Home

BECKERMAN. Mrs. Shirley Rosenfeld Beckerman died Nov. 1, 2008 at her home in Monroe. She was 85.

Born in Brooklyn, Mrs. Beckerman lived in Freeport, N.Y. before moving to Monroe 20 year ago. Her husband, Aaron, died in 2005; her brother, Benjamin Rosenfeld, died in 2007.

Mrs. Beckerman is survived by her children, Stuart, Richard, and Laurie, all of Manhattan. Interment at Beth Moses Cemetery, Farmingdale, N.Y. Arrangements by Mount Sinai Memorial Chapels, East Brunswick. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Assoc., 12 Roszel Rd., Princeton, N.J. 08540.

COSTANTINO. Mrs. Ruth Pauzner Costantino died Oct. 30, 2008 at Centra State Medical Center, Freehold. She was 67.

Born in Panama, Mrs. Costantino lived in Queens, before moving to Monroe 38 years ago. She was a family court interpreter in New York and a foreign language high school teacher for the South Brunswick Board of Education.

Mrs. Costantino is suvived by her husband of 45 years, Antonio Costantino; son and daughter-in-law, Alex and Michelle of Aurora, Colo.; brother, Carl Pauzner of Florida; and grandsons, Sammy and Simon. Interment at King Solomon Cemetery, Clifton. Arrangements by Mt. Sinai Memorial Chapels, East Brunswick. Memorial contributions maybe made to any charity supporting Jewish causes.

GELLER. Mrs. Marjorie Geller (née Abelowitz) died peacefully on Oct. 9, 2008 in New York Downtown Hospital, New York City, surrounded by her family. Her cause of death was complications resulting from a long battle with lung cancer. She was 62.

Born in Newark and raised in Hillside, Marjorie moved to Union and was a graduate of Union High School. She attended the University of Pennsylvania and graduated from Rutgers University. She also received her M.A.T. and Ed.D. degrees from Rutgers. Early in her career, Marjorie taught high school English at the Alfred-Almond Central School in Almond, N.Y., and at Westfield (N.J.) High School. She was also a member of the adjunct faculty of Somerset County College (now Raritan Valley College) in North Branch teaching English for many years. Shortly after receiving her Ed.D., Marjorie was recruited to work for Johnson and Johnson in Human Resources, and when she retired in June 2007, she was the vice president of recruiting. In October 2007, she accepted the position of vice president of talent acquisition for American Express, where she continued to work until her death. Marjorie was a gifted writer, a music lover and an amazing clothing maker. She loved working in her garden. She loved the arts, and being in Chautauqua with the ballet, the orchestra and the theater was her ideal. She was courageous and strong, caring and good humored. She was loved and admired by her friends, her family and her co-workers. She had been a member of Temple Sholom of Bridgewater for many, many years, and recently, she and her family became members of TribecaHebrew in Manhattan. She was a life member of Hadassah. She had been a board member of Alternatives in Raritan and the Central New Jersey Jewish Home for the Aged.

Marjorie is survived by her husband, Marc; sons, Joshua of Brooklyn and Zachary of Manhattan; devoted and loving nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews; and many close friends. Arrangements by Menorah Chapels at Millburn, Union. Interment at Chautauqua Cemetery, Chautauqua, N.Y. Memorial donations may be made to the Chautauqua Institution, Chautauqua, N.Y. 14722 for a School of Dance student scholarship in Marjorie Geller's memory, or to any charity of choice.

HOSID. Mrs. Lois Hosid died Oct. 27, 2008, at Manor Care in New Providence.

Born in Elizabeth, Lois lived in Union for the past 70 years. She was an active member of the Elmora Hebrew Center, YMHA Green Lane and Deborah Hospital. She was predeceased by her husband, David.

Mrs. Hosid is survived by her daughters, Kyla Grod and Nancy Lappitt; sister Millicent Lopata; and four grandchildren. Interment at Beth David Cemetery, Kenilworth. Arrangements by Bernheim Apter Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Chapel, Livingston.

KATSEVA. Mrs. Ester (Bloch) Katseva died Oct. 14, 2008 at St. Peter's University Hospital, New Brunswick. She was 88.

Born and raised in the Ukraine, Mrs. Katseva came to the United States with her family in 1996. She lived in Chicago for three years before coming to East Brunswick. She recently settled in Monroe. During her years in the Ukraine, she was a history teacher, retiring in 1979. Her husband, Michael, died in 1998.

Mrs. Katseva is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Eugene and Dr. Alla Katseva of East Brunswick; grandsons, Dimitri and Roman Katsev; brother, Abraham Bloch of Israel; and niece and nephew, whom she raised as her own, Yakov Bloch and Bella Slutsker, both of Israel. Interment at Beth Israel Cemetery, Woodbridge. Arrangements by Highland Park Funeral Home, Highland Park.

KERKER. Mr. Joseph E. Kerker died Oct. 22, 2008 at Jersey Shore Medical Center, Neptune. He was 66.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, Mr. Kerker lived in Edison for 32 years before moving to Jackson three years ago. He also maintained a residence in Boynton Beach, Fla. He was a member of the Temple Emanuel Men's Club, Edison, and served as vice president of B'nai B'rith, Raritan Bay Chapter. His son, Andrew, died in 1992.

Mr. Kerker is survived by his wife of 44 years, Susan B. Helman Kerker; son and daughter-in-law, Seth and Danielle of Monmouth Junction; daughter, Lisa of East Brunswick; sister and brother-in-law, Sandi and Alan Ellis of Monroe; and grandchildren, Alex and Marin. Interment at Beth El Cemetery, Washington Twp. Arrangements by Mount Sinai Memorial Chapels, East Brunswick. Memorial donations may be made to a charity of one's choice. >KLEIN. Mr. Edwin Klein died Oct. 19, 2008. He was 92.

Mr. Klein served in the 29th Infantry Division and participated in the invasion of Normandy on Omaha Beach. He received a Purple Heart and cluster. He owned Klein's 5 & 10 Cent Store in Carteret for 24 years and was an active member of Congregation Anshe Chesed.

Mr. Klein is survived by his wife of 66 years, Juliet; brother, Sam of Florida; children, Martin Klein of Edison, Harriet Dannin of Long Branch, Barbara Citroen of Israel and Beth Hindin of West Orange; 15 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

KLEINER. Mr. David Kleiner died Oct. 27, 2008. He was 46.

Born in Brooklyn, Mr. Kleiner lived in Clark for 10 years before moving to East Brunswick in 2002. He was a self-employed consultant in the technology field. He was a congregant of Temple B'nai Shalom in East Brunswick.

Mr. Kleiner is survived by his wife of 20 years, Lorin Weber Kleiner; sons, Brian and Evan; brothers, Jack of West Hempstead, N.Y., and Leo of Jackson; and sister, Esther Baltunis of Cortlandt Manor, NY. Interment at Beth Israel Cemetery, Woodbridge. Arrangements by Mount Sinai Chapels, East Brunswick. Memorial contributions may be made to VNA of Central N.J. Hospice, 141 Bodman Place, Red Bank, N.J. 07701.

MEADOW. Mrs. Ruth Jean Sova Meadow died peacefully at home Oct. 28, 2008. She was 84.

Born and raised in Manhattan, Mrs. Meadow raised her family in Ewing before moving to Monroe 10 years ago. Prior to retiring, she was a teacher at the Ring Nursery School at the Trenton Jewish Community Center. Her passions included bridge, volunteer work, reading, talking with friends, and Democratic Party politics. Her husband, Dr. Morton Meadow, died in 1997.

Mrs. Meadow is survived by her son, Richard D. of Manhattan; daughter, Amy Meadow Marder of East Brunswick; sisters, Evelyn Zinkerman of Boynton Beach, Fla., and Beatrice Katz of Las Vegas; and grandchildren, Paul Lewis Marder, Abigail Joy Marder, Ruby Monette-Meadow, and Joshua Morgan Meadow. Interment at Ewing Cemetery, Ewing. Arrangements by Mount Sinai Memorial Chapels, East Brunswick. Memorial contributions may be made to Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc., Attn: online Services program, 434 West 33rd St., New York, N.Y. 10001 or The Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research, 111 Stewart Ave, Bethpage, N.Y. 11714.

PALMER. Mrs. Emma Shevitz Palmer died Nov. 2, 2008, at the Elms of Cranbury. She was 87.

Born in Linden, Mrs. Palmer lived most of her life there before moving to Chelsea in East Brunswick and finally to the Elms of Cranbury in 2007. She was a life member of the Linden Chapter of Deborah, a life member of the Linden Hadassah, as well as a life member of the Sisterhood of Congregation Ansche Chesed in Linden. Her husband, Nathan, died in 1977; her daughter, Beth Carmean, died in 1979.

Mrs. Palmer is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Paula and Joel Greenberg of Monroe; grandchildren, Dana Levinson and husband, Sam, Lori Thomson and husband, Ken, Jodi Rosenblum and husband, Richard, Rachel Stitt and husband, Randy, and Douglas Carmean and wife, Tracey; and great-grandchildren, Alexa, Carly, Brad, Ashley Levinson, Logan and Tyler Thomson, Ethan Rosenblum, and Jason and Callie Stitt. Interment at Mount Lebanon Cemetery, Iselin. Arrangements by Mount Sinai Memorial Chapels, East Brunswick. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 2600 U.S. Hwy. 1, North Brunswick, N.J. 08902, or a charity of one's choice.

POTASHKIN. Mrs. Sally Potashkin (née Fishman) died Oct. 21, 2008 in the Brighton Gardens of Edison. She was 94.

Born in Bayonne, Mrs. Potashkin lived in Linden and Manalapan before moving to Edison in 2007. She was a secretary for Brown and Brown Realtors in Elizabeth for many years, retiring in 1978. She was a member of Hadassah of Manalapan, Deborah of Linden and Manalapan and the CentraState Hospital Auxiliary in Freehold, a Linden Girl Scout leader and a co-founder of the Suburban Jewish Center of Linden. She was predeceased by her husband, Irving B.

Mrs. Potashkin is survived by her daughters, Rhoda Asch and Toby Moldave; grandchildren, Amy, Mark, Jennifer and Benjamin; and a great-grandchild, Miller. Interment at Beth Israel Cemetery, Woodbridge. Arrangements by Menorah Chapels at Millburn, Union. Memorial donations may be made to Haven Hospice, c/o JFK Medical Center, Edison, or to a charity of one's choice.

RUBIN. Mr. Charles R. Rubin died Oct. 13, 2008 at his home surrounded by loved ones. He was 83.

Born in New York, Mr. Rubin lived in Somerville for more than 60 years. He graduated from Bronx High School of Science; New York University with a degree in civil engineering; and Bliss Electronic Engineering School. During World War II he served as an electronic technician on a mine sweeper in the Far East, for which he earned a Bronze Star for his distinguished service. A leader in many professional and charitable organizations, he served as vice president of the Central Jersey Builders Association and president of the Somerville-Hunterdon Chapter of B'nai B'rith. He was a member of the Somerville advisory planning board, and of the Kiwanis Club for 22 years. He was a board member of the State Bank of Raritan Valley, Central Jersey Builders, and the Lions Club. His many philanthropic interests included the Somerset Medical Center, United Jewish Appeal, Temple Sholom, and the Shimon and Sara Birnbaum JCC in Bridgewater. In 1984 he received the New York University Alumni Fund Leadership Award. In 1992 the State of Israel honored Mr. Rubin and his wife, Zella, with the City of Peace Award. He was a true renaissance man and was dedicated to improving himself and the world. He played the violin, piloted his own plane, loved to play tennis, travel, and enjoyed art and music. Most of all he loved his family.

Mr. Rubin is survived by his wife of 51 years, Zella; daughter and son-in-law, Deborah and Dr. Arthur Feldman of Bedminster; daughter and son-in-law, Melissa and Steven Lapper of Far Hills; and grandchildren, Brad, Elyse and Todd Feldman, and Sydney and Whitney Lapper. Interment at Temple Sholom Cemetery, Bridgewater. Arrangements by Bruce C. VanArsdale Funeral Home, Somerville. Memorial donations may be made to The Martin and Edith Stein Hospice, 49 Veronica Ave., Suite 206, Somerset, N.J. 08873; Parkinson Disease Foundation; the Somerville Rescue Squad; or the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation.

STRAUSS. Mr. Emmanuel C. Strauss died Oct. 18, 2008 at Bayshore Community Hospital, Holmdel. He was 90.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, Mr. Strauss moved to Old Bridge 27 years ago. Prior to retiring in 1980, he was an electrician for 35 years. He was a congregant of Temple Shalom, Aberdeen, where he sang in the temple choir and was past president of their senior club. He was a sports writer for the Village Voice, a member of the Knights of Pythias, and enjoyed being a "barber shop" singer.

Mr. Strauss is survived by his wife of 66 years, Esther Michelson Strauss; daughters and Edie Jacobs of Old Bridge, Laureen and Cary Weinberg of Merrick, N.Y., and Janet and Fred Kaplan of Parlin; sister, Irene Kirsch of Lakewood; grandchildren, Amy, Dana, Erin, Barry, and Stacey; and great-grandchildren, Jessica, Brooke, Natalie, and Nola. Interment at Floral Park Cemetery, South Brunswick. Arrangements by Mount Sinai Memorial Chapels, East Brunswick. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 1 Union Street , Suite 301, Robbinsville, N.J. 08691.

WEISS. Mrs. Roberta Weiss (née Zwillinger) died Nov. 2, 2008. She was 57.

Born in Manhattan, Mrs. Weiss grew up in Brooklyn and lived in Manhattan prior to moving to East Brunswick in 1987. She was a member of the East Brunswick Jewish Center, as well as the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Mrs. Weiss is survived by her husband of 35 years, Howard; children, Nolan and Amanda Weiss, both of East Brunswick; and brother, Lawrence Zwillinger of Lagrangeville, N.Y. Interment at Beth Israel Cemetery, Woodbridge. Arrangements by Mount Sinai Memorial Chapels, East Brunswick. Memorial contributions may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 246 Monmouth Road, Oakhurst, N.J. 07755.

YOSPIN. Mrs. Dorothy (Nana) Pollack Yospin died Oct. 29, 2008, at Beth Sholom Gardens in Richmond, Va. She was 94.

Born and raised in Plainfield, Mrs. Yospin spent most of her life in Elizabeth, where she was active with B'nai B'rith, B'nai Israel Sisterhood, Jewish Family Services, Hadassah, The Deborah League, and the Council of Jewish Women until she retired to Delray Beach, Fla. in 1975. She was predeceased by her husband, Jacob.

Dorothy is survived by her daughter, Lois Weiss of Freehold; son, Jerry of Amelia, Va.; granddaughters, Karen Helfgott of Marlboro, Marci Walsh of Cranford, Sara Grabelle of Irvington, Shawn Yospin of Amelia, and Kelly Conerly of Fredericksburg, Va.; four great-grandsons; and three great-granddaughters. Interment at Gomel Chesed Cemetery in Newark. Arrangements by Bernheim-Apter-Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Chapel, Livingston.