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.
THE REV. NORMAN R. RILEY, 83, of Keyport died Feb. 15 at Bayshore Community Hospital, Holmdel. Born in Bradley Beach, he resided there until moving to Keyport in 1944. He was pastor emeritus at St. John’s United Methodist Church, Hazlet, for 44 years, retiring in 1989. At the time of his retirement, the church had 2,300 members. Under his pastorate, the present buildings at St. John’s were built, as was the senior citizen housing complex, Bethany Homes. The Rev. Riley prepared for the ordained ministry at Kings College, the University of Delaware, New Brunswick Seminary, Temple University, Rutgers Graduate School of Education, and New York University. He was predeceased by two brothers, Herbert A. Riley and Leonard W. Riley. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Jean Murphy Riley of Keyport; two sons and daughters-in-law, Dr. David A. and Sherry Riley of Keyport, and Jonathan M. and Wendy Riley of Aberdeen; four daughters and sons-in-law, Norma Jean and Steven Clark of Mansfield, Roberta and Dr. David Schwendeman of Bethlehem, Pa., and Patricia and James Unterburger, and Robin L. and William Roberts, all of Aberdeen; his sister and brother-in-law, Doris and Robert Herbert of Keyport; 19 grandchildren; and two great-granddaughters. A memorial service was offered at St. John’s United Methodist Church, Hazlet. Interment was at Old Tennent Cemetery, Manalapan. Memorial donations may be made to the Rev. Norman R. Riley Memorial Fund, c/o St. John’s United Methodist Church, 2000 Florence Ave., Hazlet 07730.
Mary Kathryn Lindsay, 67, of Holmdel died Feb. 10 at Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank. She was a librarian for Colts Neck Public Library, Colts Neck, for four years. Before that, she worked for Old Bridge and East Brunswick public schools as a librarian for 26 years. She was a 1957 graduate of Denison University, Granville, Ohio, and received a master’s degree from Rutgers School of Library Science in 1963. She was a charter member of the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Holmdel, and Tri Delta Sorority. Born in Indiana, Pa., she lived in Brunswick, Ga., and Plainfield for two years before moving to Holmdel 35 years ago. Surviving are her husband of 45 years, Thomas; a son, Thomas Lindsay of Denville; a daughter, Kathryn Lindsay of Waltham, Mass.; four grandchildren and a sister, Sandra Kerr Shafer of Indiana, Pa. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Feb. 24, at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Riverview Foundation, 1 Riverview Plaza, Red Bank 07701 or the American Cancer Society, 801 Broad St., Shrewsbury 07701. Holmdel Funeral Home, Holmdel, is in charge of arrangements.
RALPH CHESTER ANDERSEN, 82, of Red Bank died Feb. 17 at Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., he lived in Staten Island, N.Y., prior to moving to Red Bank 12 years ago. He was a retired customer service representative for Ebasco Services, N.Y., for 30 years. He also worked for the B&O Railroad as an electrician’s assistant. He was a member of Christ Lutheran Church, Staten Island. He was a Sea Scout Leader for the National Council of Boy Scouts of America. His memberships included the Electric Railroad Association, and he was a member and supporter of the Lieder Kranz Foundation, N.Y. He is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Carl W. and Elizabeth Andersen of New Port Richey, Fla.; his sister, Audrey C. Moodie of Middletown; two nieces, Sheila Ohnmacht and Nancy Pollinger, both of Middletown; and several other nieces and nephews. Visitation will be Feb. 20 from 7-9 p.m. at John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown. A funeral service will be Feb. 21 at 10 a.m. at the funeral home, followed by burial at Oceanview Cemetery, Staten Island.
MARGARET PURCELL GORMAN, 87, of Middletown died Feb. 10 at St. Petersburg General Hospital, Florida. Born in Jersey City, she lived there before moving to Middletown in 1943. She was an investigator for the New Jersey Division of Taxation, Trenton, for 10 years, retiring in 1977. She was predeceased by her husband, Daniel Gorman, in 1987; her first husband, Patrick Keating, in 1960; her brother, Edward Purcell; and her stepdaughter, Nancy Clarke. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Margaret and Vincent Cobb of Matawan; three sisters, Marie Comey, and Helen Callahan, both of Middletown, and Catherine Fox of California; her brother, William Purcell of St. Petersburg, Fla.; one granddaughter; one great-granddaughter; several nieces and nephews; and many step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren. A funeral liturgy was offered at St. Catherine’s Roman Catholic Church, North Middletown. Burial was at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Keyport.
BARBARA BROWN, 87, of Holmdel died Feb. 11 at Bayshore Health Center, Holmdel. Born in Brookline, Mass., she resided in Toms River for 31 years prior to moving to Holmdel. She was predeceased by her husband, Gordon "Red" Baxter Brown, in 1985; her sister, Priscilla Rhodes Salmon; and her daughter, Carolyn Wallace Brown. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Patricia and William Bittenbender of Southport, N.C.; her son and daughter-in-law, Douglas and Susan Brown of Middletown; four grandsons; one granddaughter; seven great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and her lifelong friend, Marie Jones. Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 801 Broad St., Shrewsbury, 07702; or Special Olympics New Jersey, 201 Rockingham Row, Princeton, 08540.
KRISTINE D. DAVIS, 53, of Middletown died Feb. 12 at Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank. Born in the West Keansburg section of Hazlet, she resided in Middletown for the past 26 years. She was an administrative assistant to the district manager for A&P Supermarket, Little Silver, and held various positions for the company for 33 years. She was predeceased by her parents, Francis T. and Mary Sullivan Lenich. She is survived by her husband, Robert L. Davis of Middletown; her son, Robert E. Davis of Roanoke, Va.; two daughters, Leigh A. Davis of Lake Hiawatha, and Victoria L. Davis of Bloomfield; and two grandchildren. Memorial donations may be made to the Visiting Nurse Association of Central New Jersey, 141 Bodman Place, Red Bank, 07701.
DAVID CHRISTOPHER VAN DUSEN, 41, of the Leonardo section of Middletown died Feb. 12 at Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank. Born in Long Branch, he was a lifelong resident of Leonardo. He was a self-employed tile contractor. He is survived by his father, David F. Van Dusen of the Belford section of Middletown; his daughter, Tiffany Van Dusen of Leonardo; his ex-wife, Diane Farrell of Leonardo; his sister, Judy Ott of Mystic Islands; and his brother, Gerald Van Dusen of Belford. A funeral liturgy was offered at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, New Monmouth section of Middletown.
KEVIN P. LOUGHLIN, 49, of Long Branch died Feb. 5 at Jersey Shore Medical Center, Neptune. Born in Rome, N.Y., he lived 20 years in Laurence Harbor prior to moving to Long Branch. He was a mold master for Joe K’s Inc., Keyport, for 20 years. He served with the U.S. Army from 1972-74. He is survived by his wife, "Terri" Kassay Walsh of Long Branch; his parents William and Rachel "Chickie" Loughlin; his son, Martin Walsh of Laurence Harbor; two brothers, Bill Loughlin of Boston, Mass., and Mark Loughlin of Manasquan; his sister, Kathleen Petzold of Sea Girt; and two nephews, Michael Loughlin and James Loughlin. Burial was at General William C. Doyle Veterans Cemetery, Arnytown.
CARMINE J. AMBROSINO, 82, of Little Silver died Feb. 7 at Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch. Born in Hoboken, he lived in Holmdel prior to moving to Little Silver 36 years ago. He was co-owner of the family business, formerly Twin Boro Motors, and now Buhler Dodge, Shrewsbury. He was a communicant of St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church, Red Bank. His memberships included past member of the Knights of Columbus Council, Red Bank; past member of the Red Bank Kiwanis Club and the Holmdel Board of Education; and past president of the New Jersey Dealers Association. He was predeceased by a brother, Anthony Ambrosino. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Caroline M. Suppa Ambrosino of Little Silver; his son and daughter-in-law, Frank C. and Candy Ambrosino of Tinton Falls; his daughter and son-in-law, Jo Ann and John Angelucci of Oceanport; two brothers, Joseph Ambrosino of Florida, and Samuel J. Ambrosino of Tinton Falls; two sisters, Marge Genovese of Little Silver, and Florence Capriglione of Tinton Falls; four grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; and several nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial was offered at St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church, Red Bank. Interment was at Fair View Cemetery Mausoleum, Middletown.
EDWARD O. BOVE SR., 85, of Middletown died Feb. 7 at Beachview Extended Care Facility, Keansburg. Born in Jersey City, he resided there and in North Middletown before moving to Middletown. He was a receiving clerk at Foodtown, Wall Township, for nine years, retiring in 1982. Prior to that, he was an automotive manager for Sears, Middletown, for nine years. He served with the U.S. Army. He was predeceased by his wife, Grace Wolfrum, in 1999. He is survived by six sons and four daughters-in-law, Edward Bove of North Carolina, William Bove of Middletown, James and Dorothy Bove of Port Monmouth, Robert and Patricia Bove of Hazlet, Kenneth and Monika Bove of Aberdeen, and David and Peggy Bove of Hazlet; his daughter and son-in-law, Arlene and Ronald Etzkorn of Middletown; his daughter-in-law, Mary Jo Bove of Berlin; 11 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Burial was at Fair View Cemetery, Middletown.
GEORGE "BUCK" LEONE, 80, of Keyport died Feb. 8 at Bayshore Community Hospital, Holmdel. Born in Plainfield, he lived in Union Beach prior to moving to Keyport 56 years ago. He was a quality controller for International Flavors & Fragrances, Union Beach and Hazlet, for 28 years, retiring in 1987. He served with the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a life member and ex-chief for the Liberty Hose Fire Company, Keyport; a former member of the Keyport Kiwanis Club; and a member of American Legion Post No. 23, Keyport. He served as a councilman for the borough of Keyport and was a member of the Keyport Republican Club and the Monmouth County Board of Elections. He served as police commissioner from 1972-73, and was a member of the Monmouth County Ex-Chief’s Association. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Wilma Neidinger Leone of Keyport; two daughters and one son-in-law, Barbara Leone of Wall, and Edna and William Quinn of Keyport; and three grandchildren. Interment was at Cedarwood Cemetery, Hazlet. Memorial donations may be made to the Deborah Heart Foundation, N.J. Regional Chapter, P.O. Box 820, Browns Mills, 08015-0820.
ROCCO L. BELMONTE, 81, of Keyport died Feb. 9 at Avante Nursing Home, Red Bank. Born in New York City, he resided in Union Beach prior to moving to Keyport 35 years ago. He was employed by the U.S. Postal Service Branch No. 36, N.Y., retiring in 1982. Prior to that, he was a union representative and shop steward for Teamster Local No. 816, N.Y., retiring in 1970. He was a communicant of Holy Family Roman Catholic Church, Union Beach. He served with the U.S. Army during World War II. He served as past National Commander and life member of the Army Navy Union; and organized C.M.H. Sgt. John A. Basilone Garrison No. 824, both in N.Y. He was predeceased by his wife, Aline Molat Belmonte in 1997. He is survived by three sons, Larry Belmonte of Freehold, Richard Belmonte of Union Beach, and Robert Belmonte of Morganville; two daughters, Noelle Belmonte of Ocean Township, and Susan Moiser of Union Beach; eight grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. A funeral service was offered at Holy Family Roman Catholic Church, Union Beach. Burial was at Shoreland Memorial Gardens, Hazlet.
HERBERT M. DIETRICH, 87, of Keyport died Feb. 9 at Bayshore Community Hospital, Holmdel. He was a lifelong Keyport resident. He was a machinist for Hansen, Van Winkle & Munning, Matawan, for 33 years, retiring in 1979. He was a member of Engine Company No. 1, Keyport; as well as the One Man Gun Club, Forked River, Lacey Township. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Virginia M. Derby Dietrich of Keyport; three sons and one daughter-in-law, Herbert C. and Muriel Dietrich Jr. of Hazlet, Gary B. Dietrich of West Long Branch, and Kenneth Dietrich of Aberdeen; his daughter, Peggy Ann Colton of Northport, Fla.; two sisters, Marge Boyce of Holmdel, and Dorothy Peoples of Matawan; 11 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and 12 great-great-grandchildren. Interment was at Shoreland Memorial Gardens, Hazlet.
FLORENCE MINK, 74, of the Cheesequake Village section of Old Bridge died Feb. 6 in Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital at Hamilton. Her husband, Walter Mink, died in 1988. Surviving are two daughters, Janet Dougherty of Aberdeen and Susan Caporaso of Matawan; a son, John Mink of Hamilton; a brother, William Wiedmuller; two sisters, Doris DiPaula and Margaret Ryan; and two grandchildren. A Mass was offered at St. Lawrence Church, Laurence Harbor section of Old Bridge. Interment was in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington.
JOHN R. AVERY, 77, of the Port Monmouth section of Middletown died Feb. 13 at Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank. Born in Coats, N.C., he lived in Fords prior to moving to Port Monmouth 20 years ago. He was the owner and operator of Avery Inc., Port Monmouth, for 25 years, retiring in 2001. He served with the U.S. Navy during World War II in the South Pacific. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Dolores Criscuolo Avery of Port Monmouth; his daughter, Sandra Avery Vallaro of Hopewell; his son, Michael John Avery of Rocky Mount, N.C.; three sisters, Lillian Avery and Irona Williams, both of Dunn, N.C., and Edna May Dennis of Oklahoma; five grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. Entombment was at Cloverleaf Memorial Park, Woodbridge.
SARAH M. HIGGINS, 93, of the Belford section of Middletown died Feb. 14 at her niece’s home in Belford. Born in Harrison, she lived there and in Belleville prior to moving to Belford five years ago. She was the trust department supervisor for Howard Savings and Loan, Newark, for 25 years, retiring in 1967. She was a communicant of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, New Monmouth section of Middletown; and a former communicant of Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church, Belleville. Following retirement, she volunteered at Covenant House, N. Y.; and was a nurse’s aide at St. Michael’s Hospital, Newark, for several years. She was predeceased by her twin brother, Thomas Higgins in 1998; two brothers, Charles Higgins in 1984, and Philip Higgins in 1994; and her sister, Margaret Fetherston in 1978. She is survived by eight nieces, Helen Yahara, Dorothy Helbig, and Mary Hohenstein, all of Belford, Maureen Kerr of Hamilton, Ann Summerton and Regina Zackman, both of Florida, Mary Schwarz of Oceanport, and Frances Sperling of Arizona; and one nephew, Thomas Higgins of East Brunswick. A funeral liturgy was offered at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, New Monmouth. Burial was at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Middletown.
LAWRENCE S. LARSEN, 91, of Hazlet died Feb. 17 at Bayshore Community Hospital, Holmdel. Born in Norway, he lived in Keyport prior to moving to Hazlet 67 years ago. He was a self-employed farmer his entire life. He was a 70-year member and ex-chief of the North Centerville Fire Company, Hazlet. He was also a member of the Farmers and Gardeners Association, Holmdel. He was predeceased by his wife, Edna Larsen. He is survived by his son and grandson, Lawrence P. Larsen and James. K. Larsen, both of Hazlet. A funeral service was held at Gethsemane Lutheran Church, Keyport. Interment was at Cedarwood Cemetery, Hazlet.
ANNA M. LUKASCZYK GADZIALA, 81, of the Parlin section of Sayreville died Jan. 31 in St. Peter’s University Hospital, New Brunswick. Her husband, Stephen Gadziala, died in 1975. Surviving are five sons, Stephen Gadziala of Middletown, Michael Gadziala of Howell, Peter Gadziala and Thomas Gadziala, both of East Brunswick, and Daniel Gadziala of North Brunswick; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. A Mass was offered at St. Bartholomew’s Church, East Brunswick.