Obituaries: January 2013

DONGES – George Donges, (Aug 9, 1939 – Oct 4, 2012)

George was a Merchantville guy who furthered his education at St. Joseph’s Prep and St. Joseph’s College. When he graduated, the Vietnam War was on and he joined the Air Force. He proudly served 26 years and saw most of the world. Along the way he was stationed in the Philippines and there collected his love, Sonia. It took some convincing, and some bribes to her dog, but they married 34 years ago on October 5. Saturday gifts of flowers, packing her lunch and spoiling Sonia lead to a strong union. George was outgoing, enjoyed people, a great listener remembering details of things others shared. According to his sons he gave wise advice, was welcoming, and non-judgmental. He kept meticulous records of everything he deemed important. As a youngster George attained the rank of Eagle Scout with troop 139 in Merchantville. He devoured books by the pound. In addition to Sonia, George is survived by 3 sons: Gerald (Janemarie Collins), George (Elizabeth A), Geoffrey (Stefanie), a brother Ralph (Elizabeth R), a sister Anne Miriam Webber, and 2 grandchildren Services were held at the Daley Life Celebration Studio, Swedesboro.
 

EDWARDS – Elaine Edwards of Swedesboro, age 73, departed this life on Nov. 21.

She is survived by her husband Cornelius Earl Edwards; son Frank Dumas; and a host of family and friends.
 

LaROCK – Betty Lou LaRock, age 73, of Bridgeport, passed away on Nov. 25 at her home.

Born in Deerfield, NJ she was the daughter of the late Linus and Erma (Dawson) LaRock. Betty retired from Owens-Illinois Kimble Glass in Vineland after 30 years of service. She enjoyed spending time with her family, friends, traveling, reading, baking, and Nascar Racing.

Betty is survived by her daughter, Vivian Brunhammer, two grandsons, three great grandchildren, as well as her two brothers, Milton and Ray LaRock, a sister Vivian Reber and many nieces and nephews.
 

KANE – Margaret “Peggy” Kane (nee Lang) of Mullica Hill passed away on Nov. 27. Age 62. Beloved mother of Dawn Foley and her fiancé Dirk Anderson, Bob Kane and his wife Lorraine, and John Kane and his wife Emily. Devoted grandmother of JP, Haley, Gabriella, Madison, Abbey, Little Madison, and Johnny. Loving sister of Kathryn Mendardi and her husband John.

Donations may be made to the American Society of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), 424 E. 92nd Street, New York, NY 10128-6804.

Family and friends may share memories at www.gardnerfuneralhome.com.
 

FEENEY – MaryAnn Feeney (nee Sinel), 68, of East Greenwich, peacefully passed on Dec. 10 at Vitas Hospice, Stratford, NJ.

Loved by all who knew her, MaryAnn was the perfect embodiment of a wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She lived a fulfilling life relishing in her family and taking care of those she loved.

Survived by her loving husband of 17 years Eugene Feeney. Devoted mother of Lana Hill of Mullica Hill, John Levengood IV of West Deptford, Kim Levengood of Clayton, Shannon Eschleman (Ray) of Westville, Sherrie David (Donnell) of West Deptford, Chris Wilkinson of East Greenwich and Sommer Feeney of East Greenwich. Her many grandchildren were her pride and joy and she maintained a busy schedule sharing in their life experiences.

Born in Brooklyn, NY, MaryAnn resided in South Jersey her entire adult life. She enjoyed a long career working for Cooper Health Systems. Many of her most enjoyable and fondest memories were on the beach in Cape May, NJ. There she felt most at peace, entertaining family and friends and fished with her grandson Christopher. She dedicated her entire life to making others feel special and happy. She truly was our earth’s Angel.

Memories may be shared at www.buddfuneralhome.com.
 

ADAMS – Jack Adams. Jack was independent, strong willed, seldom wrong, but always had a heart of gold. He was a graduate of Swedesboro High School and serviced during WWII in a radar unit in France. Whether rain, sleet or snow, Jack delivered his rural route for the post office, retiring in 1977.

Retirement found Jack pursuing his two greatest passions: history and gardening. The inside of his home resembled a museum, dedicated to preserving Swedesboro’s past. There was hardly a question about the Borough he was unable to answer. The outside of his home was more manicured than Longwood Gardens. Friends and neighbors also reaped the benefits of his gardening prowess: his perennials decorated half the yards in Swedesboro. It’s somewhat debatable about what Jack enjoyed more: deep sea fishing on his boat, “Jumpin Jack” or spit polishing it.

Jack is survived by a cousin and a few old friends. His extended family, however, was his neighborhood on Franklin Street. Things won’t be the same without the man in the red shuttered house. He was pre-deceased by his sister, Carolyn Loper and a nephew, Norris Cassady.

Services were held to celebrate his 89 great years at Daley Life Celebration Studio, Swedesboro. Burial Lake Park. Donations to Swedesboro Historical Society, 1500 Kings Hwy., Swedesboro, NJ 08085 will be appreciated. Preserve a great story about Jack at  www.lifecelebrationstudio.com
 

DADURA – Joseph Dadura, Jr., 56, of Mickleton, died peacefully on Dec. 4. Joe was born in Philadelphia and grew up in Cramer Hill, NJ. He graduated from Lenape High School and, shortly after, met the love of his life and married her on Feb. 28, 1976. When asked what the best decision of his life was, this was it. Papa Joe had a passion for coaching soccer and inspiring his players on and off the field. He enjoyed restoring his 1969 Chevelle and cruising in his 1967 Chevy pick-up truck. A family man through and through, he will always be remembered for his sense of humor and contagious laugh.

Joe was the beloved husband of Bobbi (nee Van Blarcom). Devoted father of Kristi Zemski (Matthew), Jennifer Matthews (Robert) and Kacy Dadura (Tony). Loving Poppy of Benjamin, Carter, Gracie, Brynn, Reese, Aubrey and Reid. Dear brother of Richard Grudzinski, Merrie Fleming (Jim), Steve Dadura (Esther) and John Dadura (Elaine). Son of the late Joseph Dadura, Sr. and Betty Dadura (nee Grudzinski). Also survived by many loving family and friends.

Interment Eglington Cemetery, Clarksboro.

Condolences may be shared with the family at www.egizifuneral.com
 

BICKEL – Paula L. Bickel (nee Page), 59, of Swedesboro, passed away peacefully on Dec. 6 with her daughter by her side. She is the beloved mother of Theresa “LuLu” (John) Hilditch, sister of Mary Helen Duda, Georgette, Scott and Joe Page, grandmother of John, Zachary and Lukas. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother and sister who loved being with her family.

To share condolences www.landolfifuneralhome.com
 

RIVERA – Amparo Rivera of Logan Township. Mrs. Amparo Rivera lovingly known as Grandma or Mrs. Rivera has gone home to be with her Lord & Savior Jesus Christ.

Amparo put aside her ambitions in life so that her four children would know a better life. She departed her birthplace and beloved Island of Puerto Rico and settled in Brooklyn, NY where she raised her children. She was a strict but loving parent preparing them for life’s up and downs. Amparo worked cutting intricate lace which was used on wedding dresses, etc. She was also a master crotchetier and did intricate work on doilies and made heirloom quality bedspreads. Even though this was eye straining she continued to enjoy doing it up to her 86th year.

Though English wasn’t her native language she loved doing crossword puzzles, jumbles, etc. She never let the ups and downs of life get her down. She loved to laugh and joke around. She raised four educated children who served both their Lord and their communities.

She was predeceased by her loving granddaughter, Enid, and is survived by her dearly loved sister, Julia. She also leaves behind her children Obed, Eliasib, Ruth, and Pastor Nelson Santiago and their families, 11 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren and two nieces and one nephew.

Mrs. Rivera leaves behind a legacy of love and faith. In her latter years she worked as an aide at Sunrise Christian Daycare, and was loved by all the children who affectionatly called her grandma.

She will always be remembered by her favorite tag line, “I can’t believe it.”

Tell a great story about Amparo at  www.lifecelebrationstudio.com
 

MONACO – Sam Monaco. Sam was always in motion. With eight kids to feed he didn’t have much free time on his hands. By trade Sam was a mason working for local construction companies including Azzari and Gahrs during the day and often had a night job as well. He’d split wood from trees he found to sell and mowed lawns (including St. Joseph’s Cemetery with a push mower). When Swedesboro ran bus trips to the skating rink Sam always volunteered to chaperone. His kids were amazed at how smooth he was on eight wheels. It was a byproduct of playing years earlier on a roller hockey team. With so many mouths to feed a garden was a natural. One year he won a contest for the largest cantaloupe, 20 lbs. Though he was a quiet man he enjoyed pro wrestling, roller derby, and cleaning up the wrecks at Bridgeport Speedway.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara; his first wife, Shirley and their 8 children who always made his face light up: Catherine Moran, Thomas, Shirley Wis-sen, Sam Jr., Benjamin, John, Roseann Liles, and Susan Rentas; step children: Walter and Alicia Cooklin; his brother, Tom; and 13 grandchildren.

82 great years were celebrated at Daley Life Celebration Studio, Swedesboro. Interment St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Woolwich Twp.

Donations to Woolwich Fire Company, 1517 Kings Highway, Swedesboro, NJ 08085 will be appreciated. Tell a great story about Sam at www.lifecelebrationstudio.com
 

O’NEILL – Kevin V. O’Neill, 67, of Mullica Hill died unexpectedly on Dec. 11 at Cooper Hospital in Camden.

Born in Queens, NY, on Sept. 22, 1945 to the late Edward O’Neill and Margaret Sharkey O’Neill, he was the husband of Paula Campagna O’Neill. He had been a Mullica Hill resident since 1983.

Prior to his retirement in 2000, he was employed by Wheaton Industries in sales for 29 years. He was a former member of the Holly Hills Golf Club and was an avid golfer.

Besides his wife Paula, he is survived by a brother, Steven O’Neill of Vineland and two sisters, Patricia Apel of Vineland and Peggy Fanciullo of Enfield, NY. He was preceded in death by a sister, Mary Lou O’Neill.
 

EMONDS – Louis A. Emonds, 78, of Summerfield, FL and Swedesboro, passed away at the Villages Regional Hospital in the Villages, FL on Dec. 12. Lou was born April 30, 1934 in Elmer. He proudly served in the US Army as a member of the 101st Airborne Division. He taught for over 30 years at Oakcrest and Absegami High schools and later was an adjunct professor at Rowan University. Lou was a Washington Redskins fanatic, avid golfer, and loved spending time with his beloved dog, BobiLou.

Lou is survived by his wife, Velda; two daughters, Laura Campbell and her husband Michael of Mount Royal, and Lynne Emonds of Bordentown; two step-children, Corey Lintner and his wife Valarie of Williamstown, and Angie Lintner and her partner Amy DeLoach of Lancaster, PA; a granddaughter Kayla Campbell; and four siblings, Alice Taylor of Bridgeton, Louise Mancus of Nampa, ID, Harriet Slavoff and her husband Eugene of Elmer, and Joseph Emonds and his wife Cuc of Lady Lake, FL.

Donations in his memory will be accepted by The Humane Society of the United States, online at www.humanesociety.org or by phone at 866-720-2676.
 

WACHTER – Eugene “Goob” Wachter, 77, of Repaupo, formerly of Gloucester City, passed away Dec. 17 with his family by his side. He is the beloved husband of Jean (nee Rastelli); devoted father of Mark (Amy), Mary (Brendon) Wachter, Regina (Joe) Canavan and Eric; loving grandfather of Katie, Evy, Luke and Ryan; and brother of Frances Witz and Florence (Ed) Bernosky.

Eugene was a US Army veteran and paratrooper with the 101st Airborne, a member of the Knights of Columbus of Paulsboro and the Carmel S. Morina Sons of Italy. He was a 1955 graduate of Gloucester Catholic High and a member of the IBEW Local 351. Eugene was a lifelong Notre Dame fan.

Interment St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Swedesboro. Donations to Guardian Angels School, 150 S. School St., Gibbstown, NJ 08027 or Gloucester Catholic Alumni Assoc., PO Box 596, Gloucester, NJ 08030.
 

VANAMAN – Rose Marie Vanaman. On Friday, Dec. 21, Rose Marie Vanaman passed away peacefully at the age of 90 in the company of her family.

Born in 1922 to Luigi and Maryangela DiLossi of Philadelphia, Rose moved to Swedesboro during the Great Depression where she would continue to live for the rest of her life  Shortly after World War II, Rose met Earl Vanaman, whom she would marry in 1948, beginning a 52 year union which brought them three daughters, two grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Always a colorful and feisty personality, Rose was well known for her wonderful, dry sense of humor that could bring a smile or a laugh to any situation. She also loved to travel with her family, play cards, do crossword puzzles and would never turn down a trip to the casino, be it Atlantic City, Chester or even Las Vegas. In addition to having fun, Rose was also a lifelong homemaker and career woman.

She began working as a Philadelphia telephone operator in 1940 and continued to work until her retirement from Rowan University, where she was a beloved member of the security department, in 1989,

Rose is preceded in death by her late husband Earl Vanaman and is survived by her three daughters and sons-in-law, Carol and Tom Schoener, Terry Vanaman-Cole and John Cole, and LuAnn and James Lovegrove as well as grandchildren Taylor Lovegrove, Michael Foulke and his wife Justina and her great-granddaughter Etta Rose Foulke. She is also survived by her two sisters, Ann D’Orazio of Philadelphia and Lucky Coyle of Ocean City and her brother Joe Giordano of Pitman.

Services were held at the Daley Life Celebration Studio, Swedesboro.

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