Obituaries

Scott Michael "Scotty" Thibault

Mr. Thibault, 46, of Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., formerly of East Brunswick, died Jan. 13, 2007, at home. He served in the U.S. Marines and later was employed as a truck driver with Raritan Periodical Services, Edison, where he worked until 1996. He was predeceased by his father, Robert. Surviving are a sister and brother-in-law, Donna and Terry Farver; three brothers and two sisters-in-law, Paul and Dunette Thibault, Rob and Lisa Thibault, and Brian Thibault; four nephews and a niece; and many friends and caregivers. Memorial services are planned in California and New Jersey. For information on the local service, contact Rob Thibault, 504 South Main St., Hightstown 08520, (609) 371-0984. Memorial contributions may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 733 Third Ave., New York, NY 10017.

William J. "Joe" Law

Mr. Law, 77, of Salt Springs, Fla., died Jan. 1, 2007, in Ocala, Fla., after battling cancer. Born and raised in Meigs, Ga., he had resided in Edison before retiring to Salt Springs in the mid-1980s. Earlier in his life, following his military service in the U.S. Navy, he had lived in Jersey City, where he got married. Mr. Law had been employed as a tool and die maker for Westinghouse Corp. in Jersey City. He worked several part-time jobs as well, which included driving for the George Dapper Bus Co. in the Iselin section of Woodbridge. He dedicated a lot of time to the North Edison Little League, coaching kids for more than 20 years and helping build the town's senior Little League field by hand. In addition, he served the North Edison Shamrocks Pop Warner football league in various capacities, including president. He loved fishing at the Jersey Shore and spending time at the Long Branch fishing pier. He also enjoyed gardening, bowling, playing golf, and fixing and creating things. After retiring to Florida, Mr. Law became a handyman, a garbage man and a driver for his retirement village. He was predeceased by a son-in-law, Chuck Palermo. Surviving are his wife of 56 years, Johanna Castell Law; three sons and daughters-in-law, Randy and Ellen Law of Illinois, Bill and Ginny Law of Rhode Island, and Scott and Karen Law of Jackson; two daughters and a son-in-law, Debbie and Charlie Ryan of Florida and Donna Palermo of Iselin; three sisters, Elaine, Mildred and Lillian; a granddaughter, Tara Palermo; and a step-grandson, T.J. Conway. A small family memorial service was held in Florida.

George Bender

Mr. Bender, 79, of Hazlet, died Jan. 13, 2007, at home. Born in Wherum, Pa., he resided in Perth Amboy prior to relocating to Hazlet 50 years ago. He was a machinist at Chevron, Perth Amboy, for 40 years, retiring in 1989. He served with the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Pasadena during World War II. He was a communicant of St. Benedict's Roman Catholic Church, Holmdel. He was a member of the Pasadena Reunion Association. He was predeceased by two brothers, Andrew Bender and Michael Bender. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Anna Chiarella Bender; a daughter and son-in-law, Karen and Joe Pennio of Charlottesville, Va.; a son and daughter-in-law, Karl and Sheila Bender of Scottsdale, Ariz.; a sister, Katie Teixuro of Hazlet; a brother, John Bender of Edison; and five grandchildren. Visitation will be Jan. 17 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at Day Funeral Home, Keyport. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Jan. 18 at 10 a.m. at St. Benedict's Church. Entombment will follow at St. Gabriel's Cemetery, Marlboro.

Retired Col. Steven Kiraly

Mr. Kiraly, 85, of Freehold Township, died Dec. 28, 2006, at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township. Born in Hungary, he had lived in the Woodbridge area before moving to Freehold 45 years ago. He was a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, Kan., and was the proprietor of King Heating and Cooling Co. until his retirement. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II and was in the Army Reserve for 32 years, from which he retired as a colonel. At age 82, he enrolled at Burlington County College, Pemberton, and Brookdale Community College, Lincroft section of Middletown, achieving dean's list twice. Mr. Kiraly was a communicant of St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church, Freehold. He was a member of the Marine Corps League's Cpl. Philip A. Reynolds Detachment No. 203, the Reserve Officers Association, American Legion Post 54, Knights of Columbus Council 1672 and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 4374, all of Freehold. He was also a member of the Military Affiliate Radio System (MARS), a program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense. He was an avid reader and enjoyed traveling as well. Mr. Kiraly was predeceased by two brothers, John and Frank Kiraly. Surviving are his wife of 60 years, Margaret Klimik Kiraly; a son, Steven A. of Freehold; and many nieces and nephews. A memorial gathering was held at Freeman Funeral Home, Freehold, followed by a memorial chapel service at Brig. Gen. William C. Doyle Veterans Cemetery, Arnytown.