Obituaries

Diane J. Barnes

Ms. Diane J. Barnes, of East Rutherford, died on Thursday, May 3, at home. She was 48. She was born and raised in Kearny and graduated from Kearny High School 1982.

Cremation will be held privately.

Ms. Barnes was a licensed beautician and the original owner/manager of The Right Cut on Kearny Ave., in Kearny. After selling the business, she was the office manager of PML in North Arlington.

She was active with the Jefferson School PTA, in North Arlington, when her son attended, and also with ARC in Kearny.

Diane will best be remembered as a loving mom, cherished friend and devoted sister. She is survived by her son, Nicholas VanAusdall, and her siblings, Debra Barnes, Linda Zuest, Ronald Barnes, Joanne Rollins (Tim), Robert Barnes (Ela). Also surviving are Annie, Hen and Eli. She was predeceased by her parents, Archibald and Elizabeth (McLaughlin) Barnes and her sister, Janice Barnes.

The family asks that you consider donations to the American Heart Association at americanheart.org in Diane’s memory.

Charles Economon

Charles Economon died on April 23 at home in Spring Hill, Fla. He was 77.

He was a jewelry designer by trade and is survived by his friend John.

Private burial was in Holy Cross Cemetery and arrangements were through the Armitage and Wiggins Funeral Home.

Walter J. Fox

Walter J. Fox, 62, died on May 1 at St. Clare’s Hospital, Dover.

Born in Jersey City, he lived in Kearny before moving to North Arlington in 1983.

He worked as a draftsman for the Dover Elevator Company in Secaucus for many years.

He was a member of the Lyndhurst Masonic Club and the Adoniram Lodge #80, Lyndhurst.

He is the beloved husband of Kathleen D. (nee Mills); the loving father of Linda Lee Fox of North Arlington, Kimberly Presti and her husband Frank of Hopatcong, Pamela Grossy and her husband Gabriel of North Arlington; the adored grandfather of Kayla Fox, Alexandra Jakiel, Anthony Grossy, Louis Jakiel, Donna Grossy, Robert Jakiel Jr., Nicholas Grossy, Andrew Presti, Leonardo Grossy; the great-grandfather of Lucas Fox; the dear brother of Agnes Pogyena and the uncle of many nieces and nephews.

A funeral service was held on Thursday, May 3, at the Parow Funeral Home, 185 Ridge Rd., North Arlington.

Contributions in his memory may be made to the Lyndhurst Masonic Club, 316 Riverside Ave., Lyndhurst.

William E. Gallagher

William E. Gallagher died on May 4 at home. He was 84. Born in Jersey City, he moved to Kearny in 1958.

Arrangements were by Armitage and Wiggins Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove Dr., Kearny. A funeral service will be Wednesday, May 9, in the funeral home at 11 a.m., followed by burial at Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington. To leave online condolence, please visit www.armitagewiggins.com.

Mr. Gallagher was a trailor salesman for Fruehauf in Jersey City and served in the Marines during World War II.

He is survived by his wife Julia (nee Chojnacki) and his sister Lillian and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, kindly make a donation to Wounded Warriors.

Elizabeth E. Gray

Elizabeth E. Gray died on April 30 in Job Haines Nursing Home, Bloomfield. She was 98.

Arrangements were by Armitage and Wiggins Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove Dr., Kearny. A funeral service was held May 5 in the funeral home, followed by a private cremation. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.armitagewiggins.com.

Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, Elizabeth lived in Kearny most of her life. She was a comptometer operator for Public Service before retiring in 1978. She was past president of Emerson School PTA, past Sunday School teacher, deacon, trustee and elder of Knox Presbyterian Church, Kearny, where she was member for 72 years. She was a member and past matron of Liberty Chapter #88 and Eclipse Chapter# 226 Order of Eastern Star, past worthy district Deputy- District #21 and past grand representative to British Columbia; volunteer at West Hudson Hospital for many years; member of Maalas Temple Daughter of the Nile and Bonnie Doon Lodge- Daughter of Scotia and Women’s Club of Arlington.

She was the wife of the late Peter Campbell Gray; mother of Peter C. Gray III, Thomas A. Gray and the late Daniel Gray; also survived by her grandchildren, Peter C. IV, William J., David P., Susanna J., Jonathan S. Gray and her great-grandchildren Dylan M., Tyler E. and Peter C. V. Gray.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Jarvie Commonweal Service, 475 Riverside Dr., Suite 430, New York, N.Y. 10115.

Barbara A. Tonner

Barbara A. Tonner, 69, died on Sunday April 29 in St. Michael’s Medical Center, Newark.

Arrangements were by the Thiele-Reid Family Funeral Home, 585 Belgrove Drive, Kearny. A funeral liturgy was offered on May 3 at St. Cecilia Church, Kearny, followed by interment at Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.thielereid.com.

Barbara was born in Newark and was a lifelong resident of Kearny.

Mrs. Tonner was employed as a telemetry technician at the former West Hudson Hospital in Kearny for 30 years retiring in 1991.

She was a member of the Newark Museum as well as a constant provider of care packages to many families in need. Barbara is survived by her husband George; children Shelley Tonner and Sean Tonner (Dawn); sister Kathleen Johnson and grandchildren Brandon Tonner- Connolly and Shawna Toner. She was predeceased by her brother Walter Johnson.

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