Obituaries

Jean Jansen

Mrs. Jansen, 83, of Howell, died Dec. 11, 2006, at Atlantic Coast Rehabilitation & Health Care, Lakewood. Born in Puxico, Mo., she had lived in Union Beach and Laurence Harbor before moving to Howell in 1995. She was a homemaker and a former member of a ladies’ auxiliary in Union Beach. Mrs. Jansen was predeceased in 1995 by her husband, Henry. Surviving are a son, Larry Fowler of Albrightsville, Pa.; two daughters and sons-in-law, Sandra and John Downey of Port Richey, Fla., and Linda and David Medel of Howell; a sister, Irene Bender of Lakehurst; eight grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

Johanna Zipf

Mrs. Zipf, 99, of Freehold Township, died Dec. 11, 2006, at home. Born in Germany, she came to the United States in 1935 and settled in Newark before moving to Freehold Township in 1949. A homemaker, Mrs. Zipf started a walking club in Freehold Township and was also instrumental in obtaining a bus for seniors. She was predeceased in 1975 by her husband, Henry. Surviving are three nieces and nephews in Germany and close friends Joan and Richard Prusak of Jackson.

John Hendrickson Sr.

John Hendrickson Sr., 88, of Middletown, died Dec. 21, 2006, at St. Barnabas Hospice, Long Branch. He was born on Cherry Tree Farm, Middletown. He graduated from Leonardo High School in 1935 and was a 1939 graduate of Rutgers University, New Brunswick, where he received his bachelor of arts degree. He served with the rank of lieutenant in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Mr. Hendrickson was a traffic manager for New Jersey Bell Telephone Co. for more than 31 years, retiring in 1979. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Red Bank-Tower Hill; the Monmouth Boat Club; Schussboomers Ski Club; Telephone Pioneers of American; Rutgers Alumni Association; and the Lakers Golf League of Shadow Lake. He was predeceased by his first wife of 38 years, Nancy Malchow, in 1980, and a brother, Robert. Surviving are his wife of 16 years, Marie E. “Bette” Weigand; a son, John T. Hendrickson Jr. of Freehold Township; a daughter, Nancy Lou Hendrickson of Neffs, Pa.; two grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Services were held at the Thompson Memorial Home, Red Bank, followed by interment at Fair View Cemetery, Middletown. Memorial donations may be made to the Monmouth Medical Center Foundation, ICU Unit, 300 Second Ave., Long Branch 07740.

Robert A. Hobson Sr.

Mr. Hobson, 77, of Freehold, died Dec. 14 at The Manor Care Center, Freehold Township. Born in Quincy, Mass., he moved to Staten Island, N.Y., when he was 10 years old. He had lived in the Great Kills section of Staten Island before moving to Toms River and had resided in Freehold for the past six years. Prior to retiring in 1987, he was a chief engineer for the New York City Department of Marine and Aviation for 25 years. He was a member of the Great Kills Yacht Club, Staten Island, and District Council 37, New York City. Mr. Hobson was predeceased in 2000 by his first wife, Joan Kelly, and in 1968 by a sister, Patricia Hillis. Surviving are his wife, Mary E. Jackson-Hobson of Freehold; three sons, Robert A. Hobson Jr. and Christopher J. Hobson, both of Old Bridge, and William K. Hobson of Melbourne, Fla.; two daughters, Sheila Stubbs of Cookeville, Tenn., and JoAnn Gutkes of Toms River; two sisters, Penelope Bates and Priscilla Brenner, both of El Cajon, Calif.; 16 grandchildren; and a great-grandson. The funeral service was held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, Freehold Township. Interment was private.

David Rodetsky

Mr. Rodetsky, 77, of Colts Neck, died Dec. 14, 2006, at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune, after a brief illness. Born in Jersey City, he was raised in Kearny and had lived in Colts Neck for the past 40 years. An architect, he earned a bachelor of arts degree in architecture from Washington University in St. Louis and received a master of arts degree in city planning from Columbia University, New York City, where he taught for a brief time. Mr. Rodetsky’s architectural practice was based in Freehold, and he designed many homes, offices and places of worship throughout Monmouth County and New York. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, rising to the rank of staff sergeant. Mr. Rodetsky was a member of Congregation B’nai Israel, Rumson. He was a former president of both the Shore chapter of the New Jersey Society of Architects and the Red Bank chapter of B’nai B’rith. He was also an officer of the Freehold chapter of Rotary International, where he was elected a Paul Harris Fellow. In addition, he was a member of the Colts Neck Environmental Commission and the Colts Neck Architectural Review Committee. Mr. Rodetsky is survived by his wife of 50 years, Charlotte Schpoont Rodetsky; a daughter and son-in-law, Rachel and Dr. David Reed of Falmouth, Mass.; a son and daughter-in-law, Dr. Gordon Rodetsky and Laurie Rothman Rodetsky of Punta Gorda, Fla.; two sisters and a brother-in-law, Hannah Zuckerman of Amherst, Mass., and Drs. Sondra and Samuel Skipp of Englewood; and four grandchildren. A funeral service was held at Freeman Funeral Home, Freehold, followed by interment at Congregation B’nai Israel Cemetery, Tinton Falls.

Richard N. Kalfayan

Mr. Kalfayan, 77, of the Morganville section of Marlboro, died Dec. 16, 2006, at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township. He and his wife came to the United States in 1964 and had lived in East Brunswick before moving to Morganville 10 years ago. Mr. Kalfayan owned and managed World Travel Experts Inc., Morganville. He was a member of St. Stepanos Armenian Church, Elberon. Surviving are his wife of 46 years, Alice; a son and daughter-in-law, Richard Jr. and Denise Kalfayan of Morganville; two daughters and sons-in-law, Liza and Mark Gudzak of East Brunswick, and Tina and Donald Albach of Monroe; and nine grandchildren. A funeral service was held at St. Stepanos Armenian Church, with the Very Rev. Mamigon Kiledjian officiating. Interment followed at Chestnut Hill Cemetery, East Brunswick. Freeman Manalapan-Marlboro Funeral Home, Manalapan, was in charge of arrangements.

Wendelin Joseph Becker Jr.

Mr. Becker, 51, of Manalapan, died Dec. 17, 2006, at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township. Born in Philadelphia, he had resided in Manalapan for 40 years. He was the proprietor of Becker Roofing Inc., Manalapan, and a sales representative for Bradco Supply Corp., Lakewood. He was a communicant of Our Lady of Mercy Roman Catholic Church, Englishtown, and a member of the Yorktowne Club, Manalapan. He was active in the Manalapan Soccer League. Mr. Becker was predeceased by a brother, Richard Becker, in 2003. Surviving are his wife, LuAnn Miller Becker; a son, Louis Becker, at home; a daughter and son-in-law, Lindsey and Chris Colosi of Sewell; his parents, Wendelin J. and Dolores Peterson Becker of Manalapan; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Paul and Bette Becker, and Peter and JoAnn Becker, all of Manalapan; and two sisters and brothers-in-law, Dolores and Thom Farese of Spring Lake, and Liz and Gary Higley of Manalapan. Funeral services were held at the Higgins Memorial Home, Freehold. Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association, 2550 Route 1, North Brunswick 08902.

Antoinette D’Amato

Mrs. D’Amato, 81, of Marlboro, died Dec. 16, 2006, at home. Born in Corona, Queens, N.Y., she had lived there for most of her life before moving to Marlboro five years ago. She was predeceased by her husband, Julius, in 1999. Surviving are two sons and daughters-in-law, John and Lisa D’Amato of Marlboro, and Julius and Enille D’Amato of Ozone Park, Queens; a daughter, Linda D’Amato of Marlboro; and three grandchildren. Interment was private, with Freeman Manalapan-Marlboro Funeral Home, Manalapan, in charge of arrangements.

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