Obituaries

Patrick Joseph Shaffery

Mr. Shaffery, 73, of Oceanport, died Nov. 24, 2006, at Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch. Born in Newark, he resided in Oceanport for 43 years. He was a retired letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service, Little Silver, where he was employed 35 years. He served with the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. He was a communicant of the Church of the Precious Blood, Monmouth Beach. He was a member of the Port-au-Peck Fire Company, Oceanport, an exempt fireman, and ex-chief of the Oceanport Fire Department. He was also a charter member of the Oceanport Waterways Committee. He enjoyed woodworking, and spending time with his family. He was predeceased by three brothers, Charles, Arthur and Bernard Shaffery; a sister, Loretta Becker; and a granddaughter, Alexa. He is survived by his wife of 42 yeas, Wilhelmina Hessels Shaffery; three sons and two daughters-in-law, Patrick Shaffery, and Daniel and Stephanie Shaffery, all of Oceanport, and Mark and Doreen Shaffery of Howell; a brother and sister-in-law, Joseph and Eleanor Shaffery of Middletown; and four grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at Church of the Precious Blood. Interment was at St. Anne’s Cemetery, Wall. Arrangements were by John E. Day Funeral Home, Red Bank.

David Stuart Kelley

Mr. Kelley, 58, of Washington, D.C., died Nov. 24, 2006, in Washington, D.C. He was raised in Freehold and graduated from Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft section of Middletown. He was also a graduate of Georgetown University, Washington, D.C., and Fordham University School of Law, New York City. He was an attorney in the District of Columbia. Mr. Kelley was predeceased by his parents, William and Edna Carey Kelley. Surviving is a cousin, Mrs. Harvey Clapp III, of Baltimore. Private services were held in Washington, D.C.

Leon Scheidt

Mr. Scheidt, 76, of Bethesda, Maryland, died Nov. 24, 2006, at Suburban Hospital, Bethesda, Md. Born in Farmingdale, he resided in Hamilton Square before moving to Bethesda in 1969. Mr. Scheidt was a member of the North Bethesda United Methodist Church, Bethesda, as well as the Isaac Walton League, Potomac, Md. He was a member of the Bethesda Rotary International and was a U.S. Air Force Veteran serving during the Korean War. Mr. Scheidt was a financial analyst for IBM, Gaithersberg, Md., until his retirement fifteen years ago. He was predeceased by his wife, Alice Robbins Scheidt in 1998; and a son, Paul W. Scheidt in 2002. Surviving are a son, Leon P. Scheidt of Butler, Pa.; companion, Jenny Bartholomot of Bethesda, Md.; a sister, Virginia Brandl of Farmingdale; and five grandchildren. Services were held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, Freehold Twp., followed by interment at Evergreen Cemetery, Farmingdale. For condolence messages to the family, visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com.

Robert L. White

Mr. White, 89, of Hazlet, died Nov. 30, 2006, at Bayshore Community Hospital, Holmdel. Born in Montreal, Quebec, he resided in St. Albans, Vt., and Brooklyn, N.Y., prior to relocating to Hazlet in 1960. He was an advertising director at Walworth Valve Co., Valley Forge, Pa., for 35 years, retiring in 1982. He was a communicant of and choir member at Holy Family Roman Catholic Church, Union Beach. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Muriel M. White; three daughters and sons-in-law, Sheila A. and Thomas C. Kelly of West Orange, Ellen L. and James F. Foligno of Middletown, and Kathleen M. and Christopher F. Cassandra of Freehold; two sons and daughters-in-law, Neil A. and Athena H. White of Leonia, and Rory J. and Melissa A. White of Hazlet; and nine grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at Holy Family Church. Burial was at Holy Cross Cemetery, St. Albans. Arrangements were by Day Funeral Home, Keyport.

Eleanor Bruns

Mrs. Bruns, 78, of Howell, died Nov. 26, 2006, at CareOne at Wall. Born in Port Reading, she had resided in Carteret before moving to Howell in 1989. She was a member of St. Joseph’s Church, Carteret and the Catholic Daughters of America. Mrs. Bruns was seamstress, a homemaker and a talented afghan maker. She was predeceased by her husband, Gerard F. Bruns in 1999. Surviving are a son, Gregory G. Bruns of Howell; two daughters and sons-in-law, Debra and Edward Ricci of Farmingdale, and Sharon and Bruce Ricci of Farmingdale; and three grandchildren. Services were held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, Freehold Township, followed by interment at St. Mary of the Lake Cemetery, Lakewood. For condolence messages to the family, visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com.

Verna A. Ritter

Mrs. Ritter, 84, of Bridgewater, died Dec. 1, 2006, at New Jersey Eastern Star Home, Bridgewater. Born in Englishtown, she had lived in Farmingdale, West Allenhurt and Boynton Beach, Fla., before moving to the home in 2003. Along with her husband, she owned and operated the family electrical business, Ritter Electric, Allenhurst. She was a former member of the First United Methodist Church of Farmingdale and the First United Methodist Church of Oakhurst. She was also a former member of Freehold’s Molly Pitcher Chapter No. 198 of Order of the Eastern Star. Mrs. Ritter was predeceased in 1985 by her husband, Herbert F. Ritter. Surviving are two sons and daughters-in-law, James and Linda Ritter of Forest Hill, Md., and Glenn and Pattie Ritter of Harrisburg, Pa.; a daughter and son-in-law, Bonnie and Joseph Biesterfeld of Coral Springs, Fla.; two brothers, Alvin and Earl Davison; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. A funeral service was held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, Freehold Township. Interment was private. Memorial donations may be made to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, 1232 22nd St. NW, Washington, DC 20037 or online through the organization’s Web site, www.nof.org.