STILES — Janet M. Stiles, 81, passed away peacefully on March 19 in Anchorage, Alaska.
Born on December 29, 1944, in Woodbury, New Jersey to Elbert and Mabel Gaventa. Her siblings Catherine, Ruth and Ed joined the family of six on their Repaupo family farm growing peaches, corn, tomatoes, asparagus, and strawberries.
After beginning piano lessons at seven years, she began playing piano in church at age 10 and served as full-time organist and pianist for Repaupo UMC at the age of 15. A 1963 graduate of Paulsboro High School, Janet pursued her passion for music at Gettysburg College before earning her bachelor’s degree in music education from the University of Wisconsin.
Her dedication to music became the cornerstone of her career and personal life. For 24 years, she inspired countless students as a classroom music teacher with the Anchorage School District. Earning Teacher of the Year finalist by the Anchorage Education Association in 1987-88 and in 1992, recognized for outstanding service by the Alaska Music Education Association as Music Educator in Alaska.
Beyond the Elementary classroom, Janet shared her talents as a staff accompanist for the UAA Music Department for two more decades.
Janet’s musical gifts were not limited to teaching. They were also an integral part of her faith and art communities. With grace and devotion, her contributions extended into the faith community as she served as a choir and handbell director and accompanist for numerous local churches.
Many will remember her dedication to accompanying NATS, directing ASD Honor Choir, co-directing the Arctic Spirit Handbell Choir, involvement with Regional and State Solo and Ensemble competitions, Opera, Community Chorus, and directing multiple Adult and Children’s Church Choirs.
She volunteered as an usher for the PAC for 30 years and loved to play at the Anchorage Pioneer Home and Marlow Manor on occasion. Through her gifts, she brought joy and inspiration to those around her.
Janet was known for her quiet humility, patience, and generosity. She found joy in traveling, quilting, and camping with her family—cherished moments that reflected her deep love for those closest to her. Her grandsons remember a grandma who made their favorite holiday cheese dip, fresh fruit for sleepovers, sewn fleece clothes for lovies, and special bed quilts to keep them warm. Her kindness, love and talent left an indelible mark on everyone who had the privilege of knowing her.
Janet is survived by her son, Brian Stiles; daughter Wendy (Brian Taylor); grandsons Lewis, and Evan (Kayla); sisters Catherine (Ed), Ruth (Thom) and brother Ed (Marsha) as well as many beloved cousins, nieces, nephews and their children. She was predeceased by her husband Bruce, her parents Elbert and Mabel, sisters-in-law Janet and Sandy and her in-laws, Carl and Katharine.
Janet’s legacy is one of faith, musical gifts, and an unwavering dedication to her family and service to her community. May her memory bring comfort to all who knew her.
Memorial donations can be made in Janet’s name to support the Adult and Children’s Music Ministry of St. John UMC (https://stjohnanchorage.org/). A memorial service is planned for May 2026 and will be live-streamed.
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VAN HORN — Thomas “Tom” Van Horn, 76, passed away peacefully, leaving a legacy of dedication, adventure, and deep family love.
Born in Camden and raised in Collingswood, New Jersey where he graduated from Collingswood High School, Tom proudly served in the U.S. Air Force as an aircraft mechanic, treasuring his time in uniform. Often, he could be found playing his bugle, learning “Taps” in the hope to honor fellow veterans.
His career included roles at Hartz Mountain, tire delivery, aircraft fueling, Mutual of Omaha, and real estate, but he spent many years as a toll collector on the Commodore Barry Bridge. Above all, Tom found his greatest joy as a father and grandfather.
A lifelong sports lover, he played catcher in high school, cheered for the Phillies, excelled at tennis, and later enjoyed golf on New Jersey’s finest courses.
The water was his true passion. He owned and restored boats, fished, crabbed, and served in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. His happiest years unfolded at his Mystic Island home, surrounded by bays and waterways.
Handy and self-reliant, Tom built anything without plans. He also savored casino roulette, talk radio, and browsing Craigslist, eBay, and QVC.
Tom lived in Collingswood, West Deptford, Mystic Island, and most recently Logan Township to be near family.
He is survived by his daughter, Megan (Mark) Fitzpatrick; son, Matt (Stephania) Van Horn; grandchildren, Ally, Jake, Matt, and Vivienne; and sister, Christine Walsh.
A celebration of his 76 vibrant years was held at Daley Life Celebration Studio Swedesboro.
Tom will be remembered for his humor, skills, stories, and the warmth he brought to every moment.
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CARBONE — Carol Carbone, age 82, of Swedesboro, formally of Folcroft, PA passed away on March 29. Daughter of the late Daniel and Dorothy Nardella, Carol is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 57 years, Stephen J. Carbone. Their union was blessed with four children: Stephen (Carrie), Kevin (Tammy), Dan (Theresa), and Lisa (Dan) McMahon; and later by grandchildren, Daniel, Hailey, Brynne, Lanie, and Stephen. Carol is also survived by her loving sister Marie (Dennis) Lane, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Carol grew up in South Philadelphia and was a graduate of the Saint Maria Goretti Class of ‘61. She was a proud homemaker to her husband and four children, caretaker to her mother, Dorothy, and was employed part time as a cafeteria worker, specifically a cashier, for the Southeast Delco School District.
Carol was a devout Catholic with an unwavering faith. She never missed Sunday mass or holy days, and in her later years, attended weekly Adoration. All throughout the year, Carol and Steve instilled a family rule to never eat meat on Fridays and followed it faithfully.
Carol found happiness in simple things. However, she had a love of anything Vera Bradley. She owned many bags and wallets.
She enjoyed cooking, especially sharing her recipes with her children and grandchildren. One would often see her in her snap down cooking apron. Baking Christmas cookies and making gingerbread houses were traditions she treasured sharing with her grandchildren.
Another love she had was watching General Hospital. It was rare for her to miss an episode. Wherever she was, she had to be home by 3 p.m. in order to watch it.
She could also be found playing pinochle and watching the Phillies. She was a huge fan. The Philly Phanatic’s antics were by far her favorite thing about the game.
She loved his dancing and how he would pat Steve’s head when they were at the games. Most importantly, however, she was an adoring “Nan” to her grandchildren. They were her pride and joy.
Her life celebration was held at Daley Life Celebration Studio, Swedesboro. Donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
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MUSUMECI — Mariano Joseph “Marty” Musumeci, Sr., age 77, of Newport, Delaware, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on March 30.
He was originally from Swedesboro. He was the son of Mary Dorothy Schubert (Caruso) and the late Salvatore Francis Musumeci, Sr.
Marty graduated from Kingsway High School. He retired from Siemens Corporation, Newark, Delaware, as a tool and die maker.
He was an avid woodworker and outdoorsman. He was happiest when he was with friends and loved ones, riding his Harley on beautiful days, and out on the water boating, jet-skiing or fishing. He was fun-loving, had many friends, and enjoyed his buddies’ breakfast club.
Marty was preceded in death by his step-mother, Eleanor Musumeci. He is survived by his siblings: John Musumeci (Debbie), Sherri Allabaugh (John), Theresa Musumeci (Scott), Sam Musumeci (Lauren), and Marc Musumeci; daughter, Leanne Holveck; son, Mariano Musumeci, Jr. (Beth); grandchildren: Jason (Colleen), Lindsey (Nick), Kristine (Mike), Aaron (Ana), Michael (Alyx), Mariano III, Julianna, Heather, Douglas (Sarah), and Kelsey; and eight great-grandchildren.
Donations may be made in Marty’s memory to the American Kidney Fund, 11921 Rockville Pike, Suite 300, Rockville, MD 20852 or online by clicking here; or to a charity of your choice.
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HENNIGAN — James Michael “Mike” Hennigan, Sr., 69, of Mount Joy, PA, formerly of Mantua, NJ, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. He was the beloved husband of Jane A. (Rubeo) Hennigan, with whom he shared 42 years of marriage.
Born in Pittsburgh, PA, he was the son of the late Thomas Joseph Hennigan and Mary Kathleen (Gates) Hennigan.
Mike was a graduate of Camden County Vocational Technical School. He went on to have a career as a drafting designer, working for John Crane, Inc., Flow Serve, and most recently Neemar, Inc., where he continued working part-time doing what he loved. In his younger years, Mike served as a Sea Cadet and volunteered as a firefighter with the Glendora Fire Company in New Jersey.
Mike was a die-hard Philadelphia Eagles fan who never missed a game. He would cheer, occasionally yell at the television, and every now and then, in the heat of the moment, he would turn it off and call it a night.
Having a vast knowledge, Mike was the “jack of all trades.” He was an exceptional woodworker, craftsman, and tradesman. Everything he created in his workshop was for his family, from dollhouses and clocks to furniture and cradles, just to name a few.
He loved spending time in his workshop tinkering with his tools and coming up with new designs. This all lead to restoring a 1976 Proline fishing boat, “Just Stretching.” Mike also enjoyed gardening alongside Jane, growing vegetables each year.
In recent years, he had taken an interest in cooking. After moving from New Jersey, he spent time researching bread recipes and was on a mission to perfect the hoagie roll.
Mike had a deep love for the water and would take his wife Jane on trips to Cape May, New Jersey in the fall. They enjoyed taking walks and strolling through the Washington Street Mall, sitting by the ocean, and taking in the scenic views together.
He was an avid fisherman, never missing the opening day of trout season. He shared his love of fishing with his children and grandchildren, whether on Brigantine Beach in NJ, at a quiet lake, or out on a boat.
Even when he didn’t have a boat of his own, he kept the tradition alive by renting one in Tuckerton, NJ. No trip was complete without bringing along the perfect hoagie.
Above all, one of his greatest joys in life was spending time with his family. He treasured time with his grandchildren, whether building train tracks, attending school events and dance recitals, teaching them to fish, and cheering them on at soccer games.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his sons, Jimmy Hennigan, Jr., partner of Annamarie Snitcher, of Harpers Ferry, WV, and Joe Hennigan, husband of Katie, of South Harrison Township, whom he shared with his first wife, Mary Lou Slusar; his daughter, Jamie Farina, wife of Chris, of Marietta, PA; his grandchildren, Georgia Hennigan, Makenzie and Kaylie Hennigan, Shawn and Aaron James Farina (AJ); his brother, Patrick Hennigan of Florida; sisters, Mary Kathleen Hennigan, of Somerdale, NJ, Trish Steward, wife of Jim, of Pilesgrove, NJ, Thomasine Bron, wife of Bill, of Deptford, NJ, Elizabeth Speese, wife of Bobby, of Glendora, NJ, and Bernadette Moore, wife of Mike, of Somerdale, NJ; and his brother-in-law, Vernon Speese, of Pilesgrove, NJ. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Diane Speese.
Please consider a donation in Mike’s memory to the American Heart Association, online at https://www.heart.org.
To send the family on-line condolences, please visit: www.BuchFuneral.com.
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STERNER — Marian Sterner (nee Martin) age 101 years of Clarksboro passed away on April 6 in Pitman Manor, Pitman.
Mrs. Sterner was born and raised in Monroeville and was a graduate of Woodstown High School. She then attended and graduated from Cooper School of Nursing. Mrs. Sterner worked from time to time as a registered nurse as her children grew.
She was a member of Zion Community Church, Clarksboro and the United Methodist Women and the crocheting group of the church. She enjoyed gardening with her late husband and “putting up” plenty of fresh vegetables that they always shared with their family. Mrs. Sterner also enjoyed crocheting, knitting and sewing as well as cake decorating.
She is survived by her children, James G. Jr. and Dorothea Sterner of Barnsboro, Linda and Domenic Mezzino of Hackettstown, NJ, Suzanne and Frank Becker of Severn, Maryland; her grandchildren, Alethea and Jay Wentz, Mindy and Brian Cono, Sarah Mezzino, Jacob and Erin Becker and MaryAnn and Mark Hazard and her great grandchildren, Sebastian, Jeremy, Henry, Berkeley, Jack, Dustin and Leora. Mrs. Sterner was predeceased by her husband, James G. Sterner Sr. and her grandson, Thomas Becker.
Services were held in the McBride – Foley Funeral Home, Paulsboro. Contributions can be made in her memory to the Activities Fund at United Methodist Communities of Pitman, 535 N Oak Ave, Pitman, NJ 08071. Memories can be shared at www.mcbridefoleyfh.com
