Charles John Butkus Jr.
Jan 24, 2026
It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of our father on January 24, 2026. Charles was born in Linden, NJ, on June 24, 1931. He moved to Freehold, NJ, in 1957 with his wife Barbara, where he resided the rest of his life.
Charles is survived by his three daughters: Linda Boutote Conklin (Robert), Donna Butkus McNamara (Jeremiah),...
Jane Dorothy Morehouse
Jan 22, 2026
Jane Dorothy Morehouse (Albrecht), 92, of Oceanport, New Jersey, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at 9:45 PM.
Jane was born on April 13, 1933, in Orange, New Jersey, to John Joseph Albrecht and Elizabeth Regina Albrecht (Strebinger). She grew up in New Jersey and built a life defined by devotion to family, resilience, and quiet strength.
On...
Paul Kellogg "Kelly" Kiefer
Jan 22, 2026
Paul Kellogg “Kelly” Kiefer passed away on Thursday, January 22, 2026 at the age of 76 after a brief illness. Kelly was a devoted husband; a dutiful, loving father and grandfather; and resolute brother and friend. He worked in logistics for BASF for more than 25 years prior to his retirement to the Jersey Shore. Upon retirement, he enjoyed spending...
Anthony "Tony" Robin Vitelle
Jan 20, 2026
Anthony “Tony” Robin Vitelle entered eternal rest on January 20, 2026, at the age of 74. A loving father, devoted grandfather, and cherished family man, Tony will be deeply missed by all whose lives he touched. His life was marked by strength, loyalty, and an enduring love for his family.
Born on January 18, 1952, and raised in Newark, New Jersey,...
Cecilia Cruz Samson
Jan 18, 2026
Cecilia “Cecille” Cruz Samson passed away on Sunday, January 18th, 2026 at 7:30am at 74 years old, peacefully in her home in Brick, NJ. Cecilia Cruz Samson was born October 28th, 1951 in Pasay, Manila, Philippines, to Consuelo and Vincente Cruz. She was in a family of 9 siblings. After graduating from the Philippine Women’s University in 1972. Cecilia migrated...
Phyllis Elizabeth Koch
Jan 17, 2026
Phyllis Elizabeth Koch (Castor), 80, of Neptune and formerly of Brigantine passed away among her beloved family on January 17, 2026.
Left behind to sing her praises and carry on her attitude of love and gratitude are her son Frank J. Koch Jr. and his wife Joy, her daughter Jill M. Osis and her husband Dave, eight perfect grandchildren: Sarah, Avery,...
Donald J. Congdon
Jan 16, 2026
Donald J. Congdon, age 94, of Ocean Township, New Jersey, passed away peacefully on January 16, 2026.
Donald was born on August 29, 1931, in Orange, New Jersey, to Arthur and Margaret Congdon. After graduating from Montclair Academy in 1950, he proudly served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps from 1953 to 1962. During his military service, he spent time in...
Sherry Lynn Gaffey
Jan 10, 2026
Sherry Gaffey, 74, passed away peacefully on January 10, 2026—her 74th birthday—surrounded by the love of her family. In true Sherry fashion, she held on just long enough to celebrate one last birthday, a fitting farewell for a woman who never missed an opportunity to make life a little more festive.
Born on January 10, 1952, in Far Rockaway, New York,...
Marilyn Schiffmann
Jan 9, 2026
Born in Margaret Hague Hospital in Jersey City to George and Fay Schneider, Marilyn grew up in Jersey City with her parents and grandparents in the same house and they ran a family business of a few jewelry stores in the NYC area.
After graduating from New York University in 1958 at the age of 20, Marilyn worked as an elementary...
Maria Julia Ribeiro
Jan 8, 2026
Maria Julia Ribeiro, 87, of Spring Lake Heights, New Jersey, passed away peacefully on January 8, 2026.
Born on February 18, 1938, in Torres Vedras, Portugal, Maria’s life carried her across continents and cultures. She moved first to France and later immigrated to the United States, where she proudly became an American citizen. She built her early life in Union, later...
Anthony "Knute" Iwaszko
Jan 8, 2026
Anthony Iwaszko, affectionately known as “Knute”, passed away on January 8, 2026 at the age of 90. He was born and raised in Philadelphia and graduated from Pennsylvania State University. Knute began his professional career as a chemist and later transitioned into a successful laboratory equipment sales manager.However, it was in retirement that he truly found his calling. Knute became...
Sara Lynn Cornell
Jan 3, 2026
Sara Lynn Cornell, 36, of Florence, NJ, passed away peacefully on January 3, 2026, at CentraState Medical Center in Freehold, NJ after a long illness.
Sara had a light that shone through to everyone who met her. She possessed a truly genuine, generous, and beautiful soul, and her kindness left a lasting impression on all who knew her. She will be...
Patricia Frances Hennessy
Jan 2, 2026
“Mom inspired us to appreciate the world’s beauty, and was always there when we needed her.”
Patricia F. Hennessy, passed away peacefully on January 2, 2026, with her daughter Laney by her side. Born in Staten Island, NY, Pat often told stories about the family farm where chickens, a goat, rabbits along with vegetable gardens made life growing up during the...
William D. Wardell
Dec 31, 2025
William D. Wardell “Billy” 53, passed away on December 31, 2025 at Riverview Hospital in Red Bank, NJ after a battle with cancer.
Billy was born on August 6, 1972 in Red Bank, NJ. Billy graduated from Manalapan High School in 1991.
In 1991, he met Alissa Tito. They dated for a couple years and parted ways for over 30 years. Their...
Dennis Gerald Bifano
Dec 27, 2025
Dennis Gerald Bifano, age 74, of Manchester, NJ, passed away on Dec. 27th 2025 in his home with family members and friends close by his side after a long courageous battle with leukemia.
Born on 07/26/1951 in Newark, NJ to Angelo and Antionette Bifano. Dennis completed high school and then went on to serve his country, serving multiple tours in Vietnam...
Carol Adele Palkowetz
Dec 19, 2025
Carol Adele Palkowetz (Schneider) passed away on Friday, December 19, 2025 surrounded by her loved ones at the age of 93.
Carol was born on December 23,1932, in Newark, NJ, to Clarence and Cecile (LeNoir) Schneider, both of whom predeceased her. She was also predeceased by her beloved husband, William Palkowetz, in 1978, and her sister, June Macy.
She is survived by...
Courtney Parmly Brown Jr.
Dec 19, 2025
Courtney Parmly Brown Jr., 89, passed away peacefully on December 19, 2025, surrounded by the love of his family.
Born in Trenton, New Jersey, Courtney spent a brief period of his childhood in Florida while his father served, but he always said he truly grew up in Jamesburg, NJ, at Brown’s Corner, where he and his sisters lived across the street...
Roberta Starr Friedman
Dec 19, 2025
Roberta “Robby” Starr Friedman passed away peacefully on December 19, 2025, at the age of 82. Born on January 13, 1943, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of George and Edna Starr. For more than 55 years, she resided in Freehold, New Jersey with her loving husband Robert “Bob” Friedman.
Robby earned her Master of Social Work Degree from New...
Jeffrey Brook Webster
Dec 18, 2025
Brook Webster, 72, passed away peacefully at his home on December 18, 2025, after a long illness.
He is survived by his wife Nancy Donofrio Webster. Together they lived in Manasquan before relocating to the Shore Acres section of Brick where they fulfilled their shared dream of living on the water. Brook, along with his wife Nancy, became a long-standing member...
Dolores Dietz Jamison Smirnoff
Dec 13, 2025
Dolores Dietz Jamison Smirnoff, 96, of Freehold NJ passed away peacefully at home on December 13, 2025.
Dolores was born on February 14, 1929 in Newark, NJ to Eleanor and August (Gus) Dietz. She grew up in Belleville, NJ where she attended public school.
Dolores received her nursing certification from St. Barnabas School of Nursing in Newark, NJ and started what would...
