Obituaries

Walter J. Case, age 57, of Manahawkin, NJ passed on Monday, January 4^th at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch. Wally was raised in Middletown, NJ with his parents Linda and Walter and his three siblings Brad, Tyler, and Marcy. Growing up, Wally’s love for football started with the Middletown Chargers in Pop Warner. As his prowess and athleticism shined, he went on to play for Red Bank Catholic where he was a tri-sport athlete in football, wrestling, and track. In football at RBC, Wally was a star-athlete leading the team in tackles, was a multiple-time captain, received the Lombardi Award, and was an All-Monmouth team member. In wrestling, he competed at the Unlimited weight class and for his light weight he was outstanding on the mat. He was then recruited to play football for Springfield College in Springfield, MA, (he also wrestled Heavyweight). He was a 2x All-American, All-team Captain, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science. After college he traveled to Padua, Italy to play and coach for the Professional American Football League for the Podova Saints. He played offense & defense where he won league championships as a player and coach. After returning from Italy, in 1987 Wally played as a Linebacker for the New York Jets. He finished his coaching career at Red Bank Catholic.

David Stump, 60, passed away on December 27, 2020, following a brief illness. He died at home in Monmouth Beach, New Jersey, surrounded by family and friends.  

David was born and raised in Springfield, Ohio, with one brother and four sisters. Demonstrating a passion for music at an early age, David became an accomplished pianist and composer. In 2003, David moved to Monmouth Beach to help care for his mother, Barbara, and niece, Kay. “Uncle Davey” quickly settled into his new community, embracing his role as a caretaker. He rapidly forged an unbreakable bond with Kay, becoming her best friend and life coach.  

With a generous spirit, David readily answered the call for help in times of need. When his mother’s Parkinson’s Disease became advanced, David attended to her. After learning that a neighbor required help caring for a parent, he stood ready to lend a hand. Still grieving the loss of his precious poodle Ollie, David found room in his home for a kitty after her owner died.

Frances (“Fran”) Marion Ruane, of Fair Haven, NJ peacefully passed away on Saturday, January 2, 2021.

Born in Leonardo NJ and raised in Rome NY with loving parents Veronica and Frank Gallagher. Fran was predeceased by her parents and brother James Gallagher. She is survived by her sister, Barbara Deigert of New Monmouth and sister Patricia Curro and her husband Samuel Curro of Oneida, New York.

William Patrick Lang Jr, was born on May 12, 1935 in Long Branch, New Jersey, to William and Elizabeth Lang.

Bill grew up in Fair Haven and graduated from St. James Catholic High School in 1954. Bill married Barbara Gettis in 1959, where they raised their family in Fair Haven and retired to Vero Beach, Florida. Bill was a dedicated volunteer throughout his life and gave back to his community. He was a life member of the Fair Haven Fire Company, where he served for over 59 years. Bill was a two-time Fire Department Chief in 1968 and 1974. During his time with the fire company, Bill was the First Aid Captain in 1972 and President of the First Aid Department and one of the founding members of the scuba diving team receiving their New Jersey Council of Divers Certification early in 1963. During which time he helped start the Monmouth County First Aid 16th district. He also managed the Fair Haven Pirates baseball team and the Church of the Nativity’s girl basketball team. Bill was the past President of the Rumson Fair Haven High School Booster and Fair Haven Democratic Club. Bill prepared meals for 10 years for the Knollwood School stokes trip. That was not the only place where his culinary skills were used; he also cooked at the Firehouse Meals, Pancake breakfasts, prepping food for the Fireman's Fair and the annual January Open House with his famous Chili!   Bill also served on the Fair Haven election board.

Yes, Bill had Family time too. The Lang’s went camping With the Van Develde’s and other families, and Sunday's dinner at the beach with the Butler’s. Bill also enjoyed Ice Boating and Drag Racing at Maple Grove. Bill retired from Esso Gas Company in Linden, New Jersey, and retired fire inspector of Fair Haven Borough.

Isabel Verna (Lower) Westlake Giblon, age 100, of Red Bank, NJ passed away Wednesday, December 23, 2020, at her residence in Winchester, VA.

Mrs. Giblon was born in 1920 in Swissvale, PA, daughter of the late Raymond and Viola Lower.  She was a devoted wife and mother whose passion was nurturing a comfortable home for her husband and children.  Mrs. Giblon was a longtime member of Tower Hill Presbyterian Church in Red Bank, NJ, a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Shrewsbury Garden Club and the Shrewsbury Historical Society.  She was an avid bridge player and world traveler.

Surviving is a daughter, Marjorie Jeanne Westlake (Jeff Winston) and a son, Harry E. Westlake, III; stepdaughter, Mary Lee Sheahan (Jack); and grandchildren, Alexa Stanton, Dakota Westlake, Cheyenne Wepking (Nathan); great grandchildren, Joshua and Parker Wepking; and many loving nieces and their families.

Mrs. Giblon was preceded in death by her first husband, Harry E. Westlake, Jr., in 1984; her second husband, Robert P. Giblon, in 2007; sister, Jeanne Hershey and a brother, William Lower.

Charlie Hopkins left us on 12/27/2020. He was born in Brooklyn, NY and enjoyed many summers in Monmouth Beach. He attended high school at Brooklyn Prep then went on to graduate from Polytechnic Institute of New York with a BS and MS in Electrical Engineering. He started his engineering career with The City of New York then went on to work for Gibbs & Cox NYC for many years. Charlie ultimately settled in Middletown in 1987 where he and his wife Margaret raised their daughter Samantha. In Middletown, Charlie continued his career at T&M Associates and retired in 2019. He loved engineering and was a great mentor to many. Charlie loved to fly kites and attend kite festivals all over the Eastern Seaboard. He enjoyed The New York Times crossword puzzles, visiting museums, music, and spending time having meaningful discussions with his friends and family.

Joan Caroline Dangler Shea of Eatontown NJ formally of Rumson NJ passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family. Born in Oakhurst, Ocean Twp, NJ on May 23, 1930 she lived in the Rumson Fair Haven area most of her life before moving to Monmouth Beach NJ and most recently with her son in Eatontown NJ.

She was the daughter of the late Roderic and Dorothy Dangler. She was predeceased by her husband of nearly 60 years James K Shea Jr in 2008. She is survived by her six children, Joan Clark and husband John of Shark River Hills, NJ, Dorothy Shea Cope and husband Bruce of Allen, Texas James K Shea III and wife Dossie of Virginia Beach, Va., Roderic Shea and wife Sue of Copper Hill, Tn., Frederick Shea and wife Joy of Eatontown, NJ., and Timothy Shea and wife Robin of Oceanport, NJ, 19 Grandchildren and 23 Great Grandchildren.

Lucy Dowden, (nee Maher), 93, died on Saturday, December 19, 2020. Born in Jersey City, N.J., Lucy lived most of her life in Jersey City while summering in Allenhurst, N.J. and moving there after retirement.

The Valedictorian of her graduating class at St. Dominic’s Academy in Jersey City, she enjoyed traveling with her sister Marilyn and was an officer of the Jersey City Symphony Society. She was working in a law firm in Jersey City when she met the love of her life, James Dowden. Married in 1959, they were married 57 years until his death in 2016.

Catherine Cooney O'Brien (“Kay”), 88, of Shrewsbury, NJ, died December 21st of Covid-19 at Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank. Born in Newark, raised in Glen Ridge and Spring Lake, she graduated from Lacordaire Academy in Montclair and Rosemont College, PA ‘54. Kay was the former owner of More To The Point custom needlepoint and knitting store in Fair Haven. She served on the board of The Women's Exchange in Little Silver for 25 years and was the Newcomers Alumnae Club treasurer for 20 years.

Virginia Woodruff MacConnell, age 93, died December 19th, 2020 in Red Bank, NJ.

Mrs MacConnell lived in Shadow Lake Village, Middletown, NJ after having been a resident of Fair Haven, NJ for over 50 years. Mrs. MacConnell had been a licensed insurance broker and worked with her husband Douglas F. MacConnell, who owned MacConnell Insurance Agency in Fair Haven for many years. Mrs. MacConnell was a member of St. Georges by-the-River Episcopal Church in Rumson, NJ, former member of the Sea Bright Beach Club, and the English-Speaking Union. She was a former member of the Vestry of the Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, Fair Haven, and the Junior League of Monmouth County.

Mrs. MacConnell was predeceased by her husband, Douglas F. MacConnell in 1986, her brother Franklin Woodruff in 2015, her sister Jane Kearns in 2017, her stepsister Angela Hill in 2018, and her grandson Nathaniel Chauncey MacConnell in 2002.