Obituaries

Clifford A. “Red” Ardale

Mr. Ardale, 84, of the Belford section of Middletown, died Dec. 17 at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune. Born in Newark, he resided in Elizabeth, Hazlet and Keansburg prior to moving to Belford 35 years ago. He was a truck driver at Wiseman and Son Pork Products, Perth Amboy, and Welin and Davit Boat Ally Fabrication, Perth Amboy, for 47 years, retiring in 1980. He served with the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a member of the American Legion, Trenton and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 4303 in the West Keansburg section of Hazlet. He was predeceased by his wife, Ruth Nickles Ardale in 2001. He is survived by a daughter, Suzanne Reimer of Middletown; a son, Charles Ardale of New York; a sister, Viola Allen of Point Pleasant; nine grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren. A funeral gathering will be Dec. 22 at 9 a.m. at John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown, followed by burial at Shoreland Memorial Park, Hazlet.

Almeda G. Croce

Mrs. Croce, 83, of Union Beach, died Dec. 18 at Bayshore Community Hospital, Holmdel. Born in Newark, she was a longtime resident of Union Beach. Mrs. Croce was a homemaker. She was predeceased by her husband, Charles J. Croce, in 1983; and a son, Charles G. Croce. She is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Ronald A. and Trudy Croce, and Louis and Maureen Croce, all of Union Beach; two daughters and one son-in-law, Almeda and Salvatore Ammaturo of Holmdel, and Diane Scarfi of Union Beach; and nine grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Dec. 22 at 10 a.m. at Holy Family Church, followed by interment at Shoreland Memorial Gardens, Hazlet. The Bedle Funeral Home, Keyport, was in charge of arrangements.

Stephen J. DeLeo

Mr. DeLeo, 49, of Middletown, died Dec. 16 at home. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., he resided in Middletown since 1958. He was a sales clerk at Norwood Auto Parts, Belford section of Middletown, where he was employed several years. He served with the U.S. Air Force and attained the rank of sergeant. He was predeceased by his mother, Rochela Filoseta. He is survived by his wife, Hui Cha DeLeo; two daughters and sons-in-law, Nichole and Kurt Gunther of Henderson, Nev., and Lisa and Milton Lewis of Tinton Falls; a brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Joanne DeLeo of Howell; his father, Fiore DeLeo of Beverly Hills; and two granddaughters. A funeral service will be Dec. 22 at 9:30 a.m. at John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown, followed by burial at Brig. Gen. William C. Doyle Veterans Cemetery, Arnytown.

Katie A. Vorel

Mrs. Vorel, 96, of Holmdel, died Dec. 20 at Arnold Walter Nursing Home, Holmdel. Born in Ireland, she relocated to the United States in 1926 and resided in Keansburg prior to moving to Keyport 26 years ago. She was a communicant of St. Ann’s Roman Catholic Church, Keansburg. She was a member of both the Keansburg and Keyport Senior Citizens and enjoyed bingo. She was predeceased by her husband, Frank Vorel in 1978. She is survived by a daughter, Kathleen Walk, Spring Lake; three sons, James Vorel ,Toms River, Edward Vorel, Point Pleasant Beach, and Neil Vorel, Keansburg; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. A funeral liturgy will be Dec. 22 at 9:15 a.m. at St. Ann’s Church, followed by burial at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Middletown. Arrangements are by John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown. Albert H. Ackerly

Mr. Ackerly, 72, of Keansburg, died Dec. 14 at Bayshore Community Hospital, Holmdel. Born in New York City, he resided there, Queens, N.Y., and Hazlet, prior to moving to Keansburg four years ago. He was a doorman at 32 B.J., Building Services, New York City, for 25 years, retiring in 1988. He served with the U.S. Marines during the Korean Conflict. He was predeceased by three brothers, Frederick, William and Richard Ackerly. He is survived by four daughters, Kathleen Sykes, Christine Twomey and Theresa Ackerly, all New York City, and Annmarie Neu, of Staten Island, N.Y.; a son, Thomas Ackerly, of New York City; three sisters, Grace Dearborn, of Hazlet, Julia Purtill, of Keansburg, and Margaret Winters of Virginia; two brothers, Ronald Ackerly, of New York City, and Joseph Ackerly, of Jackson; his former wife, Bridge Ackerly; five grandchildren; and his dear friend, Nancy Tronolone. A Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, Keyport. Interment was at Brig. Gen. William C. Doyle Veterans Cemetery, Arnytown. Arrangements were by Day Funeral Home, Keyport.

Wilbur G. Kerner Sr.

Mr. Kerner, 78, of Middletown, died Dec. 13 at home. Born in Newark, he resided in Hazlet prior to moving to Middletown one year ago. He was a retired sheet metal worker at Local 25, Secaucus, where he was employed 35 years. He served with the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 4303, West Keansburg section of Hazlet. He was predeceased by his wife, Agnes in 2003. He is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Agnes and Richard Hornick, of Strousberg, Pa.; two sons and daughters-in-law, Wilbur “Bill” Kerner and Barbara Kerner Jr., of Middletown, and Darren and Lori Kerner, of Charleston, S.C.; two brothers, John Kerner, of Orlando, Fla., and Charles Kerner, of Singer Island, Fla.; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. A funeral liturgy was held at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, New Monmouth section of Middletown. Burial was at Shoreland Memorial Park, Hazlet. Arrangements were by John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown.

Rose S. Pryke Flynn

Mrs. Flynn, 81, of Hazlet, died Dec. 8 at Southern Ocean County Hospital, Manahawkin. Born in New York City, she resided in the Cliffwood section of Aberdeen prior to moving to Hazlet 10 years ago. She was a quality control supervisor at Lily Tulip Inc., Holmdel, retiring 20 years ago. She was predeceased by her husband, Howard Flynn in 1981. She is survived by two sons, Edward Flynn of Midlothian, Va., and Richard Flynn of Hazlet; a daughter, Catherine DeMichele of Lanoka Harbor; a sister, Florence Paris of Florida; seven grandchildren; and one great-grandson. A Mass of Christian Burial was offered at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, Keyport, followed by burial at the church’s cemetery. Arrangements were by Day Funeral Home, Keyport.

Melanie Jude Elizabeth Sheehan

Miss Sheehan, 19, of Deal, died Dec. 11 in New York City. Born in Neptune, she resided in Hazlet prior to moving to Deal two years ago. She was employed as an apprentice for a local tattoo shop. She was an artist, and enjoyed animals. She is survived by her mother and her fiancé, MaryAnne Sheehan and Daniel Troy, of Deal; her grandparents, Janet and John Sheehan, of Hazlet; a brother and two sisters, Michael, Kate and Maris; and several aunts, uncles and cousins. A Mass of Christian Burial was held at Trinity Church, Woodbridge, followed by interment at the church’s cemetery. Arrangements were by Day Funeral Home, Keyport.

Adele R. Wegrocki

Mrs. Wegrocki, 84, of Lakewood, died Dec. 13 at Community Hospital, Toms River. She resided in Neptune and Newark prior to moving to Lakewood. She was a homemaker. She was predeceased by her husband, Joseph J. Wegrocki. She is survived by a son, Joseph Wegrocki, of Long Beach, Calif.; two daughters and one son-in-law, Patricia Kennedy, of Red Bank, and Joanne and Richard Sewell, of the Navesink section of Middletown; two sisters, Hedy Neidlinger, of Union, and Dorothy Goich, of Manlius, N.Y.; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Arrangements were by John E. Day Funeral Home, Red Bank. Memorial donations may be made to the Memorial & Honors Program, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105-1942; or American Cancer Society, 801 Broad St., Shrewsbury 07702.

Doris I. Carhart

Mrs. Carhart, 97, of Keyport, died Dec. 16 at Arnold Walter Nursing Home, Holmdel. She resided in Holmdel prior to moving to Keyport. She was predeceased by her husband of 54 years, Edmund Carhart in 1979. She is survived by two daughters and one son-in-law, Carol J. McCann of Red Bank, and Anne and Ken Brinser of Keyport; eight grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. There will be a memorial gathering Dec. 23 from 2-4 p.m. at Bedle Funeral Home, Keyport.

Anna Kraus Batz

Mrs. Batz, 84, of the Belford section of Middletown, died Dec. 14 at St. Barnabas Hospice at Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch. Born in Austria, she resided in Belleville prior to moving to Belford 30 years ago. She was employed in the bakery department at Food Circus, Middletown, for 15 years, retiring 25 years ago. She was a communicant of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, New Monmouth section of Middletown. She was predeceased by her husband, Joseph Batz in 1990; and a grandson, Robert Batz Jr. in 2003. She is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Andrea and Marty Paulin, of Forked River; a son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Eileen Batz, of Belford; seven grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. A funeral liturgy was held at St. Mary’s Church. Burial was at Shoreland Memorial Park, Hazlet. Arrangements were by John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown. Memorial donations may be made to Hand to Hand Ministries, P.O. Box 811, Middletown 07748.

Antoinette Privitera

Mrs. Privitera, 81, of the Lincroft section of Middletown, died Dec. 15 at Raritan Bay Medical Center, Old Bridge. Born in New York City, she resided in Brooklyn, N.Y., prior to moving to Lincroft one year ago. She was a homemaker. She enjoyed time with her family, and cooking. She was predeceased by her husband, Alfred in 1968. She is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Marie and Thomas DeMartini, of Little Egg Harbor, and Carol and James Welsh, of Morganville; a son and daughter-in-law, Joseph and Karen Privitera, of Tampa, Fla.; eight grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. Leo the Great Roman Catholic Church, Lincroft. Interment was at Long Island (N.Y.) National Cemetery. Arrangements were by Michael Hegarty Funeral Home, Old Bridge.

Marian R. White

Mrs. White, 76, of Middletown, died Dec. 15. Born in Jersey City, she resided there prior to moving to Middletown six years ago. She was a retired clerk at Hudson County Welfare Department, where she was employed 15 years. She is survived by her former husband, Donald White of Ridgefield Park; three sons and daughters-in-law, Donald and Dolores White Jr. of Glen Rock, Richard and Mary White of Kearny, and Robert and Ann White of Manalapan; two daughters and sons-in-law, Nancy and Joseph Ilian of Chicago, and Janet and Gregory White-DePaul of Matawan; and eight grandchildren. Arrangements were by John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown.

Mr. Kerner, 78, of Middletown, died Dec. 13 at home. Born in Newark, he resided in Hazlet prior to moving to Middletown one year ago. He was a retired sheet metal worker at Local 25, Secaucus, where he was employed 35 years. He served with the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 4303, West Keansburg section of Hazlet. He was predeceased by his wife, Agnes in 2003. He is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Agnes and Richard Hornick, of Strousberg, Pa.; two sons and daughters-in-law, Wilbur “Bill” Kerner and Barbara Kerner Jr., of Middletown, and Darren and Lori Kerner, of Charleston, S.C.; two brothers, John Kerner, of Orlando, Fla., and Charles Kerner, of Singer Island, Fla.; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. A funeral liturgy was held at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, New Monmouth section of Middletown. Burial was at Shoreland Memorial Park, Hazlet. Arrangements were by John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown.

Rose S. Pryke Flynn

Mrs. Flynn, 81, of Hazlet, died Dec. 8 at Southern Ocean County Hospital, Manahawkin. Born in New York City, she resided in the Cliffwood section of Aberdeen prior to moving to Hazlet 10 years ago. She was a quality control supervisor at Lily Tulip Inc., Holmdel, retiring 20 years ago. She was predeceased by her husband, Howard Flynn in 1981. She is survived by two sons, Edward Flynn of Midlothian, Va., and Richard Flynn of Hazlet; a daughter, Catherine DeMichele of Lanoka Harbor; a sister, Florence Paris of Florida; seven grandchildren; and one great-grandson. A Mass of Christian Burial was offered at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, Keyport, followed by burial at the church’s cemetery. Arrangements were by Day Funeral Home, Keyport.

Melanie Jude Elizabeth Sheehan

Miss Sheehan, 19, of Deal, died Dec. 11 in New York City. Born in Neptune, she resided in Hazlet prior to moving to Deal two years ago. She was employed as an apprentice for a local tattoo shop. She was an artist, and enjoyed animals. She is survived by her mother and her fiancé, MaryAnne Sheehan and Daniel Troy, of Deal; her grandparents, Janet and John Sheehan, of Hazlet; a brother and two sisters, Michael, Kate and Maris; and several aunts, uncles and cousins. A Mass of Christian Burial was held at Trinity Church, Woodbridge, followed by interment at the church’s cemetery. Arrangements were by Day Funeral Home, Keyport.

Adele R. Wegrocki

Mrs. Wegrocki, 84, of Lakewood, died Dec. 13 at Community Hospital, Toms River. She resided in Neptune and Newark prior to moving to Lakewood. She was a homemaker. She was predeceased by her husband, Joseph J. Wegrocki. She is survived by a son, Joseph Wegrocki, of Long Beach, Calif.; two daughters and one son-in-law, Patricia Kennedy, of Red Bank, and Joanne and Richard Sewell, of the Navesink section of Middletown; two sisters, Hedy Neidlinger, of Union, and Dorothy Goich, of Manlius, N.Y.; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Arrangements were by John E. Day Funeral Home, Red Bank. Memorial donations may be made to the Memorial & Honors Program, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105-1942; or American Cancer Society, 801 Broad St., Shrewsbury 07702.

Doris I. Carhart

Mrs. Carhart, 97, of Keyport, died Dec. 16 at Arnold Walter Nursing Home, Holmdel. She resided in Holmdel prior to moving to Keyport. She was predeceased by her husband of 54 years, Edmund Carhart in 1979. She is survived by two daughters and one son-in-law, Carol J. McCann of Red Bank, and Anne and Ken Brinser of Keyport; eight grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. There will be a memorial gathering Dec. 23 from 2-4 p.m. at Bedle Funeral Home, Keyport.

Anna Kraus Batz

Mrs. Batz, 84, of the Belford section of Middletown, died Dec. 14 at St. Barnabas Hospice at Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch. Born in Austria, she resided in Belleville prior to moving to Belford 30 years ago. She was employed in the bakery department at Food Circus, Middletown, for 15 years, retiring 25 years ago. She was a communicant of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, New Monmouth section of Middletown. She was predeceased by her husband, Joseph Batz in 1990; and a grandson, Robert Batz Jr. in 2003. She is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Andrea and Marty Paulin, of Forked River; a son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Eileen Batz, of Belford; seven grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. A funeral liturgy was held at St. Mary’s Church. Burial was at Shoreland Memorial Park, Hazlet. Arrangements were by John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown. Memorial donations may be made to Hand to Hand Ministries, P.O. Box 811, Middletown 07748.

Antoinette Privitera

Mrs. Privitera, 81, of the Lincroft section of Middletown, died Dec. 15 at Raritan Bay Medical Center, Old Bridge. Born in New York City, she resided in Brooklyn, N.Y., prior to moving to Lincroft one year ago. She was a homemaker. She enjoyed time with her family, and cooking. She was predeceased by her husband, Alfred in 1968. She is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Marie and Thomas DeMartini, of Little Egg Harbor, and Carol and James Welsh, of Morganville; a son and daughter-in-law, Joseph and Karen Privitera, of Tampa, Fla.; eight grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. Leo the Great Roman Catholic Church, Lincroft. Interment was at Long Island (N.Y.) National Cemetery. Arrangements were by Michael Hegarty Funeral Home, Old Bridge.

Marian R. White

Mrs. White, 76, of Middletown, died Dec. 15. Born in Jersey City, she resided there prior to moving to Middletown six years ago. She was a retired clerk at Hudson County Welfare Department, where she was employed 15 years. She is survived by her former husband, Donald White of Ridgefield Park; three sons and daughters-in-law, Donald and Dolores White Jr. of Glen Rock, Richard and Mary White of Kearny, and Robert and Ann White of Manalapan; two daughters and sons-in-law, Nancy and Joseph Ilian of Chicago, and Janet and Gregory White-DePaul of Matawan; and eight grandchildren. Arrangements were by John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown.

moving to Lakewood. She was a homemaker. She was predeceased by her husband, Joseph J. Wegrocki. She is survived by a son, Joseph Wegrocki, of Long Beach, Calif.; two daughters and one son-in-law, Patricia Kennedy, of Red Bank, and Joanne and Richard Sewell, of the Navesink section of Middletown; two sisters, Hedy Neidlinger, of Union, and Dorothy Goich, of Manlius, N.Y.; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Arrangements were by John E. Day Funeral Home, Red Bank. Memorial donations may be made to the Memorial & Honors Program, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105-1942; or American Cancer Society, 801 Broad St., Shrewsbury 07702.

Doris I. Carhart

Mrs. Carhart, 97, of Keyport, died Dec. 16 at Arnold Walter Nursing Home, Holmdel. She resided in Holmdel prior to moving to Keyport. She was predeceased by her husband of 54 years, Edmund Carhart in 1979. She is survived by two daughters and one son-in-law, Carol J. McCann of Red Bank, and Anne and Ken Brinser of Keyport; eight grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. There will be a memorial gathering Dec. 23 from 2-4 p.m. at Bedle Funeral Home, Keyport.

Anna Kraus Batz

Mrs. Batz, 84, of the Belford section of Middletown, died Dec. 14 at St. Barnabas Hospice at Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch. Born in Austria, she resided in Belleville prior to moving to Belford 30 years ago. She was employed in the bakery department at Food Circus, Middletown, for 15 years, retiring 25 years ago. She was a communicant of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, New Monmouth section of Middletown. She was predeceased by her husband, Joseph Batz in 1990; and a grandson, Robert Batz Jr. in 2003. She is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Andrea and Marty Paulin, of Forked River; a son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Eileen Batz, of Belford; seven grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. A funeral liturgy was held at St. Mary’s Church. Burial was at Shoreland Memorial Park, Hazlet. Arrangements were by John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown. Memorial donations may be made to Hand to Hand Ministries, P.O. Box 811, Middletown 07748.

Antoinette Privitera

Mrs. Privitera, 81, of the Lincroft section of Middletown, died Dec. 15 at Raritan Bay Medical Center, Old Bridge. Born in New York City, she resided in Brooklyn, N.Y., prior to moving to Lincroft one year ago. She was a homemaker. She enjoyed time with her family, and cooking. She was predeceased by her husband, Alfred in 1968. She is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Marie and Thomas DeMartini, of Little Egg Harbor, and Carol and James Welsh, of Morganville; a son and daughter-in-law, Joseph and Karen Privitera, of Tampa, Fla.; eight grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. Leo the Great Roman Catholic Church, Lincroft. Interment was at Long Island (N.Y.) National Cemetery. Arrangements were by Michael Hegarty Funeral Home, Old Bridge.

Marian R. White

Mrs. White, 76, of Middletown, died Dec. 15. Born in Jersey City, she resided there prior to moving to Middletown six years ago. She was a retired clerk at Hudson County Welfare Department, where she was employed 15 years. She is survived by her former husband, Donald White of Ridgefield Park; three sons and daughters-in-law, Donald and Dolores White Jr. of Glen Rock, Richard and Mary White of Kearny, and Robert and Ann White of Manalapan; two daughters and sons-in-law, Nancy and Joseph Ilian of Chicago, and Janet and Gregory White-DePaul of Matawan; and eight grandchildren. Arrangements were by John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown.