Obituaries

Thomas C. Dixon

Mr. Dixon, 71, of Freehold, died June 10 at Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch, Born in Jersey City, he had resided in Freehold for the past nine years. Mr. Dixon was a graduate of Snyder High School, Jersey City, and the Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, N.Y., where he was a recipient of its gold medal. He was a chef for many years, most recently at Kimball Medical Center, Lakewood, before his retirement. He was a member of the Reformed Church of Freehold. Mr. Dixon is survived by his wife, Charlotte Small Dixon; a son, Charles of Howell; and a daughter and son-in-law, Laura and Edward Smith of Omaha, Neb. Calling hours will be Tuesday 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at the Freeman Funeral Home, 47 E. Main St., Freehold. The funeral service will be held Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the Reformed Church of Freehold, 67 W. Main St., followed by interment at Old Tennent Cemetery, Tennent section of Manalapan.

Ruth Davis Zavaglia

Mrs. Zavaglia, of Bardstown, Ky., died May 18. Born in Indianapolis, Ind., she lived most of her life in Freehold before moving to Florida for several years and then to Bardstown in 2001. Mrs. Zavaglia performed in ice shows at many hotels, including the New Yorker in New York City. In her last year of high school, she skated in the Sonja Heine Competition and won the 1942 Miss Iceland Competition. She was a past president of the Rosary Society of St. Peter the Apostle Roman Catholic Church, River Edge. She was a Girl Scout and Boy Scout leader, and taught physical education at Our Lady of Mercy School. Mrs. Zavaglia was predeceased by a son, John. She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Francis; her children, Ronald of Texas, Joseph of North Carolina, Karen Kelly of Bardstown, Rita Riley of North Carolina, Carol McKinley of Ohio, and Jacqueline McGlone of Freehold; 15 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. The funeral Mass was celebrated at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, Clifton, followed by entombment at Calvary Cemetery. The Marrocco Memorial Chapel, Clifton, was in charge of arrangements.

Tom J. Pieszchala

Mr. Pieszchala, 50, of Howell, died May 27 at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune. Born and raised in Staten Island, N.Y., he had lived there and in Woodbridge before moving to Howell in 1986. Mr. Pieszchala was a driver for Conway Motors, Lakewood, and had previously been a driver for Royal Foods, Avenel. He was a volunteer for the Howell United Soccer Club. He was predeceased by his mother, Janet D. Pieszchala; his father-in-law, George Dunkelberger; and a brother-in-law, George Dunkelberger. Mr. Pieszchala is survived by his wife of 25 years, Debbie; a son, Neil, and a daughter, Megan, both at home; two brothers and sisters-in-law, James and Janice Shand of Darien, Conn., and Daniel and MaryAnn Pieszchala of Hamilton; his mother-in-law, Elizabeth Dunkelberger of Fords; a sister-in-law, MaryBeth Dunkelberger of Stewartsville, Md.; and several nieces and nephews. The funeral service was held at the First Presbyterian Church, Belmar, under the direction of the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, Freehold Township. Interment was private.

Stephanie Lynn Christopher

Ms. Christopher, 33, of Howell, died May 28 at University Hospital, Newark. She was born in Long Branch and had lived in Lindenwold for 12 years before returning to the Freehold area. Ms. Christopher was a lieutenant in the federal Department of Corrections at Fort Dix. She was a 1990 graduate of Freehold High School, Freehold Borough, and had served in the U.S. Army from 1991 to 1993. She was predeceased by a brother, Keith Huebsch, in 1990. Ms. Christopher is survived by her mother, Susan Shea Louk of Freehold; a brother and sister-in-law, Kenneth and Holly Huebsch of Montpelier, Va.; a sister, Jennifer Horton of Howell; a sister-in-law, Tracy Huebsch; three nieces and two nephews. Funeral services were held at the Higgins Memorial Home, Freehold, followed by interment at Old Tennent Cemetery, Tennent section of Manalapan. Memorial donations may be made to University Hospital, 150 Bergen St., Newark 07103.

Adelette B. Thompson

Mrs. Thompson, 86, of Englishtown, died May 27 at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township. She was born in Nutley and had resided in the Tennent section of Manalapan for 12 years before moving to Englishtown 60 years ago. Mrs. Thompson was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Englishtown, where she was a teacher in the church's Sunday school for many years and a former treasurer of the Sunday school. She was a 1936 graduate of Freehold High School, Freehold Borough. She was a member of the Francis Hopkinson-Monmouth Courthouse Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Freehold. and a member of the Scudder Association. Mrs. Thompson is survived by her husband of 63 years, Harry A. Thompson; two sons and daughters-in-law, Jay B. and Marta Thompson of Tobyhanna, Pa., and Jon H. and Maria Thompson of Englishtown; two sisters, Eva Lou McLaren of Columbus and June Smith of East Freehold; a sister-in-law, Arlene Blair of Manasquan; and six grandchildren. Memorial services will be held at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 50 Main St., Englishtown 07726. The Higgins Memorial Home, Freehold, is in charge of arrangements.

Philip D. Carpe

Mr. Carpe, 72, of Jackson, died May 30 at William B. Kessler Memorial Hospital, Hammonton. Born in East Windsor, he had lived in the Clarksburg section of Millstone and in Howell before moving to Jackson in 1998. Before his retirement in 1997, Mr. Carpe was a research chemist at Block Drug Co., Jersey City. Prior to that, he was a research chemist at Johnson & Johnson, New Brunswick, and Carter-Wallace, Cranbury. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran. Mr. Carpe is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, David K. and Elizabeth Carpe of Newton, and Andrew F. and Margaret Carpe of Hammonton; a daughter and son-in-law, Tracey and Donald Hyatt of Rio Rancho, N.M.; a sister, Judy Housekeeper of Lawrenceville; seven grandchildren; and his companion, Ann Whatley of Jackson. A memorial service was held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, Freehold Township, with the Rev. Harvey Kelley officiating. Memorial donations may be made to the Brig. Gen. William C. Doyle Veterans Cemetery, Memorialization Fund, 350 Provinceline Road, Wrightstown 08562.

Helen Tylor Seaman

Mrs. Seaman, 91, of Spring Lake, died May 31 at St. Barnabas Hospice and Palliative Care Center, Long Branch. One of 15 children, she was born in Perth Amboy and resided there until 2004, when she moved to the Spring Lake Inn. Before her marriage of 61 years, Mrs. Seaman worked for the Perth Amboy Cigar Factory. She was an expert seamstress and member of the Garment Workers of America. Her former employment was at Holbrook Hat Factory, Perth Amboy, Komar's Ladies Lingerie, South Amboy, and the Girls' Coat Factory, Perth Amboy. She was a lifetime member of St. Stephen's Roman Catholic Church, Perth Amboy, and a past member of the Loyal Order of Moose, Perth Amboy, where she served as senior regent. Mrs. Seaman was predeceased by her husband, Andrew Stephen Seaman, in 1998; and two grandsons, Gregory Williams in 1985 and Jeffrey Williams in 2003. She is survived by four children, Nancy Seaman Williams and her husband, Jack, of Marlboro, Barbara A. Seaman of Alexandria, Va., Andrew Warren Seaman and his wife, Barbara Garcia Seaman, of Spring Lake, and Cheryl Seaman Kinnelly and her husband, Bill, of Fair Haven; three brothers, Edward Tylor of Hopelawn, and Joseph and Frank Tylor and his wife Lucille, all of Perth Amboy; two sisters-in-law, Terry Tylor and Claire Tylor; nine grandsons; and two great-granddaughters. The funeral liturgy was celebrated at St. Gabriel's Roman Catholic Church, Marlboro. Memorial donations may be made to St. Barnabas Hospice and Palliative Care Center at Monmouth Medical Center, 95 Old Short Hills Road, West Orange 07052. The Higgins Memorial Home, Freehold, was in charge of arrangements.

James R. Barkalow

Mr. Barkalow, 78, of Cream Ridge, Plumsted Township, died June 1 at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township. Mr. Barkalow was born in Freehold and was raised by his great-aunt, Mary Jones McNinnie. He resided in Freehold for most of his life before moving to Delaware. He moved to Cream Ridge in 1997. Mr. Barkalow was a maintenance supervisor for the Nestle Co,, Freehold, where he was employed for 25 years before his retirement in 1987. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and the Korean War. He was a member and past commander of American Legion Post No. 54, Freehold. He was a communicant of the Church of the Assumption, New Egypt. A son, Michael J. Barkalow, died in 2005. Mr. Barkalow is survived by his wife of 55 years, Patricia Sweeney Barkalow; three sons and daughters-in-law, James and Sharon Barkalow, Daniel and Kathy Barkalow, and David and Jane Barkalow; two daughters and sons-in-law, Mary and Richard Kalinauskas, and Colleen and Edward Doody; and 12 grandchildren. American Legion services were held at the Higgins Memorial Home, Freehold. Funeral services were held at the Brig. Gen. William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery Chapel, Arnytown, Burlington County. Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 400 Morris Ave, Suite 251, Denville 07834.

Donald L. Rechtenbaugh

Mr. Rechtenbaugh, 67, of Freehold Township, died June 1 at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township. Born and raised in Canistota, S.D., he settled in Freehold Township in 1965. He was a systems engineer at AT&T, Bell Labs, Holmdel, for 30 years, retiring in 1989. Mr. Rechtenbaugh was a communicant of St. Robert Bellarmine Roman Catholic Church, Freehold Township, where he served on the Building and Maintenance Committee, participated in the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults program, and taught in the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine program. He was a U.S. Army veteran. He was a Boy Scout leader in Freehold Township and was a former president of the Homeowners Association in Longview, Freehold Township. Mr. Rechtenbaugh was predeceased by three brothers, Robert, James and George Rechtenbaugh. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Evelyn; three sons, Don Lee Rechtenbaugh of Freehold, Dominic Rechtenbaugh of Toms River, and Glenn Rechtenbaugh of Middlesex; three daughters, Diane Dragone of Lincroft, Linda Landis of Highland Park, and Lori Guerrero of Farmingdale; a brother, Herb Rechtenbaugh of Hartford, S.D.; a sister, Margaret Huber of Marion, S.D.; and 11 grandchildren. A funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Robert Bellarmine Church, followed by burial at St. Gabriel's Cemetery, Marlboro. The Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, Freehold Township, was in charge of arrangements. Memorial donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 19 School House Road, Somerset 08873; or St. Robert Bellarmine Church Building Fund, 61 Georgia Road, Freehold 07728.

Bernard M. Brennan

Mr. Brennan, 91, of Manalapan, died June 6 at home. He was born in Manhattan, N.Y., and had lived in the Bronx, N.Y., before moving to Manalapan. Mr. Brennan was a chief in the Fire Department of New York, 23rd Battalion, Staten Island, N.Y., before his retirement in 1973. Prior to that, he was assigned to Ladder Company No. 45 in Manhattan. He was a graduate of All Hollows High School, Bronx, N.Y. He was a communicant of St. Thomas More Roman Catholic Church, Manalapan, where he was a member of the church choir. He was a member of Prince of Peace Council No. 5903 Knights of Columbus, Englishtown, and Msgr. Kivelitz General Assembly 4th Degree Knights of Columbus, Freehold. He was a singer in a barbershop quartet. Mr. Brennan is survived by his wife, Geraldine Breslin Brennan; two sons and a daughter-in-law, Dennis and Eileen Brennan of Scarsdale, N.Y., and Donald Brennan of Machipongo, Va.; a brother and sister-in-law, James and Sheila Brennan of Old Bridge; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. The funeral liturgy was celebrated at St. Thomas More Church, followed by interment at St. Rose of Lima Cemetery, Freehold Township. Memorial donations may be made to VNA of Central New Jersey Hospice, 141 Bodman Place, Red Bank 07701. The Higgins Memorial Home, Freehold, was in charge of arrangements.

Margaret Jane Freeman Durie Titus

Mrs. Titus, 93, of Applewood Estates, Freehold Township, died June 6 at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township. She was a longtime resident of Freehold. Mrs. Titus was an elementary teacher in the Freehold Township School System for 27 years. She was predeceased by her first husband, Capt. Albert E. Durie Jr., who died as a prisoner of war in the Pacific theater of World War II in early 1945; her second husband, Leonard T. Titus; and brothers Walter and F. Gilday Freeman. Mrs. Titus graduated from Freehold High School, Freehold Borough, and Marymount College, Tarrytown, N.Y., and was captain of the basketball team at both schools. She is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Ann and William Westerfield of Little Silver; three grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. A funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church, Freehold, followed by interment at St. Rose of Lima Cemetery, Freehold Township. The Freeman Funeral Home, Freehold, was in charge of arrangements.

Matthew J. Trancho

Mr. Trancho, 28, of Freehold, died June 6 at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township, from injuries sustained in an accident in Freehold Township. He was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., and had lived in Freehold since 1993. Mr. Trancho was an operating room technician at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township, where he was employed for the past six years. He was a graduate of Freehold High School, Freehold Borough, where he was a member of the football and basketball teams. He attended Star Technical Institute, Lakewood. Mr. Trancho is survived by his mother, Catherine Ann Meagher Trancho; his father, Joseph J. Trancho; a brother, New York City Police Officer Joseph J. Trancho; two sisters, Liz Dean and her husband, New York City Police Detective Kenny Dean, and Daniella Trancho and her companion, Chris Lehmann; his paternal grandmother, Emilia R. Brewer; three aunts, Mary Jo and Ginger Meagher and Joan Dukich,; four cousins, Mary Kennedy, John Meagher and his wife Alicia, Kathy Manning and James Bealin; one nephew; two nieces; his best friend, Anthony Dunaway; his girlfriend, Jennifer; two godchildren; and many friends. The funeral liturgy was celebrated at St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church, Freehold. The Higgins Memorial Home, Freehold, was in charge of arrangements. Memorial donations may be made to the CentraState Healthcare Foundation, 916 Route 33, Suite 6, Freehold 07728.

William F. Dempsey

Mr. Dempsey, 91, of Toms River, died June 4 at Kensington Manor, Toms River. Born in New York City, he had resided in Jersey City and Keyport before moving to Toms River five years ago. Before his retirement, Mr. Dempsey was a maintenance worker for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey at Newark International Airport. He is survived by his wife, Margaret Largey-Nugent Dempsey; a son, Michael Nugent of Toms River; a daughter, Patricia Acampora of Keyport; two sisters, Margaret Chirelli of Jackson and Helen Walenta of Marlboro; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, Keyport. Arrangements were by the Day Funeral Home, Keyport.

Rita Vona

Mrs. Vona, 84, of Westfield, died June 9 at CareOne, East Brunswick. Born in Calabria, Italy, she resided in Westfield for 48 years. She was a proprietor of a retail dress store in Union and was later employed by Barron's Pharmacy n Westfield. Mrs. Vona was predeceased by her husband, Dr. Joseph A. Vona. She is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Marieantoinette and Joseph Ward, and Cynthia Vona and Alan Zbik; and three grandchildren. The funeral liturgy was celebrated at St. Thomas More Roman Catholic Church, Manalapan, followed by interment at St. Charles Cemetery, Pinelawn. Memorial donations may be made to the American Stroke Association, 2550 Route 1, North Brunswick 08902.