EASTLACK — Norman C. Eastlack age 95, of Mickleton passed away July 31.
Born and raised in Mickleton he was a son to the late John Eastlack, III and Frances C. Eastlack. He was a WWII Army Veteran, having served in the European Theater with the 106th Infantry Division. Norman retired as a Chemist at DuPont and in his spare time he enjoyed gardening, farming, raising chickens, woodworking, and chair caning. He was a member of the Evangelical United Methodist Church in Clarksboro.
Norman is predeceased by his wives, Betty (nee Haines) and Ruth Phillips-Eastlack (nee Reeves). He is survived by his children Willard L. (Linda), David H. (Ruthie), Wayne C. (Charlotte), and Rebecca J. Pagliaro; 13 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren. Predeceased by sisters, Charlotte Hicks, Ann Richards and Blanche Moyer.
Donations can be made to Alzheimer’s Association Delaware Valley Chapter, 399 Market St., Suite 102, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Memories and condolences can be shared at www.smithfhmantua.com.
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BALESTRUCCI — Louis S. Balestrucci, 91, passed away Aug. 4 at Jefferson Health Center, Washington Twp., NJ. Born and raised in Swedesboro, he had attended Swedesboro High School, was an army veteran of the Korean War and owned and operated Ballie Ironworks in Swedesboro for 58 years. Lou was a member of St. Clare of Assisi Parish, an usher at the church, a member of St. Francis Council, K O C. and a member of the former Raccoon Club.
He is survived by his children, Frank, Luanne and Mary (John) White, son-in-law Joseph Kasuska. Also his grandchildren Joseph and Stephanie Kasuska. He was predeceased by his wife Dolores and daughter Donna.
Services were held at the CHEEGA FUNERAL HOME, Swedesboro. Donations in his memory to the American Cancer Society, Phila. Chapter, 1818 Market St., Ste 2820, Phila Pa 19130 would be appreciated.
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KEEN — John I. Keen, age 77, a lifelong resident of Harrisonville passed away peacefully at home with his loving wife by his side on Aug. 18.
John was born in Camden on Sept. 30, 1942 and was the son of the late Wilbert and Eloda Keen. He was a graduate of Woodstown High School Class of 1960, a retired employee from Mobil Research and a member of St. John’s Methodist Church in Harrisonville where he was a Sunday School Teacher. John enjoyed boating, fishing, motorcycling rides, karate and spending time with his family and friends. He was always willing to help others work on their cars and trucks.
He is survived by his loving wife of 39 years Penny, four children; Mark, Lori, Matthew (Celeste), Josh (Heidi), eight grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. In addition to his parents he was also predeceased by a son, John W. Keen.
Contributions can be made in John’s memory to St. John’s Methodist Church, 3 Main Street, P.O. Box #2, Harrisonville, NJ 08039. Please visit htlayton.com to leave a note of condolence to the family.
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MEDDICK – Jean Meddick, 90. She may have been raised in Bridgeport, but Jean became Swedesboro through and through. Not only was she a resident but she educated our youth: she taught 2nd and 3rd grades at Walter Hill School. She was an exacting teacher, assignments had to be just so. And she was effective mostly because she refused to stop learning.
Jean had a can-do attitude: while raising 4 kids as a single mom she obtained a bachelor’s degree and later a master’s degree from Glassboro State. Her learning wasn’t limited to teaching: in the evening she learned Tai Chi, the Russian language, Renaissance Art and Medical Transcribing. Dressing for a Red Hat meeting was always an event and she loved the Walnut Street Theater. She’d always purchase a second set of tickets so her kids could attend. And as kids they came with her to the Teachers Convention in Atlantic City where they would gather up all the free give-aways.
Her favorite holiday was Easter, famous for her Easter Egg hunts; the kids had to solve her rhymes to find the eggs. Jean was a volunteer for her community, serving 45 years on the Board of Health and sharing her love of reading at the library.
Jean is survived by her children: John (Lisa) Meddick, Jerry Meddick, Iantha Burch, the late F. Steven Meddick and daughter-in-law, Renetta Meddick; her brother, George (Dolores) Sharp, 5 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. She was pre-deceased by her mother, Hannah Sharp who was not only a terrific grandmother but the best babysitter ever.
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