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BATLAN. Mr. Julian Batlan died March 5, 2010, at home. He was 87.

Born in New York, Mr. Batlan was a lifelong resident of New Jersey, residing in Manalapan since 1967. He graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in business administration. At college, he was a member of the school's fencing and boxing teams and was a member of the University ROTC. He worked in the insurance industry for New York Life and later was self-employed as an insurance broker until his retirement. He was active in his community his entire life. He was a past commander of the Jewish War Veterans, and a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and of the American Legion. He was also involved as a leader with The Boy Scouts of America for many years. He was recognized by the N.J. State Legislature for his service to the community and veterans in an official legislature proclamation. He was an avid lover of nature and animals. He enjoyed camping, marksmanship, sailing and swimming, music and the arts. He was an avid reader of history. He was a decorated combat veteran of World War II, serving 12 months in Europe as a lieutenant and captain in the First Infantry Division. He was awarded the Silver Star for Gallantry in Action for leading his platoon in an assault on a heavily defended German machine gun position. During the Battle of the Bulge, he was awarded a Bronze Star for Valor and given a battlefield promotion to captain after his company was cut off and surrounded by German forces. His company received a Presidential Unit Citation for that action. He also received two Purple Hearts for wounds he sustained in combat.

Mr. Batlan is survived by his wife of 59 years, Shirley; brother, Morton; daughter and son-in-law, Barbara and Thomas Massabrook; sons and daughters-in-law, Michael, and Richard and Jo-Ann; grandchildren, Jessica, Nicole, and Gabriel; and a vast extended family of cousins, nephews and nieces. Interment at Brig. Gen. William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Arneytown. Arrangements by Bloomfield-Cooper Jewish Chapels, 44 Wilson Ave., Manalapan.

BLUMENKRANTZ. Mr. Harold M. Blumenkrantz died March 8, 2010, at home. He was 83.

Born in Brooklyn, Mr. Blumenkrantz lived in Manhattan and Teaneck, and retired to Monroe. He was a successful businessman, lifelong photo bug, and prominent member of the Masonic fraternal order. Prior to retiring in 1984, he was the owner of Apex Sewing Machine Company in Manhattan's garment district. He developed the company that manufactured sewing machines for the furniture industry into a worldwide business, receiving several industry awards for innovation. After retiring, he taught photography to special education students at several locations in New Jersey. He was a congregant of the Jewish Congregation of Concordia, Monroe. He graduated from City College in New York City, and was a right worshipful master of the Composite Masonic Lodge in New York City. He played harmonica with the Harmonikids, a group in Monroe, and entertained at nursing homes and other events. Harold will be particularly missed for his lively, entertaining character.

Mr. Blumenkrantz is survived by his wife of 60 years, Adele Frankel Blumenkrantz; daughter and son-in-law, Karen and David Evans of Wellesley, Mass.; son and daughter-in-law, Philip Blumenkrantz and Carolyn Wyman of Philadelphia; brother and sister-in-law, Larry and Ingrid of Long Island; and grandchildren, Erica and Scott Evans of Wellesley, Mass. Interment at New Montefiore Cemetery, Farmingdale, N.Y. Arrangements by Mount Sinai Memorial Chapels, East Brunswick. Memorial donations may be made to The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 1332 N. Halstead St., Suite 201, Chicago, Ill. 60642-2642, or The Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County, 230 Old Bridge Tpk., South River, N.J. 08882-2000.

FINE. Mrs. Barbara C. Schenkel Fine died March 4, 2010, at the Albert Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia. She was 78.

Born in Newark, Mrs. Fine lived in West Orange before moving to Monroe 25 years ago. She was a member of the West Orange Jewish Center and a past president of the Sisterhood of West Orange Jewish Center. She was also a past president of the National Council of Jewish Women. Her daughter, Jeanne Sobine, died in 2005.

Mrs. Fine is survived by her husband of 59 years, Harold; son and daughter-in-law, Dr. Richard Fine and Debi of Princeton Junction; and grandchildren, Daniel and Jake Fine, and Shari and Rachel Sobine. Interment at Mount Lebanon Cemetery, Iselin. Arrangements by Mount Sinai Memorial Chapels, East Brunswick. Memorial donations may be made to JDRF, Mercer-Bucks Chapter, 28 Kenney Blvd., East Brunswick, N.J. 08816, Attn: Liz Preston -- In honor of Barbara Fine.

KESELMAN. Mr. Jose Keselman died March 8, 2010, at the Daughters of Israel. He was 81.

Born in Warsaw, Poland, Mr. Keselman lived in Panama, Philadelphia, Newark, and then Elizabeth, before moving to Springfield. Prior to his retirement, he owned a grocery store in Newark and two variety stores in Union City. He was a past vice-president of Congregation B'nai Israel of Millburn and had been a past president of its Men's Club. A member of the masons in Union County, he was a proud member of the "Mitzvah Clowns," who entertained patients in hospitals and nursing homes.

Mr. Keselman was the beloved husband of Hanna (nee Rawicz); devoted father of Jerry and his wife, Renee; loving grandfather of Dylan and Juliet; dear brother of the late Sara, Perla and Rose; and uncle of five nephews and one niece. Interment at Mount Lebanon Cemetery. Arrangements by Bernheim-Apter-Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Chapel, Livingston.

LUBLIN. Mrs. Dorothy Y. Lublin (nee Schulman) died March 8, 2010, at JFK Haven Hospice in Edison with her loving family by her side. She was 79.

Born in Brooklyn, Mrs. Lublin lived in Queens before moving to Iselin in 1967. She worked as a customer service representative for Federal Express in Somerset for 10 years before retiring in 1996. She was a longtime volunteer for JFK Medical Center in Edison. She was a member of the 55 and over club in Metuchen. Her husband, Sheldon, died in 1993.

Mrs. Lublin is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, Gary and Susan of Orlando, Fla., and Michael and Susan of Ocoee, Fla.; daughter and son-in-law, Cindi and Louis Pietrangelo of Colonia; brother, Marvin Schulman of Long Island; sister, Barbara Sage of Hayes, Va.; and grandchildren, Louis Jr., Jayme, Aleese, Shelby, and Jakob. She will be missed by all who loved her.

Arrangements by Gosselin Funeral Home, Edison. Interment at Beth Israel Cemetery, Woodbridge. Memorial donations may be made to the Haven Hospice, c/o The JFK Medical Center Foundation, 80 James St., Edison, N.J. 08818 or the American Cancer Society, Middlesex Unit, 846 Main St., Fords, N.J. 08863.

SAMUELS. Mr. Martin Samuels died March 6, 2010, at the Regency Jewish Heritage Nursing and Rehab Center, Somerset. He was 81.

Born in Newark, Mr. Samuels lived in Union before moving to Somerset three years ago. He was a partner with his brothers in Buy Wise Auto Parts, Union, for more than 40 years, before retiring 20 years ago. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Gloria (nee Gallini), and his devoted brother, Ervin Samuels.

Mr. Samuels is survived by his dear brother, Philip; and his loving nieces and nephews. Interment at the King Solomon Cemetery, Clifton. Arrangements by Menorah Chapels at Millburn, Union. Memorial donations may be made to the charity of one's choice.

SOCKOLOF. Mrs. Mae Rapaport Sockolof of Monroe died March 6, 2010 at the Francis E. Parker Home, Piscataway.

Mrs. Sockolof and her husband, Sidney, were the founders of Simms Jewelers, originally in New Brunswick. She was a life member of B'nai B'rith. "Mom-Mom" will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by everyone whose life she touched. Her dear husband, Sidney, died in December 1984.

Mrs. Sockolof is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Art and Ann of Tewksbury; daughter and son-in-law, Debbie and Lou Schwartz of Princeton Junction; and grandchildren, David, Sarah, and Michael Sockolof, and Jason Schwartz; and great-grandchildren, Ryan, Erin, Jake, and Alex. Interment at Beth Israel Cemetery, Woodbridge. Arrangements by Crabiel Parkwest Funeral Chapel, New Brunswick. Memorial donations may be made to: Susan G. Komen for the Cure, 2 Princess Road, Suite D, Lawrenceville, N.J. 08648; Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 34th St. and Civic Center Blvd., Philadelphia, Pa. 19104; The Martin and Edith Stein Hospice, 49 Veronica Ave., Suite 206, Somerset, N.J. 08873.

SPIEGEL. Mr. Victor Spiegel died March 9, 2010, at St. Peters University Hospital, New Brunswick. He was 93.

Born in Hamburg, Germany, Mr. Spiegel lived in Brooklyn before moving to Monroe in 1994. Prior to his retirement in 1980, he was a purchasing agent for A.J. Siris in the Bronx, where he worked for 34 years. He was a member of the Jewish Congregation of Concordia.

Mr. Spiegel is survived by his wife, Annabelle; son and daughter-in-law, Cary and Elisa of Plainsboro; daughter and son-in-law, Debra and Ricky Solomon of Brooklyn; and grandchildren, David, Adam, Eric, Robin, and Jonathan. Interment at Wellwood Cemetery, Farmingdale, N.Y. Arrangements by Mt. Sinai Memorial Chapels, East Brunswick. Memorial donations may be made to the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County, 230 Old Bridge Turnpike, South River, N.J. 08882-2000.

STEINBERG. Mr. Sherman Steinberg died March 4, 2010, in Cooperstown. He was 78.

Born in New York City, Mr. Steinberg taught chemistry at New York University before becoming owner of an industrial paint manufacturing company, North American Technologies, Ocean. His true love was horses. He became involved in the Harness Racing industry more than 25 years ago and raised and raced many Standardbred horses at tracks all over New York and New Jersey. He owned a farm for several years in Plumsted, and most of his horses bore the last name Plumsted. In recent years, he moved his operations to upstate New York to the Ola Farm. There, he also manufactured his own root beer also bearing the name Ola, a company that his father had begun in New York City many years earlier and which Mr. Steinberg resurrected. He was also an avid nature photographer and played violin.

Mr. Steinberg is survived by his wife, May, of Holmdel; daughter, Jo-Ann of River Vale; son, Andrew of Montclair; and grandchildren, Carnig and Rachael (Shakarjian) and Daniel and Annabelle Steinberg. Interment at the Floral Park Cemetery, Monmouth Junction. Arrangements by Bloomfield-Cooper Jewish Chapels, Manalapan. Memorial donations may be made to the Standardbred Retirement Foundation, 108F Old York Road, Hamilton, N.J. 08620 or www.adoptahorse.org.

TISCHLER. Mr. Irving Tischler died March 4, 2010, at Raritan Bay Medical Center, Old Bridge Division. He was 84.

Born in Brooklyn, Mr. Tischler lived in Sayreville since 1978. In the 32 years in Sayreville, he was very active in politics and held numerous political positions. He was a Korean War veteran.

Mr. Tischler is survived by his loving wife, Renee (nee Schiffer); daughters and sons-in-law, Jackie and Bill Chrystal, and Hillari and Glenn Yuengel; and grandchildren, Eric, Rhett, and Rayce. Interment at Mount Lebanon Cemetery, Iselin. Arrangements by The Goldstein Funeral Chapel, Inc., Edison.