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IN MEMORY
THE JEWISH STATE
September 4, 2009

GRAN. Mrs. Surita Gran died Aug. 30, 2009. She was 80.

Born in Newark, Mrs. Gran lived in Bloomfield and South Plainfield before moving to the Lake Nelson section of Piscataway in 1966. She was a special education teacher in Irvington and Piscataway before retiring. She was a graduate of Rutgers University, and most recently was taking literature classes at Rutgers. Sue was an active volunteer and member of the Zimmerli Art Museum, New Brunswick. She also did volunteer work for the Pediatric AIDS department at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. She and her late husband, Howard, enjoyed the theater and symphonies, and she enjoyed playing bridge. Sue was very loyal to her children and family. Her husband, Howard, died in 2002; her daughter, Martha Woodruff, died in 2005.

Mrs. Gran is survived by her daughters, Abby Christensen of Costa Mesa, Calif., and Rachel Gran of Red Bank; sister-in-law, Edie Polansky of Edison; grandchildren, Jessie, Cody, Claudia, Jack, and Shane; and several lifelong friends. Interment at Beth Israel Cemetery, Woodbridge. Arrangements by Crabiel Parkwest Funeral Chapel, New Brunswick. Memorial donations may be made to the Pediatric AIDS Program at RWJ, 8 Easton Ave., New Brunswick, N.J. 08901.

MITCHELL. Mr. Arthur A. Mitchell died Aug. 28, 2009, at home, surrounded by his family. He was 83.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, Art lived in Toms River for the last 45 years. He proudly served in the Naval Sea Bees from 1944 to 1946. He earned his undergraduate degree in education from Long Island University and his master's in education administration from Columbia University. His educational career spanned 42 years, with the last 30 years as an administrator in the Toms River school district. Active in the community, he was a member of the Toms River Volunteer First Aid Squad, the Rotary Club of Toms River, where he was awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship, and Congregation B'nai Israel. He was also the director of youth services at the Laurelton Jewish Center, Laurelton, N.Y. He lived his life enjoying family, friends, food, fishing, and football. He will be remembered for his pride in family, his hardy laugh, his love of jokes, and as Spots the Clown.

Art is survived by his wife and travel partner of 60 years, Colette; seven children and their spouses; 12 grandchildren; a brother; extended family; and devoted friends. Interment at B'nai Israel Memorial Park, Toms River. Arrangements by Belkoff-Goldstein Funeral Chapel, Lakewood. Memorial donations may be sent to the Rotary Club of Toms River Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 751, Toms River, N.J. 08754, or the Congregation B'nai Israel Education Fund, 1488 Old Freehold Road, Toms River, N.J. 08753.

SURATT. Mrs. Lisa R. Suratt died Aug. 28, 2009, at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick. She was 36.

Born in Staten Island, Mrs. Suratt lived in Bayonne before moving to East Brunswick nine years ago. She was a teacher at the Building Blocks Montessori School, Staten Island, for the past seven years. She earned her master's degree in education from Wagner University, and her B.S. in psychology from Alfred University. She was co-president of the Central School PTA, a member of the East Brunswick MOMS Club, and owned Discovery Toys, East Brunswick.

Mrs. Suratt is survived by her husband of 11 years, Kenneth; son, Aaron, and daughter, Sarah, both at home; parents, Leonard and Gloria Friedman of Lee, Mass.; and brother and sister-in-law, Mark and Melissa of Brooklyn. Interment at Beth David Cemetery, Elmont, N.Y. Arrangements by Mount Sinai Memorial Chapels, East Brunswick. Memorial donations may be made to Locks of Love, 234 South Boulevard, West Palm Beach, Fla. 33405.

WAGNER. Mr. Jerome Wagner died Aug. 26, 2009, at the Medical Center at Princeton. He was 83.

Born in Brooklyn, Mr. Wagner lived in Valley Stream, Long Island, before moving to Monroe 22 years ago. Before retiring in 1982, he was a salesman for Wagner Home Appliances, Brooklyn, where he worked for 35 years. He was a World War II Army veteran, having served from 1944 to 1946, and was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans. He also was the former president of the Astronomy Club at Concordia and a member of the Monroe Chapter of the Knights of Pythias.

Mr. Wagner is survived by his wife of 61 years, Honey; daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Peter Hardie of Spokane, Wash.; son and daughter-in-law, Charles and Myong, of Coram, N.Y.; brother, Bernard, of Boca Raton, Fla.; and granddaughter, Yvonne Wagner. Arrangements by Mount Sinai Memorial Chapels, East Brunswick. Interment at Mount Ararat Cemetery, Farmingdale, N.Y. Memorial contributions may be made to the Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, Ohio 45250-0301.

WEXLER. Mrs. Erna D. Wexler died Aug. 31, 2009. She was 91.

Born in Boston, Erna lived in the shore area for many years. She worked as a receptionist at the Monmouth County Court House. With her husband Seymour, she was actively involved in the women's counterpart of the Tall Cedars, Masons, Shriners and the Knights of Columbus. After retiring from the Court House in 1993, she divided her time among several community programs volunteering well beyond the expected number of hours at Contact of Ocean County, a community outreach program, and for RSVP and Caregivers of Ocean County. At the Order of the Evergreen she reconnected with her Girl Scout roots as she met with other retired leaders. She was predeceased by her husband Seymour A. Wexler.

Mrs. Wexler is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Ira H. Wexler and Paula Rubin-Wexler of Maryland; her daughter and son-in-law, Sue-Ellen and Barry Prag of Wanamassa; and grandchildren, Samantha and Zackary Prag and Chaz, Sasha and Jordan Wexler. Interment at Mt. Lebanon Cemetery, Iselin. Arrangements by Ely Funeral Home, Neptune. Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org.