DABKOWSKI — Michael J. Dabkowski, age 66 of Mickleton, passed away unexpectedly March 8. He was born in Athol, MA graduated from Athol High School in 1972 and received his bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 1976. Mike traveled the world working for several major oil companies, retiring from Philadelphia Energy Solutions as an Engineering Consultant in Hydro-processing in 2019.
Michael was a member of the Catholic Community of the Holy Spirit Church in Mullica Hill where he was Head Counter, taught Religious Education, and was a member of the Westen Group. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus for 25 years and a charter member of Council12503. Michael was a past Sir Knight fourth degree since 1996 and an honorary knight. He was most recently elected the treasurer of the Knights of Columbus Council 12503 in Mullica Hill.
Since 1985 he was involved in Big Brothers of America where he received several awards for his work. He volunteered for the former East Greenwich Library, Swedesboro’s King’s Things, Food Bank and Thrift Shop, and most recently the Gloucester County Habitat for Humanity.
Michael enjoyed his many years at his cabin at Garrison Lake where he would entertain friends and neighbors. He loved cooking, baking and sharing his delicious recipes. He enjoyed dining out, going to the movies, traveling, and going on cruises. Mike made multiple trips to visit his family in New England spending treasured time with his nephews and nieces.
Michael was predeceased by his parents Chester J. and M. Bertha Dabkowski, his brother Dennis, sister Jane Pichette and her husband Brian and his niece Darcey Salwak. He is survived by his brother Chester J. Dabkowski, Jr. and his wife Kerry of Plymouth, MA, his sister Andrea A. Genest and her close friend Raymond Gill of Jamestown, RI, his sister Elaine King and her husband Wilfred (Junior) of Orange, MA, and his dear and special friend Carol of Collingswood, NJ. Mike was a gentle soul who will be sadly missed by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and their families.
Donations may be made to Holy Spirit Church 17A Earlington Ave. Mullica Hill, NJ 08062, or the United Way of Gloucester County 454 Crown Point Rd, Thorofare, NJ 08086.
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KUPSEY — Jack E. Kupsey age 52 years of Logan Township died March 23 in his home.
Jack was born in Woodbury and was a lifelong Logan Township resident. He was a 1987 graduate of Paulsboro High School and, after graduation, he joined the United States Marines where he fought in Desert Storm. Upon his return he went to the police academy. Jack then joined the Logan Township Police Department retiring at the rank of Sergeant. He was a member of Clarksboro Masonic Lodge #87, F&A.M. Jack was an avid hunter and fisherman who also enjoyed cooking.
He is survived by his daughters, Carley, and Camryn Kupsey of West Deptford; his father, Stanley Kupsey Sr. of Logan Township; his brother, Stanley Jr. and Colleen Kupsey of Woodbury Heights; his sister, Jill Davison of Clinton, South Carolina and several nieces and nephews. Jack was predeceased by his mother, Jackie Kupsey.
Funeral Services were held at the McBride – Foley Funeral Home, Paulsboro. Memories can be shared at www.mcbridefoleyfh.com.
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SHAINLINE — Sarah Marie Shainline of Mullica Hill died on April 3, 2021. Age 28. Daughter of Marie Irene Smith and the late Richard Paul Shainline. Sister of Katherine Jean Shainline (husband Christopher Blackden) and Allison Grace Shainline. Aunt of Zelda Jean Shainline-Blackden and Lucinda Sage Shainline-Blackden. Granddaughter of Emily K. Mazur, and niece of Miles M. Smith, Jr.
Born in Norristown, PA, Sarah was a longtime resident of Clayton before moving to Mullica Hill three months ago. She was a 2011 graduate of Clayton High School and earned an associate degree in Photography from Gloucester County College.
Sarah worked as a sales associate with JoAnn Fabrics and Crafts in Deptford. She enjoyed sewing, knitting, drawing, painting, and doing crafts. Sarah wrote poetry and loved to read, play video games, and hang out with friends.
Contributions may be made in memory of Sarah to the American Cancer Society, 1818 Market Street, Suite 2820, Philadelphia, PA 19103. Sign the guestbook at BarclayFuneralHome.net.
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RITTERSON — George H. Ritterson, Sr. 77 of Bridgeport, passed away peacefully April 7 at home. He was a lifelong resident of the Bridgeport area and retired in 1997 from Chemical Leaman Trucking Co. in Bridgeport where he was employed as a Deisel Mechanic and tank cleaner.
George loved riding his three wheel Harley and was married for 50 years to the late Maude (nee Spence) Ritterson. He is survived by his sons George Jr. (Karen) and Joseph (Jennifer) his grandchildren Shelby, Krystal and Jessica and great grandchildren Zaydan, Julietta and Rosabelle. His brothers, Charles, William, James Pratz, and a sister Violet Valentin.
Funeral Services were held at the CHEEGA FUNERAL HOME, 1329 KINGS HIGHWAY, SWEDESBORO. Donations in his memory to the COPD Foundation, 3300 Ponce De Leon Blvd. Miami Fla. 33134 or online at donations@copdfoundation.org. would be appreciated.
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GINIPRO — Frank Ginipro age 75 years of Mt. Royal died Thursday April 8 in his home.
Frank was born in Woodbury and lived in Mt. Royal since 1956. He was a graduate of the last class at Swedesboro High School, and he served in the New Jersey National Guard.
Frank owned and operated Frank’s Pub in Paulsboro for nearly 30 years. He enjoyed playing cards and golfing.
He is survived by his brother, Mike and Cheryl Ginipro of West Deptford; his nieces, Lauren and Katie Ginipro; his great niece, Vaida Cox and his great nephew, Landon Cox. Frank was predeceased by his parents, Angelo and Esther Ginipro.
Arrangements by McBride – Foley Funeral Home, Paulsboro. Memories can be shared at www.mcbridefoleyfh.com.
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SORELLE — Joseph John Sorelle Jr, born February 15,1942 to Joseph J. Sorelle and Anna (DiGiovanni) Sorelle died on April 9, 2021 at his home in Mickleton at the age of 79.
Joe was raised in Glassboro and graduated from Glassboro High School in 1959. He received a bachelor’s in accounting from Villanova University in 1963. He then began his career as a Certified Public Accounting (CPA) with Petroni and Associates in Glassboro, later joining Price Waterhouse in Philadelphia. As a true entrepreneur, Joe established his own CPA firm, Sorelle and Associates, which operated continuously for over 30 years.
Joe was an avid golfer and a Past President of the Woodbury Country Club where he developed many enduring friendships. Playing a round of golf with his sons was a favorite activity. Joe was a private pilot and enjoyed flying planes on new adventures. Joe also loved to travel, especially taking road trips in his various sports cars up and down the east coast. In his later years, Joe often enjoyed his free time by the pool with his two dogs.
Joe is survived by his wife Nina (nee Sinn), son Michael (Diana Campani) Sorelle, stepchildren Kristin (Erik) Smith, Jeffrey Johnson, grandchildren Caitlyn and Ashley Sorelle, Julianna, Madelyne and Kathryn Smith and Satya Johnson. He is survived by his sisters Connie (Wayne) Streitz and Rosalyn Sorelle Forster and his first wife, Hilda Ackermann Sorelle. He is also survived by nieces Kim Thompson, and Cara Forster and nephew Robert Forster as well as several grand nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his son Joseph Robert Sorelle and nephew Douglas Streitz.
Donations to the ASPCA at www.aspca.org, or the George Romeo Scholarship Fund at Rowan University would be appreciated. Checks should be made payable to the Rowan University Foundation, 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, NJ 08028. Note in memo line George Romeo Endowed Scholarship. To make an online gift, please use https://go.rowan.edu/romeoendowedscholarship. George Romeo was very influential in the college education and mentoring of Nina, Joseph Robert and Michael.
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HAEGELE — Alice R. Haegele, (nee Dyke) age 97 years of Clarksboro died peacefully April 10 at her most recent home in Mullica Gardens Assisted Living in Mullica Hill. She was a lifelong resident of East Greenwich Township having grown up in Mt. Royal and living on County House Rd. in Clarksboro for over 60 years. Mrs. Haegele grew up in Mt. Royal, one of seven children and attended school in East Greenwich graduating from Swedesboro High School.
She went to work at the American Baptist Churches Publishing Company as a secretary after high school making the trek to Philadelphia. There she met the love of her life, Johnny, or as we all knew him, Jack. They were married on June 21, 1947 in the Berkley Baptist Church in Mt. Royal. After living for a few years with Jack’s brother in Philadelphia, they returned to East Greenwich, renting for a while and eventually building their home on County House Rd. in Clarksboro where her sister Marion and her husband Bud built a home next door. This created a wonderful family atmosphere for their children, Nancy, Linda, Terry, Janet and Gary to grow up. The tradition continued with her grandchildren, Jill and Kristi, her great nieces, Stacy and Jessica and her great nephews, Brian and Jeff. Alice continued to live in her home until March of 2020 when she moved to assisted living.
Having come from a large family, Alice and Jack provided all their extended family members a place to gather and visit. Many summers saw Alice’s sisters and brothers and their families staying over for an extended visit. Christmas holiday gatherings with Jack’s family were always looked forward to. Ham and her “special” mac and cheese with ice cream desserts were favorites.
Alice attended the Berkley Baptist Church which was next door to her house growing up. Her faith was nurtured and grew so that as an adult she became very active being the church clerk and teaching Sunday School. Her strong faith sustained her throughout her life. She and Jack helped wherever they could.
While her children were in school. Alice was active in the PTA. As Jack became involved in local politics and eventually was elected to Township Committee, Alice was the support person in the background, hosting many parties and good times at their home.
Alice returned to the work force once her children were in high school. She worked at Superior Scale in Deptford and then at the N.J. Dept. of Labor first in Camden and then later in Trenton. She retired from the state in 1984.
After losing her husband in August of 1984 she was devastated. “Leaning on the arms of the everlasting Father” as she said she was able to rally and continue to care for the inside and outside of her home until well into her 90s. She loved to work outside in her flower gardens and to mow the lawn (almost an acre). She used a push mower and at the age of 85 consented to a self-propelled mower. Alice was an avid reader her entire life and in her later years loved to read, do crossword puzzles, and word searches. She continued to complete her puzzle books until her eyes failed her. Alice enjoyed going to the shore and loved the ocean. Many summers, she would enjoy time in Sea Isle City with her nieces Terry and Janet.
A woman of many talents, she loved her family dearly. She enjoyed planning and having parties and barbecues making all the food herself. She loved organizing and cleaning and seemed to have boundless energy. She was caring and hardworking, honest, and trustworthy. She leaves a legacy of kindness and caring that is unsurpassed.
Alice and Jack were the epitome of the way marriage should work. Each supported and helped the other with whatever task was before them. Through the joys and wonders as well as the trials and tribulations of life, they were there for each other. They believed as well as practiced I Corinthians 13 4-8, a great example for their many family members and friends.
By example, she taught her daughters as well as many nieces and nephews the value of family, how to nurture, love, disagree, forgive, help, and care for each other. She taught us to accept change with an open heart and good attitude as she learned how to live as a widow, adjusted to not driving anymore and eventually leaving her beloved home.
She deeply loved her granddaughters, Jill and Kristi and her great-grandchildren, Colton, Savannah, and Scarlet. Even as her memory failed, she continued to ask how each of them were doing.
Alice was predeceased by her parents: Clara (Heritage) and Charles Dyke, and her siblings: Elizabeth (Joe) Lodge, Evelyn (Winn) Barr, Edwin (Beulah) Dyke, Florence (Ted) Duncan, Wilmer (Eleanor) Dyke, infant brother, Robert, and Marion (Louis) Seagraves.
She is survived by her daughters: Nancy Haegele, Linda (Roy) Muhlbaier, her grandchildren: Jill (Mike) and Kristi (Matt), her great-grandchildren: Colton, Savannah and Scarlet and many nieces and nephews.
The funeral service was held at the McBride – Foley Funeral Home, Paulsboro. The family suggests that contributions in her memory be made to Salem Little League, PO Box 397, Quinton, NJ 08072. Memories can be shared at www.mcbridefoleyfh.com.
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SCHOENER — Eleanor Schoener, 98, of Woolwich Township. Surrounded by her loving family at home, Eleanor passed peacefully on April 15 at the age of 98.
For Eleanor, family always came first. For many years Sundays were a family gathering for pot roast, potatoes, and coleslaw. She always thought of ways to keep her family entertained. Once, her husband wanted to get a snowmobile, and she agreed if she could get a pool, making their home the place to be for picnics and parties.
She worked as a secretary for a number of Swedesboro businesses, and for 20 years was the face and voice of Kingsway Regional High School. It was Eleanor you would hear making announcements over the P A system, and she was the first to welcome you as you came through the front doors.
Perhaps the trick to living to 98 is enjoying a Manhattan every day. It didn’t matter when; according to Eleanor, it was always five o’clock somewhere. Eleanor also liked to do a little gambling with her casino buddy, Rosie Vanaman, playing the slots in Atlantic City and Las Vegas. If her T.V was on, she would either be checking in with her friends at General Hospital or cheering on the Phillies: “Hit the ball!!”, you’d hear her yell at the screen. Eleanor loved to travel and went many places from Hawaii to the Panama Canal.
At Swedesboro High School she met a handsome guy who was a year ahead of her. She and the late Bill would marry before he shipped off to Europe near the end of WWII. They eventually settled on the family farm in Woolwich Twp. where Eleanor resided for 67 years.
Bill and Eleanor were blessed with two children: Tom (Carol) and Merilyn Casella; a granddaughter, Debra (Greg) Price and a great grandson, Josh Price.
Donations can be made to Bayada at Inspira Hospice, 603 North Broad Street, Suite 301 Woodbury, 08096 or Visiting Angels of Gloucester County, 397 Bridgeton Pike, Mantua 08051.
