Deaths
Norman E. Beene, 69, of Foster City, California, died October 16 in Palo Alto after a long illness. He was a former resident of West Windsor. He is survived by his wife, Judy; children, Jennifer, David, John Beene, and Jill Klun; grandchildren, Joshua and Sarah McLaughlin, Christopher and Emily Beene, and Serena Klun, all of West Windsor; and brother LeRoy Beene of Texas. Donations may be made to the BA Hospice Care Center, 3801 Miranda Avenue, 100/2C, Palo Alto, California 94304.
Mary Oliva, of New Milford, died October 16. Survivors include a daughter Carol Downs of West Windsor. Donations may be made to the Robert L. Fine Cancer Research Foundation, Columbia Presbyterian Hospital, 650 West 168th Street, Black Building 200-05, New York, New York 10032.
Mary Milutis Coleman, 90, died October 21 at the Pavilions at Forrestal Care Center, Plainsboro. Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 3076 Princeton Pike, Lawrenceville 08648.
Betty Hoogstraal, 89, of Ferndale, New York, died October 23 in Passaic. Survivors include a son and daughter in law, David and Linda Grunbaum of West Windsor.
William Mears III, 82, of West Windsor died October 23 at University Medical Center at Princeton. Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, he was a graduate of Cornell University.
He served as a first lieutenant in the Army Air Forces during World War II and received a Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters. An engineer for Standard Research and development Company of New Jersey, he was a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
His wife, Karen Mearns, survives him. Contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project at Wounded Warrior Project, Donor Service Department, 54 Nashua Street, Milford New Hampshire 03055.
Cosmo Celli, 76, of Princeton died October 26 at his home. A master craftsman of woodworking, he was involved in the construction of Princeton University Chapel where he carved all the names in the pews.
Survivors include his sister and brother-in-law Bianca and Frank Rossi of West Windsor. Donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, Box 50, Memphis, Tennessee 38101; St. Paul’s Church, 214 Nassau Street, Princeton 08540; or the charity of one’s choice.
Ardith Marie Vergason, 80, of Palmetto, Florida, died October 28. A graveside service and celebration of life will take place in Florida. Survivors include a daughter Lorie Chapman of West Windsor. Donations may be made to Harry Anna Trust Fund, Box 49, Umatilla, Florida 32784.
Sumner M. Cohen, 93, of Storrs, died October 31 at the Windham Hospital. Survivors include a daughter, Deborah Cohen of Plainsboro.
Alfred Ciappetta, 81, of Hamilton died October 31 at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital at Hamilton. He was a former Plainsboro resident and a veteran of World War II where he served in the Coast Guard.
Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Josephine Ciappetta; a daughter, Donna Marie Kleinfeldt of Hamilton; a son and daughter-in-law, Salvatore Alfred and Domenica Ciappetta of Plainsboro; two sisters, Tessie Dilapi and Rose Granucci, both of New York; and a brother, Louis Ciappetta of Florida.
