RIDINGER — Ethel M. Ridinger (nee Carson) age 94 years of Mantua died Nov. 10, 2021, in Inspira Hospital, Mullica Hill.
Mrs. Ridinger was born to the late Lowell and Ethel Young Carson and was raised on Monroe Street in Paulsboro. She attended Paulsboro High School and worked for the Department of Defense during World War II building munitions for the war effort. After her children where grown, she worked in the cafeteria at Shell Chemical Company and later at Paulsboro High School.
Mrs. Ridinger was a lifelong member of Taylor Baptist Church, serving as a Deaconess for several years until the church’s closing. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star (Swedesboro), Williamstown Chapter #149, Blue Auxiliary of Clarksboro Masonic Lodge #87 F.&A.M.
She enjoyed reading, sewing, keeping up with current events. Mrs. Ridinger was an avid Phillies fan, enjoyed talking about the games with her siblings and taking trips to Ocean City with them.
She is survived by her children, Robert and Maryellen Ridinger of Norfolk, VA, Kenneth L. and Linda Ridinger of Gibbstown, Kathryn Ridinger and Ed Climie of Clarksboro, Steven and Barbara Ridinger of Mt. Royal, Judith and William Rosenberger of Woolwich Twp.; 13 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; her brothers, Ernest and Gloria Carson of San Antonio, TX, Edward Carson of Swedesboro, sisters, Marjorie Emerich of Mantua, Emma Young of Pitman, Bernice Nolte of Swedesboro, Rachel King of Ocean City and Nancy Carson of Clarksboro. Mrs. Ridinger was predeceased by her husband, Viron Ridinger, her sisters, Elizabeth Collins, Barbara Elliott and Gladys Speakman, her brothers, William and Lowell Carson.
The Funeral Service was held at the McBride – Foley Funeral Home, Paulsboro. Contributions can be made in her memory to the Pegasus Education Foundation of the Paulsboro Public Schools, 662 N. Delaware St., Paulsboro, NJ 08066. Memories can be shared at www.mcbridefoleyfh.com.
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MAYBROOK — Jonathan Maybrook, age 70 years of Mullica Hill, died Dec. 22, 2021, at Inspira Medical Center, Mullica Hill.
He was born in Upper Penns Neck, NJ, raised in Swedesboro and lived in Mullica Hill for over 30 years. Mr. Maybrook owned and operated Maybrook Custom Homes and built many homes in the area. He was a member of the Woodbury Seventh – Day Adventist Church where he served as an elder, sang in the choir and taught Sabbath School.
Mr. Maybrook enjoyed cooking, working on his ’32 Model A Ford pickup hot rod and walking his dogs. He especially treasured spending time with his family and grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Marla Maybrook (nee Carson) of Mullica Hill; his children, Dr. Ryan and Corrie Maybrook of Parker, Colorado; Rachelle and Jovan Kijevcanin of Bridgeton, NJ; his grandchildren, Denver and Chanel Maybrook, Olivia and Vito Kijevcanin and Megan and Molly Adams; his brothers, Micky and Carol Maybrook of Bridgeton; David and Vanessa Maybrook of Clarksboro; and his sisters, Sofia and Thom Kritikson of Dundee, New York; and Martha and Bill Kean of Brooklawn. Mr. Maybrook was predeceased by his parents, Michael and Mary Maybrook, and his brother, Noah Maybrook.
Arrangements by McBride – Foley Funeral Home, Paulsboro (please check website for memorial service date & times). Contributions can be made in his memory to Woodbury Seventh – Day Adventist Church at woodburysdachurch.org. Memories can be shared at www.mcbridefoleyfh.com.
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CASELLA — Alfio Casella, 76, of Murphy passed away Dec. 28, 2021. He was born in Swedesboro to the late Salvatore and Grace Bryant Casella and graduated from Swedesboro High School in 1963. Alfio had worked at DuPont in Chemical Manufacturing.
He always had a new vehicle and kept it spotless with a whist broom to brush the dirt off his feet before getting in car or truck. He liked old cars and trucks. Loved to cook, bragged about his Mac & Cheese and also meatballs as big as softballs.
He was called Bobby by some because a sibling couldn’t pronounce Alfio. Loved to go and watch and help his nephew race at Bridgeport and in Delaware and PA.
Surviving is his wife, Carol Bowen Casella; two daughters, Debbie Price and Carla Cerkez; a brother, Samuel Casella; a sister, Mary Ann Dale; and three grandchildren, Cody Cerkez, Cadence Cerkez, and Josh Price.
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DiBARTOLO — Salvatore J. DiBartolo, Sr. (Sam) 93 of Woolwich Twp., passed away Dec. 29, 2021, at Southgate Convalescent Center in Carneys Point.
Born in Philadelphia, PA, he has been a resident of the Swedesboro area for most of his life. Sam was a veteran of the Korean War, a farmer, a member of St. Clare of Assisi Parish, Sons of Italy in Paulsboro and the Raccoon Club in Swedesboro. A stubborn, hardheaded, hardworking guy with a big heart who loved farming and gardening, his wife’s cooking, dancing and deer hunting.
Sam is survived by his wife of 66 yrs., Josephine (nee Sylvestro), his children, Cynthia Bakuckas and her fiancé, James Gosnell III, Santo “Sandy” (Lisa), John (Mary), Salvatore, Jr. and Christopher (Suzanne) DiBartolo; his grandchildren, Kimberly (Erick), Brandon, Alyssa, Nick, Jenna, Christopher Jr. Ashley (Tyler) and Cameron; great-grandchildren, Madeline, Ethan and Gianna; his sister, Marie Horton and was predeceased by siblings, Connie Rebardo, Lucy Jones, Tina Rende, Frances Tomarchio, Mario, Joseph, Philip, and Benjamin.
Arrangements by the CHEEGA FUNERAL HOME, Swedesboro.
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SORBELLO — Venerando J. Sorbello, ‘Junior’, 67, of Swedesboro, passed away at home with his wife, Tracy, at his side after a rough battle with several health issues.
Born in Camden, he resided in Swedesboro for the past 25 years coming from Mickleton. He was a graduate of Kingsway Regional High School, Class of ’73. Junior was a member of St. Clare of Assisi Parish, St. Michaels Mutual Club, Gibbstown, NJ and the Sons of Italy, Paulsboro. He was a farmer all of his life and operated a produce stand on Kings Highway in Mickleton.
Junior is survived by his devoted, loving wife, Tracy, his siblings, Angelo (Pat) Sorbello and Mary Gorman. He was predeceased by his parents, Venerando Sr. and Mary (Nee Spina) Sorbello, a daughter, Noelle and his sister Rose (Frank) Rego.
Funeral Services were held at the CHEEGA FUNERAL HOME, 1329 Kings Highway, Swedesboro, NJ. Donations to the Shriners Children’s Hospital, Philadelphia, 3551 N. Broad St., Phila, Pa 19140 or online at lovetotherescue.org would be appreciated.
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CARPENTER — Barbara Ann Carpenter age 79, of Clarksboro passed away Jan. 6, 2022, at United Methodist Communities at Pitman.
Born in Woodbury to the late Mabel and Samuel Sweeten, Barbara lived her entire life in Clarksboro, she graduated from Glassboro State Teachers College and had been a teacher for East Greenwich Township Schools. Barbara and her late husband Orville enjoyed hunting, traveling, and going to the Jersey Shore. She had always been an active church member.
Predeceased by husband Orville Carpenter and her sister Marilyn Sweeten.
Donations can be made to a charity of the donor’s choice in her memory. Memories and condolences can be shared at www.smithfhmantua.com
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CALTABIANO — Mario R. Caltabiano, 78, of Pilesgrove Twp., NJ, passed away Jan. 10, 2022, at home.
Born in Mickleton, he has resided in Pilesgrove Twp. for the past 50 years coming from Swedesboro. Mario was a member of the Catholic Community of the Holy Spirit Parish, a member of the Knights of Columbus, Woodstown Chapter #10392, dedicated member of the St. Alfio and St. Joseph’s Committee in Swedesboro.
For many years, Mario hosted a mass for migrant farm workers on his farm with Fr. Renee Canales and Fr. Vincent Guest as celebrants for the Mass. He also enjoyed the S.J. Antique Tractor Pulls. He was a patient man, with a good sense of humor, loved his children and grandchildren. He also loved to make his own wine, but farming was his passion.
Mario is survived by his wife of 54 years Catherine (Nee Leonardi), his children, Tina (Caine) Mooney, Loretta Osborn and Paul LaRoy, Paula Ramos, Elizabeth (Matthew) Hitchner, Maria (Arsenio) Gonzalez, Joseph M. (Mary) and Sebastian ‘Benny’ (Cathy) Caltabiano. His grandchildren, Mario, Connie, Billy, Camille, Adrianna, Sophia, Efrain, Cara, Mia, Estella, Wyatt and Hunter. A brother, Joseph J. (Lucy) Caltabiano and was predeceased by siblings, Rose Constantino, Alfred and Salvatore.
Arrangements were handled by the CHEEGA FUNERAL HOME, Swedesboro. Contributions in his memory to Deborah Heart and Lung Center, 200 Trenton Road, Browns Mills NJ 08015 would be appreciated.
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GERVASONI — Pamela Gervasoni (nee Shields), age 60, of Swedesboro, passed away peacefully on Jan. 17, 2022, at home with her family by her side. Born in Cleveland and raised in Ashtabula, Ohio, Pamela was daughter of Robert G. and Marilyn L. Shields.
Pamela is survived by her husband, Peter Gervasoni and her children Katherine (Ronald), Jarrod (Sarah), Laura (Richard), Jonathan (Alexandra), Christiana (Sean), Andrew (Molly), and Robert. Pamela was the proud Mimi of Alexander, Zachary, Ayden, Aubrey, Nolan, Ethan, Ahmad, Isabella, Sophia, Julian, and Isla. She is survived by a brother Robert (Marley) Shields and sister Janet (Michael) Gleason, and her nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents and siblings, Ronald Shields and Carol Shields Horn.
Prior to becoming a Registered Nurse and Certified Lactation Consultant (RNC, IBCLC), Pamela was employed at US Air for nearly 20 years. She was a strong advocate for workers’ rights throughout her life.
Services were held at the CHEEGA FUNERAL HOME, 1329 Kings Highway, Swedesboro. Donations in Pamela’s memory can be made to the Maternity Care Coalition, which provides breastfeeding support to mothers, especially in underserved communities at 2000 Mifflin St., Phila. Pa. 19145 or online at maternitycarecoalition.org would be appreciated.
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BERGER — Raymond Berger, 88. Age 17 found him talking his father into taking him down to the recruitment office and signing him up for the Air Force. Ray loved his 20 years of service to our nation, and it shaped his entire being.
He did everything with military precision from his use of the English language to installing screen doors. He provided for his family working all kinds of crazy hours with the Post Office. For relaxation he enjoyed the occasional beer from his favorite stein and watching his investments mature on the various cable stock programs. He saw the best in everybody, loved old war movies and was a member of the VFW post 10886.
Ray was born in Brooklyn and lived in Burlington County before moving to Woolwich Twp. He was stationed in Germany during his time with the Air Force. It’s there he’d meet a pretty girl named Rosa. They’d marry within six months. Six years later they were blessed with a son, Eric and later by a daughter Christiane and son-in-law, Brian Chervin.
Services were held at Daley Life Celebration Studio, 1518 Kings Highway, Swedesboro.
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SWIFT — Edward M. Swift, age 96, of Clarksboro passed away on Jan. 25, 2022 in his home.
Ed was born in Paulsboro, NJ to Edward and Agnes Swift (Eagan), along with his three older sisters Virginia Meyers (Herb), Dolores Greer (Ted) and Patricia VanEmburgh (Bill). Ed attended school in Paulsboro and was one year shy of graduating high school before he joined the U.S. Coast Guard to defend the USA in World War II. He spent most of his time in the Pacific on his ship, the LST-68.
Edward married Mary Hess and they had four children before her death: Michael Marion (predeceased), Chris Swift, Kathleen Guzzo, and Regina (Mark) Gotchel. Edward was then married to Betty J. Sammons for 54 years until her passing in 2020. Betty had seven children with her first husband Tom (Donofrio): Christina (Dave) Simmler, Monica (Gary) Volovnik, Rosemary (Kim) Lee, Kathy (Joe) Martin, Bernadette (Phil) Contreras, Beth Donofrio, and Jean (Steve) Walko. Ed and Betty then had three children of their own Michael (predeceased), Mollie, and Laurie. Edward had 23 grandchildren, many great grandchildren and nephews and nieces.
Edward worked most of his life for Mobil Oil, Paulsboro, NJ. He spent the last 4 years working at Pemref in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia before he retired. Ed was a lifetime member of the Paulsboro Sportsman’s Club where he volunteered too many hours to count and enjoyed the comradery of all his friends and River Rats.
Ed spent numerous hours working on his family’s genealogy. Most of all Ed enjoyed spending his last years sitting under the pergola talking about memories, sharing stories, and listening to his favorite music.
The Funeral Service were held at the McBride – Foley Funeral Home, Paulsboro. Please send a donation to St. Jude’s Hospital for children. Memories can be shared at www.mcbridefoleyfuneral home.com.
