ARCHER — Martin (“Marty”) Macdonald Archer, 76, passed away peacefully, Feb. 26, surrounded by family. He was born on July 14, 1949, to the late Elizabeth and Vincent Archer in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He spent his early childhood in South Philadelphia before the family relocated to West Philadelphia, settling in the Haddington Homes at 55th and Summer Street.
Martin was educated in the Philadelphia Public School System, attending O.W. Holmes Elementary School, Shoemaker Junior High School, and later graduating from West Philadelphia High School.
In 1977, Martin met the love of his life, Diane. They married in 1990 and built a joyful and enduring life together. From this union, they raised sons Martin Jr., Danny, Tracey (predeceased), and Richard, and daughters Adrea and Melissa.
He dedicated over 36 years of service to the City of Philadelphia. Beginning as a sanitation worker, Martin advanced to foreman and ultimately retired as a District Area Supervisor. His leadership, integrity, and steady presence earned the admiration of colleagues, many of whom remained connected with him long after his retirement.
After his retirement, Martin and Diane relocated to Swedesboro, where they lived for more than 17 years. They traveled often and were inseparable throughout their 45 plus years together.
In Diane’s later years, when she became ill, Martin lovingly and faithfully served as her primary caregiver until her passing in 2023, a true reflection of his steadfast, loyal, and deeply loving character.
Martin shared a special bond with his sister, Marcella (“Marcy”), and his brothers, Ronald (“Ronnie”) and Nathaniel (“Nate”, predeceased). He also cherished close lifelong friendships with Herbert Hawkins (“Hawk”) and Burnett Baynard, whom he affectionately referred to as his “brothers from another mother.” He also cherished a deep bond with William (“Chappy”) Chapman, who was like an adopted son to him, and to whom he gave years of mentorship, love, and friendship.
A proud Philadelphia sports fan, Martin passionately supported the Philadelphia Eagles and the 76ers. He enjoyed talking with family and friends about his teams’ latest accomplishments and was well-known for answering the phone with his signature greeting: “You have reached the residence of the World Champion Philadelphia Eagles.”
He loved monthly poker and card games with his brother, Ronnie, and friends, played in pool tournaments with his son, Richard, and enjoyed late-night video poker and pool games on his phone. A devoted Motown fan, he especially enjoyed The Temptations, The Four Tops, and Ray Charles.
To his family and all who knew him, Martin was a trusted advisor, confidant, and friend. His children and grandchildren sought his wisdom throughout their lives, and he was always present with humor, guidance, and unconditional love. He was affectionately known as “Pop-Pop,” a role he embraced with immense pride and joy.
He is reunited in eternity with his parents, Elizabeth, and Vincent; his beloved wife, Diane; his son, Tracey and his brother, Nathaniel (“Nate”).
Martin leaves to cherish his memory his children: Adrea (Travis), Martin Jr. (Doniele), Danny (Gwen), Richard (Laura), and Melissa (Arpell); his siblings: Marcella (“Marcy”) and Ronald (“Ronnie”), his sister-in-law Shirley (Kevin) and his brother-in-law Donald; grandchildren: Kiana, Donyae (“Niya”), Travona (RJ), Isaiah, Ahmad, DeYona, Nigel, Jordan, Isabella, Arianna, Sophia, Julian, Emmerie, Cassius, Noah, and Arabelle; great grandchildren: Janai and Khari; as well as a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends.
The family of Martin Archer extends their heartfelt thanks and appreciation for the phone calls, messages, cards, and words of encouragement during this difficult time. We love you all and consider you family. God Bless.
Services were arranged by Daley Life Celebration Studio, Swedesboro.
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KUNKLE — Bob Kunkle Sr. Family and friends will celebrate 72 great years at an upcoming service for Bob Kunkle Sr. A celebration of his life will be held at Bridgeport Fire Hall located at 4 Steelman Ave, Bridgeport, NJ 08014 on Saturday April 11, 2026. The family will be welcoming friends and family from 3p.m. to 7 p.m.
A full meal will be served at 4 p.m. just as Bob would have it. He always said, “No one leaves my house hungry”. At 6 p.m. there will be a brief service with shared memories from friends and family.
The family will have a memory box and index cards available. We would appreciate it if you could write the memories down and share them with the family.
Robert (Bob) James Kunkle Sr., 72, passed away on Feb. 28 at Cooper Hospital in Camden. He was born at Taylor Hospital in Ridley Park, PA, on December 16, 1953, to the late Walter and Evelyn Kunkle of Ridley Park, PA.
Their mutual friend set them up on a blind date where he met a pretty girl named Gretchen Louise Ehle. For their first date, she cut school and he missed a day of work. They married on Nov 3, 1973 and shared 52 years of marriage blessed by a son, Robert James Kunkle Jr. (Cynthia), and a daughter, Elizabeth Sarah Kunkle, grandsons, Robert James Kunkle III and Andrew Joseph Kunkle, and granddaughters Evelyn Mae Kunkle, and Ryleigh Anne Anderson.
He is predeceased by his father and mother and brother, Gary W. Kunkle (Merrilyn). He is survived by siblings Beth Manny (David), Carol Nichols (Wayne), Donna Chandler (Ferris Jeffery), Sue Hufnal Ray (William Preston), David Kunkle (Laurie), and Nancy Redmond (Harvey); and his godson, Billy Ray Hardesty. He was uncle to 38 nieces and nephews.
Bob had been pulling wire since he was 12 years old. Following high school graduation from Ridley High School in 1971, he worked as an electrician with R. W. Tegethoff Electric in Delaware County, PA. He also worked at Sun Ship in Chester PA, Delcora in Chester PA, UMDNJ in Stratford NJ. His interest in electricity went from being an electrician to being an electric and building inspector in Voorhees, Woodbury, Woodbury Heights, Wenonah, Westville, Woolwich Twp, and Maple Shade NJ. He also was an adjunct professor at Camden County Community College and Gloucester County College teaching electrical subcode, passing his wealth of knowledge on to the next generation.
He enjoyed family and friend time at his place in Seashore Line Camper Resort in South Seaville, NJ where he owned two places between 1984-2026. And even there, on his time off, he was helping the community serving on the Seashore Line Camper Resort Board of Trustees in the late 1980’s and 1990’s.
He loved being involved and making sure everyone was treated fairly. Spare time found him volunteering with his wife at Kings Things helping people out on the furniture side of the charity.
His most important job may have been as Gretchen’s handyman. Of course, no job was finished until the caulk came out. But it wasn’t just for Gretchen. Bob never said no to anyone.
He made the Kunkle home a welcoming place, famous for its open-door policy. Foster children, friends and family needing safe harbor, and exchange students all found a safe respite. Bob always had a dog by his side and sometimes as many as seven, many were his rescues. His go-to breed was the Chihuahua.
He loved his family and grandkids so much. We know he loved us all and cherished all the time he spent with his grandkids.
In lieu of flowers, the family ask that donations be made in his memory to Kings Things in Swedesboro or Swedesboro-Woolwich Fire Company.
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DiPALMA — Diane DiPalma, 71. She was the life of the party. Diane loved to be out and about, usually decked out in red or leopard print and only a song away from dancing on the tables. She enjoyed an occasional drink but hardly needed it. Her joy just naturally bubbled up.
Of course she did enjoy the occasional inappropriate joke. The darker the better. Her laughter pulled her and everyone else through their darkest times. Many knew her warmth.
Diane was one of those people who kept an eye out for people experiencing tough times. Middle of the night, if you had a problem, she’d hop out of bed, jump into her car and come solve it. While she rescued her fair share of humans, she did the same for many animals, her home full of pets ranging from dogs to cockatiels to domestic rats.
She was born in the Bronx and lived in Staten Island before moving to Washington Township, Pitman and Logan. She worked as a medical assistant at several area doctor’s offices but found her real calling as a grandmother. Nanny would take them out for one-on-one dates, slip them occasional gas money, spoil them with Starbucks and ice cream and she never missed an event.
You’d see her in the background of all the first-day-of-school pictures. She bowled a little in her youth, loved the sounds of Bobby Sherman and Rod Stewart and loved the beach even if she hated the water.
The pretty Diane was set up on a blind date with a handsome guy named Richard; both of their sisters happened to be friends. The Thanksgiving bowling date would lead to a 50-year marriage blessed by three children, Gina (Jeff) Reiter, Rich (Sarah) DiPalma and Diana DiPalma and later by grandchildren: Max, Alyssa, Adelyn, Sophia, Julia and Lyla. She was one of seven siblings and the family stayed close her whole life: Carmela Mantis, the late Christine Russo, Mario (Karen) Cavallo, Tommy Cavallo, Robert (Mary) Cavallo and Alice (Danny) Reis.
Services were held at Daley Life Celebration Studio, Swedesboro.
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LANG — Daniel F. Lang age 81 years of Bridgeport, passed away on March 5 in Pitman Manor, Pitman. He was born in Audubon to the late William and Maryann Lang and raised in Paulsboro where he was a graduate of Paulsboro High School.
He was a veteran serving with the See Bees in the United States Navy during the Vietnam Conflict. After his return he was a Paulsboro Policeman for seven years and then worked at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. He retired after 19 years of service as a custodian for Kingsway Regional High School. Mr. Lang enjoyed trips to Harrah’s Casino.
He is survived by his children, Christian and Maryann Lang of West Deptford, Dianne Buenzle of Paulsboro; his grandchildren, Whitney, Jessa and Ross Buenzle Jr. and Julia Lang; his great grandchildren, Emma, Nola and Jessalynn; his brothers, David Lang of Pitman, Donald Lang of Indiana and Gary Lang of Michigan. He was predeceased by his companion of 30 years, Judy Wicks and his sisters, Sandy Burkhalter and Patricia Fowler.
The funeral service was held in the McBride-Foley Funeral Home, Paulsboro. Contributions can be made in his memory to Pitman Manor, 535 N. Oak St., Pitman, NJ 08071. Memories can be shared at www.mcbridefoleyfh.com.
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URBAN — Lola J. Urban (nee Manchester), 88, of Clarksboro, passed away at home with her family by her side. She is the daughter of the late Byron (Barney) and Rita Manchester, loving mother of Deborah Damask (late Roy), Brenda (Steve) Caltabiano, Marc Urban, Kevin Urban (Jen Swanson), devoted grandmother of Roy Jr., Justin, Nicole, Michelle, Alexis, Sophia, Nick, Kayleigh and great grandchildren Olivia and Riley. Survived by her loving sister Bonnie Bucco (late Joe), predeceased by her son Brian Urban and late husband Ellison Urban.
Lola was a 1954 graduate of Paulsboro High School. She enjoyed many things in life: dancing, sewing, horseback riding, fishing with her dad and trips to Wildwood and going on the beach. She was an umpire for softball, was a softball coach and was a field hockey official. Lola always loved being with her family and grandchildren.
If anyone would like to donate in her memory, please send donations to: Ellison G. Urban Athletic Scholarship at Paulsboro High School, c/o Brenda Caltabiano, 40 Garwin Road, Woolwich Twp NJ 08085.
