Obituaries

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.

DAVID FOX MILTON, 41, of Quito, Ecuador, formerly of Englishtown, died of accidental asphyxia by household gas in his home in Ecuador on Dec. 8. Born in Kansas City, Kan., he had lived in Springfield, Mo., and in Englishtown before moving to Ecuador two years ago. He was a corporate account executive for Peterson’s, a Thomson Learning Co., where he handled sales and client services for corporate books and online services. He continued to work for Peterson’s from his home in Quito while he was serving in the Christian ministry. A Jehovah’s Witness, he served as an elder in several congregations in New Jersey. He served as a pioneer minister for more than 20 years. He was a graduate of Southwest Missouri State University, Springfield. In addition to his wife, Regina, Ecuador; he is survived by his mother, Gwendolyn Nakao, his grandmother, Hazel B. Shumway, and a brother, Daniel Milton, all of Springfield; his mother- and father-in-law, Charles and Jacqueline Mercer of Englishtown; and a sister-in-law, Robin Mercer of Tulsa, Okla. A memorial service was held at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Applegarth and Prospect Plains roads, Monroe. His ashes will be buried in the garden of the new Kingdom Hall in Colinas del Norte, Quito.

DOLORES PIQUETTE, 72, of Jackson, died Dec. 30 in Kimball Medical Center, Lakewood. Mrs. Piquette was born in Spring Lake Heights and lived in Howell before moving to Jackson 25 years ago. She was a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America. Mrs. Piquette was a telephone operator for 31 years for AT&T in Asbury Park and then Smithburg, Freehold Township, before retiring in 1995. Surviving are two sisters and a brother-in-law, Virginia Birdsall of Howell and Elizabeth and Arthur Clark Martin of Augusta, W.Va.; and several nieces and nephews. Interment was in Maplewood Cemetery, Freehold Township.

SAMUEL S. FRIEDMAN, 72, of Freehold Township, died Dec. 31 at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township. Born in Newark, he lived in Manalapan for five years and in Marlboro for 10 years before moving to Freehold Township six years ago. Mr. Friedman was associated with the wholesale building products industry for more than 50 years. He was a salesman for Consolidated Distributors, Dayton, South Brunswick. Before his years with Consolidated, he was purchasing agent for Bayonne Steel, Bayonne; vice president of MRC Distributors, Wall; and a sales associate for ELRO Roofing, Elizabeth. He was a graduate of the Newark Arts High School, Newark, and attended Rutgers University. He served in the Air National Guard in the 1950s. He was a member of B’nai B’rith and the Lumbermen’s Association of New Jersey. Mr. Friedman was predeceased by two brothers, Leonard and Howard. He is survived by his wife, Pearl (nee Honig) Friedman; a daughter, Barbara A. Friedman; three nephews and one niece.

MARY ELIZABETH DIGGS, 71, of Freehold, died Dec. 29 at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township. Born in Eufaula, Ala., she lived in Philadelphia, in Freehold and in Bradley Beach for 20 years before returning to Freehold. Mrs. Diggs was a selective packer for Brockway Glass Co., Freehold, for 15 years before retiring in 1990. She was a member of the New Hope Baptist Church and the Lee B. Gibson Temple No. 1014, both of Freehold. She was predeceased by two sons, Alfred and Bernard Grasty; a brother, Albert Sanks; and two sisters, Sarah Taylor and Eugenia Powell. Mrs. Diggs is survived by two sons and a daughter-in-law, Paul and Tryce Grasty of Atlanta, and Howard Grasty of Asbury Park; two daughters and a son-in-law, Patricia A. and Willie S. Hogan of Augusta, Ga., and Michelle Grasty of Howell; two sisters and a brother-in-law, Annie and James Fenn of Keyport, and Milzonia Gibson of Freehold; 17 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; her friend, Angela Sheckelford; a goddaughter; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held at the New Hope Baptist Church, followed by interment at Maplewood Cemetery, Freehold Township.

JAMES McPAUL, 68, of the Morganville section of Marlboro, died Dec. 27 at Jersey Shore Medical Center, Neptune. Born in County Donegal, Ireland, he lived in Elizabeth before moving to Morganville 31 years ago. Mr. McPaul was an operating engineer for Local No. 14, New York City, for 40 years before his retirement five years ago. He was a communicant of St. Gabriel’s Roman Catholic Church, Marlboro. Mr. McPaul is survived by his wife, Mary (nee Collins); three sons, Vincent and Kevin, both of Jackson, and Patrick of Wall; five daughters, Deirdre Berry of Morganville, Alice Eichhorn of Jackson, Jacqueline Napolitano of Freehold, and Mary and Kathleen McPaul, both at home; his mother, Alice McPaul of England; two brothers, Hugh of Manalapan and Patrick of England; two sisters, Gemma Harkin of England and Anne Connors of Ireland; and 10 grandchildren. The funeral liturgy was celebrated at St. Gabriel’s Church, followed by interment at St. Gabriel’s Cemetery, Marlboro.

GLORIA DUNN, 80, of Freehold, died Dec. 23 at Pine Brook Care Center, Manalapan. Born in Harrison, she had been a resident of Freehold since 1948. Mrs. Dunn was a communicant of St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church, Freehold. She was predeceased by her husband, Carlton T., who died in 1992; a son, Dennis P., in 1991; and a sister, Alice Cullin, in September. Mrs. Dunn is survived by a granddaughter, Victoria Mitchell-Dunn, and a daughter-in-law, Susan Mitchell-Dunn, both of Freehold; a sister, Gladys Szur of Edison; and two nephews. Interment was at St. Rose of Lima Cemetery, Freehold Township.

FLORENCE E. LOPATIN, 74, of Ocala, Fla., died Dec. 21. She was born in Freehold, where she lived until moving to Florida 11 years ago. She worked as a high school bus driver. She is survived by a daughter, Beverly Pagels of Freehold; a son, Neil Lopatin; a sister, Mildred Lane of Jackson; and one grandson.

EASTER MAE SAVAGE, 72, of Manalapan died Jan. 9 at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township. Born in Vernon, Fla., she had lived in the Manalapan area for most of her life. She was a licensed practical nurse at Marlboro Psychiatric Hospital, Marlboro. She was a member of Old Ship of Zion Baptist Church, Englishtown, where she was a member of the Usher Board and served as a deaconess. She was predeceased by her husband, Brantley V. Sr., in 1988. Surviving are three sons and a daughter-in-law, David of Trenton, Douglas of Manalapan, and Brantley Jr. and Lisa of Manalapan; three brothers, Alexander Godbolt of Trenton, Charles Godbolt Jr. of Howell and Richard Godbolt of Englishtown; two sisters, Alma Ham of Manalapan and Willaden Shirland of Englishtown; and two grandchildren. Funeral services were held at Old Ship of Zion Church followed by interment at Old Tennent Cemetery, Tennent section of Manalapan.

ISABEL MAE PECK of Howell died Jan. 8 at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., she had lived in Union before moving to Howell 18 years ago. She was a bookkeeper. She is survived by her husband, Al; a brother, Austin Mendez of Brooklyn; and two sisters, Mary Clare and Clair Lyons. Interment was at Brig. Gen. William C. Doyle Veterans Cemetery, Arnytown.

WARREN E. "SANDY" HUTCHINSON, 75, of Matawan died Jan. 8 at Bayshore Community Hospital, Holmdel. Born in Matawan, he was a lifelong resident, and a winter resident of Palm Beach, Fla. He was owner and president of Hutchinson Inc., Matawan, since 1948. He served with the U.S. Navy during World War II. He served as a Matawan Borough councilman from 1961-65, and was in the Matawan Rotary and several plumbing associations. His hobbies included gardening and tennis. He was predeceased by his sister, Elizabeth Laird in 1997. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Florence Dougherty Hutchinson of Matawan; his son, Thomas Hutchinson of Freehold; three daughters, Patricia McAllister of Bethesda, Md., Ann D. Hutchinson of Red Bank, and Maureen Strang of Matawan; two sisters, Ann Fort of West Palm Beach; and Priscilla Bezanson of Tucson, Ariz.; and four grandchildren. A funeral service was offered at Old Tennent Presbyterian Church, Tennent.

GEORGE WILLIAMS, 90, of Freehold died Jan. 7 at home. Born in Boynton, Va., he had lived in Freehold for the past 70 years. He was a retired construction laborer. He attended the Second Baptist Church, Freehold. He is survived by his wife, Jeanette (nee Walker); two sisters-in-law, Betty Jo Wyche of Asbury Park and Rosa Williams of Virginia; and several stepgrandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. Interment was at Maplewood Cemetery, Freehold Township.

JENNIE D’ANGELO MAURO, 81, of Pompano Beach, Fla., died Jan. 7 at The Medical Center at Princeton. Born in Sicily, she had lived in Brooklyn and Staten Island, N.Y., before moving to Florida 15 years ago. She was the owner of Artistic Artificial Flowers, Brooklyn until 1984. She was predeceased by her first husband, Angelo D’Angelo, in 1976; and a sister, Anna Neri. She is survived by her husband, Nicolo Mauro; a son and daughter-in-law, Carl and Emmy D’Angelo of Old Bridge; a daughter and son-in-law, Phyllis and Niels Nicholson of Manalapan; three brothers, Tom Licata, Tony Licata and Al Licata, all of Pompano Beach; and five grandchildren. The funeral liturgy was offered at St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church, Old Bridge, followed by burial at Moravian Cemetery, Staten Island.

PATRICK LEWIS KING SR., 65, of Lakeland, Fla., formerly of Freehold, died Jan. 7 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center, Lakeland. Born in Mount Holly, he had lived in Freehold before moving to Florida. He was a truck driver. He was predeceased by a sister, Frances L. Van Malden. He is survived by his wife, Dolores Emmons King; two sons, Patrick L. Jr. of Jackson and Joseph J. of Freehold; five daughters, Frances M. Worth and Patricia A. Tellier, both of Freehold, Darlene E. Voorhees of Farmingdale, Christine J. Gardener of Jackson and Kathleen L. Wilson of Toms River; two brothers, John and Joseph, both of Vermont; a sister, Margaret Dean of Monticello, N.Y.; and 13 grandchildren. Interment was at Adelphia Cemetery, Adelphia.

ESTHER BATTAGLIA, 91, of the Morganville section of Marlboro died Jan. 7 at Raritan Bay Regional Hospital, Old Bridge. Born in Reggio Calabria, Italy, she had lived in Freehold before moving to Morganville six years ago. She was a seamstress in New York City for many years. She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Joseph; two sons and daughters-in-law, Fred and Gerri of Edison, and John and Patricia of Morganville; one daughter, Ann Marie Battaglia of Manalapan; a sister, Grace Mongiardo of Millstone; seven grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. A funeral Mass was offered at St. Thomas More Roman Catholic Church, Manalapan, followed by entombment at St. Gabriel’s Mausoleum, Marlboro. Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, New Jersey Chapter, 400 Morris Ave., Suite 251, Denville 08734-1365.

BESS L. PEASE, 83, of Freehold Township died Jan. 6 at Jersey Shore Medical Center, Neptune. Born in McKeesport, Pa., she had been a resident of Freehold Township for the past 50 years. She attended the First United Methodist Church of Freehold. She was predeceased by her first husband, Kenneth. E. Larson, in 1962; and her second husband, Elias Pease, in 1985. She is survived by a son, Kenneth A. Larson of Freehold; a stepdaughter, Sheryl Pelella of Clarksville, Va.; and two grandsons. Interment was at Old Tennent Cemetery, Tennent section of Manalapan.

LAURENCE M. HARVEY, 66, of Farmingdale died Jan. 5 at Atlantic City Medical Center, Atlantic City. Born in Morrisville, N.Y., he had been a resident of Farmingdale since 1954. He was an auto service manager for 37 years for Sears and Roebuck Co., Neptune and Ocean Township. He was a participant in the Manasquan River canoe race for the past 24 years. He is survived by his wife, Shirley; three daughters, Deborah Harvey of Afton, Va., Kim Farrington of Farmingdale, and Lori Morrissey of Neptune; one sister, Linda Tyger of Mystic Islands, Little Egg Harbor; and six grandchildren. Interment was at Evergreen Cemetery, Farmingdale, with the Rev. Steve Kengeter officiating. Memorial donations may be made to the Farmingdale Centennial Celebration Committee, 11 Asbury Ave., Farmingdale 07727.

CHARLOTTE BURDGE FRANK, 92, of Freehold died Jan. 5 at Bartley Manor, Jackson. Born in the West Farms section of Howell, she had been a resident of Freehold since 1926. She was a member of the First Baptist Church; a life member and past president of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Lodge No. 1454; and past president of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 4374 auxiliary, all of Freehold. She was a member of the Pocahontas Setting Sun Council No. 128, where she served as Pocahontas in the 1940s; and a member of the St. Rose of Lima Senior Citizens Club, both of Freehold. She was predeceased by her husband, Gustave W., in 1986. Surviving are four sons, Raymond of Toms River, and Kenneth L. Sr., Harvey H. and Herbert H., all of Freehold; a daughter, Catherine J. Amato of Pinellas Park, Fla.; 12 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. Interment was at Maplewood Cemetery, Freehold Township, with the Rev. William Frederickson officiating.

ANN GABOFF, 67, of Manalapan died Jan. 12 at home after a long battle with cancer. She was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., and moved to Manalapan 35 years ago. She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Carl; three daughters and sons-in-law, Janet and Ken Leota of Howell, Debra and Lenny Vovk of the Monmouth Junction section of South Brunswick, and Brenda and Edwin Reyes of Manalapan; three sons and a daughter-in-law, Alan and Sharon of Millstone, David of Manalapan and Paul of Jackson; two sisters, Marie Miller and Tissie Sorrentino; and 16 grandchildren. The funeral service was officiated by Rabbi Ira Rothstein. Memorial donations may be made to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Jersey, 1034 Salem Road, Union 07083.

EUGENE MARTIN WHITEHOUSE, 43, of Jersey City, formerly of Manalapan, died Jan. 10 at Bayonne Hospital, Bayonne. Born in the Bronx, N.Y., he had lived in Manalapan for most of his life before moving to Jersey City 15 years ago. He was CFO and president of M.H. Meyerson Co., Jersey City. He was a former member of Temple Shaari Emeth, Manalapan. He is survived by his wife, Elva (nee Woodard); two children, Tamara and Russell, at home; his parents, Donald and Sandra Whitehouse of Manalapan; two sisters and a brother-in-law, Beth Whitehouse of Huntington Village, Long Island, N.Y., and Karen and Dave Hinton of Jackson; and his maternal grandmother, Frieda Bates of Jackson. Interment was at Floral Park Cemetery, Monmouth Junction section of South Brunswick.

ISIDORE J. MILLER, 89, of Manalapan died Jan. 10 at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., he had lived in New York until moving to the Covered Bridge section of Manalapan 22 years ago. He was co-owner of the Sam Jack Liquor Store, Brooklyn, for 25 years, retiring in 1976. He was a benefactor of Hadassah; a member of Union Hill Congregation, Manalapan; and a member of Covered Bridge II Association. He was predeceased by his wife, Frances, in 1989. He is survived by a son, Edward of Manalapan; a daughter, Maxine Pomerantz of Dallas; six grandchildren; and his friend, Pearl Cohen. Interment was at Mount Hebron Cemetery, Flushing, N.Y.