Matthew James Rizzo, 31, died on October 28, 2012 at St. Clare’s Hospital in Dover of injuries as a result of a motorcycle accident in Jefferson Township.

A Funeral Mass will be offered in Our Lady of the Lake Church, 32 Lakeside Avenue, Verona on Monday, November 5 at 10:30 a.m. Visiting in the Prout Funeral Home, 370 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona on Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m.

Born and raised in Denville, Matt lived in Rockaway for 8 years prior to moving to the Lake Forest section of Jefferson 7 months ago.

He was a stone setter with the International Bricklayers & Allied Craftsman Union, Local #1 in New York City for the past 12 years.

Matt had many interests and hobbies. Along with his love for motorcycling, he enjoyed boating, target shooting, dirt biiking, home improvement projects and much more. He was honored and thrilled to become a member of the Tri County Motorcycle Club. He was an avid Yankees fan and loved his two dogs, Reilly and Deagan. He was looking forward to becoming Kim’s husband and loved her deeply. Matt treasured, and was treasured by, his mother and sister along with his entire family. His many cousins will have fond memories of him forever! Matt had a “million” friends but his closest were dear to his heart. He will be greatly missed by all.

Matt was predeceased by his father, Gary Rizzo, in 2011. He is survived by his mother, Anne Marie Rizzo “Amy” (nee Burns), his fianc, Kimberly Junkermeier, and his sister, Sandra Rizzo. He is also survived by his grandmother, Pearl Burns and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the NJSPCA, (HYPERLINK www.njspca.org www.njspca.org) 1119 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 would be appreciated.

Charles Axel Poekel Sr. died at home on Wednesday, November 7. Poekel, an Essex Fells resident, was a realtor in Verona for six decades. Poekel, who was also the inventor of a method for de-icing aircraft propellers, was 97.

A memorial service has been scheduled for 10 a.m. on Saturday, November 24, at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 271 Roseland Avenue, Essex Fells. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the “U.F. Foundation” to support the Charles A. Poekel Sr. Endowed Scholarship Fund, c/o College of Engineering Development Office, P.O. Box 116575, Gainesville, Fla. 32611.

The full obituary can be found in The Progress of Caldwell.

Harley H. Mattheis, 81, of Verona, NJ, passed away peacefully at home on November 10, 2012 after a long illness of Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS).

A Funeral Mass will be offered in Our Lady of the Lake Church, 32 Lakeside Avenue, Verona, NJ on Wednesday, November 14th at 10 am. Visiting in the Prout Funeral Home, 370 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona, on Tuesday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m.

Harley was the first son to the late Herbert and Elsie Mattheis. Born on September 20, 1931 in Ellendale, North Dakota, he grew up on a farm in Harvey, N.D. After graduating high school, he moved to Minneapolis where he studied radio and electronics as a member of the Army Reserves. He was called up for active duty during the Korean Conflict and served as a Radio Instructor in the Army Tank Corp.

After the Service, he moved to Chicago to attend Illinois Institute of Technology where he studied engineering. He was employed by Container Corporation of America as a Product Engineer in the plastics industry.

In 1954, Harley met Phyllis T. Kloss whom he married in 1958. In 1967, he was transferred to New Jersey with the position of chief design engineer and brought his family to settle in Verona. There he became an active member of Our Lady of the Lake Church and School and was also involved in Indian Guides, Trail Blazers and Indian Princesses.

For the next 19 years, he was highly regarded in the plastics industry and designed products for a variety of companies. In 1986, he formed his own consulting company, HM Consulting, and designed for NAGL Brush of Omaha, Nebraska.


His innovative approach during his 55 years in the plastics industry merited him 61 patents as well as many professional awards and recognitions. He retired just recently in August 2012 at the age of 80.

He will be remembered for his unique wit and his eccentricities which include being among the first to wear Bermuda shorts in Chicago in the 1950s, his tweeting whistle to roundup his 7 children, his 1980 green electric car, antique phone booth, antique barber chair and the way he “Harley-ized” everything he encountered.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Phyllis (nee Kloss); son Colin and wife Sherri, grandson Tyler; son Craig and wife Ingrid, granddaughter Erika; son Garret, grandchildren, Charlotte, Chloe, Cass; daughter Kelly; son Chris; daughter Meegan and husband Brian, grandchildren Liam and Laurel; daughter Erin and husband Barry. He is also survived by his brother Orin Mattheis, his sisters Shirley Gilbert and Eileen Cooper. He is predeceased by his brother Ivan Mattheis and sister Sandra Mattheis.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Our Lady of the Lake School, Lakeside and Montrose Avenues, Verona, NJ 07044 or St. John’s Soup Kitchen, c/o St. John’s Church, P.O. Box 200147, Newark, NJ 07102 would be appreciated.

Mrs. Ruth (nee Coerper) Hayes, 95, died on December 12, 2012 at the Kimberly Hall North Nursing Home in Windsor, Conn. A short graveside service will be held in the Coerper family plot at the Rosedale Cemetery, Orange Road, Montclair on Saturday, December 15 at 11 a.m.

Born in Bloomfield, Mrs. Hayes lived in Verona, returning to Bloomfield from 1960 to 2000, when she moved to Connecticut.
She was an Assembler for the Westinghouse Corp in Bloomfield for 31 years, retiring in 1971.

Mrs. Hayes is the wife of the late Sidney Hayes and is survived by nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by eight brothers and sisters. Her brothers were all Verona volunteer firemen.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Shriner’s Hospital would be appreciated.

Mr. Charles “Chuck” Brennan, 63, died suddenly on Thursday, December 13, 2012. A Funeral Mass will be offered in Our Lady of the Lake Church on Monday, December 17 at 10 a.m.

Born in Philadelphia, Mr. Brennan lived in Chicago and Fort Lauderdale prior to moving to Verona in 1980.

He had a BS from Alliance College and a MBA from Florida Atlantic University. He was the owner of the Brennan Research Group in Verona.

Mr. Brennan was the husband of 36 years to Kathleen A. Brennan, the father of Drew Alden Brennan and his fiancée, Casey Kovaloski, the son of Helen C. Brennan and the brother of Dennis Brennan and his wife, Joan.

He was predeceased by his father, Kenneth O. Brennan. In lieu of flowers, donations to The Valerie Fund would be appreciated.

We’ve been informed of the passing of former Verona resident Lizette Marie Schmitt Uhl on Christmas Day. She was 55.

Uhl grew up on East Lincoln Street, and attended Our Lady of the Lake School, H.B. Whitehorne Middle School and was graduated from Verona High School with the class of 1975. She is the sister of Mark Schmitt (VHS ’73), who survives her, as do her husband, James, two children and her mother, Madline Schmitt of Delaware.

Uhl had lived in Iowa for many years, and was an audiologist with the educational system in Iowa. There will be a service for her on Saturday, December 29 at 2 p.m. You can read her full obituary here, and leave a message of condolence.

Mr. Raymond F. Feeney, Sr., 81, died on Wednesday, December 26, 2012 in Toms River. A Funeral Mass will be offered in Our Lady of the Lake Church, Verona on Saturday December 29 at 11AM. Visiting in the Prout Funeral Home, 370 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona on Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 pm.

Born in Montclair, Mr. Feeney lived in Verona, then in Roxbury for 42 years prior to moving to Toms River in 2004.

He worked for Thom McCann Shoe Stores and served as the manager in Dover, Randolph and Livingston Mall. He retired in 1979. Mr. Feeney was a Special Police Officer in Roxbury Twp. for many years.

He is the husband of Lorraine M. (nee Vincent) Feeney, the father of Sharon Feeney Bass and husband Franklin, Raymond F. Feeney, Jr. and wife Connie, Jean E. Feeney, Cynthia T. Feeney, and Sonia Ramirez. He is the brother of James Feeney, Vincent Feeney, Cecilia Collins, and Maureen Messner. He was predeceased by his parents John and Catherine and siblings Cynthia Collins, Kathleen Robertson, John S. Jr., Robert, Thomas and Joseph.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Silver Ridge Park First Aid Squad, Millbrook Drive, Toms River, NJ 08757 would be appreciated.

Mr. Richard Congero, 56, died on Friday, December 28, 2012 in Livingston. A Funeral Mass will be offered in Our Lady of the Lake Church, Verona on Monday December 31 at 10 a.m. Visiting in the Prout Funeral Home, 370 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona on Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m.

Born in Orange, Mr. Congero grew up in West Orange and lived in Verona and East Hanover prior to moving to Parsippany 4 years ago. He was a 1974 graduate of Mountain High School and was active on the football, wrestling and baseball teams. He is a former member of the West Orange Elks.

Mr. Congero was an operator at the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission. Previously he was the owner of the New Identity Salon in North Caldwell.

Mr. Congero is the father of Richard and Michael, the son of Antoinette and the late James P. Congero, Jr., the brother of Kenneth and the late James P. III, and the former husband of Deborah Ann Pier.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial Donation envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

Mrs. Barbara (nee Bratsch) Shurtleff, 79, died on Saturday, Dec. 29, 2012, at her home in Verona. A Funeral Mass will be offered in Our Lady of the Lake Church on Thursday, Jan. 3, at 11 a.m. Visiting is in the Prout Funeral Home, 370 Bloomfield Ave., on Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m.

Born in Glen Ridge, N.J., Mrs. Shurtleff was a lifelong resident of Verona. She was a secretary at Stanton Company Realtors in Montclair, N.J.

Active for many years at Our Lady of the Lake Church in Verona, Mrs. Shurtleff was involved with the Bethany Ministry, Women’s Cornerstone and served as a Lector and Eucharistic Minister.

She was affectionately known by her family as the “Church Lady”. She was the wife of the late William Shurtleff; the mother of Susan Stokes (and her husband, Roger), Lisa Soderman (and her husband, Paul), Anne Jenkins (and her husband, Bryan), Cynthia Percevault (and her husband, Hank), and Elizabeth Iacobelli. She is also survived by her siblings, William Bratsch Jr., Nancy Conklin, Helen Simpson, Christine Church, and 10 grandchildren and 2.5 great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations to St. John’s Soup Kitchen, Newark, N.J., , would be appreciated.

Mrs. Linda (nee Mickens) Coerper, 67, died on Sunday, December 30, 2012. Services and interment private.

Born in Montclair, Mrs. Coerper lived in Verona before moving to Montclair in 1965. She was the office manager at Skyline Auto Exchange in Fairfield, retiring in 2000.

Mrs. Coerper is the wife of the late John W. Coerper, the mother of Stephen (his wife, Grace), James (his wife, Nancy) and John (his wife Julia). She is also survived by her grandchildren, Bryan, Vincent, Shaun, Ashley and Ava.

In lieu of flowers, donations to American Cancer Society.

Nicola Tanelli, a 1981 graduate of Verona High School, died on Jan. 4, 2013, at Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, N.J. He was 49.

The wake will be held on Wednesday, January 9, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Dancy Funeral Home, 9 Smull Ave., Caldwell. The Funeral Mass will be on Thursday, January 10 at 10 a.m. in St. Aloysius Church, Caldwell.

Tanelli, who was a resident of North Caldwell at the time of his death, leaves behind a wife and two children, as well as his parents and brother. You can read the full obituary here.

Robert Thomas Guthrie, who graduated Verona High School with the class of 1977, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 6, 2013. He was 54, and had been a resident of Chester, N.J. for the last 25 years.

His wake will be from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, January 10, at the William J. Leber Funeral Home, in Chester. The funeral mass will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday at St. Lawrence the Martyr Church, which is also in Chester.

In lieu of flowers, the family is suggesting that memorial donations be to the National Brain Tumor Society, 124 Watertown St., Suite 2D, Watertown, Mass. 02472. The complete obituary is here.

Mrs. Eleanor M. (nee Morash) Lehman, 89, died on Tuesday, January 15, 2013 in Glen Ridge. Services will be held in the Calvary Lutheran Church, 23 South Prospect Street, Verona on Saturday, January 19 at 10 a.m. Visiting in the Prout Funeral Home, 370 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona on Friday from 3 to 6 p.m.

Born in Waltham, Mass., Mrs. Lehman lived in Verona for 63 years prior to moving to West Caldwell in 2008.

A member of Calvary Lutheran Church since 1944, Mrs. Lehman was active in the Women’s Guild, Altar Guild, Friday Fellowship and served as a Greeter and head of the Prayer Chain.

She was the wife of the late Dr. Frederick G. Lehman, the mother of John Frederick Lehman (and his wife, Gayle), Lenore Lehman Knoller, David Alan Lehman (and his wife, Jane) and the grandmother of Daniel and Brendan Lehman.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Calvary Lutheran Church would be appreciated.

Elizabeth Foley, 82, of Caldwell, N.J., formerly of Verona, N.J., died Monday, Jan. 28, 2013. Relatives and friends are invited to visit with the family at the Dancy Funeral Home, 9 Smull Ave., Caldwell, on Thursday, Jan. 31, from 4 to 8 p.m. A Mass will be offered on Friday, Feb. 1, at 10 a.m. in St. Aloysius Church, Caldwell, followed by interment at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover, N.J.

Born in Jersey City, N.J., Mrs. Foley lived in Bloomfield and Verona, N.J., for more than 50 years before moving to Caldwell, N.J., six years ago. She was employed as a secretary with the Ricoh Corporation in West Caldwell before retiring.

Mrs. Foley was a member of the Watercolor Association, the Bloomfield Art League and Livingston Art Club. She was also a member of the Catholic Daughters and Rosary Society at Our Lady of the Lake Church in Verona.

She was the beloved wife of 60 years to William; devoted mother to Patrick; George and his wife, Susan; Maureen; Sharon; Kathleen and her husband, Henry Bardsley; Lynne; James and his wife, Eliza; Elizabeth Hogan and her husband, William; Robyn Stevens and her husband, Donald, and Tara Kaiser and her husband, John; dear sister to Regina Lawrence and cherished grandmother to 16 grandchildren. She was predeceased by her beloved son, William, in 1966, and three sisters, Ruth, Bernice and Miriam.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the American Diabetes Association, New Jersey Office, CenterPointe II, Suite 103, Bridgewater, N.J. 08807 would be appreciated.

Althea Doris “Dot” Stroosnyder passed away on January 31 at age 88. Her wake will be Tuesday, February 5, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at Shook’s Cedar Grove Funeral Home, 486 Pompton Ave., Cedar Grove. Funeral services will be held at Shook’s on February 6, at 9:30 a.m. and a prayer service will be offered at 10 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment will follow at George Washington Memorial Park in Paramus.

Stroosnyder is the mother of Caryle Cirello of Verona and June Marchelle Appleget of Egg Harbor Township, the grandmother of five and great-grandmother of nine. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the AtlantiCare Hospice, P.O. Box 1626, Pleasantville, N.J. 08232.

The full obituary and online book of condolences are here.

Mr. Guenther Lichtenegger, 75, died on Monday, February 4, 2013 in Glen Ridge. Services will be held in the Prout Funeral Home, 370 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona on Wednesday, February 6 at 1 p.m. Friends may call Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Shiva will be observed at the family residence on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

Born in Schwabisch Gmund, Germany, Mr. Lichtenegger came to the United States in 1955 and lived in Nutley, Orange and West Orange prior to moving to Verona in 1980.

He served in the U.S. Army in Europe from 1961 to 1963.

Mr. Lichtenegger was a machinist for Kemp Inc. in Rutherford for 40 years. He was an animal lover, outdoorsman and sport man who loved to travel.

He is survived by his loving wife of 32 years, Susan Lippa, his brother-in-law, David (Beth) Lippa, his niece, Jodie (Jon) Herbst, nephews, Michael Roth, Jeffrey (Sarah) Lippa and Jacob Lippa. He is also survived by his cousins Brigitte (Bruno) Lakner, Thomas Lakner and Claudia Lakner.

In lieu of flowers, donations to an animal or veterans charity of your choice would be appreciated.

Mr. Francis J. (Frank) Schumell, 71, died on February 5, 2013 at his home in Verona surrounded by his family and friends. A Funeral Mass will be offered in Our Lady of the Lake Church, Verona on Friday, February 8 at 10 a.m. Visiting in the Prout Funeral Home, 370 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona on Thursday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m.

Born in Glen Ridge, Mr. Schumell was a lifelong resident of Verona. He served as a police officer in Verona for 25 years, retiring as a sergeant in 1989. He was a member of Verona PBA #72.

Mr. Schumell was an avid outdoorsman who loved fishing and hunting.

He is the loving husband of Jo-Ann Simonelli Schumell, the beloved father of Michael Joseph Schumell, Danielle Rosemary Schumell and Michael Kelly Schumell. He is also survived by his sister, Pauline Napoli and her husband Richard, his mother-in-law, Filomena Simonelli, his sisters-in-law, Rosanne Vivolo and Marie Simonelli, his brother-in-law, Col. Joseph Simonelli and his beloved puppies, Jadie Pie and Joy Joy.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Verona Rescue Squad, 12 Church Street, Verona 07044 or the Verona P.B.A. Local 72, P.O. Box 72, Verona, NJ 07044 would be appreciated.

Mr. Method M. Balco, 94, died on February 5, 2013 at his home in Verona. Services will be held in the Prout Funeral Home, 370 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona on Saturday, February 9 at 2 p.m. Friends may call from 1 to 2 p.m.

Born in Newark, Mr. Balco lived in North Caldwell for 19 years prior to moving to Verona in 1999. He was the owner of Balco Catholic Supply of Verona, formerly of West Caldwell and New York City for over 50 years. He retired in 2009.

Mr. Balco served as vice president of the World Slovak Congress and as President of the Slovak Republicans of America. He has been a long-time member of the Multinational Advisory Committee of the National Republican Party.

Mr. Balco was the husband of the late Dr. Maria Z. Balco and is survived by five nephews and three nieces. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, 9480 N. DeMazenod Drive, Belleville, Ill. 62223-1160 would be appreciated.

Mary Tierney Ernst, 92, of Verona, N.J., a retired Staten Island Advance employee and longtime Grasmere, Staten Island,  resident who was honored for more than 50 years of charitable and volunteer work, died Friday at home.

Born Mary Tierney in Bayonne, the oldest of eight children, she summered with her family in Graham Beach before they moved to Grasmere in 1939. Since 1961, the family continued to enjoy the shore during the summers in Lavallette. She relocated to Verona in 1987.

Mrs. Ernst worked for 18 years at the Advance Grasmere offices, first as a proofreader, and later in the classified advertising department. She retired in 1986. While at the Advance, Mrs. Ernst also would work on the Advance Women of Achievement luncheon. She would assist with ticket sales, as well as greet and seat luncheon guests on the day of the affair. She also worked on the committee for the Advance All-Star dinners run by the newspaper’s Sports Department.

As a young woman, Mrs. Ernst had worked as a secretary to the principal of Holy Family Academy in Bayonne, and later, during World War II, she worked for the federal government in the Manhattan offices of the War Department.

In 2012, Mrs. Ernst was honored by the Ladies of Charity of New York for more than 50 years of volunteer work with the organization on Staten Island. She was also a founding member of the Staten Island chapter of the Blue Army of Fatima.

While her children were in school, Mrs. Ernst served as president of the Federation of Catholic Mothers’ Guild of Staten Island. She was also a founding member and vice-president of the Mothers’ Guild of St. Sylvester’s School in Concord, as well as being a member of the Parent Association of St. Joseph Hill Academy in Arrochar.

She was a long-time member of the Cameron Club of Staten Island in Grasmere, and was also an avid golfer. She golfed at courses throughout Staten Island, and also at the Water Gap Country Club in Delaware Water Gap, Pa., of which she was a member.

In New Jersey, Mrs. Ernst was a founding member of the Community Assistance Program at Our Lady of the Lake R.C. Church in Verona, where she was a parishioner. She also continued her lifelong love of learning by taking classes at Caldwell College when she was in her 70s.

According to her family, Mrs. Ernst was an avid reader who enjoyed discussing politics and current events with family members and friends. She enjoyed traveling in the United States and abroad especially Canada, Scotland, Ireland, England and Italy.

Her husband of 41 years, Bernard J. Ernst, died in 1984. Her daughter, Mary Ellen Walker, died in 2007, and a granddaughter, Kristen Walker, died in 2005. She was predeceased by her parents Edward and Mildred Tierney, her sisters Florence Tierney and Ann Tierney Murphy and her brother Edward A. Tierney Jr.

Surviving are a son, Bernard J. Ernst, Jr. (and his wife, Margaret S. Grisham); three daughters, Susan J. Hillers (and her husband, Raymond), Jane A. Harris (and her husband, Jeffrey), and Lisa T. Castellano (and her husband, Dr. Joseph Castellano) a son-in-law, Henry R. Walker; two brothers, James Tierney (and his wife, Doris), and Thomas Tierney (and his wife, Dorothy); two sisters, Mildred Rolls and Jane Milza (and her husband, Edward). She is the grandmother of Brian Hillers, Tracy Hillers Nolen (and her husband, John), Kara Hillers Allen (and her husband, John), Lauren, Joseph and Gabriella Castellano, Jillian Harris, Anthony Grisham (and his wife, Ruth), Melanie Grisham Pulik (and her husband, Michael). She is also survived by her great grandchildren, Kelsea Nolen, Max, Jack, Brendan and Mollie Allen, Aria and Chloe Grisham, and Michael Jr. and James Pulik, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be at the Prout Funeral Home, 370 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona, on Wednesday from 4 to 8pm. The funeral will be Thursday from the Prout Funeral Home, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. in Our Lady of the Lake Church, both in Verona. Burial will be in Moravian Cemetery, Staten Island.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Endowment Trust of Our Lady of the Lake Church, Verona or Holy Family Academy, Bayonne would be appreciated.

Ms. Nancy Carol DeWitt, 64, died on Thursday, February 14, 2013 in the Hunterdon Medical Center.

Services will be held in the Prout Funeral Home, 370 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona on Monday, February 18 at 10:30 a.m. Visiting on Sunday afternoon from 2 to 5 p.m.

She was predeceased by her parents, Caroline (nee Conklin) and William C. DeWitt.

Ms. DeWitt is survived by her siblings, William H. DeWitt (and his wife Robin) and Susan A. DeWitt, her aunt, Ruth Conklin and her niece Laura DeWitt. She will also be missed by her second family of Cottage 10. In lieu of flowers, donations to Hunterdon Developmental Center, Welfare Fund Cottage 10, PO Box 4003, Clinton, NJ 08809-4003 would be appreciated.