![]() IN MEMORY
THE JEWISH STATEJune 5, 2009
GROSS. Mrs. Nettie Gross died peacefully May 13, 2009. She was 93. Born in New York City and formerly of Florida, Plainfield and Glen Gardner, Nettie moved to Green Brook in 2008. She started her career as a supervisor at RCA in Bridgewater, where she worked for 15 years. Before retiring in 1981 she worked as a LPN at Hunterdon Medical Center, Flemington, for 10 years. She was a former president of the Jewish American War Veterans Auxiliary Post and Jewish Community Center member in Port Richey, Fla. She was an avid reader of Bella Plane novels, enjoyed camping, and was a member of the Glen Gardner Rescue Squad. She was predeceased by her husband, Howard. Mrs. Gross is survived by her daughters, Carol E. Ahlert and Claire E. Green; brother, Manny Gloger of Florida; four grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Interment at Beth Israel Cemetery, Woodbridge. Arrangements by Bruce C. VanArsdale Funeral Home, Somerville. Memorial donations may be made to The Daughters of Miriam Foundation, The Gallen Institute, 155 Hazel St., Clifton, N.J. 07015. HECKELMAN. Mrs. Sandra Frances Geraldine Baker Heckelman died May 28, 2009, in the St. Peters University Hospital, New Brunswick. She was 72. Born in Portland, Maine, Mrs. Heckelman had resided in Brooklyn and Franklin before moving to East Brunswick in 1973. She had been a teacher in the Trenton School System for more than 30 years before retiring in 1999. She had served as the president of the Trenton Education Association and was a member of the NJEA, where she served on the Government Relations Committee. She was also a member of the N.J. Retired Educators Association and the Mercer County Retired Educators Association. She was an active member of the United Way, serving as the chair of the Allocation Committee and was also on the organizations Community Needs Committee. She was a member of the board of directors of Jewish Family and Vocational Services of Middlesex County and served as a Democratic Committewoman in East Brunswick for several years. She was predeceased by her parents, Lewis and Jeanette Hirschowitz Baker. Mrs. Heckelman is survived by her beloved husband, Dr. Sol B.; daughter, Jen Eve Frace of East Brunswick; son, Dr. Jack Heckelman of Winston Salem, N.C.; and grandchildren, Anna Frace of Baltimore, Md., and Robert Frace of East Brunswick. Interment at Beth Israel Cemetery, Woodbridge. Arrangements by Crabiel Parkwest Funeral Chapel, New Brunswick. Memorial donations may be made to the Sandra Heckelman Memorial Fund at the Anshe Emeth Memorial Temple. HEIMBERG. Mrs. Lillian Heimberg died May 4, 2009. She was 91. Born and raised in Elizabeth, Lillian lived in Edison for more than 20 years. She started her career as a schoolteacher at Newark East Side High School. She then worked at Weequahic High School. In the evenings she worked for Coin Depot in Elizabeth as a technical support service representative and retired in 1993. She graduated from Douglass College in 1939 with a bachelor's degree in English. She earned her master's degree in 1970 from Newark State Teachers College. She was a member of Temple B'nai Israel, Elizabeth. She was a camp counselor in several summer camps throughout the tri-state area, and volunteered her time as a typist at her late son's office in Cranford. She was an avid reader and will be sadly missed by all. Her son, Jeffrey, died in 2003; her former spouse, Arthur, died in 1960. She was also predeceased by her siblings, George and William Cherlin and Judith Sagotsky. Mrs. Heimberg is survived by her grandson, Cory D. Heimberg; daughter-in-law, Sandy Heimberg; sister, Harriet Hunt; sister-in-law, Eileen Cherlin; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Interment at Beth Israel Cemetery, Woodbridge. Arrangements by Bruce C. VanArsdale Funeral Home, Somerville. Memorial donations may be made to Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, 383 Main Ave., 5th floor, Norwalk, Conn. 06851. KRAMER.Mrs. Karen F. Kramer (nee Schultz) died May 27, 2009 at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick. She was 57. Born in New Brunswick, Mrs. Kramer lived in Metuchen for 30 years. She was a program director for 17 years with Rahway board of education, public school system. She was a member of Temple Neve Shalom, Metuchen. She received her bachelor's from Penn. State University, master's from Teachers College of Columbia University, and doctorate from Rutgers University. Mrs. Kramer is survived by her husband of 34 years, Elliot; son, Evan of Philadelphia; daughter, Allison of Brooklyn; parents, David and Marilyn Schultz of Monroe; sister, Shelley Bilsky of Dresher, Pa.; and a niece and nephew. Contributions in her memory may be made to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Donor Services, P.O. Box 4072, Pittsfield, MA 01202, would be appeciated. Committal service held at Washington Cemetery, Monmouth Junction. Arrangements by Flynn and Son/Koyen Funeral Home, Metuchen. KRAMER. . Mrs. Leah Yarus Kramer of Tinton Falls died May 21, 2009 at home. She was 86. Born in Wilmington, Del., Mrs. Kramer was a former resident of Woodbridge from 1960 to 2000. She was a stenographer for U.S. Federal Court, Philadelphia. She was a former member of Temple Beth Mordecai, Perth Amboy, Congregation Shaarey Tifiloh, Perth Amboy, and Congregation Adeth Israel, Woodbridge. She was a past president of the Sisterhood at Adeth Israel; life member of Woodbridge Hadassah; charter member of B'nai B'rith, Metuchen; and a current member of Temple Neve Shalom, Metuchen. Her husband, Dr. Bernard Kramer, died in 1997. She was also predeceased by two sisters, Ann F. Millman and Violet Weinstein. Mrs. Kramer is survived by her daughter, Andrea Joan Kramer of Charlotte, N.C.; brother, Irvin Yarus of Pennsylvania; and several nieces and nephews. Interment at Beth Mordecai Cemetery, Perth Amboy. Arrangements by Flynn and Son Funeral Home, Perth Amboy. LEVITZ. Mrs. Enid Sackin Levitz died May 15, 2009. Enid graduated from Weequahic High School in Newark in 1945. She worked as a bookkeeper for many years before retiring with her husband to Florida. She was a founding member of the Carteret Jewish Community Center, and a past president of the Sisterhood. Mrs. Levitz is survived by her devoted husband of 59 years, Harold; loving children, Arlene and Allen Lebowitz of Fairfax Station, Va., Alan and Marcia Levitz of Boynton Beach, Fla., and Jeffrey and Ellen Levitz of Marietta, Ga.; beloved grandchildren, Jenny and Sara Lebowitz, Andrew, Hillary and Michael Levitz; brother, Albert Sackin of Tamarac, Fla.; and sister, Helen Master of San Diego. Arrangements by Star of David, North Lauderdale, Fla. MEDWIN. Mrs. Frances Medwin died May 19, 2009 at Harrogate in Lakewood. She was 86. Born in Bluefield, W.V., Frances was raised in Bluefield, Va., and moved to N.J. 50 years ago, first to Maplewood and in 1965 to Lakewood. Frances and her husband, Milton, were members of Temple Beth Am, and together worked in their well-known dry cleaning store, Marcia Jon. Frances is survived by her loving husband of 65 years, Milton; sons and daughter-in-law, Allan of Millstone, and Louis and Nancy of Toms River; daughter and son-in-law, Marcia and Seymour Kagan of New Harbor, Me.; and grandchildren, Jason, Scott, Monica and Katherine Medwin, and Jeanette Radder. Interment at Brig. Gen. Wm. C. Doyle Veterans Cemetery. Arrangements by Belkoff-Goldstein Funeral Chapel, Lakewood. Memorial donations may be made to Temple Beth Am Shalom, 400 Carey St., Lakewood N.J. 08701. OLIVER. Mr. Morris Oliver died May 24, 2009. He was 99. A longtime resident of Jersey City, Mr. Oliver was president of Ahavas Achim Synagogue of Jersey City and a mason. He is survived by his wife, Sophie (Katz); son, Harvey; daughters Judy Ull and Rhoda Oliver; two granddaughters; and three great-granddaughters. Interment at Baron Hirsch Cemetery, Staten Island. Arrangements by Eden Memorial Chapels, Fort Lee. PETSONK. Mr. Edward M. (Eddy) Petsonk died May 22, 2009 in Somerset. He was 93. The son of Polish Jewish immigrants, Mr. Petsonk grew up in New York City. In 1937 he received a degree in electrical engineering from the City College of New York, and on 1941 came to Altoona, Pa., where he met Julia Leopold of Hollidaysburg. They wed the next year and were married for 57 years until Julia passed away in 2000. During World War II, Ed served his country as an aeronautical engineer. After the war, he entered the electrical contracting business in Hillside and shortly thereafter established Electrical Contractors Associates and Blair Electric Service Company in Altoona. Subsequently those companies provided electrical construction services for many industrial facilities, schools and hospitals in the central Pennsylvania region. Ed was a charming, dynamic man who relished life and was devoted to his family and community. He cared greatly about youth, supporting the Boy Scouts as a scoutmaster and member of the Scout District Council. He supported programs for disadvantaged young people by establishing college scholarships and providing leadership for Tomorrow's Citizens, a program that offered employment for troubled youth, some of whom themselves went on to become community leaders. Mr. Petsonk was very active in Altoona's Jewish community and was a dedicated supporter of Israel. Over the years he served as president of the Federation of Jewish Philanthropies, Temple Beth Israel, and the Jewish Memorial Center. He chaired the Israel Bond drive in his region on several occasions. With his wife he initiated a Holocaust education program in Altoona schools, a program that continues today. A lifelong supporter of athletics, he helped promote tennis and other racquet sports in Altoona. He continued to enjoy playing tennis until the age of 91. In mid-life, Ed became an avid skier, and was the principal developer of the Blue Knob Ski Resort in central Pennsylvania in 1963. Ed loved music, and participated in and led singing programs after he moved to West Virginia in 1995, and later at the Stein Assisted Living Residence in New Jersey, where he resided for the last year of his life. Mr. Petsonk is survived by his older brother George Shire, of Millersville, Pa.; children, Judy, journalist and author of two non-fiction books, Lee, physician and researcher for the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Andy, environmental consultant in Sweden, and Carol Annette, international environmental lawyer; and seven grandchildren. He will be deeply missed. Interment at Mt. Sinai Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to a charity of one's choice. ROSEN. Mrs. Phyllis Rosen died May 9, 2009 at home. She was 84. Mrs. Rosen was predeceased by her husband, Max David, in 1983. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Jay A. and Gail; daughter and son-in-law, Debra and Stewart Kutner; brothers, Allen and Marvin Wollman; sister, Rhoda Berger; and grandchildren, Traci, Nicole, Michelle and Rachel. Interment at Cedar Park Cemetery, Paramus. Arrangements by Bruce C. VanArsdale Funeral Home, Somerville. Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer's Association, 400 Morris Ave., Denville, N.J. 07834. SIMOFF.Mr. Abram Simoff died April 26, 2009. He was 82. Born in Orange, Mr. Simoff lived in Bedminster for more than 40 years before moving to Clifton in 2008. In 1955 he was the founder of the Simoff Engineering Associates in Madison, retiring in 2007. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. He graduated in 1951 from the University of Illinois with a B.S. engineering. He was a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and the Institute of Transportation Engineers. He enjoyed spending time breeding and racing horses. Mr. Simoff is survived by his wife of 59 years, Ivy Shapiro; sons and daughters-in-law, Hal and Rhonda, Richard, Michael and Maria, and Andrew and Elizabeth; daughter and son-in-law, Beth and Rodger Feldman; and eight grandchildren. Interment at Temple Sholom Cemetery, Bridgewater. Arrangments by Bruce C. VanArsdale Funeral Home, Somerville. Memorial donations may be made to The Daughters of Miriam Foundation, The Gallen Institute, 155 Hazel St., Clifton, N.J. 07015. VAN VLEET.Mrs. Mindy Van Vleet (nee Kuzneetzoff died May 20, 2009. She was 49. Born and raised in Bridgewater, Mindy attended local schools. She is survived by her loving husband, John; parents, Phlip and Beverly Kuznetzoff of Bridgewater; sisters, Meryl Porter of Cleveland, Ohio, and Tina Abarelli of Oaklyn; brother, Jess Kuznetzoff of Asbury; father- and mother-in-law, Arthur and Dawn; sisters and brothers-in-law; and nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Smith-McCracken Funeral Home, Newton. Local arrangments by Bruce C. VanArsdale Funeral Home, Somerville. Interment at St. Joseph's Cemetery. WEINER.Mr. Mark B. Weiner died May 21, 2009 at home with his loving wife by his side. He was 44. Born and raised in Staten Island, Mr. Weiner moved to East Brunswick 23 years ago. He was an attorney, in practice with his brother, Jay, in the firm Weiner and Weiner, East Brunswick, for the past 17 years. He graduated from the Thomas Cooley School of Law, Michigan. He was a member of the East Brunswick Jewish Center. Mr. Weiner is survived by his wife of 11 years, Rachel Schrager Weiner; daughters, Brianna and Sari, both at home; parents, Jacquelyn and David of East Brunswick; brother, Jay of East Brunswick; parents-in-law, Mark and Helene Schrager, and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Steven and Dana Schrager, all of East Brunswick; two nieces; and two nephews. Interment at Beth Israel Cemetery, Woodbridge. Arrangements by Mount Sinai Memorial Chapels, East Brunswick. Memorial donations may be made to East Brunswick Jewish Center, 511 Ryders Lane, East Brunswick, N.J. 08816. WEISS.Mrs. Ruth Hahn Weiss died May 26, 2009 at Kettering Hospital, Kettering, Ohio. She was 88. Born in Germany, Mrs. Weiss lived in Hopewell and Monroe for 20 years until moving to Ohio in 2004. She was a former member of Temple Beth Chaim, East Windsor. She also belonged to B'nai B'rith. Her husband, Arnold, died in 1999. Mrs. Weiss is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Jay Barry and Esther of Springboro, Ohio; and grandchildren, Rachel, Evan and Sarah. Interment at Beth Israel Cemetery, Woodbridge. Arrangments by Mount Sinai Memorial Chapels, East Brunswick. ZELL.Mrs. Ruth Zell died May 24, 2009 at the Martin and Edith Stein Assisted Living, Somerset. She was 88. Born in Manville, Mrs. Zell lived there until 1951 when she and her husband, Ed, moved to Somerville and raised their family. They owned and operated Zell's, a family clothing store in Manville for more than 35 years before retiring in 1983. Ruth was a member of Temple Sholom, where she participated in the Sisterhood, as well as in Hadassah and the Somerset County JCC, where she was active in the seniors' program. She enjoyed mah jongg, bingo, and an occasional trip to Atlantic City, but she received her most joy when she was with her family. She was renowned as a great cook and excellent baker. She will be sadly missed. Her husband, Ed, died in 1985. She was also predeceased by her daughter, Donna Gropper, and her sister, Edith Applebaum. Ruth is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Alan and Carrie of Scottsdale, Ariz.; son-in-law, Jeffrey Gropper; sister and brother-in-law, Helena and Gilbert Pelovitz of Lake Worth, Fla.; grandchildren, David Gropper and his wife, Melissa, Jill Shiman and her husband, Gary, Judy Gropper, and Dena Zell; and five great-grandchildren. Interment at Temple Sholom Cemetery, Bridgewater. Arrangements by Bruce C. VanArsdale Funeral Home, Somerville. Memorial contributions may be made to Temple Sholom, 594 N. Bridge St., Bridgewater, N.J. 08807. |