Obituaries

PETER J. BLAKE JR., 86, of Freehold Township, died Aug. 28 at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township. Born in Utica, N.Y., he had lived in Colts Neck for 45 years before moving to Freehold Township one year ago. Mr. Blake was a legislative assistant for the U.S. Congress, Washington, D.C. Before that, he was the director of economic development for the State of New Jersey during the late 1960s and early ’70s, and was an international sales manager for Minneapolis Moline, Minneapolis. He received his bachelor of arts degree from Duke University, Durham, N.C., in 1940 and a master’s degree in economics from the University of Chile, Santiago, Chile, in 1941. Mr. Blake was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II and served in the Reserve for many years, retiring as lieutenant commander. He was a communicant of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, Colts Neck, and a member of the Democratic Club of Colts Neck. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council No. 1672 and American Legion Post No. 54, both of Freehold. Mr. Blake is survived by his wife, Teresita Jordan Blake; four sons and daughters-in-law, Peter J. III and Michele Blake of Shreveport, La., Patrick B. and Lois Blake of Cranford, Paul A. and Linda Blake of Mesa, Ariz., and William G. and Mary Blake of Holliston, Mass; five daughters and sons-in-law, Teresita and John Kellenyi of Maplewood, Carmen and Pete Matthews of Freehold Township, Angelica and Randy Gero of Howell, Cristina and Jeff Gero of Wall, and Elena and Doug Weber of Freehold Township; and 29 grandchildren. A funeral liturgy was celebrated at St. Mary’s Church, followed by interment at St. Rose of Lima Cemetery, Freehold Township. Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association, 2550 Route 1, North Brunswick 08902.

OSCAR KETCHAM JR., 86, of Englishtown, died Aug. 28 at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township. Mr. Ketcham was born in Freehold Township, where he lived until moving to Englishtown four years ago. He was a plant foreman for Reed & Perrine Inc., Tennent section of Manalapan, until his retirement three years ago. During that time, he also was a farmer and worked at Boxwood Farms, Englishtown, and Frank’s Auto Repairs, Englishtown. He was a member of Adelphia Fire Company, where he was a former president, was chief in 1941 and 1942, and the department’s oldest exempt member. He was active in the department for more than 25 years. Mr. Ketcham was predeceased by two brothers, Albert and Eugene Sr. Surviving are his wife, Evelyn Matthews Ketcham; three sons and two daughters-in-law, Russel and Betty Dronne of Freehold Township, Glenn Ketcham of Howell, and Stanley and Deborah Ketcham Sr. of Freehold; two daughters and sons-in-law, S. Darlene and Richard W. Kneisler of Freehold Township, and Charlene and Frank Ulatowski Sr. of Englishtown; a brother, Paul Ketcham of Freehold; 19 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. A funeral service was held at C.H.T. Clayton and Son Funeral Home, Adelphia section of Howell, with the Rev. Charles R. Valentine officiating. Interment followed at Adelphia Cemetery, Adelphia section of Howell.

OLEV BERENDSEN, 91, of Lakewood, died Aug. 30 at Jackson Healthcare Center, Jackson. Born in St. Petersburg, Russia, he lived in New Brunswick before moving to Lakewood in 1986. He worked as a legal clerk and stock transfer at Citi Corp. in New York City for 23 years before his retirement in 1977. He graduated in 1937 with a law degree from the University of Tartu, Sakala Fraternity. He practiced law in Estonia. He was council secretary and church and choir member of the Estonian Lutheran Church in Lakewood and a member of the Estonian Archives of the USA. Mr. Berendsen is survived by his wife, Olga Paris Berendsen of Lakewood; a sister, Ole Mikk, of Australia; one niece and four nephews. A memorial service will be held at noon at the Estonian Lutheran Church in Lakewood Sept. 6. There will be a private cremation.

THERESA C. BRAVO WILCOX, 40, of Virginia, died Aug. 17 at Mary Immaculate Hospital, Newport News, Va. Born in New Brunswick, she resided there before moving to Virginia 17 years ago. She is survived by her husband of 17 years, Brian S. Wilcox; two daughters, Felecia and Chelsea of Virginia; her parents, Miguel T. and Theresa C. Bravo of Tucson, Ariz.; a sister, Madeline Cuber of Memphis, Tenn.; her brother, Daniel Bravo of Howell; and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held at the Maliszewski Funeral Home, South River.