Catherine Mary Billings

Mrs. Billings, age 90, of Long Branch, died Sept. 13 at St. Barnabas Hospice and Palliative Care Center, Long Branch. Born in New York, she resided in Howell prior to moving to Long Branch 11 years ago. She was a cafeteria worker at Howell Township Public School System, retiring in 1976. She was predeceased by her husband, James Raymond Billing in 1992; and a granddaughter. She is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, David and Kate Billings of Long Branch, and Robert and Jean Billings of Sparta; a daughter and son-in-law, Doris and William Kolesar of Port Charlotte, Fla.; a brother, Billy Norton of Texas; two sisters, Margaret Bowe of Howell, and Helen Whales of New York; seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. A funeral service will be Sept. 17 at 10:30 a.m. at Damiano Funeral Home, Long Branch, followed by interment at Woodbine Cemetery, Oceanport. Memorial donations may be made to the Monmouth County SPCA, 260 Wall St., Eatontown 07724.

Vincent F. Patten Jr.

Mr. Patten, 65, of Freehold Township, died Sept. 3 at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York City. Born in New York City, he lived there before moving to Freehold Township 35 years ago. A U.S. Army veteran, he received a bachelor’s degree in finance from Pace University, New York City, and was vice president of new products for the New York Stock Exchange, New York City. Surviving are his wife, Joan P. Gorman Patten; four sons and two daughters-in-law, Vincent F. III and Lisa M. Patten of Hamilton, Kevin M. and Ann M. Patten of Freehold Township, Timothy J. Patten of Freehold, and Thomas E. Patten of Freehold Township and his fiancée, Jennifer K. Boutote, also of Freehold Township; his mother, Mary M. Ledwith Patten of Cranford; a brother and sister-in-law, James R. and Claire Patten of Wayne; and five grandchildren. Funeral services were held at Higgins Memorial Home, Freehold, followed by a funeral liturgy at St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church, Freehold.

Robert Herman

Mr. Herman, 94, of Freehold, died Sept. 4 at home. Born in Newark, he had lived there before moving to Freehold, where he married his wife in 1937. He owned and operated a poultry farm on Route 9 in Freehold Township for many years. He then attended Rutgers University, New Brunswick, in order to become a landscaper. After studying at Rutgers, he owned and operated the Robert Herman Nursery, Freehold Township. In 1983, he was a member of the A&M Karagheusian Rug Mill basketball team, Freehold. He was also a leader and later a commissioner for the Monmouth County Council of the Boy Scouts of America, for which he was awarded the Silver Beaver Award, the highest honor given to a volunteer. He was a member and past president of the New Jersey State Poultry Association, Trenton, as well as a member of the New Jersey Farmers Coop, Hightstown. In 1965, Mr. Herman received the Golden Egg Award from the poultry association for distinguished service to the poultry industry. He served on the Township Committee for Freehold Township and was honored by the township for his work as chairman of the Shade Tree Commission from 1952-1995. He was instrumental as well in starting the Freehold Township PTA, and he served as its first president. Mr. Herman was predeceased by his wife of 59 years, Gussie Lopatin Herman; a son, Ira Lee Herman; and three brothers, Samuel, Nathan and Henry Herman. Surviving are a daughter and son-in-law, Ruth and Bernard Hochberg of Freehold, with whom he had lived; a brother-in-law, William Lopatin of Freehold; a sister-in-law, Jennie Lopatin Blond of Takoma Park, Md.; a granddaughter, Amy Dara Hochberg of Brookline, Mass.; and several nieces and nephews. Higgins Memorial Home, Freehold, was in charge of arrangements.

Ruth Noll

Mrs. Noll, 79, of Jackson, died Sept. 7 at home. Born in Marlboro, she had lived in Lakewood before moving to Jackson seven years ago. She was a direct descendant of Pocahontas and a member of the Pamunkey Indian tribe, King William County, Va. Prior to retiring, she was employed by Garden State Bank, Jackson. She was a member of the Old Brick Reformed Church, Marlboro, and a vice president of the Oak Tree Mobile Homeowners Association, Jackson. Mrs. Noll was predeceased in 1993 by her husband, Joseph T. Noll. Surviving are three sons and a daughter-in-law, James R. and Kathleen Noll of Lakewood, John T. Noll, also of Lakewood, and William H. Noll of Jackson; a daughter and son-in-law, Patricia and Walter Burke of Freehold Township; a sister and brother-in-law, Marie and Dewey Holmes of Marlboro; 12 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held at Higgins Memorial Home, Freehold, followed by interment at the Old Brick Reformed Church Cemetery, Marlboro. Memorial donations may be made to the Deborah Heart and Lung Center, P.O. Box 820, Browns Mills 08015; or the Old Brick Reformed Church, 490 Route 520 east, Marlboro 07746.

Hetty M. Lee Farenga

Mrs. Farenga, 74, of Holmdel, died Sept. 16 at Geraldine Thompson Care Center, Wall. Born in Raleigh, N.C., she resided in Middletown prior to moving to Holmdel 12 years ago. She was the owner/operator of Lee’s Restaurant, Hazlet, for 25 years, retiring in 1985. She was predeceased by her husband, Joseph, in 1978; a sister, Gladys Matera, in 2002; and her father, Jesse Atkins. She is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Jessica and William Laurer of the Port Monmouth section of Middletown, and Maria and Michael Brennan of Howell; a brother and sister-in-law, Steven and Lorraine Atkins of Mesa, Ariz.; a sister, Ruby Radino of Mesa; her mother, Emma Atkins of Keansburg; and four grandchildren. Entombment was at Fair View Mausoleum, Middletown. Arrangements were by John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown.

Dorothy F. Gunther

Mrs. Gunther, 90, of Colts Neck, died Sept. 15 at home. Born in Newark, she had lived in Colts Neck for most of her life. A former secretary for King Cadillac, Freehold Township, and the Imperial Jade Co., Colts Neck, she had most recently worked for Old Monmouth Candies, Freehold Township. She was a member of the Colts Neck Reformed Church, where she had also served as superintendent of Sunday school; a founding member and past president of the Colts Neck Fire Department Auxiliary; and a member of the Colts Neck Senior Citizens Club, the Atlantic Grange, the Colts Neck Historical Society, the Lamplighters Camping Club and the Atlantic Township School PTA. A former Girl Scout leader, Mrs. Gunther also participated in the Winter Wednesday program at Conover Road School, Colts Neck, and presented historical lectures at the Montrose School, Colts Neck, as well as at the church. In addition, she had served on the Colts Neck Township Committee. Surviving are her husband of 68 years, Harold “Jake” Gunther Sr.; a son and daughter-in-law, Hal and Sue Gunther, of Millstone; a daughter, Barbara Reed, of Colts Neck; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held at the Colts Neck Reformed Church, followed by interment at Atlantic Cemetery, Colts Neck. Higgins Memorial Home, Freehold, was in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be made to the Colts Neck Fire Department Auxiliary, P.O. Box 406, Colts Neck 07722.

Leroy A. Myres

Mr. Myres, 79, of Freehold, died Sept. 8 at Jackson Health Care Center, Jackson. Born in Barton, Fla., he had lived in Freehold for more than 10 years. He was a U.S. Navy veteran and a retired maitre d’. Surviving are two sisters, Juanita Myres and Jweda Daniels, with whom he had lived; and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held at Higgins Memorial Home, Freehold, followed by entombment at Holmdel Mausoleum.