Obituaries

Mary Pearson

Mrs. Pearson, 85, of Freehold Township, died Jan. 21, 2007, at home. Born in Jersey City, she had lived in Old Bridge for 38 years before moving to Freehold Township three years ago. Prior to retiring in 1989, she was a cup tester at the former Lily Tulip paper-cup company, Holmdel, for 10 years. She was a communicant of St. Robert Bellarmine Roman Catholic Church, and a member of the Silvermead Community Club, both Freehold Township, and the Old Bridge Birthday Club. Mrs. Pearson was predeceased by her husband, Walter G., in 1993; a brother, Thomas Brock; and a sister, Margaret Quoos. Surviving are two sons and daughters-in-law, Walter and Diana Pearson of Redondo Beach, Calif., and Raymond and Karen Pearson of Billings, Mont.; a brother, Frank Brock of Freehold Township; three sisters, Claire Brock of Freehold Township, Viola Fischer of Middletown and Catherine Clapp of Yarmouth Port, Mass.; three grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. A funeral Mass was offered at St. Robert Bellarmine Church, followed by entombment at Holmdel Cemetery Mausoleum. The Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, Freehold Township, was in charge of arrangements.

Warren G. Horré

Mr. Horré, 83, of Fair Haven, died Jan. 21, 2007, at Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank. He was born and raised in Elizabeth. He was branch manager at Central Jersey Bank and Trust Co., Sea Bright, retiring in 1988. Prior to that, he was involved in the banking industry in New York City and New Jersey for several years. He served with the U.S. Air Force as a dive bomber pilot, and aboard the aircraft carrier USS Hornet CV-12 during World War II. He was a co-founder of the New Jersey Waterfowlers Association. An avid waterfowl hunter, Mr. Horré was a life member of Ducks Unlimited and member of the Wayside Skeet Club. He also won several skeet shooting championships. He was predeceased by a sister, Jacqueline. He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Lila; two daughters and sons-in-law, Susan and Michael Slingluff of Florida, and Barbara and Dennis Headberg of Illinois; a son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Rose of Allenwood; two stepdaughters, Teri Bumber and her husband, Robert of Holmdel, and Pamela O'Connor of Florida; a sister and brother-in-law, Nancy and Robert Glacken of Florida; eight grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Arrangements were by Thompson Memorial Home, Red Bank.

Dorothy J. Mullen

Mrs. Mullen, 83, of Ocean, died Jan. 25, 2007, at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune. She resided in Shadow Lake Village, Middletown, prior to relocating to Ocean. She was an investment vice president at the Bank of New York, Maywood, retiring in 1985. During her childhood, she was a tap dancer, performing at several venues including Radio City Music Hall, New York City. She was a former treasurer at the Shadow Lake Condo Board, and member of its bocce club. She was predeceased by her husband, Joseph in 1967. She is survived by a son, Bill Mullen of Ocean; a daughter, Pam Mullen of New York City; a brother, Howard Avallon of Toms River; two grandchildren; and a niece. A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated at St. James Roman Catholic Church, Red Bank. Interment was at George Washington Memorial Park, Paramus. Arrangements were by Thompson Memorial Home, Red Bank. Memorial donations may be made to Alzheimer's Association, Greater NJ Chapter, 400 Morris Ave., Denville 07834-1365.

John Fegler Sr.

Mr. Fegler, 86, of Hazlet, died Jan. 25, 2007, at Bayshore Community Hospital, Holmdel. Born in Newark, he resided in Hillside before relocating to Hazlet in 1956. He was a truck driver and crane operator with Teamsters Local 560, Union City, for 20 years, retiring in 1980. Mr. Fegler served with the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a communicant of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, Keyport. He was predeceased by a brother, Michael Feglar in 1961. He is survived by his wife, Philomena DeBonis Fegler; two sons and daughters-in-law, John and Terri Fegler Jr. of Matawan, and David and Claudia Fegler of Mount Airy, Md.; a brother, Paul Feglar of Hazlet; and five grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Joseph's Church, with entombment at the church's mausoleum. Arrangements were by Day Funeral Home, Keyport.

Vincent J. DiRubbio

Mr. DiRubbio, 63, of Manahawkin, died Jan. 24, 2007, at Atlantic City Medical Center. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., he resided there and Staten Island, N.Y., befpre moving to Manahawkin 12 years ago. He was an electrician for the Metropolitan Transit Authority, New York City, for more than 20 years, retiring in 1993 and later was employed in surveillance at Caesar's, Atlantic City. He was a U.S. Navy veteran. He is survived by his wife, Alice Lopez DiRubbio; a son, Vincent DiRubbio of Arizona; a daughter and son-in-law, Gina and Michael O'Toole of Middletown; his mother, Lillian Shea DiRubbio of Massachusetts; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Patricia and Vincent Castagna of Long Island, N.Y., and Lillian and David Harrington of Massachusetts; a brother and sister-in-law, Michael and Cathi DiRubbio of Virginia; and four grandchildren. A funeral liturgy was celebrated at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, Middletown. Burial was at Fair View Cemetery, Middletown. Arrangements were by John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown.

Viola T. Basilice Fantasia

Mrs. Fantasia, 82, of Hazlet, died Jan. 17, 2007, at Bayshore Health Care, Holmdel. Born in Hoboken, she resided in Jersey City prior to relocating to Bethany Towers, Hazlet. She was a homemaker, and a factory worker at various area factories. She was predeceased by her husband, Albert K. Fantasia in 1993; and eight siblings. She is survived by a daughter, Phyllis F. Hansen of Eatontown; a son, Albert J. Fantasia of Las Vegas; and four grandchildren. Arrangements were by Day Funeral Home, Keyport.

Robert Bennett

Mr. Bennett, 50, of Hazlet, died Jan. 16, 2007, at home. Born in Red Bank, he was a lifelong resident of Hazlet. He was a volunteer at Holy Family Roman Catholic Church, Union Beach, and a past member of Hazlet Township Light and Heavy Rescue. He was predeceased by his parents, Chester and Genevieve Bennett. Mr. Bennett is survived by three brothers, Mark and Glenn Bennett, both of Hazlet, and Ronald Bennett of Newburg, N.Y.; five nieces, and three nephews. Interment was at Fair View Cemetery, Middletown. Arrangements were by Day Funeral Home, Keyport.

Gloria W. Branson

Mrs. Branson, 70, of the Leonardo section of Middletown, died Jan. 27, 2007, at Arnold Walter Nursing Home, Holmdel. Born in Irvington, she resided in Middletown, and Florida for 30 years, prior to relocating to Middletown in 2002. She was the owner of a custom-made bedspread and drapery business. She was predeceased by a brother, Lloyd Thomas in 2001. She is survived by her husband, Chester Branson; a son, Gary Branson of Middletown; a daughter, Joanne Branson of Middletown; a sister, Joyce Kelly of Jackson; and a brother, Don Thomas of Lakehurst. A funeral service will be Jan. 31 at 10 a.m. at John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown. Burial will follow at Fair View Cemetery, Middletown.

Gary M. Matthews

Mr. Matthews, 66, of Old Bridge, formerly of Middletown, died Jan. 15, 2007, in Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick. Prior to his retirement in 2005, he was a consultant for more than 20 years with Priority Trucking Co., Milltown. Surviving are his wife, Georgette Kyriakides Matthews; three daughters, Dr. Marilyn Matthews of Baltimore, Diane Kyle of Huntington, Md., and Christine Matthews of Alexandria, Va.; a brother, William of Lansing, Mich.; and three grandchildren. A memorial service was held at Michael Hegarty Funeral Home, Old Bridge. Cremation was private. Memorial contributions may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Donor Services, 5845 Richmond Highway, Suite 800, Alexandria, VA 22303.

William R. Miller Jr.

Mr. Miller, of the Port Monmouth section of Middletown, died Jan. 28, 2007, at home. Born in Jersey City, he relocated to Port Monmouth in 1937. He was the owner and operator of Miller Drafting Service, and also worked for several architectural firms. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II and served aboard the destroyer USS Collette. Mr. Miller was a 57-year life member and former captain of the Port Monmouth Fire Company and a life member and former chief of the Middletown Township Fire Department. He was also a member of the Bayshore Fire Chiefs Association, Mid-Monmouth Fire Chiefs Association, Firemen's Relief Association, International Association of Fire Chiefs, and Middletown Fire Police. He was also named Fireman of the Year in Middletown by Middletown Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2179, Port Monmouth, of which he was a member, and American Legion of Leonardo Memorial Post 338, Leonardo section of Middletown. He also received the Medal of Merit and Medal for Exceptional Service from the Middletown Fire Department. He was a volunteer for Boy Scout Troop 88, Port Monmouth; coached baseball and soccer; and was a volunteer for Boy Scout Troop 144 at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, New Monmouth section of Middletown. Mr. Miller was predeceased by three sisters, Dorothy Coleman, Mary Montgomery and Catherine Quackenbush; and a brother, John Martin. He is survived by his wife, Marie Robinson Miller; three sons and daughters-in-law, William R. and Judith Miller III of Fair Haven, Joseph and Kristen Miller of Point Pleasant Beach, and Michael and Corinne Miller of Matawan; a daughter and son-in-law, Marie and Michael Scoles of Shark River Hills; two sisters, Gloria Scott and Ruth Junkelman; and 10 grandchildren. Visitation will be held Jan. 31 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown. A funeral liturgy will be celebrated Feb. 1 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Catherine's Roman Catholic Church, North Middletown. Burial will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Middletown. Memorial donations may be made to St. Catherine's Roman Catholic Church, 5 Shore Acres Ave., Middletown 07748; or Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, Central Jersey Chapter, 740 Broad St., Shrewsbury 07702.

Warren A. Whelan

Mr. Whelan, 93, of the New Monmouth section of Middletown, died Jan. 18, 2007, at Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank. He was born in Newark. Mr. Whelan was employed at American Can Co., Newark, retiring in 1973. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. He was predeceased by his wife, Helen L. Nietzer in 1972; and a sister, Meredith Greengrove. Mr. Whelan is survived by two daughter and one son-in-law, Patricia and Larry Sasscer of San Jose, Calif., and Kathleen Whelan of Australia; and a niece. Funeral services were held at Fair View Cemetery, Middletown. Arrangements were by John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown.