William Goldfine
Mr. Goldfine, formerly of Freehold, died April 9 at the University of California at San Francisco Medical Center, Moffitt/Long Hospital. The youngest of 13 children, he was born in Old Bridge and was a longtime resident of Freehold before moving to California in 2003. A 1950 graduate of the Illinois College of Optometry, he practiced optometry in Monmouth County, spending most of his time in Freehold prior to retiring in 1999. During World War II, Dr. Goldfine served in the U.S. Navy Signal Corps. An active member of the community, he was president of the Exchange Club and the Freehold Lions Club; founder and president of the Battleground Arts Center, Freehold; president of Congregation Agudath Achim, Freehold, and longtime chairman of its Chevra Kadisha Society; a charter member and president of the Monmouth County chapter of Jewish War Veterans and the recipient of its Man of the Year award; deputy director of civil defense for the Freehold Borough Council; and a member of the executive board of the Monmouth County Mental Health Association, Eatontown. For many years, Dr. Goldfine also served on the executive council of the Monmouth County Boy Scouts of America, where he received its highest honor, the Silver Beaver Award. A passionate golfer and opera lover, he is survived by his wife of 57 years, Eleanor; a son and daughter-in-law, Howard and Laura Goldfine of Salt Lake City; two daughters and sons-in-law, Marilyn and Jeff Glick of Bethesda, Md., and Drs. Mona and Jay Goldman of Piedmont, Calif.; a sister, Secye Yaro of Manhattan, N.Y.; seven grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held at Higgins Memorial Home, Freehold, followed by interment at Congregation Sons of Israel Cemetery, Manalapan.
Isaiah Matthew Albert
Mr. Albert, 86, of Covered Bridge II, Manalapan, died April 3 at Jersey Shore Medical Center, Neptune. Born in Malden, Mass., he had lived in Brooklyn, N.Y., before moving to Manalapan 25 years ago. He owned his own bread route and a launderette in Brooklyn. For more than 20 years, he worked as a mechanic in the sheet-metal industry, retiring in 1980. He was a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge and an active volunteer for both Hadassah and the Deborah Hospital Foundation. Surviving are his wife, Ruth Albert; two daughters and sons-in-law, Ellen and Barry Nusbacher of Lakewood and Jackie and Steve Weinerman of Edison; four grandchildren, Carrie (Larry) Gold of Marlboro, Jaimee Nusbacher, Sherri (Zev) Ben-Moritz and Richard (Felisa) Weinerman; and four great-grandchildren. Services were held at Bloomfield-Cooper Jewish Chapels, Manalapan, followed by entombment at the Sanctuary of Abraham and Sarah, Paramus. Shiva was observed at the Gold residence. Memorial donations may be made to Hadassah, Attn.: Fund-raising Services Department, 50 W. 58th St., New York, NY 10019-2500; or the Deborah Hospital Foundation, New Jersey Region, P.O. Box 820, Browns Mills 08015-0820.
The Rev. Joseph Hoden
The Rev. Hoden, 81, of Freehold Township, died April 8 at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township. Born in Waterbury, Conn., he had lived in Vincentown before moving to Freehold Township 22 years ago. A graduate of Wheaton College, Wheaton, Ill., he received a master of theology degree from Dallas Theological Seminary and also attended the Philadelphia Bible Institute. Prior to retiring, Father Hoden was the pastor of the First Baptist Church, Vincentown, and had previously served both the Walnut Street Church in Newark and the Calvary Baptist Church in Penn Hills, Pa. Surviving are his wife, Vera Lukenoff Hoden; two sons, Kenneth Joseph Hoden of Los Angeles and Roger Luke Hoden of Manahawkin; a brother, Michael Hoden of Cheshire, Conn.; two sisters, Mary Spadaro and Helen Dantino, both of Waterbury; five grandchildren; and two great-grandsons. Funeral services were held at the First Baptist Church in Freehold, followed by interment at Maplewood Cemetery, Freehold Township. Higgins Memorial Home, Freehold, was in charge of arrangements.
Eleanore S. Spitzner
Mrs. Spitzner, 82, of Howell, died April 15 at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township. Born and raised in the Wilkes-Barre, Pa., area, she had lived in Freehold for more than 50 years before moving to Howell. A graduate of Wyoming Seminary Dean School of Business in Pennsylvania, she worked in the Monmouth County Surrogate’s Office, Freehold, for more than two decades prior to retiring in 1992. During World War II, she had worked as a secretary in the U.S. Navy Department’s Bureau of Ships, Washington, D.C. She also served as a hostess at the Lutheran Servicemen’s Center at Lafayette Park across the street from the White House. She had attended First Trinity Lutheran Church, Washington, D.C., and was the founder and a member of Grace Lutheran Church, Freehold, where she also sang in the choir, taught Sunday school and served on several committees. She was an assistant leader for Girl Scouts and a Cub Scout den mother as well. In addition, she served both the Freehold Little League and the Babe Ruth Baseball League. Mrs. Spitzner was predeceased by her husband of 45 years, Herbert V. Spitzner, in 1991; a brother, Walter Sedorovich; and two sisters, Ruth Hemken and Evelyn Ankudovich. Surviving are three sons, Herbert V. “Vic” Spitzner Jr. of Conway, S.C.; David John Spitzner of Howell and Paul Luther Spitzner of Pensacola, Fla.; a daughter, the Rev. Beth Spitzner Neubauer of Olney, Md.; two sisters, Tera Kapustin of Columbia, Md., and Marie Sedorovich of Ashley, Pa.; 10 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. A funeral service was held at Grace Lutheran Church. Burial, which was private, took place at Maple Hill Cemetery, Lee Park, Pa. Higgins Memorial Home, Freehold, was in charge of arrangements. Memorial donations may be made to Grace Lutheran Church, 200 Park Ave., Freehold 07728.
Genevieve “Gen” M. Schaffer
Mrs. Schaffer (née Albright), 90, of Barnegat, died April 9 at home. Born in Lockhaven, Pa., she had lived in Colts Neck and Freehold before moving to Barnegat in December. She was a member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Freehold, where she also volunteered in the thrift shop. She was a past president of the Colts Neck Auxiliary of Freehold Area Hospital (now CentraState Medical Center), Freehold Township, and chairwoman of the hospital’s thrift shop for 25 years. She was chosen by the hospital as Volunteer of the Year. Mrs. Schaffer was predeceased by her husband, Edgar, in 1976, and a great-nephew, Kyle, who died of leukemia. Surviving are two daughters, Jeanne A. LeMay-Miller of Barnegat and Susan C. Smith of Scottsdale, Ariz.; a sister, Carole Nolan of Wall Township; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and five nieces and nephews. A memorial service was held at St. Peter’s Church, with Bugbee-Riggs Funeral Home, Barnegat, in charge of arrangements. Memorial donations may be made to St. Peter’s Episcopal Church Memorial Fund, 33 Throckmorton St., Freehold 07728; or the Kyle J. Libby Foundation, 6007 Sunberry Circle, Boynton Beach, FL 33437. The foundation helps children with leukemia.
E. Zita Todd
Mrs. Todd, 81, of Freehold, died April 18 at Madison Center, Old Bridge. Born in Trenton, she had lived in Freehold for more than 30 years. Prior to retiring, she was a chef for many years at the American Hotel, Freehold. Surviving are a daughter and son-in-law, Linda S. and Gilles Baillargeon of Punta Gorda, Fla.; a brother, Joseph Krajcsovics of Hamilton Township; a sister, Ethel Kite, also of Hamilton Township; two grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Higgins Memorial Home, Freehold, was in charge of arrangements. Memorial donations may be made to Associated Humane Societies, 2960 Shafto Road, Tinton Falls 07753.