made to Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Attn.: Communications Division, 6931 Arlington Road, Bethesda, MD 20814.
Elizabeth "Lilly" Breen
Mrs. Breen, 95, of Red Bank died Feb. 4 in Red Bank. Born in County Downe, Ireland, she resided in Staten Island, N.Y., prior to moving to Red Bank 20 years ago. Mrs. Breen was a homemaker. Prior to that, she was employed at the U.S. Trust Co., New York City. She was a communicant of St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church, Red Bank, where she was a member of the Rosary Altar Society. She was a member of the Navesink House Garden Club. Mrs. Breen was predeceased by her husband of 45 years, John J. Breen. She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, John J. and Vivian Breen of Middletown; a daughter and son-in-law, Claudette and John Frangos of Calgary, Canada; and two grandsons. Arrangements were by John E. Day Funeral Home, Red Bank. Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater New Jersey Chapter, 400 Morris Ave., Suite 251, Denville 07834-1365.
Michael James Nicholas
Mr. Nicholas, 76, of Middletown, Lakewood, and Holmes Beach, Fla., died Jan. 29 at Blake Memorial Hospital, Bradenton, Fla. He was born in New York City. Mr. Nicholas was a chief contract administration officer at the New York Shipping Association before his retirement. During his career at the shipping association, he helped establish and preserve the work rules governing movement of freight in and out of the United States through unionized dockside shipping terminals on the East Coast. Prior to that, he worked at SeaLand Service Inc. He also was a special agent for the F.B.I. in Los Angeles and New York City. He served with the U.S. Marine Corps in 1944. Mr. Nicholas is survived by his wife of 52 years, Veronica Nicholas; three daughters, Patricia Nicholas-McGinley of Tinton Falls, Mary Elizabeth LaMura of Shrewsbury, and Ann Veronica Galbally of Blue Bell, Pa.; a son, Michael James Nicholas Jr. of Atlanta; a sister, Alice McKeon of New Milford; and eight grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial was offered at St. James Roman Catholic Church, Red Bank. The John E. Day Funeral Home, Keyport, was in charge of arrangements.
John J. Dixon
Mr. Dixon, 93, of Point Pleasant died Feb. 10 at Ocean Medical Center, Brick. He resided in Middletown for 32 years prior to moving to Point Pleasant in 2003. He was a bus driver for Murphy Bus Service for 15 years, retiring in 1990. Prior to that, he was employed at ADT, New York City, for 15 years. He was a communicant of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, New Monmouth section of Middletown. He was a flotilla commander of U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary No. 22, Sandy Hook. He was president of Verona Rescue Squad, and a member of Verona Fire Department. He enjoyed boating. Mr. Dixon is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Patricia Dixon of Morristown; a sister, Mary Smith of Point Pleasant Beach; three grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. A funeral liturgy was offered at St. Mary’s Church, followed by entombment at St. Catharine’s Cemetery, Spring Lake. Arrangements were by John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown.
Joseph A. Szwalek
Mr. Szwalek, 61, of the Lincroft section of Middletown died Feb. 13 at Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., he resided there prior to moving to Lincroft 30 years ago. He was co-owner and president of Superior Reporting Services, Freehold, the past 13 years. He served with the U.S. Army during the Vietnam era, and received the Good Conduct Medal and Marksman Rifle M-14 Medal. He was a communicant of St. James Roman Catholic Church, Red Bank. He enjoyed time with his family, history, cooking, sports, the arts, fishing and reading. He was predeceased by his parents, Agnes and Joseph Szwalek. He is survived by his wife, Lorraine Balasa Szwalek; two daughters, Jennifer Szwalek of Hamilton and Erica Szwalek of Neptune City; and a sister, Helen Manganello of Howard Beach, N.Y. A Mass of Christian Burial was offered at St. James Church. Interment was at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Middletown. Arrangements were by John E. Day Funeral Home, Red Bank.
Louis J. Egnatovich Jr.
Mr. Egnatovich, 85, of Middletown died Feb. 5 at his son’s home in Hazlet following a lengthy illness. He was a lifelong resident of Middletown. He was a commercial fisherman and the owner of the boats Ruth Ida and Celeste Lee for several years, retiring in 1986. He was a member of the Belford Seafood Co-op. He was predeceased by his wife, Ruth Ida Harvey Egnatovich, in 1997. Mr. Egnatovich is survived by a daughter, Linda Barth of Belford; two sons, Robert Egnatovich of Middletown and Louis Egnatovich of Hazlet; a sister, Edna Painter; eight grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. Burial took place at Fair View Cemetery, Middletown. Arrangements were by John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown.