Dover, NJ.  Ms. Marianne Van Auken, 68, passed on September 23, 2024 at St. Clare’s Hospital in Dover, after an extended battle with cancer. Until the very end, she showed remarkable strength, consistently surpassing expectations as she overcame numerous health obstacles – such as learning to walk and drive again after becoming paralyzed.

Marianne was born in Dover, NJ in 1956 to Floyd and Eleanor Canfield, and grew up in Roxbury, NJ.  As a child, her family took many trips to many places, including the 1964 World’s Fair in New York. In adulthood, she raised two children, worked over 20 years at Picatinny Arsenal as a custodian, and enjoyed dining and shopping whenever she had the opportunity.

She had a difficult life, but always made the most of the opportunities she had. She never faltered, kept a positive outlook, and found joy in her daily routines. She will be missed.

Marianne was predeceased by her parents Floyd Canfield in 1997, and Eleanor Canfield in May 2024. She is survived by her 2 sons and their families; Christopher (and Carmen Rojas) Van Auken, and Jason Van Auken (and Heather Van Auken), 3 grandchildren; Sebastian Van Auken, Emily Van Auken, and Avery Van Auken , and her brothers Michael Canfield, Glenn Canfield, David Canfield, and Steven Canfield.

Friends may visit at the Davis & Hepplewhite Funeral Home, 96 Main Street, Succasunna, NJ, 973-584-7264 (davishepplewhitefh.com) on Monday (September 30th), from 5 – 8 pm. The Graveside Service will be held on Tuesday, 11 am, at the Succasunna Presbyterian Cemetery.

Savannah, GA.    Mrs. Teresa Guerin, (Matrisciano) 86, passed away on September 11, 2024 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Savannah, GA, after a short illness. She was born in Madison, NJ and grew up in Green Village, NJ. She graduated from Chatham High School in 1956 and began working as a secretary at Beneficial Financial in Morristown, NJ.  After marrying Fred and having their daughter, she worked many years for Hahn’s Bakery in Roxbury, NJ.  Later she worked in customer service at the Kingtown Citgo in Ledgewood until she was 80 years old, before moving to Savannah to be with her beloved daughter, granddaughter and great grandchildren.   She was a member of St. Therese R C Church in Succasunna, NJ. and appreciated the support they provided when her husband passed away.

She was predeceased by her husband Albert “Fred” Guerin in 2015, and is survived by her daughter Teresa “Terry” Ann Barker.  She also leaves behind her granddaughter Andrea Barker, 3 great grandchildren; Sean Barker, Shane Barker, and Savannah Barker all of Savannah, GA, brother Louis Matrisciano, sister Ann Marie Sarno, and dozens of nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by 10 siblings Florence, Rose, Julia, Carmella, Mary, Catherine, Sam, Joseph, Frank, and Angelo.

Friends and family may visit at the Davis & Hepplewhite Funeral Home, 96 Main Street, Succasunna, NJ, 973-584-7264 (davishepplewhitefh.com) on Monday (September 16th), from 4 – 8 pm. The Funeral Liturgy will be held on Tuesday, 10 am, at St. Therese R C Church in Succasunna followed by the Interment at the Evergreen Cemetery in Morristown.

Califon, NJ.  Mrs. Alice Ogden, 90, died on August 25, 2024 at the Little Brook Nursing Home in Califon. She was born in Stanstead, Quebec, Canada and lived in Livingston for many years before moving to Califon 10 years ago. She was a retired Clerk & Postal Worker for the Morris County Services in Morristown, NJ.

She was predeceased by her husband Richard Ogden in 2008, and is survived by her nephew Kirk B Ogden of Nags Head, N C.

Friends  may visit at the Davis & Hepplewhite Funeral Home, 96  Main Street, Succasunna, NJ on Friday August 30th, 2024 from 10 – 11  am. The Funeral Service will be held at the Marcella Cemetery in Rockaway Township at 11:45.

Roxbury Township,   Mr. Bernard “Bernie” Banks, 91, died on August 19,2024 at his home. He was born in Weehawken and grew up in Lake Parsippany, before moving to Succasunna in 1975. He was a 1951 graduate of Boonton High School and also served in the U S Navy. He worked at Gearhart Chevrolet in Denville, as a salesman, for many years.

He is survived by his wife Edna (Peterman) Banks of 49 years. He also leaves his son Bernie Banks, and sister Mary Kole.

Friends  may visit at the Davis & Hepplewhite Funeral Home, 96  Main Street, Succasunna, NJ on Friday August 23rd, 2024 from 10 – 10:30  am. The Funeral Service will be held at the Succasunna United Methodist Church, 91 Main Street, Succasunna, at 11 am. A reception will follow at the Church Fellowship Hall.

Frederick Lorenz Thum Jr, 91, of Mount Arlington, NJ passed away on August 15, 2024 at Morristown Medical Center. He was born in Newark, NJ to Frederick L. Thum and Gertrude (Schoenknecht) Thum. Fred was raised along with his three siblings, Barbara, Kurt and Katherine in Union, NJ. He studied Fine Arts at Rutgers University and served in the Army during the Korean War as an art instructor for troops stationed in Japan. Upon returning to civilian life in the US, he spent the majority of his career as a graphic artist with Ciba-Geigy (now Novartis) in Summit, NJ. He married Eileen P. Schneider in 1968 and together raised their three children, Kathleen, Karen and Frederick III in Westfield, NJ.

Fred Jr. is predeceased by his parents, Frederick and Gertrude Thum, his sisters, Barbara and Katherine Thum and by his brother Kurt Thum. He is survived by his former wife Eileen P. Thum, his three children, Kathleen (Evangelos Courpas), Karen (Allen Ingling) and Frederick (Sejal Shah-Thum) and by his six grandchildren, William and Eileen Ingling, Maximos Courpas, Satya, Ruhi and Aarav Thum.

Fred was a sensitive, creative and artistic spirit who had tremendous talent in building, woodworking, painting, drawing and sculpture. He was an enthusiastic lover of classical music, identifying various composers by ear. Fred’s artistic talents and creative spirit live on in his three children and six grandchildren.

A funeral service with military honors will be held at Davis & Hepplewhite Funeral Home, 96 Main Street, Succasunna, NJ on Sunday August 25, 2025 from 2-5pm. The private interment will be held at a later date in Fairview Cemetary in Newark, NJ.

Do not stand
By my grave, and weep.
I am not there,
I do not sleep—
I am the thousand winds that blow
I am the diamond glints in snow
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle, autumn rain.
As you awake with morning’s hush,
I am the swift, up-flinging rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight,
I am the day transcending night.
Do not stand
By my grave, and cry—
I am not there,
I did not die.

—?Clare Harner, The Gypsy, December 1934

Port Charlotte, FL, Mr. John J O’Brien, 82, died on August 10, 2024 at the Douglas T Jacobson State Veterans Home in Port Charlotte, FL. Born in Dover, NJ, he joined the United States Air Force in 1960 after graduating from high school. He completed his service before attending King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, PA where he received his Bachelor’s degree.  John worked as a Loss Control Examiner at the Hartford Insurance Company in Rockaway, NJ for 25 years.  He spent his later years shuttling between Pennsylvania and Florida with his wife Elaine in their beloved RV.  John’s many hobbies included camping, dancing with his lovely wife, and spending many hours fishing.  He was a very handy fellow and loved collecting and using his many tools to build, modify, and fix the world around him.

Predeceased by his parents William and Helen, Aunt Shirley, his brother George, and his daughter Jennifer, John is survived by his wife Elaine (Moss) O’Brien of 25 years, by his children Daniel (wife Jeannette), son Michael, stepchildren Wendy (husband Will), Fred, Kim, David (wife Jaime), his brother Bill, sister Ruth Ann, and his 13 grandchildren Cameron, Chloe, Cala, Billy, Ryan, Brandon, Sydney, Steven, Nadia, Susannah, Julia, Mia, and Michael.

Friends may visit at the Davis & Hepplewhite Funeral Home, 96 Main Street, Succasunna, NJ, 973-584-7264 (davishepplewhitefh.com) on Thursday (August 15th), from 10  –  11 am. The service will be held at the Funeral Home at 11 am,  followed by the internment at the Succasunna Methodist Cemetery, with Military Honors.

Sewell, NJ.   Mr. Michael P Farina, 85, died on August 6, 2024 at the Advanced Subacute Rehabilitation Center in Sewell. He was born in Orange, NJ and grew up in Newark, NJ where he had his extended family, later moving to the suburbs in Parsippany. As a family man, he spent much of his time at his daughter’s enjoying the company of his family; his wife Carol (nee Lalley) Farina, daughter Michelle “Shelley” Serra, son Vincent who died in 2010. He also leaves his grandson David L Serra (and his wife Kelly Blaszczyk) and granddaughter Lindsey Serra (and her boyfriend Mike Fortino). He was predeceased by his parents; Michael P. Farina and Harriet (nee Stone) Farina, and by his aunt Edith Farina.

He was a graduate of NCE, now NJIT, where he earned his Master’s Degree. He began his career with Bell Labs in 1960 and continued through it’s many changes ending with Nokia when he retired. He also served in the New Jersey National Guard. He will be greatly missed!

Private arrangements are by the Davis & Hepplewhite Funeral Home, 96 Main Street, Succasunna, NJ, 973-584-7264 (davishepplewhitefh.com) The Entombment will be held on Wednesday, August 14, 2024 at 11 am, at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery in East Hanover.