SNYDER — Paul W. Snyder Jr., 88, passed away on July 28, 2020.
Paul was born March 3, 1932 in Barre, MA. He graduated from Worcester Polytechnic Institute with a degree in Chemical Engineering in 1953. He worked for Mobil Oil his entire career.
Paul married Anna May Mollet in 1954. They lived in Pitman and at various work locations in the United States, Japan, and Saudi Arabia. He was an avid fly fisherman, hiker, canoeist, and community volunteer. He enjoyed keeping up with the latest oil and gas industry technology. He and his wife retired to the Pocono Mountains, enjoying outdoor activities for 22 years before becoming residents at Country Meadows retirement communities.
Paul was a member of: American Institute of Chemical Engineers, Bucks County Mobil Annuitants, The Nature Conservancy, Trout Unlimited, Tobyhanna Creek/Tunkhannock Creek Watershed Association, and Pocono Heritage Land Trust. He was a board member of Monroe County Meals on Wheels Board, and Monroe County Open Space Advisory Board.
Surviving at the time of his death was his wife Anna May of Bethlehem, PA, three children, six grandchildren, brother Max of Florida, and five nieces and nephews.
Please consider donating in honor of Paul to Monroe County (Pennsylvania) Meals on Wheels or The Nature Conservancy.
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BALESTRUCCI — Louis S. Balestrucci, 91, passed away Aug. 4 at Jefferson Health Center, Washington Township. Born and raised in Swedesboro, he had graduated from 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, Knights Of Columbus and a member of the former Raccoon Club.
Lou was a man strong in his faith and devoted to his family. His grandchildren made his heart swell with pride and he tried to participate in their adventures whenever he could. He also enjoyed a good game of poker.
He is survived by his children, Frank, Luanne and Mary (John) White, son-in-law Joseph Kasuska, and 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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PIETRAS — Edward L. Pietras of Mickleton passed away Sept. 1, 2020 into God’s loving care at his home, surrounded by his family.
He was born in Atlanta, GA, grew up in Burlington, NJ and for the last 40 years resided in Mickleton. A graduate of Burlington City High School, Ed was employed for 35 years by PSE&G, first at the Burlington plant and then at the Salem Nuclear Plant until his retirement. He honorably served his country as a military policeman in the Army in Okinawa, Japan and Ft. Hancock, NJ during the Vietnam War.
Ed was the son of Jenelle (nee Echols) and Leon Pietras. He leaves behind his wife of 54 years, Kathleen (nee Lanish) Pietras, his daughter Natalie Pietras and son Mark Pietras, along with six grandchildren; Joshua and Abigail Cook, and Mark, Jr., Alexandria, Madison and EzraPietras. He also leaves behind his sister Debbie (Richard) Dallmann, niece Brianna (Edward) Hanekom and nephew Zachary Marshall.
Ed was an avid follower of thoroughbred horses and followed them with a passion. He loved his summer trips to Saratoga Springs.
Messages of sympathy may be sent to his family through www.pagefuneralhome.com.
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FINKLE – Maureen Anne Finkle (nee Higgins) age 65 of Mullica Hill, passed away on Sept. 2, 2020.
Maureen was the beloved wife of Robert R. Finkle III and loving Mother to Robert R. Finkle IV. Contributions can be made to: The National Multiple Sclerosis Society PO Box 91891, Washington, DC 20090-1891 Nationalmssociety.org or The American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478 Oklahoma City, OK 73123 cancer.org.
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ARMSTRONG – Jane A. Armstrong of Mullica Hill passed away on Sept. 3, 2020.
Born Jane Adams on Sept. 7, 1922 in Patoka, Indiana. She was 97 years old
Jane was a past president and member of the Women’s Club of Mullica Hill, Gloucester County Art League, and a member of the Harrison Township Committee. She was also a volunteer member of the “Art Goes To School” Group.
Ever the artist, Jane lived her life colorfully, surrounded by pots of flowers, piles of books, and pieces of torn paper. Jane loved to cook, converse, and create. Thanks to the kindness of her devoted caregivers Lisa and Kiy, Jane was granted her wish to die at home where she passed peacefully with family by her side.
Jane was preceded in death by her husband, Bud Armstrong and daughter, Sharon Gehl. She passed within days of her only sibling, Joe Adams whose private service she was able to “attend” virtually during her final hours. Jane is survived by her children, Keith Armstrong (Gay) and Robb Rice (Bill); son in law, Larry; seven grandchildren, Lisa, Jan, Kelly, Jennifer, Meredith, Evan, and Corey; and 12 great grandchildren. She will be truly missed by all.
Memorials may be directed to the Harrison Township Historical Society of Mullica Hill, P.O. Box 4, Mullica Hill, NJ 08098 or The Angels Community Outreach, 334 S. Broadway, Pitman, NJ 08071.
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GARDINER — Carlton L. Gardiner, age 85 of Woodstown, died Sept. 4, 2020, in his home in Friends Village with his family by his side.
Born in Swedesboro, son of the late J. Ward and Mabel Layton Gardiner, he was a 1954 graduate of Woodstown High School. Carlton was a US Army veteran serving during the Korean War. A former dairy farmer, he spent most of his career overseeing construction and operations at Heritage’s Dairy Stores. He was a handyman at home, enjoyed gardening and caring for his farm animals. He attended the Woodstown Friends Meetinghouse for many years, served on the Friends Village Board of Trustees, and was a very active resident there.
Carlton is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law, Clarence and Donna, Daniel and Diana, and Gary and Lu Ann; his grandchildren, Heather Gardiner, Lauren Gardiner, Rebecca (and Daniel) Vassallo, Marc Gardiner, Emily Gardiner, Jessica (and Alex) Pasley, Brad Gardiner, and Josh Gardiner; his great-granddaughters, Maria and Ava Vassallo; his sister, Gladys Butler; his brother, Willard Gardiner; and his lady love, Ella Stone. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wife, Doris (nee Broomell) in March of 2009; his sisters, Virginia Moore and Evelyn McTyre; and his brother, Joe Gardiner.
Memorial contributions may be made in Carlton’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, www.stjude.org. Please visit www.htlayton.com to leave a note of condolence to his family.
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YOUNG — Jean Elizabeth Auwetter Young passed away on Sept. 6, 2020, three weeks after her 95th birthday. Jean was born in Swedesboro to John and Emma Auwetter of Clarksboro. Jean was joined by her younger brother Jack in 1930 and grew up in Clarksboro surrounded by the extended families of her maternal aunts and uncles. She was a longtime active member of the Evangelical United Methodist Church in Clarksboro, and a founding member of the women’s group, Class 13, later known as the Joy Circle. One of her biggest joys was teaching four year old Beginners in Sunday School for over 40 years. She formed lasting relationships with her young pupils as they grew up, and she attended many of their weddings. Toward the end of her life she was honored as the longest active member of the Evangelical United Methodist Church.
Jean excelled in school where she won the American Legion Award for girls in the eighth grade. After graduating high school at age 16 in 1942, Jean attended Banks Business College, riding the bus to Philadelphia each day. Upon certification, she began work as a secretary at the Jackson Lab of the Dupont Co. in Deepwater, New Jersey.
During the war years of 1942-1945, Jean participated in welcoming the servicemen to the Stagedoor Canteen sponsored by the USO. There in the basement of the Academy of Music she danced to the music provided by the legendary Big Bands nearly every Tuesday night.
A serendipitous meeting occurred on the way to the Jackson Lab Christmas party when Jean was encouraged (by their boss) to sit on the lap of a gangly PhD chemist., Edmond Young, because there was not enough room in the car. That pivotal encounter led to a courtship and wedding on September 14, 1946. Apparently they hit it off. The young couple lived first in a Woodbury apartment before they built a house in Mickleton where she and Ed lived the rest of their lives. Their first son, Stephen, was born on August 19, 1948 followed by daughter, Janet, in 1951 and second son, Timothy, in 1958.
Jean actively participated in civic and community life. She was an ardent supporter of the Republican party for many years and was also active in the PTA, serving as President of East Greenwich PTA and first President of Kingsway Regional High School PTA. Jean worked over 40 years at the election polls in November and was a board member of the East Greenwich Council on Aging for over 30 years.
Jean enjoyed traveling the world with her husband Ed to Europe, Asia, North Africa, South America, and Australia, although she always contended the best part of travel was returning back home to Mickleton. She was above all devoted to her family.
She is survived by her beloved brother, Jack, of Mickleton, and her three children, Stephen (Susan), of Raphine, VA, Janet (B. Dale Russell), of Port Angeles, WA, and Timothy, of Mickleton, who provided loving care in her last months. Jean is also survived by two granddaughters, Emily Russell, of Puyallup, WA, and Sarah “Sally” Russell, of Phoenix, AZ. She was predeceased by her husband, Edmond G. Young in 2002.
The funeral service was held in the McBride-Foley Funeral Home, Paulsboro. Contributions can be made in her memory to Evangelical United Methodist Church in Clarksboro. Memories can be shared at www.mcbridefoleyfh.com.
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CATALANO — Sue Racite Catalano, 90 of Mannington Twp. NJ passed away Sept. 15. 2020 while vacationing at the Jersey shore. Born and raised in Swedesboro, she was a graduate of Swedesboro High School, Class of ’47, a member of St. Clare of Assisi Parish and the Red Hat Ladies Society.
She was a hard working farmers wife. Sue was an artist, specializing in papier tole which she exhibited in art shows throughout the region for 40 years. She was truly a talented gifted woman.
Sue is survived by her children, Michael J. and Janie Catalano and Mary Jane and Frank Heide. Her grandchildren, Nicole, Maria, Fred, Alyssa, Derek, Christin and Marc. Also six great-grand-daughters. She was predeceased by her husband of 66 years Fred, her son Joseph, her parents, Joseph and Mary Racite and her siblings, Angela Day, Domenic and Joseph Racite.
Arrangements were by the CHEEGA FUNERAL HOME, Swedesboro. Donations in her memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis Tenn. 38105 would be appreciated.
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SNYDER — Anna May Snyder Devoted wife, mother, aunt, and grandmother Anna May Snyder (nee Mollet) passed away on Sept. 16 in Bethlehem, PA. She was 91 years old. She was born in Swedesboro. After graduating from Goldey-Beacom College, she worked at Du Pont de Nemours in Deepwater, NJ while serving in the U.S. Air Force Reserve.
She was married for 66 years to Paul W Snyder, Jr., who passed away on July 28. They lived in Pitman and at various places Paul’s work took them, in the United States, and also Japan and Saudi Arabia.
Anna May was a 10-year volunteer for the American Red Cross and served in various other volunteer capacities. She and Paul retired to the Pocono Mountains, enjoying outdoor activities for 22 years before becoming residents at Country Meadows retirement communities in Allentown and then Bethlehem, PA.
Anna May had three children, John Snyder of Wellesley, MA; Joan Snyder of Portland, Oregon, and Amy Hartsough of Hoffman Estates, Illinois. She had six grandchildren and 10 nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Paul, and by her brothers, Joseph Mollet and Franklin Mollet, and her sisters, Ruth DuBrink and Alice DuBrink.
Please consider donating in honor of Anna May to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
