PATTEN — Sebastian (Benny) Patten, 71, of Pilesgrove Twp. passed away peacefully on April 6 with his family at his side.
A life resident of Pilesgrove Township, Benny graduated from Woodstown High School, Class of ’65 and farmed his entire life. He was a member of St. Clare of Assisi Parish, St. Joseph’s Church, Past President of the former Swedesboro Auction, Past Treasurer of the Salem County Board of Agriculture, and on the Board of Directors for the US Sweet Potato Council.
He was a gentle, compassionate man who loved his family, friends, Faith, Passionate about farming and an avid outdoorsman.
Benny is survived by his wife of 47 years, Virginia, (nee Groppenbacher), his children, Benjamin (Cheri) and Christine (David) White, grandson Sebastian White, his siblings, Joanne (Skip) Grover, Elena Colubriale (Frank) and Joseph (Janice) Patten. He was predeceased by his son, Michael, parents, Philip and Marie and sister Mary Ann Griscom.
Services were held at the CHEEGA FUNERAL HOME, Swedesboro. Contributions in his memory to the St. Joseph’s Adult Choir/ Organ Repair, c/o 460 Franklinville Rd. Mullica Hill, NJ 08062 or the Woodstown FFA, c/o Woodstown High School, 140 East Ave. Woodstown, NJ 08098 would be appreciated.
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FITCHETT — Jilda Fitchett, nee DiGiovacchino, 66 of Pennsville, passed away suddenly on April 9. She was a member of St. Gabrielle the Archangel Parish, Carneys Point and a Guidance Counselor for the Gloucester City Public School System. She held a Masters Degree in Psychology and Education.
Jilda is survived by her children, Alana, Michael (Jackie), Melissa Fitchett. Her Siblings, Vito (Eleanor), Eugene DiGiovacchino, Fred (Michelle) and Samuel (Eileen) Tomarchio, Josephine (Raymond Sr.) Farro, Susan (Albert) Graham, Elaine (John) Fravel. She was predeceased by a son, Jeff Fitchett.
Arrangements were handled by the CHEEGA FUNERAL HOME, Swedesboro. Contributions in her memory may be sent to the funeral home to help with expenses.
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HUNT — Betty Gold Hunt went to be with her maker on April 24, age 94.
A lifelong resident of Swedesboro and Logan Township, Betty graduated from Swedesboro High School in 1943. Born April 22, 1925 to Leo T. and Myrtle Gold of Swedesboro. Betty had two siblings, Leo and Marion.
In 1954, Betty married her childhood sweetheart, Robert Hurff Hunt from Center Square, son of Edith Dawson Hurff and Foster V. Hunt, Sr. Betty was predeceased in death by her parents and siblings. Betty was also predeceased by two of her daughters, Linda M. Lerch and Jayne L. Misero. Betty was also predeceased by her husband, Robert H. Hunt in 2017, after 63 years of a blissful marriage.
Betty was a member of Center Square United Methodist Church. Her lifelong passion was a clean house. Betty loved the beach. Ocean City, New Jersey was her favorite. Betty also enjoyed many years of taking trips with Thompson Tours, taking many bus trips all over America. Betty was also a member of the women’s Bowling team for Monsanto. Betty loved working in her flower gardens and feeding the birds.
She is survived by a daughter, Susan J. and Alfred Morgan of Bridgeville, DE, a son, David Robert and Alisha Hunt of Logan Township, two sons in law, Dominic Misero of Quinton and Billy Lerch of VA., eight grandchildren, Jill, Justin, Adam, Rebekah, Charlotte, Foster, Cooper, Parker and two great-grandchildren. Burial Lake Park Cemetery. Donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital will be appreciated.
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DeVAULT — Charles L. “Chally” DeVault Sr., age 75, of Paulsboro died April 25 in his home. He was born in Swedesboro, raised in Repaupo and was a 1961 graduate of Paulsboro High School. After graduation, he joined the U.S. Marines and served for four years.
Mr. DeVault retired as a Supervisor after 38 years of service at Sunoco (Texaco Eagle Point Refinery). He was a past president of West Deptford Little League as well as West Deptford Junior Wrestling Association and Paulsboro Wrestling Association. Mr. DeVault was an avid hunter and fisherman.
He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Marjorie DeVault (nee Hanna) of Paulsboro; his sons, Charles DeVault Jr. of Pilesgrove, Jeffery DeVault and Herbie Sayles of Sewell, Larry and Charlotte DeVault of Swedesboro; his grandchildren, Jenna, Lauren, Tyler, Cole, Tatum and Nathan; his brother, Jerry and Helen DeVault of Williamstown and his sisters, Patricia Mann of Paulsboro, Gladys and Fred Hesser of Lewistown, PA, Doris DeVault of Deptford and Karla and Sam Marrone of Pitman. Mr. DeVault was predeceased by his parents, Willard and Verna DeVault and his brothers, Bill and Larry DeVault.
The Funeral Service was held at the McBride – Foley Funeral Home, Paulsboro. Contributions can be made in his memory to Paulsboro Wrestling Association, 541 Mantua Ave., Paulsboro, NJ 08066 or the American Cancer Society, 1851 Old Cuthbert Rd., Cherry Hill, NJ 08034. Memories can be shared at www.mcbridefoleyfh.com.
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VAUGHAN — Doris Elaine Vaughan, 82, currently living in Swedesboro and formerly of Carneys Point passed away on April 29. Born and raised in Swedesboro, she was the daughter of the late John Andrew and Isabell (Dick) Monahon.
Doris loved baseball and was very passionate about her Phillies. She could always be found working on her Word Search puzzle books and she truly enjoyed playing BINGO. Doris will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother and sister.
Doris is survived by four children, nine grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren and two siblings. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband Robert M. Vaughan, Sr., her son Robert M. Vaughan, Jr. and her sister.
The family has asked that donations be made in Doris’ memory to the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675 or go to woundedwarriorproject.org.
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CLINE — Richard “Dick” Cline, age 80, died peacefully at his home in Mullica Hill on May 1.
He was a graduate of Pitman High School, West Chester University, and Glassboro State College. Dick served as a Health and Physical Education teacher and Department Head at Triton High School for 33 years. He developed Cedar Ridge Farm where he raised and harvested Christmas trees.
Dick was a devoted member of Trinity United Methodist Church. Survived by his wife of 57 years, Dr. Jessica I. Cline (nee Ingrum), children Roberta (Raymond) Corry, Jessica Ingrum (Don Degnan), 4 grandchildren, 4 great- grandchildren, sister Susan Cline, and brother Robert Cline.
Those desiring may make a contribution to: Holy Redeemer Hospice Care, 150 E. 9th Ave., Runnemede, NJ 08007, or Trinity United Methodist Church of Mullica Hill Missions Fund. Memories may be shared at www.kelleyfhpitman.com.
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DeSTEFANO — Sandra DeStefano of Woolwich Township, 72.
You’d never see Sandy out that she didn’t look great: perfect hair, perfect makeup and dressed to the nines. If she had a weakness it was probably clothes and shoes: you can’t keep a girl from shopping. With all she had Sandy wouldn’t hesitate to give it away if she thought someone needed it more.
Earlier years found her working for Western Union, but when she needed some relaxation, you’d find her out by her pool. Through friends she’d meet a guy named Ellis. Their first meeting at Prospectors led to a 33-year marriage. The secret to their success was letting Sandy get her way, but truth be told, Ellis didn’t mind. She is survived by her daughter, Trista (Scott) Jarvis and her step-daughters, Rayna (Paul) Biester and Desire DeStefano; and 5 step grandchildren.
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HOMAN — Eleanor Florence Homan, age 94, passed away on Mother’s Day, May 12 surrounded by her loving family at Merion Gardens where she resided for the last three years.
Eleanor was born and lived most of her life in Auburn where she was the youngest of nine children, a member of Ebenezer United Methodist Church and the Auburn Volunteer Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary. She also spent many years working at Woodstown National Bank & Trust Company.
Mrs. Homan is survived by her two sons, Ralph (Vickie) and Jay (Ellen) Homan; five grandchildren, Bryan, Melissa (Jason) Jamison, Aaron (Clarissa) Homan, John, and Felicia (Christian) Roman, and eleven great-grandchildren. She is predeceased by her husband, Charles R. Homan, eight sisters and brothers, Grace M. Powers, Sara K. Mattson, Frances (Nancy) Riley, Clark F. Mattson, Edith M. Thomson, Henreitta K. (Etta) Goslin, Sanford F. Mattson, and Claude Mattson.
Memorial contributions can be made to Ebenezer United Methodist Church, 59 Main Street, Auburn, NJ 08085. Please visit www. htlayton.com to leave a note of condolence to the family.
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MUHLBAIER — Vernon E. Muhlbaier, 86, of Woolwich Township, passed away peacefully at home on May 18.
Born in Swedesboro, he was a life resident of the area working on the family farm, graduating from Swedesboro High School, Class of ’52, a member and past treasurer of the Woolwich Fire Company, member of the Harrisonville Grange and Past Master of the Bridgeport Grange. Vernon was the Woolwich Township Fire Code Official from 1971 to 2015 and a life member of the NJ Firemans Association. He was employed at Amoco Chemical Co. in New Castle DE from 1965 to 1981 and retired from E. I. Duponts in Wilmington, DE as a Process Supervisor in 2003. Vernon was a former member of St. Joseph’s Church, Swedesboro and currently a member of Holy Angels Parish in Woodbury, NJ.
He is survived by his wife of 58 and a half years, Anna (Gaun), his children, Vernon J., Marie, Karen, Brenda and Helen Mulhbaier. His brothers, James, Jack and Rev. Howard Muhlbaier, Sister-in-law Patricia Muhlbaier and Brother- in- law Howard Ruhl. Also, many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was the son of the late Sebastian and Dorothy Muhlbaier and pre-deceased by brothers, Sebastian Jr., Charles and Norman Muhlbaier.
Services were held at the CHEEGA FUNERAL HOME, Swedesboro. Contributions in his memory to the Woolwich Fire Company, 1517 Kings Highway, Swedesboro, NJ 08085 or American Parkinson Disease Association, 100 Kirkpatrick St. 2nd Floor, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 would be appreciated.
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PLANT — Darrell T. Plant, 49 of Woolwich Township, and formerly of Sicklerville, NJ passed away suddenly at home. An Army Veteran of Desert Storm, Darrell worked for the Camden County Sheriffs Dept for the past 15 years.
He is survived by his wife, Nancy (nee Douglas), his children, Kelsey and Timothy, his parents, Terry and Charmaine Plant and several siblings. Services were held at the CHEEGA FUNERAL HOME, Swedesboro.
