KEATING — William Keating, 77.
It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of William “Bill” A. Keating, aged 77, of Pedricktown, NJ on June 4. Bill honorably served his country as a member of the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War from 1967 to 1969.
A loyal employee, Bill rendered 42 years of dedicated service to DuPont Chambers Works in Deepwater, NJ. He was also co-owner of Heart Felt Designs Country Shop in Pedricktown for nearly four decades, where his handcrafted birdhouses and artisanal creations were cherished by the community.
Bill’s service to the community included his roles on the Oldmans Township Board of Education, the Pedricktown Day Committee, the Oldmans Township Historical Society, and the Salem County Tourism Committee.
Bill’s academic pursuits included his attendance at Penns Grove High School and graduation from Pennsville High School, followed by studies at Goldey Beacom College.
A devout member of Grace Church in Swedesboro, Bill found strength and fellowship within its walls.
He leaves behind his beloved wife of 48 years, Helen H. Keating; his son, Aaron J. Keating; his daughter, Lauren B. Keating; his sister, Joan Gresk; and his brother, James Keating. He is preceded in death by his mother, Josephine Calabro Keating, and his father, William A. Keating, Sr.
Contributions can be made in Bill’s name to Grace Church, 351 Beckett Rd., Swedesboro, NJ 08085, or Fox Chase Cancer Center, P.O. Box 71343, Philadelphia, PA 19176-9810
Bill’s unwavering Christian faith, his commitment to his nation, his exemplary work ethic, his boundless optimism, his joy of travel and his talent for crafting will be remembered by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. He will be profoundly missed.
—
ERDNER — E. Larry Erdner, 89, of Pilesgrove NJ died on June 22, of cardiac arrest while working in his beloved garden watering tomatoes.
He is survived by his three daughters: Patricia Lane, of Charlottesville, VA; Susan Desmond of Quinton, NJ; and Lauren Coyle of Rockville, MD. He is survived by his two grandsons, Devin Coyle and Brennan Coyle, his partner, Trudi Hathaway, and his brother, Richard Erdner, along with numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife, Martha, in 2019.
Larry was the son of Earl and Helen Erdner and was born and raised with his brother Rick in Swedesboro. Both Larry and Rick excelled in football, alternating as captain and co-captain of the Swedesboro High School football team. Larry set numerous track and field records at Swedesboro that lasted for decades.
Larry initially received a football scholarship to Princeton University, but after a series of concussions, was unable to continue to play, and after he came home to recover, was drafted into the Army in the war in Korea. After his service, he applied for the GI Bill and as a result graduated from the University of Delaware with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. Larry was very active at UD in Sigma Nu fraternity and remained lifelong friends with many of his fellow members.
After college, he returned to Swedesboro to work in the family trucking business, eventually splitting off with his brother Rick to form Erdner Brothers Inc., motor freight transportation.
He married his wife, Martha, in 1961, and proposed to her after only two dates. They enjoyed 58 years of happiness together. Although Larry was content to never leave his corner of South Jersey, he and Marty went on various trips and adventures with friends over the years.
At an early age, his father figure Bill Rainy took him under his wing and taught him all about nature, farming, and hunting. Everything now in Beckett right back to his current home where he lived for almost 59 years was all farmland rich with deer and wildlife.
Larry continued that love of nature with his other friend, Mr. Pancoast, who introduced him to his farm in Lower Alloway Creek. Larry purchased “the Farm” and spent many happy decades hunting deer, pheasant, and quail and, before the ban on trapping, made his wife a black muskrat coat from his prized pelts. He was the president of the LAC Meadowbank Committee.
As a young adult, Larry joined the Free & Accepted Masons, where he served for the rest of his life. He was a Grand Master in 1966 and was recently recognized for his longstanding service in the Clarksboro Lodge (previously Swedesboro and Paulsboro). Larry was especially involved in the oyster dinners the Lodge prepared and was known to leave early in the morning to dredge and pat oysters before going home to change and come back to serve.
Larry was a devoted and loving husband and father and always greeted everyone with a twinkle in his eyes, a smile, and a handshake. He knew everyone and was always willing to stop and talk as he rode around in his 30+ year old green pickup truck (usually with dog boxes in the back).
He was a founding member of the Woodstown Men’s Fellowship and served as President, Treasurer and Secretary. He was a longtime member of the Woodstown Presbyterian Church and served for a number of terms on the Board of Trustees. After retirement, Larry joined the ROMEO’s club (Retired Old Men Eating Out) and ate breakfast monthly with some of his original childhood friends, most of which he knew for over 70 years.
Larry was thrilled to have two grandsons later in his life, whom he cherished, and he passed down his knowledge of the outdoors to a new generation. Family vacations were a staple, and the entire family still gathered at the homestead on multiple occasions to celebrate. If possible, Larry got a black walnut cake with buttercream frosting, his favorite.
Larry had a marvelous marriage but after widowhood, he was fortunate to find another chance at love during the covid lockdown when his longtime friendship with Trudi Hathaway bloomed into a loving relationship. During their four years together, they found a wonderful love and a deep understanding of sharing life and love in their 80’s.
Trudi and Larry had many mutual friends. They enjoyed many days and weekends in Cape May while seeking out the best oyster restaurants. Trudi’s family welcomed Larry into their lives and share in the tremendous sadness of his passing.
Larry was infamous for his large garden that produced enough fruit and vegetables for a small country. His wife Marty would make countless trips around town to share the bounty.
His tomatoes were his pride and joy and he loved nothing more than a fried red tomato and milk gravy dinner, accompanied by his silver queen corn.
His constant vexation were deer jumping the fence to get to the goodies. Larry was in his element when he was outdoors and lived a full and happy life every moment.
—
JONES — Clyde E. Jones, 86, of Woodstown NJ passed away June 24 at home.
He was born in Paw Karachi, IL, graduated from Paw Karachi High where he was the star center of the school’s basketball team. He was an Army Veteran and resident of the South Harrisonville, Woodstown area since 1970.
Clyde retired in 1984 as a distribution manager for Del Monte Foods in Swedesboro. He did deliveries for Jones Florist, in Harrisonville, and worked as a greeter in the garden department for the Walmart in Bridgeton. He also held four terms as president for the Ruritans of Harrisonville.
He was predeceased by his wife, DeAnna and is survived by his children, Clyde Eric Jones, Gina Vicars, Stephanie (Larry) Viereck, Nancy (Elwood) DuBois, Wendy (Greg) Rogers and Jodie (Alfio) Leonardi. 16 Grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. He was also predeceased by his son-in-law Roger Vicars.
Funeral Services were held at the Cheega Funeral Hone, 1329 Kings Highway, Swedesboro. Interment Lake Park Cemetery, Woolwich Township. Donations in his memory to The Future Farmers of America, c/o of Deanna Miller, 140 East Ave. Woodstown, NJ 08098 would be appreciated.
—
DeMEO — Raymond C. DeMeo, 68 formerly of Swedesboro, passed away June 25 at his residence in Westville, NJ. Born in Phila Pa., he resided in Westville for nine years coming from Swedesboro. He graduated from Haverford High School, Class of ’74, was a Navy Veteran, and a Quality Tester for Airgas in Bellmawr, NJ. He is survived by his children, Michael DeMeo and Lisa DeMeo, also his former spouse, DiAna Leddy. Graveside services are in the planning stage. Arrangements are being handled by the Cheega Funeral Home, Swedesboro, NJ.
—
HUMPHREY — Peggy Humphrey, 85.
Peggy was the coolest mother and grandmother: the unofficial mom and grandmom to half of Bridgeport. She was the kind of grandmother who played Paper Mario and Mario 64, with the grands and on her own; easily one of the best gamers around.
Peggy made sure that all her kids and grandkids received individual attention even if it meant preparing multiple breakfasts, lunches, and dinners; she would do it all. Of course, her cooking was always top shelf. She made the best comfort foods (meatloaf, chicken and dumplings and pancakes).
She had a creative side making art, painting, and crocheting. She loved older country music and singing nursery rhymes to her grands.
Peggy started working as a waitress at the Flight Deck Diner and wound up owning it for several years. Relaxing times found her enjoying a little Price is Right and Lifetime movies.
She’d meet and marry a handsome customer at the diner, the late Fred. She is survived by her grandson, Zachary Folker, her “adopted” grandkids, Rachel, Lizzie, Alex, Emma, and Christian and was pre-deceased by her daughter, Sheila Owen.
A chance meeting with a pretty girl (in the most New York way possible) led to a 36 year marriage with the late Rachel.
—
NOLTE — Joan P. Nolte, “Pat”, age 88, of Clarksboro, passed away surrounded by her loving family at home on July 17.
Born in Philadelphia to George L. Miller and Anna (nee Myers), she attended Woodbury High School where she played basketball, softball and hockey. She married Russell Nolte on July 5, 1958.
Joan was a hard-working woman who worked at Bell Telephone for five years, farmed asparagus and tomatoes on the Nolte farm, then operated Nolte’s Greenhouse for 23 years, growing poinsettias and making grave blankets. She also loved fishing and traveling.
Wife of the late Russell Nolte, she is survived by her son, Chuck Nolte; granddaughters, Carrie and Emma Carter, and Niki Pennington and her husband, James; great grandchildren, Ember and Gatlin Pennington; sister, Dorothy Nagle; brother-in-law, Eugenio Postorivo; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her son, Bob Nolte; daughter, Nancy Nolte-Carter; granddaughter, Ali Nolte; sisters, Nan (Anna) Mason, Marge Postorivo; and her brother, Roy (George) Miller.
Contributions can be made to Deborah Heart and Lung Center at www.demanddeborah.com. Memories & condolences can be shared at www.smithfhmantua.com.
—
LEDDY — Gerard (Gerry) Leddy, 70 of Carneys Point, NJ passed away at Inspira Medical Center, Mullica Hill, on July 4.
Born in Philadelphia, he lived in Carneys Point for the past eight years, coming from Swedesboro. He was a member of St. Clare of Assisi Parish and St. Francis Council # 7526, KOC in Swedesboro.
He formerly operated a record store in Wildwood, NJ called ‘Gerry’s Records’. He was a record collector and a sketch artist.
Gerry is survived by his wife Diana, children Lisa DeMeo and Michael DeMeo and his brothers, James, Michael and Dennis Leddy Donations in his memory to help with funeral expenses may be sent directly to the Cheega Funeral Home, 1329 Kings Hwy. Swedesboro, NJ 08085 and would be deeply appreciated.
Inurnment will be at Lake Park Cemetery, Woolwich Township.
—
PAUL — Elizabath Paul, 82 of Swedesboro, passed away July 13 at Inspira Medical Center, Mullica Hill. Born in Palai India, she has been an area resident for the past 20 years.
She was a member of St. Clare of Assisi Parish, was strong in her faith and was devoted to her family. She is survived by her daughter, Mercy Jose Paul and her husband James Thomas, three grandchildren, Jonah, Jovana and Jovit, her brothers, Joseph and John Kozikot and sisters, Mary (James) Kurichi and Lilly Poovathumkat.
Arrangements by the Cheega Funeral Home, Swedesboro.
—
