Obituaries

Belle Karp

Belle Karp, 93, of Englishtown, died April 28, 2007, at Applewood Estates, Freehold. Born in Russia, she had settled in the United States in 1914, residing in Brooklyn, N.Y., before moving to Englishtown 25 years ago. She was a bookkeeper in the garment industry. Mrs. Karp was predeceased by her husband, Murray Karp, in 1963. She is survived by a son, Jack Karp of Marlboro; a daughter, Gloria Sherman of Hazlet; a sister, Charlotte Edelstein of Yonkers, N.Y.; five grandchildren; and eleven great-grandchildren. Services were held at Bloomfield-Cooper Jewish Chapels, Manalapan. Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association.

Florence Hanaway Croddick

Mrs. Croddick, 87, of Freehold Township, died May 12, 2007, at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune. She was born in the Wickatunk section of Marlboro and was a communicant of St. Gabriel's Roman Catholic Church, Marlboro. Mrs. Croddick was predeceased by her husband, Eugene F. Croddick, in 2002. Surviving are a son, John F. Croddick; four daughters, Jean Avery, Patricia Delatush, Mary Snyder and Margaret Lempka; 16 grandchildren; and 25 great-grandchildren. The funeral liturgy was celebrated at St. Gabriel's Church, followed by interment at the parish cemetery. Higgins Memorial Home, Freehold, was in charge of arrangements. Memorial donations may be made to Collier Services, Attn.: Development Office, P.O. Box 300, Wickatunk 07765.

William J. Smith

Mr. Smith, 80, of Freehold Township, died April 26, 2007, at home. Born in Elizabeth, he had lived in Metuchen, Iselin and North Edison before moving to Freehold Township in 2001. Mr. Smith was a former housing commissioner of Edison, having served for 10 years. He was a pharmacist and owner of Your Pharmacy, Edison, for more than 25 years, retiring in 1980. Mr. Smith was a World War II U.S. Navy veteran who participated in the D-Day Invasion and had received several medals of honor. He was a 1955 graduate of Rutgers University. He was the commander of the Cadets of America, Iselin, and a past president of Edison Pop Warner Football League and a Little League coach in Edison. Mr. Smith is survived by his wife, Genevieve Smith; a son and daughter-in-law, John W. and Patricia Smith; two daughters and a son-in-law, Kim Smith of Freehold Township, and Terry and Richard Gigantino of Millstone; and six grandchildren. Services were held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, Freehold Township.

Clarke "Murph" Murphy Jr.

Mr. Murphy, 70, of St. Augustine, Fla., died May 8, 2007, at Flagler Hospital, St. Augustine. Born and raised in Wenonah, he had lived in St. Augustine Shores since 1992 and was a former resident of Freehold Township. He was a graduate of Lafayette College, Easton, Pa., and a member of Phi Beta Kappa. A banker for 30 years, he retired as vice president of commercial lending from the Bowery Savings Bank and was a Realtor for the past five years. He also served as president and treasurer of the Conquistador Condominium Association and was the writer of "Shore Things" for more than 10 years. His college thesis titled "Comparative Pricing for Bank Commercial Loans" is in the Library of Congress. Mr. Murphy is survived by his wife, Suzanne; a daughter, Cheryl S. Murphy; two sons and a daughter-in-law, Jeff C. Murphy and Todd and Susan Lorenzo; a sister, Jean Thompson; and a brother-in-law, George Thompson. Funeral services were held at Old Tennent Presbyterian Church, followed by interment at Old Tennent Cemetery, both of the Tennent section of Manalapan. Higgins Memorial Home, Freehold, was in charge of arrangements. Memorial donations may be made to the Clarke Murphy Scholarship Fund through the St. Augustine Board of Realtors, 1789 Lakeside Ave., St. Augustine, FL 32086.

Stephen Cullen

Mr. Cullen, 83, of Jackson, died April 29, 2007, at home. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., he had lived there until moving to Freehold Township in 1985. He moved to Jackson in 2006. Mr. Cullen was a service technician for General Electric, Brooklyn, for more than thirty years, retiring in 1984. He was a World War II veteran and a recipient of the Purple Heart medal, having served in the U.S. Marine Corps 4th Division throughout the Pacific theater. He was a parishioner of St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church, Freehold. He was a former president of the Freehold Township Seniors. Mr. Cullen was predeceased by his wife, Jean M. Cullen; and two brothers, Robert and Francis. Surviving are a son and daughter-in-law, Stephen and Jan Cullen Jr. of Kissimmee, Fla.; three daughters and a son-in-law, Patricia Nally of Jackson, and Joan Cullen and Judy and James Kane, all of Brooklyn; and six grandchildren. Services were held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, Freehold Township. A funeral Mass was offered at St. Rose of Lima Church, Freehold, followed by interment in St. Rose of Lima Cemetery, Freehold Township. Memorial contributions may be made to the Grace Hospice, 101 Fieldcrest Ave., Suite 304, Edison 08837.