Obituaries
Charles John Valenti

Mr. Valenti, 56, of Freehold, died June 5 at home. Born in Lakewood, he had resided in Long Island, N.Y., before moving to Freehold eight years ago. He was an automobile service adviser for DCH Freehold Nissan, Freehold Township. He was a sitting member of the Freehold Borough Board of Education. Surviving are his wife, Sari; two sons and a daughter-in-law, Aaron Valenti, and Josh and Amanda Valenti of California; two daughters, Emily and Molly Picard; his mother, Lillian Euick of Boca Raton, Fla.; a brother, Steven Valenti of Brooklyn, N.Y.; four sisters, Cindy Scinto of Washington, and Anna Marie Ellis, Nannett Todd and Lori Valenti, all of Florida; and a granddaughter. A funeral service was held at Freeman Funeral Home, Freehold. Interment was private.

George Rodgers Plesher

Mr. Plesher, 63, of Manalapan, died June 7 at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township. Born and raised in Perth Amboy, he had lived there for most of his life before moving to Manalapan in 1971. After 39 years of service, he retired in 1998 from the DuPont Corp., Parlin, as an engineering foreman. Surviving are his wife of 40 years, Marjorie; three daughters and two sons-in-law, Kimberley and Richard Turner of Toms River, Jessica and George Gent of Perrineville, and Rebecca Plesher of Graham, N.C.; his mother, Helen Plesher of Parlin; two sisters and a brother-in-law, Mitzi Ferlita of Parlin, and Beverly and James Gerak of Sayreville; and one grandchild. The litany service was held at Michael Hegarty Funeral Home and officiated by members of the St. Peter’s parish organization. The Requiem Eucharist was celebrated at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Perth Amboy. Burial took place at the church cemetery.

James J. O’Brien

Mr. O’Brien, 72, of Howell, died June 8 at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune. Born in Ashland, Pa., he had lived in Newark and Carteret before moving to Howell 34 years ago. He was a self-employed heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) con­tractor. Mr. O’Brien was predeceased by a sis­ter, Patricia Apgar, and two sons, Robert and Joseph O’Brien. Surviving are four sons and a daughter-in-law, James O’Brien and Daniel O’Brien, both of Howell, Michael O’Brien of South Amboy, and Christopher and Stacy O’Brien of Florida; a daughter and son-in-law, Victoria and Anthony Buonomo of Manasquan; a daughter-in-law, Lee O’Brien of Howell; five grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter. A funeral service was held at C.H.T. Clayton & Son Funeral Home, Adelphia section of How­ell, with the Rev. Harvey Kelley officiating. In­terment was private. Memorial donations may be made to the Scleroderma Foundation Inc., 12 Kent Way, Suite 101, Byfield, MA 01922.

Emily A. Ruppe

Mrs. Ruppe, 83, of Matawan died June 8 at home. Born in Newark, she resided in Hillside prior to moving to Matawan 20 years ago. Mrs. Ruppe was a homemaker. She was predeceased by her husband of 54 years, William Ruppe, in 1994; and three sisters, Stella Goodrich, Julia Sorrentino and Josephine Jackson. She is survived by two sons, William L. Ruppe Jr. of Whitehouse Station and Walter A. Ruppe of Holmdel; two daughters, Constance R. Lesko of Toms River and Caroline Maurer of Bethlehem, Pa.; a sister, Mary Anne Sona of Adelphia section of Howell; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Interment was at Graceland Memorial Cemetery, Kenilworth. Arrangements were by Waitt-Nelms Funeral Home, Morganville section of Marlboro.