Obituaries

Joseph G. Hoffman

Mr. Hoffman, 61, of Union Beach, died Aug. 5, 2007, at Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank, following a brief battle with lung cancer. Born in East Orange, he resided in Newark, Irvington and Hazlet prior to relocating to Union Beach nine years ago. He was an electrician with Union Local No. 102, Paterson, for six years. He served with the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He enjoyed fishing and gardening. He was predeceased by his father, Gordon Hoffman. He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Lynn Gilbert Hoffman; his mother, Bernice Van Mater Hoffman of Whiting; two daughters and one son-in-law, Tina and Charlie Keppler of Stillwater, and Lauren Hoffman of Union Beach; a son and daughter-in-law, Kevin and Amy Hoffman of Gaithersburg, Md.; a brother and sister-in-law, Jeffrey and Corina Hoffman of New Port Richie, Fla.; and six grandchildren. Visitation and will be Aug. 8 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at Day Funeral Home, Keyport. A funeral service will be Aug. 8 during evening visitation. Memorial donations may be made to American Cancer Society, 801 Broad St., Shrewsbury 07702.

Daniel J. Lenahan

Mr. Lenahan, 71, of Middletown, died Aug. 5, 2007, at Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank. Born in Jersey City, he resided there prior to relocating to Middletown 40 years ago. He was a self-employed air conditioning and refrigeration mechanic. He served with the U.S. Marine Corps from 1954-57. He is survived by two daughters, Joanne Brand of Port St. Lucie, Fla., and Danielle Pecyna of the Belford section of Middletown; a son, Shawn Lenahan of Union Beach; a brother, Dennis Lenahan of Middletown; his ex-wife, Johnnie McCutcheon of Belford; and seven grandchildren. Visitation will be Aug. 8 from 7-9 p.m., and Aug. 9 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown. A funeral service will be Aug. 10 at 9 a.m. at the funeral home, followed by burial at Bay View Cemetery, Leonardo section of Middletown. Memorial donations may be made to Visiting Nurse Association of New Jersey, 141 Bodman Place, Red Bank 07701.

Susan Strick

Mrs. Strick, 91, of Holmdel, died Aug. 5, 2007, at Bayshore Community Hospital, Holmdel. Born in Butler, Pa., she resided in Keyport for more than 50 years, prior to relocating to Holmdel five years ago. She was a sales associate at Westreiches Clothing Store, Keyport, for several years. She was a communicant of Holy Family Roman Catholic Church, Union Beach, and member of the Holy Family Golden Age Club. She was predeceased by her husband, John Strick Sr. in 1978; and a son, John Strick Jr. in 1980. She is survived by a daughter, Marie Reed of Holmdel; six grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Visitation will be Aug. 8 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown. A funeral service will be Aug. 9 at 9:15 a.m. at the funeral home, followed by a funeral liturgy at 10 a.m. at Holy Family Church. Burial will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Middletown.

James E. Egan

Mr. Egan, 70, of Myrtle Beach, S.C., and formerly Fair Haven, died July 19, 2007, at home. He resided in Fair Haven, Connecticut and California prior to relocating to South Carolina. He was a retired mortgage banker at Master Financial Group, Palm Springs, Calif. He was a former member of the Lions Club, and volunteer fireman when he resided in Connecticut. He enjoyed golf. He was predeceased by a brother, Rev. Jack Egan. He is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Jan Egan of Long Branch; two daughters and one son-in-law, Kelly Ann and Raymond Kelly of the River Plaza section of Middletown, and Erin Egan of Red Bank; a brother, Richard Egan of Dover; a sister, Lynn Truex of Neptune; and five grandchildren. Arrangements were by Thompson Memorial Home, Red Bank. Memorial donations may be made to Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, c/o Avon Foundation, 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105-0196. Ruth Kellner H. Adams

Mrs. Adams, 81, of Middletown, died July 26, 2007, at Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch. Born in Hazleton, Pa., she resided in Conygham, Pa., Philadelphia, and Barrington and Haddon Heights before relocating to Middletown 11 years ago. She was a vice president and consultant at Beacon Awards and Signs, Middletown, the past nine years. Prior to that, she was employed at Archer & Greiner law firm, Haddonfield, retiring in 1990. She was a member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Red Bank, and a member of its choir, and a former member of Ascension Lutheran Church, Haddon Heights. Mrs. Adams was a volunteer knitter for Project Linus, which knits blankets for ill children. She was predeceased by a brother, John D. Kellner, in 1972; her first husband, Earl J. Houseknecht, in 1975; and her second husband, Phillip J. Adams, in 2002. She is survived by a sister and brother-in-law, Esther Kellner Schuler and Marshall Schuler of Barrington; a son and daughter-in-law, Earl J. and Elisabeth Houseknecht Jr. of Orefield, Pa.; a daughter and son-in-law, Susan Houseknecht Veth and Raymond J. Veth; and five grandchildren. A funeral service was held at Holy Trinity Church. Interment was at Conygham Union Cemetery. Arrangements were by John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown.

Phyllis M. Perrotta Pohl

Mrs. Pohl, 62, of Parlin, died Aug. 1, 2007, at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick. Born in Jersey City, she resided in Bayville prior to relocating to Parlin. She was an administrative assistant at Kara Homes, East Brunswick, the past three years. Prior to that, she owned and operated five GNC Vitamin stores in Old Bridge, Holmdel, Middletown, Marlboro and East Brunswick for 12 years. Mrs. Pohl was also a licensed Realtor in the Sayreville area for several years. She was a communicant of Our Lady of Victories Roman Catholic Church, Sayreville. She was past president of the PTA and a class mother at Our Lady of Victories School, Sayreville. She was a member of the church's St. Vincent DePaul Society, and the South Amboy Memorial Hospital Ladies Auxiliary. She was predeceased by her father, Louis L. Perrotta. Mrs. Pohl is survived by her husband of 40 years, Joseph M. Pohl; two sons and daughters-in-law, Eric and Courtney Pohl of Winslow, and Christopher and Heather Pohl of Matawan; her mother, Maria Rubino Perrotta of Parlin; and a sister and brother-in-law, Pamela and Nick Piscitelli of Little Egg Harbor. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at Our Lady of Victories Church, followed by entombment at Sacred Heart Mausoleum, Parlin. Arrangements were by Carmen F. Spezzi Funeral Home, Parlin.

Christine Ann Barna Pereksta

Mrs. Pereksta, 47, of Middletown, died July 31, 2007, at Haven Hospice at JFK Medical Center, Edison. Born in Perth Amboy, she resided in the Avenel section of Woodbridge prior to relocating to Middletown 20 years ago. She was a registered nurse at JFK Medical Center for 28 years. Mrs. Pereksta was predeceased by her father, Peter Barna. She is survived by her husband, Robert; a daughter, Jennifer Pereksta, serving in the U.S. Navy in Quantico, Va.; three sons, Robert Pereksta Jr., Brian Pereksta, and Daniel Pereksta, all of Middletown; her mother, Margaret Silagyi Barna; a sister, Susan Augustine of Ewing; and two brothers, Peter Barna of Middletown and Thomas Barna of Westminster, Md. A funeral liturgy was celebrated at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, New Monmouth section of Middletown. Burial was at Fair View Cemetery, Middletown. Arrangements were by John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown.

Emily G. Paches Polk

Mrs. Polk, 96, of Irasburg, Vt., died July 31, 2007, at Bel Aire Nursing Home, Newport, Vt. Born in Newark, she resided in Irvington and Middletown prior to relocating to Irasburg seven month ago. She was a personnel manager at New Jersey Bell, East Orange, for 43 years, retiring 31 years ago. She was predeceased by her first husband, Stephen Paches, in 1980, and her second husband, Frank Polk, in 1993. She is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Patricia and Harry O'Connell of Roselle, and Barbara and William Koptis of Irasburg, Vt.; four grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. A funeral liturgy was celebrated at St. Catharine's Roman Catholic Church, Holmdel. Entombment was at Holmdel Mausoleum. The John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown, was in charge of arrangements.

Mary Jane Smith

Mrs. Smith, 75, of Hazlet, died Aug. 2, 2007, at home. Born in Hazlet, she resided there most of her life. She was predeceased by a son, Thomas J. Smith, in 2000. Mrs. Smith is survived by her husband of 50 years, William T. Smith; two sons and one daughter-in-law, David E. and Donna Smith of Metuchen, and Joseph Smith of the Cliffwood Beach section of Old Bridge; a daughter and son-in-law, Carol and John Bouchard of Apex, N.C.; and three grandchildren. Arrangements were by John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown.

Willard Milton Cool Jr.

Mr. Cool, 71, of Keyport, died Aug. 3, 2007, at Brentwood Hospice, Toms River. Born in Kingston, Pa., he resided in Bloomfield prior to relocating to Keyport six years ago. Mr. Cook was a truck driver for Tip Top Bakery, Irvington, for 15 years, retiring in 1997. He served with the U.S. Navy during peacetime. He is survived by his wife, Theresa Glennon Cool; four daughters and sons-in-law, Caryn and Michael Cavallaro of Andover, Colleen and Jack Babnew of Tinton Falls, Christine and John Catalano of Matawan, and Candace and Marc Delgaudio of Mount Olive; and seven grandchildren. Arrangements were by Day Funeral Home, Keyport. Memorial donations may be made to Embracing Hospice Care, 2101 Route 34 South, Wall 07719.

Anthony R. "Tony" Giliberto

Anthony Giliberto, 14, of Middletown, died Aug. 3, 2007, at Monmouth medical Center, Long Branch. Born in Long Branch, he resided in Middletown most of his life. He attended Manchester Township Regional Day School, Manchester, and belonged to the Challenged Youth Sports Program. He was a member of St. James Roman Catholic Church, Red Bank. He is survived by his parents, Cheryl and Joseph Giliberto of Middletown; his maternal grandparents, Dorothy and Joseph Klemanski of Middletown; a brother and sister-in-law, Nicademo and Ashley Giliberto of Fairfield, Calif.; and a sister, Tiffani Giliberto of Asbury Park. A funeral liturgy was held at St. James Church. Burial was at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Middletown. Arrangements were by John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown.

Steven J. Popkin

Mr. Popkin, 51, of Hazlet, died Aug. 6, 2007, at Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank. He was employed in management at Wachovia Bank the past 5 1/2 years. He was predeceased by his parents, Ann and Abraham Popkin; and a brother, Paul. He is survived by his children, Christopher and Erica of Galloway; two stepsons, Mitchell and Matthew Kolbert of Hazlet; his former wife, Kerrie Royal; and his fianceé, Barbara Kolbert. Arrangements were by Thompson Memorial Home, Red Bank.

Genevieve Ciarkowski Jablonski

Mrs. Jablonski, 81, of Union Beach, died Aug. 1, 2007, at Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank. Born in Jersey City, she resided there prior to relocating to Union Beach in 1963. Mrs. Jablonski was a homemaker. She was a communicant of Holy Family Roman Catholic Church, Union Beach. She was predeceased by a son, John K. Jablonski, in 1982. She is survived by her husband, John S. Jablonski; two sons and daughters-in-law, Charles K. and Gloria Jablonski of Merritt Island, Fla., and Wayne and Donnamarie Jablonski of Union Beach; a brother, Ben Ciarkowski of East Rutherford; a sister, Helen Bird of the Cliffwood section of Aberdeen; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at Holy Family Church, followed by interment at Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington. Arrangements were by Day Funeral Home, Keyport.