Ilse Laermer,‭ ‬81,‭ ‬of Ocean Grove died March‭ ‬19,‭ ‬2011‭ ‬at Manor by the Sea,‭ ‬Ocean Grove.‭  ‬A graveside service was held on Sunday March‭ ‬20,‭ ‬2011‭ ‬at Cedar Park Cemetery,‭ ‬Paramus.‭

Joseph J.‭ ‬Magnanti,‭ ‬77,‭ ‬of New Brunswick,‭ ‬died March‭ ‬7,‭ ‬2011‭ ‬at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital,‭ ‬New Brunswick.‭ ‬Services were private.‭ 

Dorothy Lena Young, 103, of Seabrook Village in Tinton Falls, N.J., formerly of Ocean Grove, N.J., entered into eternal rest on March 20, 2011. A memorial service will be held at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 80 Embury Avenue, Ocean Grove, on Saturday, April 16, 2011 at 4 p.m. The Ocean Grove Memorial Home, Ocean Grove, is in charge of arrangements. Born in Otisville, N.Y., on May 3, 1907 to a family of Methodist ministers, at age 17 Mrs. Young auditioned for Harry Houdini and won the role as his on-stage assistant. She toured the country with the illusionist in 1925 and 1926, leaving the act two months before his untimely death. She was the last surviving member of Houdini’s troupe. In 1926 she married Robert E. Perkins in New York City and had a son, Robert E. Perkins Jr. In 1928 she performed in “Jarnegan,” a Broadway play about the Hollywood movie industry directed by Richard Bennett. In the 1930s she performed in additional Broadway productions and formed a Latin ballroom dance team with her future second husband, Gilbert Kiamie. Mrs. Young was the author of two books, one of which, “Dancing on a Dime,” about her experience as a ballroom dancer, was adapted by Paramount Studios into a movie in 1940. In the 1940s Mrs. Young studied oil painting and became known for her seascapes, landscapes and still life paintings. She was invited to join Fifty American Artists and exhibited her work in New York and Palm Beach galleries. She and her husband, Gilbert Kiamie, had homes in Pelham Manor, N.Y.; New York City and Ocean Grove, N.J. A philanthropist of varied interests, Mrs. Young funded scholarships and the Dorothy Young Center for the Arts at Drew University in Madison, N.J., in memory of her father and brother who were alumni of the Theological School. She donated the Young Chapel at the Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune, N.J., and the Young Auditorium at the Youth Center in Ocean Grove in memory of her parents. Mrs. Young served on the board of the Jersey Shore University Medical Center and was a member the Daughters of the American Revolution, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Ocean Grove, the Ocean Grove Historical Society and the New York Athletic Club. She was interviewed for numerous documentaries about her experiences, including PBS’ “American Experience,” NJN’s “State of the Arts,” and The History Channel. She is survived by her son, Robert E. Perkins Jr.; three grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Donations in her memory may be made to the Dorothy Young Scholarship for the Arts at Drew University, c/o Advancement Office, 36 Madison Ave., Madison, N.J. 07940.

Joseph J. “Bud” Harris, 90, of Wanamassa, died Thursday February 17 at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune.  Mr. Harris was employed by New Jersey Bell for 36 years, retiring in 1982.  He was a veteran of the United States Navy, serving as Chief Carpenters Mate aboard the USS Dixie during World War II. 

Born is Asbury Park, he lived in Wanamassa for over 60 years.  He was predeceased by his wife of 60 years, Gwenyth M. Harris in 2006 and by his sister Helen Schwartz.  Surviving are a son and daughter in law, John J. Harris and his wife, Debbie, of Wanamassa, two daughters, Carol Stehn and her husband, Eric, of Aberdeen, and Mary Ellen Garreau of Toms River, a sister, Marion Whyte of Wall Township, four grandchildren, John R. Harris and his wife Kathy,  Allison Griffith and her husband Rob, Thomas Stehn and Linda Stehn and three great grandchildren Matthew and Ashley Griffith and Jason Harris.   A graveside service will be held on Monday February 21 at 11:00 AM at Hamilton Methodist Cemetery, Neptune.

Lyman Graham, 92, Bradley Beach, entered his heavenly home on Thursday, February 10, at Jersey Shore University Medical Center. The son of Howard and Emma Graham, Lyman was a native of Franklin, Pennsylvania, and grew up in the “Bully Hill” section of the township. He and his father worked the local oil fields during the Depression Era. He graduated from the Graham School, which was a one-room country elementary school, Franklin High School, and Franklin Business School. He was an active member of the East Grove United Methodist Church, as were his parents. Lyman was employed at the Franklin Bank and Trust Company prior to being drafted into the US Army in 1941. He received his officers training at Fort Monmouth, after which he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. During this time Lyman met his future wife, Betty Freeman, of Bradley Beach, at a dinner party.   He and his unit were deployed to Great Britain, where they trained for the invasion of Normandy. One of their duties was installing and maintaining the landing lights that were used by the Royal Air Force. His unit crossed the English Channel and landed on Omaha Beach about one week after D-Day. As a support unit, they followed the battles fought throughout France, Belgium, and Germany and provided supplies and provisions for the Allied troops. Lyman and his unit arrived at the Buchenwald concentration camp, shortly after its liberation. Lyman received a number of medals, including the European War Theatre medal. Following V-E Day, Lyman remained in Europe for several months and returned to New Jersey and his wife in the fall of 1945. He was promoted to the rank of Captain and was honorably discharged from the US Army in 1946. Lyman and Betty briefly lived in Oil City, Pennsylvania. They returned to Bradley Beach in 1946, where they resided at their Hammond Avenue home. He was an active member of the Bradley Beach  Post 337 of the American Legion for many years, serving as Finance Officer and participating in the group’s activities. Lyman was Grand Marshall of the 2004 Bradley Beach Memorial Day Parade.Lyman was employed by the First National Bank of Bradley Beach for several years. In 1954 he was appointed Postmaster of the Bradley Beach Post Office, and he remained in that position until his retirement in 1979, following 25 years of service. During the Bicentennial, the Bradley Beach Post Office was “host” for one of the stops of the Freedom Train, with Lyman and the post office staff working the ‘train’.  Following his retirement, Lyman and Betty joined the local chapter of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees (NARFE), where he served as treasurer for twenty years. During his tenure as NARFE treasurer, Lyman assisted a number of members in obtaining the required paperwork to process their retirement benefits. He and Betty attended a number of NARFE conventions and trips during their years of active membership. Upon reaching the age of 85, Lyman was conferred the status of “life member”. Lyman was a longtime active member of the First United Methodist Church of Bradley Beach, where he served as Lay Leader, was a member of the Staff Parish Committee, United Methodist Men, and the Adult Choir. He also played the piano at the Sunday School opening exercises. Lyman and Betty chaperoned the youth fellowship groups on a number of trips and activities.  A Boy Scout in his youth, Lyman remained active in that organization and served as Scoutmaster for a number of years. He enjoyed reading, working on “handyman” household building and repair projects, and car maintenance. Lyman and Betty were members of St. John’s United Methodist Church, Hazlet, from 1979-1992, where he served as an usher and was a member of the Men’s Fellowship group. He joined St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Ocean Grove, in 1992 and remained a member for the rest of his life. Lyman and Betty faithfully attended church and were members of the Sunday Adult Bible class. Lyman and Betty enjoyed traveling to Florida every winter for over thirty years. They stayed at locations on both coasts, with their final vacations spent at St. Petersburg. Lyman was an exceptionally devoted husband and father. When his wife Betty developed signs of dementia, he assumed the role of full-time caregiver, with assistance from his sister-in-law, the late Nellie Freeman of Bradley Beach, and his daughter, Bonnie. As his wife’s condition deteriorated into Alzheimer’s, the family joined forces to provide her with ongoing, loving care. When it was necessary to place Betty into the MediCenter in June 2007, Lyman became a familiar figure in that facility, with twice-a-day visits, during which time he made friends among the residents and staff, and was a loving visitor for his wife. Lyman was predeceased by his wife Betty on January 7, 2008. He is survived by his devoted children, daughter, Bonnie of Ocean Grove, son Dale of Delray Beach, Florida, his foster sister and her husband, Margery and Al Warner, of Conneautville, PA and Port Charlotte, Florida, their children William, Cynthia, and Thomas, his sister-in-law Ruth Freeman of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and his nephew Chuck Freeman and his wife Lynn of Jamestown, New Mexico. Lyman also leaves behind a number of cousins, distant cousins, and many friends. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Friends may call from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, February 13 at the Ocean Grove Memorial Home, 118 Main Avenue, Ocean Grove. A funeral service will be held at the funeral home immediately following the viewing. Interment will be at the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Arneytown, New Jersey on Monday morning. In lieu of flowers, contributions to St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 80 Embury Avenue, Ocean Grove, NJ 07756 or to the Alzheimer’s Association of New Jersey, 400 Morris Avenue, Suite 251, Denville, New Jersey 07834 would be appreciated.

Barbara J. McGurk, 71, of Ocean Township, died Thursday, January 27 at Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank.  She was a dental hygienist for Dr. Harding in Westfield before retiring.  Surviving are her husband, Thomas McGurk, her son, Kenneth J. McGurk of Lower Twp., NJ, her daughter Janet B. Husband of Gwynn, VA, hew 2 sisters, Emelia Hutchnson of Wyomissing, PA and Loretta Didia of Colorado, and three grandchildren, Christopher McGurk, Alexa and Zachary Husband.  The family wishes to extend a special thanks to Cricket for the compassion and comfort given to Barbara and her family during her illness.  A memorial mass of Christian burial will be offered at St. Teresa of Avila Roman Catholic Church, Summit, NJ at a later date.

Helen Callimahos Hurry, 96, of Ocean Grove, died Wednesday January 19 at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Nepune.  Mrs. Hurry was active in her husbad’s business, The J.A. Hurry Agency in Ocean Grove, before retiring  She was a member of the Ocean Grove Historical Society, The Jersey Shore Women’s Club and the Order of the Eastern Star.  Mrs. Hurry was a member of the Monmouth Symphony League and a Life Member of the National Flute Association.  She was predeceased by her husband, Irving “Bud” Hurry in 1988.  Surviving is her son Andrew D. Callimahos of New Carrollton, MD.  Friends may call on Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 PM at the Ocean Grove Memorial Home, 118 Main Avenue, Ocean Grove.  A funeral service will be held on Wednesday at 10:00 AM at the funeral home, with interment following at Monmnouth Memorial Park, Tinton Falls.  In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Ocean Grove Historical Society, 50 Pitman Avenue, Ocean Grove, NJ 07756 would be appreciated.

Frances Bennett Deiss, 94, of Ocean Grove, formerly of Shrewsbury, died Tuesday January 11, 2011 at Manor by the Sea, Ocean Grove. As a young mother, Fran met Florence Bell Ilch and Mike Kennedy of Bellhaven Collie Kennels in Red Bank and subsequently founded Dusken Collie Kennels, where she made important contributions to the continued excellence of the breed. She served as an officer and show chairman of the Monmouth County Kennel Club and as a delegate to the AKC. Fran supported a number of animal welfare organizations including the Monmouth County SPCA, for years parading with adoptable dogs in downtown Red Bank. Prior to retiring in Ocean Grove in 1996, Fran was a long-term resident of Shrewsbury, and served on many municipal boards, commissions and organizations, as did her husband, Walter, originally of Bradley Beach. Fran was a member of the Shrewsbury Historical Society, Garden Club, and Mother’s Club at Christ Church. Fran was an outstanding legal secretary and worked with Parsons, Labrecque, Conzona & Combs, and Zager, Fuchs and Arnone.
 
Before it was fashionable, Fran worked from home in order to provide unconditional support to her children and husband, tend to her beloved Collies, and garden, cook, bake, and sew, all with distinction. Fran was a lifelong learner and supporter of the arts. With daughter Meg, Fran discovered the joy of travel and together they visited Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Turkey, England, and Italy. In her fifties, Fran discovered ballroom dancing, which she adored. She was born in Asbury Park on September 2, 1916. Predeceased by her mother Louise, father Charles, brother Albert, aunts Annie and Flora, husband and son, Walter Sr. and Walter Jr. and survived by daughters Meg and Susan and her husband Barry and grandson Brooklyn. Burial is private. Plans for a celebration of life are pending. Donations in Fran’s memory to the Monmouth County SPCA are welcome, as are gifts to animal welfare organizations of your choice.

Frances Marie Pettersen, 80, of West Allenhurst, died peacefully at her home on Thursday, January 6, 2011. Frances was born and raised in Queens, New York before moving to West Allenhurst, New Jersey in 1971, where she remained a lifelong resident. Frances enjoyed making people laugh, and had a passion for reading and cooking. She was a loving mother and grandmother and her and her spirit will be missed tremendously.

She was predeceased by her husband Leif Trygvre Pettersen. Surviving are her son Leif and his wife, Judy and her daughter, Jill. She has one grandchild, Leif. She is also survived by her sister, Helen Wilkinson and her husband Jack from Long Island, New York.

Visitation and service will be held from 2 to 7 pm Monday, January 10, 2011 at the Ocean Grove Memorial Home, 118 Main Avenue, Ocean Grove, New Jersey. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the Wanamassa First Aid Squad, 1401 Wickapecko Drive, Ocean Township, New Jersey 07712.

Marie Herbst, 85, of Ocean Grove, died Monday, Jan. 3 , 2011, at the MediCenter, Neptune City. Born Marie Nixon on Oct. 29, 1925 in Jersey City, Mrs. Herbst graduated from the New Jersey State Teachers College at Jersey City, currently New Jersey City University. She taught elementary school until 1947, when she married Frederick W. Herbst, her loving husband of 61 years, who died in April of 2009. After many years in New Jersey, Marie and Fred moved to Montgomery, Alabama with his company and summered in Ocean Grove until Fred retired and they returned to Ocean Grove for good. Marie was very active in and generous to the Ocean Grove Historical Society and Beautification Program.

A member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Marie is survived by her daughter, Cynthia Chapman and son-in-law, Allan Chapman of Ballston Spa, N.Y.; her son, Eric Herbst and daughter-in-law Denise Keller of Bellville, Texas; and her grandchildren, Carrie Chapman of Brooklyn, James Chapman and granddaughter-in-law, Kaitlin Chapman and great-grandson, Phineas Chapman of Glenville, N.Y.; and grandchildren, Jaclyn Herbst and Andrew Herbst, both of Bellville, Texas.Relatives and friends may call from 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 8 until the funeral services at 4 p.m. at the Ocean Grove Memorial Home, 118 Main Ave., Ocean Grove. Interment will be 11:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 10 at the East Ridgelawn Cemetery, 255 Main Ave., Delawanna, NJ. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Jersey Shore Arts Center, P.O. Box 55, Ocean Grove, NJ 07756.