Obituaries

Former Livingston resident James Francis Farrell, 70, died suddenly at his home in Mendham on September 12. Funeral arrangements were by the Bailey Funeral Home in Mendham. Mr. Farrell was born in Newark and resided in Livingston and Maplewood before moving to Mendham 30 years ago. He was a member of the United States Army and served in Vietnam from 1966 to 1968. Before retiring, he worked for the National Vision Association. Mr. Farrell is survived by his wife, Jane M. Farrell (nee Stanley); five daughters, Jennie Bodnar and her husband, Robert, of Mendham; Chrissy Charles and her husband, Eric, of Mendham; Caroline Taylor and her husband, Joel, of Bedminster; Lisa Merklinger and her husband, Rich, of Mendham; and Laura Kaye and her husband, Scott, of Somerville. He is also survived by one son, Jimmy Farrell, and his wife, Anna, of Salt Lake City, Utah; and 19 grandchildren. Memorial donations may be made to Heartworks Foundation, 19 Route 202, Basking Ridge, NJ, 07920.

Conchita Lebron Graves died on Friday, September 12. She was 94 years old. A celebration of her life will be held today, Thursday, at 1 p.m. in the Whigham Funeral home, 580 Dr.Martin Luther King Boulevard, Newark. Interment will take place in Fairmount Cemetery, Newark. Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Mrs. Graves was a resident of Livingston and a former resident of Newark. Wife of the late James Martell Graves, she was the mother of James M. Graves and his wife, Evelyn. She is also survived by two grandchildren.

Gordon E. Bell, a lifelong resident of Livingston, died Monday, September 15. Visitation will take place today, Thursday, September 18, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Quinn-Hopping Funeral Home of Livingston. Funeral services will be held there tomorrow, Friday, September 19, at 10 a.m., with interment to follow at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery in East Hanover. Mr. Bell was a past Exalted Ruler of Livingston Elks' Lodge 1855. He is survived by his wife, Theresa Bell; his son, Jason Bell and his wife, Darleen; a brother, Walter Bell and his wife, Laura; a sister, Carol Gabriel and her husband, Duke; four stepchildren; and two grandchildren.

A fund has been set up at Seton Hall Preparatory School in West Orange to honor the memory of Brendan Tevlin. The 19 year old Livingston resident was tragically murdered in West Orange on June 25. Shamrock t-shirts and "Good Vibes and Easy Living" bangle bracelets, designed and made in Tevlin’s honor, are available for purchase as part of the fundraiser. The t-shirts are white and feature a green shamrock with Tevlin's inititials. The intention was to sell 500 shirts; 520 had been sold at press time with $9,960 raised so far. The hand made, hand stamped, adjustable bracelets are currently on backorder. The scholarship was established and the items created in an effort to continue the avid surfer's spirit of "good vibes and easy living." All money will be donated to Seton Hall Preparatory School. The goal is to name the school's game field after him.

James N. DeLucia died at age 91 on September 4. A funeral Mass was held on Monday, September 8, in St. John Vianney Church, Stockholm. Born in Newark, Mr. DeLucia was one of 12 children born to Rose and Joseph DeLucia. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and participated in the Battle of the Bulge. Mr. DeLucia married Angelina De- Vito on November 24, 1946, and the couple raised two children in Newark before moving to Livingston and later settling in Oak Ridge. He is survived by his wife, Angelina; his son, Thomas DeLucia of Jacksonville, Florida; his daughter, Bernadette Halczli and her husband, Michael, of Oak Ridge; his sisters Lucy Hernandez and June Haber, and three grandchildren.

Richard W. O'Keefe, 71, of Citrus Springs, FL, passed away Monday, September 1, 2014. He was born December 17, 1942 in Montclair, NJ. He was a retired head construction official for the Township of Livingston. Mr. O’Keefe, who enjoyed working on cars and camping with his grandson, traveled to 49 states in an RV. He was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather. He is survived by his wife Linda O'Keefe of Citrus Springs, FL.; daughter, Laura Munson, and son, Robert Munson, both of Livingston, NJ; daughter, Margaret O'Keefe of Ft. Collins, CO.; son, Kevin O'Keefe of Denver, CO.; brother, Alan O'Keefe of Point Pleasant Beach, NJ; seven grandchildren, Johnathan Munson, Kimberlin Munson, Patrick Munson, Ryan Munson, Taylor Munson, Russell O'Keefe, and Nichole O'Keefe. Arrangements handled by Roberts Funeral Home of Dunnellon, www.robertsofdunnellon.com.

Richard Frank Zahn, 69, of Waterloo, South Carolina, formerly of Livingston, died at home on August 8. Born September 25, 1944 in Livingston, he was the son of the late Joseph and Mary Zahn. A graduate of the University of Miami, Mr. Zahn was a US Army veteran of the Vietnam War, where he earned the Bronze Star for heroism. Prior to his retirement, Mr. Zahn was the co-owner/operator of Zahn Real Estate and Insurance in Livingston, a company which spanned two generations. Surviving are his wife, Sandra; a son, Richard Andrew Zahn; and a brother, Joseph Zahn. A memorial service will be held at Restland Memorial Park Chapel in East Hanover on Thursday, September 25, at 1 p.m. To write a condolence, visit www.Leonardis-MemorialHome.com.

John E. Michaels Jr., 83, died on Monday, September 8, at Saint Barnabas Medical Center. His family will receive relatives and friends at the Quinn-Hopping Funeral Home of Livingston on Thursday, from 3 to 8 p.m. The Funeral Mass celebrating his life will be offered at St. Rose of Lima Church in East Hanover on Friday at 11 a.m. Born in Livingston, Mr. Michaels resided in town until four years ago when he moved to Wharton. A U.S. Air Force veteran, Mr. Michaels saw action in the Korean War. As a veteran, he was Past Commander and current chaplain of the Livingston VFW Post #2856 and Past Commander of District #4. Mr. Michaels also received the NJ Distinguished Service Medal. Mr. Michaels was a member and past president of the Livingston Lions Club, past president of Livingston’s UNICO and Babe Ruth League, for which he was also a coach and umpire for many years. In addition, Mr. Michaels was a long-time secretary and coordinator of the Livingston Hockey Club.

Louis W. Venza, 75, passed away peacefully at his home in Livingston on August 30, 2014, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Newark to B. Walter and Pauline Venza, Lou was raised in Maplewood, and was graduated from Columbia High School in1957. He received a degree in Business  Administration from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD in 1961. Lou was employed at Benefi cial Corporation (now HSBC) for 25 years as an insurance executive and most recently consulted for Westmont Associates in Cherry Hill. A resident of Livingston since 1963, he served the community as an active member of the Board of Education, the Jaycees and the Livingston Environmental Commission and established the town’s fi rst recycling program. Lou also helped found the Library Endowment Fund, served on the Livingston Planning Board for 13 years, and was a long-term member of UNICO, which named him Citizen of the Year in 2007.

Fleurette Kling, 86, of Hendersonville, North Carolina, and formerly of Livingston, died Saturday, August 30, 2014 at Carolina Village Medical Center. Born in Paterson, she was the daughter of the late Solomon Stock and Esther Avner. She was also preceded in death by her husband, George R. Kling, and sister, Ana Goldkopf. Mrs. Kling graduated from William Paterson University and received her master’s degree in Library Science from Columbia University. She was a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church and the Association of University Women. Mrs. Kling was an avid reader who also enjoyed music. She is survived by her son, David Kling and wife, Gerri, of Livingston; grandchildren, Jacob and Lindsay Kling; sister, Miriam Greenhouse; and several nieces. To offer condolences on-line, please visit www.shulerfuneralhome.com. Shuler Funeral Home is assisting the family.