Obituaries

Freda F. Corrigan

Mrs. Corrigan, 72, of Jackson, died July 11 after a year-long battle with cancer. She was born in Abbots Ann, Andover, England, and grew up in Gibraltar. At the onset of World War II, the family relocated to Casablanca, French Morocco, then back again to Gibraltar when France capitulated to Germany. The family immigrated to New York in 1947. Mrs. Corrigan lived most of her adult life in Queens, N.Y., and later lived in North Miami Beach, Fla.; London, England; and Southlake, Texas. Surviving are her husband, John J. Corrigan; three sons, Dr. Leslie Sojka of Freehold, Lawrence Sojka of Matawan and Peter Sojka of La Paz, Bolivia; a daughter, Deborah Sojka-Costa of Commack, N.Y.; a sister, Lillian Brooking of Woodside, N.Y.; five grandchildren; and her first husband, Harry Sojka. The funeral liturgy was celebrated at St. Aloysius Roman Catholic Church, Jackson, followed by private cremation. The George S. Hassler Funeral Home, Jackson, was in charge of arrangements.

Andrew C. Mournet Jr.

Mr. Mournet, 44, of Jackson, died July 11 at JFK Medical Center, Edison. Born in Staten Island, N.Y., he had lived there for most of his life before moving to Jackson 13 years ago. A 1979 graduate of Tottenville High School, Staten Island, he attended Sullivan County Community College, a two-year SUNY (State University of New York) campus. He was the owner/ president of ACM Environmental Services Inc., Jackson, for the past eight years. He was a communicant of Hope Lutheran Church, Freehold, and a member of the New Jersey Organ and Tissue Sharing Network (N.J. Sharing Network). Mr. Mournet was predeceased by his mother, Ann. Surviving are his wife, Debra; a son and daughter, Andrew C. III and Michelle Lyn, both at home; his father, Andrew Sr.; two brothers, William of Staten Island and Glen of Freehold; three sisters, Deborah Stavola of Staten Island, Susan Lukasiewicz of Millstone and Rachel Stapleton of Atlanta; and 13 nieces and nephews. A funeral service was held at Hope Lutheran Church, followed by interment at Old Tennent Cemetery, Tennent section of Manalapan. Freeman Manalapan-Marlboro Funeral Home, Manalapan, was in charge of arrangements.

Joseph Alberts

Mr. Alberts, 71, of Brick, died July 17 at home. Born in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., he had resided in Newark and Kearny before moving to Brick 19 years ago. He was self-employed as the owner of Joseph Alberts Construction Co. Mr. Alberts was predeceased by a son, Joseph, a daughter, Rosemarie, and a sister, Dolores. Surviving are his wife, Mary Reed Alberts; four sons, James Alberts of Nutley, Michael Alberts of Freehold Township, Leo Alberts of Howell and Steven Alberts of Brick; two brothers, Francis Alvarez of Pennsylvania and Leo Alberts of Allentown, Pa.; and seven grandchildren. A funeral liturgy was celebrated at St. Robert Bellarmine Roman Catholic Church, Freehold Township, followed by interment at Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington. Freeman Funeral Home, Freehold, was in charge of arrangements.

William Ernest Piaza

Mr. Piaza, 75, of the Belford section of Middletown, died July 14 at home. Born in Greenwich, Conn., he resided in Belford the past 36 years. He was a retired laborer at Local 472 Laborers Union, Newark, for 20 years, retiring 13 years ago. He served with the U.S. Army during the Vietnam and Korean Wars, retiring in 1970. He was a member of American Legion Post No. 338, Leonard section of Middletown. He enjoyed baseball, and was named the Sandy Koufax American Amateur Baseball League Champion in 1977, and All Star Coach in 1979. He was predeceased by two sisters, Ruth Piaza and Francis Stark; a brother, John Piaza; and a granddaughter, Amanda Lee Hosier. He is survived by his wife, Pauline Piaza; two daughters and one son-in-law, Angie and Myron Maish of Freehold, and Nancy Piaza of Jackson; a son and daughter-in-law, John and Kerry Piaza of Interlaken; and four grandchildren. Burial was at Bay View Cemetery, Leonardo. Arrangements were by John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown. Memorial donations may be made to Visiting Nurse Association of Central New Jersey, 141 Bodman Place, Red Bank 07701.

Raymond J. Rasmussen

Mr. Rasmussen, 82, of Freehold Township, died July 20 at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township. Born in Freehold, he had lived in the Freehold area all his life. Prior to retiring, he was a data analyst for the New Jersey State Police in West Trenton for 36 years. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army Air Corps, 8th Air Force, as a navigator and bombardier, and was discharged with the rank of first lieutenant. He flew 35 missions over Europe aboard a B-17 Flying Fortress and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star Medal and the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters. After the war, he served in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. He was a member of American Legion Post No. 54 and Elks Lodge No. 1454, both of Freehold. Mr. Rasmussen was predeceased in 1995 by a daughter, Linda Rae Cox. Surviving are his wife of 57 years, Dorothea Simmons Rasmussen; two sons, Raymond J. Rasmussen Jr. of Sewell and Eric W. Rasmussen of Lakehurst; a brother, Lawrence Rasmussen of Howell; a sister, Grace Engeldt of Delaware; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held at Higgins Memorial Home, Freehold, followed by interment at St. Rose of Lima Cemetery, Freehold Township.

J. Stanley Slocum

Mr. Slocum, 78, of Wall Township, formerly of Freehold Township, died July 20 at Beth Israel Medical Center, New York City. Born in Freehold Township, he graduated from Allentown High School and was a custom-home builder in the Freehold area for more than 40 years. He was an avid golfer at Peddie School Golf Course in Hightstown, Mercer County, and a former club champion at Hanover Country Club in Jacobstown, Burlington County. Mr. Slocum was predeceased by his parents, Geneva and John Slocum. Surviving are his wife of 58 years, Ruth M. Slocum; a brother, Alfred “Butch” Slocum; two daughters and a son-in-law, Connie, and her fiancé, Richard Carlson Jr., and Vicki and Dr. Joseph J. Louro; and two grandsons, Joseph A. Louro and his wife, Cynthia, and James A. Louro. A memorial service was held at the First Presbyterian Church in Freehold. Freeman Funeral Home, Freehold, was in charge of arrangements.

Donna Marie Prinster

Ms. Prinster, 39, of Freehold, died July 24 at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township. She resided in Rahway before moving to Freehold three years ago. She was a member of the American Cancer Society. Ms. Prinster is survived by her mother, Hanna Helfrich of Freehold, and her father, Phillip Prinster of Colorado; a brother, U.S. Army Sgt. Brian Helfrich, serving in Iraq; and two sisters, Kim Biggs and Karen Prinster, both of Linden. The Freeman Funeral Home, Freehold, was in charge of arrangements.

Michael J. Witkosky

Mr. Witkosky, 62, of Matawan, died July 20 at St. Barnabas Hospice, Long Branch. Mr. Witkosky was a courier for Sovereign Bank, Princeton. He served with the U.S. Air Force during peacetime. He was predeceased by his father, Michael Witkosky. Surviving are his mother, Helen Czmyr Grzywinski of Matawan; his stepfather, Joseph Grzywinski of Matawan; a brother, Martin Witkosky of California; his companion of 20 years, Joyce Pedone of Howell; two nieces and one nephew.

Peter P. Shatkus

Mr. Shatkus, 91, of Freehold, died July 21 at Geraldine Thompson Care Center, Wall Township. Born in Newark, he had lived in Freehold for more than 70 years. Prior to retiring, he was a supervisor for Naval Weapons Station Earle, Colts Neck, and had previously been employed at the A&M Karagheusian rug mill in Freehold. He was a communicant of St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church, Freehold, and a member of the St. Rose of Lima Senior Citizens Club. He was also a past president of the Freehold Lithuanian Club. Mr. Shatkus was predeceased by his first wife, Marjorie Shatkus, in 1964, and his second wife, Barbara Shatkus, in 1984, as well as a grandson, Peter James Shatkus. Surviving are a son and daughter-in-law, Frederick P. and Christine Shatkus of Freehold Township; a daughter and son-in-law, Ellen and Harley Pretty of Milford, Conn.; a stepdaughter and her husband, Marge and David DeVitis of Howell; nine grandsons; several great-grandchildren; and his longtime companion, Bess Conover. The funeral liturgy was celebrated at St. Rose of Lima Church, followed by interment at St. Rose of Lima Cemetery, Freehold Township. Higgins Memorial Home, Freehold, was in charge of arrangements.

Elaine P. Barton

Mrs. Barton, 55, of Freehold, formerly of Middletown, died July 26 at her home. She had been a teacher at Bayview and Fairview elementary schools in Middletown for 33 years before retiring this year. She was a graduate of Middletown High School, Newark State Teachers College, and received her master’s degree from Kean College, Union. She was the recipient of the 1998 Governor’s Teacher Recognition Award and was Teacher of the Year for her school that year. Mrs. Barton is survived by her parents, Eleanor (Concannon) and Bernard Barton of Seabrook Village, Tinton Falls; a sister and brother-in-law, Maureen and Ray Williamson of Leonardo; a brother and sister-in-law, Brian and Lynne Barton of Monroe, Conn.; two nephews; three nieces; three grandnephews and two grandnieces. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, New Monmouth, followed by interment at Fair View Cemetery, Middletown. The John E. Day Funeral Home, Red Bank, was in charge of arrangements.

Eugenia Ciminnisi

Mrs. Ciminnisi, 82, of Manalapan, died July 22 at The Manor Care Center, Freehold Township. Born in Jersey City, she had lived there before moving to Manalapan 24 years ago. Prior to retiring in 1985, she was a secretary for the Jersey City schools, where she was employed for 10 years. She was a communicant of St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church, as well as a member of Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Court St. Rose of Lima No. 737, both of Freehold. She was also a former member of the Rosary Society of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Jersey City. Surviving are a daughter and son-in-law, Donna and Randy Baird of Manalapan; three grandchildren, Christopher, Randy Jr. and Tracey; and four great-grandchildren. The funeral liturgy was celebrated at St. Rose of Lima Church, followed by interment at Holy Name Cemetery, Jersey City. Higgins Memorial Home, Freehold, was in charge of arrangements.

Mary Spinelli

Mrs. Spinelli, 87, died July 22 at home. Born in Newark, she had resided in Holmdel and Union before moving to Colts Neck 11 years ago. She was a homemaker who enjoyed cooking. Mrs. Spinelli was predeceased by a brother, Peter, and a grandson, Shawn Venancio. Surviving are her husband of 66 years, Ernest; a son and daughter-in-law, Ernest M. and Nina Spinelli of Millington; a daughter and son-in-law, Lucille and Mario Venancio of Red Bank; a brother and sister-in-law, Charles and Carrie Cocuzza of Middletown; eight grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Leo the Great Roman Catholic Church, Lincroft section of Middletown, followed by interment at St. Gertrude’s Cemetery, Colonia section of Woodbridge. John E. Day Funeral Home, Red Bank, was in charge of arrangements. Memorial donations may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Greater New Jersey Chapter, 117 Kinderkamack Road, Suite 104, River Edge 07661.

Karen Olbis

Ms. Olbis, 40, of Freehold Township, died July 23 at Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank. Born in Neptune Township, she had lived in Freehold Township all her life. She was a graduate of Rutgers University’s Rutgers College and Mason Gross School of the Arts, both in New Brunswick, For the past five years, she was a music teacher in the Montgomery Township school district. She had previously taught in other area school districts, including Ocean Township and Colts Neck. Ms. Olbis was a communicant of St. Thomas More Roman Catholic Church, Manalapan, where she served as director of sacred music. In addition, she was a soloist at St. Robert Bellarmine Roman Catholic Church in Freehold Township and St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church in Freehold, among other local churches. She was active as well in community theater. Ms. Olbis was also a member of the American Rose Society and the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. Surviving are her parents, John A. and Caroline Faber Olbis; and many aunts, uncles and cousins. The funeral liturgy was celebrated at St. Thomas More Church, followed by interment at St. Rose of Lima Cemetery, Freehold Township. Higgins Memorial Home, Freehold, was in charge of arrangements. Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 801 Broad St., Shrewsbury 07702; St. Thomas More R.C. Church, 186 Gordons Corner Road, Manalapan 07726; or St. Robert Bellarmine R.C. Church, 61 Georgia Road, Freehold 07728.