Obituaries

Janet Esposito Kaiser of Rumson, NJ passed away on Tuesday, October 10, 2017. She was born in Jersey City, NJ, grew up in Rumson, then resided in Lincroft and later Rumson with her husband Herbert E. Kaiser and her son Ted Kaiser.

She attended local Rumson schools and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Art History at Old Dominion University. Jan was an art teacher in the Middletown School District before moving on to a career in real estate. She was active in the community through the Junior League of Monmouth County as well as volunteering on several local fundraising committees, including The American Cancer Ball Committee of Monmouth County. Jan was an avid dog lover, especially her Golden Retrievers, and actively supported the Monmouth County SPCA.

Phyllis B. Scholz, of Middletown, passed away at home on Monday October 9, 2017.  Born in Marshalltown Iowa, she resided in Middletown, NJ for more than 50 years.  Phyllis attended Cornell College and University, receiving a BS in nursing. 

Phyllis will be remembered for her love of her husband, children, grandchildren, sister, and extended family. 

Among her many interests, Phyllis enjoyed traveling, reading and watching sports.

Angela A. DeGeorge, 95 of Fair Haven, passed away peacefully after a lengthy illness on Thursday, October 5, 2017 at Brighton Gardens of Middletown.  She was born November 14, 1921 in Red Bank, NJ.  She attended the Red Bank Schools.  She was employed as a seamstress at Eisner’s Factory and later Savages Factory, both in Red Bank, for many years prior to her retirement in the early 50’s.  She was one of the many women who worked there making military uniforms during World War II.  She was a lifelong communicant of St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church in Red Bank.  She was a loyal member of St. Ann’s Society and the Red Bank Seniors.

James “Rivers” Walling, age 62 of Red Bank passed away on Wednesday, October 4th, with his loving daughters and former wife by his side.  Jim was a dynamic individual with a witty sense of humor who always brought laughter and smiles to those around him. He was truly a jack of all trades and master of many. He was well known by family and friends for being able to fix anything. His interests were vast and included anything from photography to short wave radio, hiking to air brush painting and even building boat motors. Jim’s career also took him down many roads... auto mechanic, radio tower technician for Motorola, deep sea fisherman, carpenter, operations manager at Shadow Traffic and Metro Traffic in New York City and ultimately owner of Baysys Communications in Red Bank where he provided data and cabling solutions for clients.  He was also a life-time member of the Lincroft First Aid Squad.  

Nancy P. Cavaliere of Colts Neck, New Jersey passed away at home on October 3, 2017 surrounded by her family and lifelong friend and sister-in-law Anne Marie Cavaliere. Nancy was 55 years old. Her strong will to live and incredible support of family and friends, too many to name individually and her unwavering faith in God carried her through these last seven months. Nancy was blessed with the gift of celebrating mass at home with her family and friends just hours before passing away on Tuesday.

Kenneth M. Hopfensperger, age 62 of Leonardo, passed away on Sunday, October 1, 2017.  He was born in Wisconsin to Kenneth P. and Mary A. Hopfensperger.  Kenny graduated from Middletown High School where he became the first and only State Champion in wrestling.  His passion and unique style in wrestling is still remembered by many.   A true champion on and off the mat.  Kenny was a communicant of St. Agnes RC Church, Atlantic Highlands.

Kenny successfully owned and operated NJ Auto Accessories, Inc. before he moved onto his career in sales at Buhler Chrysler Jeep in Hazlet for 18 years.    He was a lifetime member of  Community Fire Co., Station 4 in Leonardo.  He was actively involved in the building of the current fire house.  He enjoyed riding in his Jeep, top down, listening to his favorite music.  Kenny will always be remembered for the way that he approached life with his famous saying of “It doesn’t matter.”  He was a kind and generous man. 

Kenny was a co-founder and coach of BYAA Wrestling.   He volunteered his time coaching and mentoring and left a legacy both for the family and the community.  

George H Steelman, 68, passed away Saturday September 30, 2017 at his home surrounded by family. He was born June 25th in Red Bank to Joseph and Marian (Spicer) Steelman. Dale McLaughlin became his bride June 19th 1971 and together they had 2 children Jill and Michael. George loved working with his hands and sharing jokes and stories with family and friends. Some of his favorite times were spent out with nature hunting, fishing and gardening. George was a lifetime member of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 825 with 40+years. He was a Past Master of the Abacus Lodge/Navesink Lodge #9 F&AM, a member of the Bayshore Saltwater Flyrodders, Central Jersey Rifle and Pistol Club, volunteer firefighter in Middletown, and active with Boy Scouts Troop #67.

John R. Choma Jr, 35 of Fair Haven, passed away on September 28, 2017.  He was born in Red Bank to John R. Choma Sr. and Lorraine K. Choma.  John was a lifelong resident of Fair Haven.  He was employed by the Middletown Township Board of Education in the maintenance department.   John was a member of the NRA in Washington, DC.

William (Bill) Morrow Weiant, 78, of Middletown, NJ, died after a short illness on September 24, 2017.

He was born to the late Monroe and Lois Weiant, in Perth Amboy, NJ. Bill attended Metuchen High School, and then received a BA from Amherst College in 1960 and an M.B.A. from NYU in 1964. His military service was with the United States Air Force.

Lawrence W. Roberts (Larry), age 78 of Little Silver, NJ, passed away early Sunday morning, Sept. 24, at Jersey Shore University Medical Center surrounded by loving family members.  

Larry was born and raised in Portage, Wisconsin.  He was a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, with a Bachelors’ degree in Business Administration. He served in the U.S. Army, owned an insurance agency and worked for 3M as a sales/marketing representative. In 1967 he joined Merrill Lynch in the Fort Wayne, Indiana office where he became one of the top 50 financial consultants in the firm.  In 1973 he was approved for management and subsequently managed branch office complexes in Milwaukee, WI, Saginaw, MI, Rochester, NY and Red Bank, NJ.  He was honored on several occasions as one of Merrill Lynch’s top managers.  In New York City he held various executive positions to include National Institutional Sales Manager, Director of Field Operations/Branch Services and National Service Director. He retired from Merrill Lynch in 2001.