David C. “Davey” Gray, Jr., age 32 of Woodstown, died Friday, November 17, 2023, in his home while surrounded by his family.

Born in Salem, Davey had been a lifelong Salem County resident.  He had attended Pennsville Memorial High School and was a professional truck driver for Seashore Asphalt Corp. in Clayton.

Davey loved spending time with all of his family.  He enjoyed fishing, music, and watching football, especially the Raiders.  He also enjoyed traveling with his family on vacation.

Davey is survived by his wife, Kaitlyn “Katie” Gray; his children, Naomi, Emma, Christopher, Jayce, Harley, and Colt; his mother, Connie Congleton; his father & stepmother, David Gray Sr.  & Dawn Stegeman; his sisters & brothers-in-law, Karen & Lee Coombs, Toni & James Jackson, and Samantha & Ed Hiles; his brothers, Mason Gray and Austin Myers; his nieces & nephews, Nova, Ayden, Azriel, Hunter, Savannah, Paisley, and Waylon; his uncle, John Donelson; and his uncle, Dwayne Donelson.  He was predeceased by his paternal grandparents, Bernice & Mason Gray; his maternal grandparents, Gail & John Donelson; his stepfather, Vernon Congleton; his aunt, Kimberly Donelson; and his best friend, David Biddle Sr.

A memorial gathering will be held from 5 PM to 8 PM on Friday, December 1^st in the Pennsville VFW, 171 South Broadway, Pennsville, NJ, 08070.  Please visit htlayton.com to leave a note of condolence to his family.  Arrangements are by the H.T. Layton Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Woodstown.

Carolyn Dare, age 86, passed from this life on Thursday, November 16, 2023, to be home with Jesus, the Lord she loved with every ounce of her being. She was born to parents Carlton and Kathryn Keen on May 22, 1937 in Salem, NJ and grew up in Quinton. She later met and married Samuel Dare, living the rest of her life in Monroeville, NJ.

Always a welcoming blend of brightness and bluntness to everyone who knew her, she deeply loved her family and was an active part of their lives. She was predeceased by her husband Samuel Dare, siblings Betty Bieszcz, Joyce Locuson, & Carlton Keen, sister-in-law Virginia Schneeman as well as brothers-in-law Larry Schneeman & Tom Peraino. She is survived by sisters-in-law Doris Peraino & Thelma Keen as well as brother-in-law Lynn Locuson, children Dennis (Nancy) Dare & Kathy (Greg) Parks, grandchildren Brian (Kayla) Dare, Beth (Andrew) Khair, Rachel Parks, Bruce (Danielle) Dare, & Samuel (Leah) Parks, and great-grandchildren Ava, Zachary, Emily, Hudson, Rylee, Nathaniel, Natalie, Savannah, Samuel, Gabriella, Ryan, & Brody.

Carolyn worked at First National Bank of Elmer for years, but of more importance to her was her membership at First Baptist Church of Elmer. She had served on the missions committee and loved teaching the JOY class there, even until the Sunday previous to her death. She prayed for hours every day for her family and church, and conversation with her did not go long before she spoke of the Bible, which she loved to hear and study. She was an avid reader in general and loved music, especially hymns. Having volunteered in her retirement years at the Ranch Hope thrift shop, she continued to live a full life, whether it was enjoying day trips to Lancaster, PA or her Thursday dinner club friends. Her smile and spunk will be sorely missed.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 25th at 11 am at the First Baptist Church of Elmer, 209 Broad Street, Elmer, with the family receiving visitors beginning at 10 am. Interment will be at Friendship Methodist Cemetery in Monroeville. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Source of Light Ministries International (www.sourcelight.org). Funeral arrangements are under the direction of H.T. Layton Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Woodstown (www.htlayton.com).  Please visit their website to leave a note of condolence to her family.

Mary-Louise Lindsay, age 72, passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 9, 2023 after a courageous battle with health issues. She grew up in Pennsville, NJ, where she still resided. Mary attended Pennsville Memorial High School, Class of 1969, attended the Methodist Hospital School of Nursing in Philadelphia PA, Class of 1972, and she later received her BSN from Evangel College, Springfield MO, Class of 1977.
Mary is survived by her brother, Robert (Bob) Coles (Debbie); her niece, Kristen Wooten (Hassel); and her niece, Hannah Couch (Colton). She is also survived by her stepmother, Janet Lindsay, along with aunts and cousins. She was preceded in death by her mother, Doris H Coles, (stepfather Robert J Coles, Sr.), and her father, Joseph Lindsay. Mary left behind a lifelong friend, Kathy O’Hara, who has been a tremendous support over the years as Mary’s health declined. She also left behind her friend and companion Max, her beloved dog.
A graveside service will be held at a later date in Eglington Cemetery. The family requests any donations be made to the Salem County Humane Society, PO Box 214, Carneys Point, NJ, 08069, or to a charity of the donor’s choice. Please visit htlayton.com to leave a note of condolence to her family. Arrangements are by the H.T. Layton Funeral Home & Cremation Service.

Cynthia Avila Betia, also known as Cyn, passed away suddenly after her short battle with Pancreatic Cancer on November 8, 2023. She was 74. Originally from Butuan City, Philippines. She earned her BSN from University of Santo Tomas School of Nursing in Manila, Philippines 1970 before relocating to the US.

Cynthia is survived by her beloved children Carlo of Piedmont, CA; Kristina of Mt. Royal, NJ along with her son, Christian (her only grandson) and her youngest daughter Erika (mini Cyn) along with son-in-law, Kyle Kania of Austin, TX. The eldest of five, she is also survived by her siblings Vivian Reichle of Gold Coast, Australia; Andres Avila, Jr. of Butuan City, Philippines; and Ricardo Avila of Butuan City and several nieces and nephews.

Cynthia was preceded in death by her grandfather Ramon Pareja, grandmother Nicolasa Pareja, father Andres Avila, mother Angeles Avila, and brother Miguel Avila.

Cynthia was the most loving and caring individual whom devoted her life caring for Dialysis patients. An avid traveler, she lived life to the fullest and never turned down a good meal with loved ones. She enjoyed watching football and also her favorite TV movies. A beautiful soul lost far too soon. She will be deeply missed by all that had the pleasure of being loved by her. Her memory cherished in our hearts, forever.

Memorial visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 14, 2023 from 4 – 6pm at H.T. Layton Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 102 South Main Street, Woodstown, NJ 08098.

Please visit htlayton.com to leave a note of condolence to the family.

Danny Sims, age 60, passed away at home on Tuesday, November 7, 2023. Danny was born in Reno, Nevada to Kathleen Lane Sims and Frank Sims on January 23, 1963. That same year, he moved to Woodstown, New Jersey with his father and remained a Salem County resident throughout the rest of his life.

Danny graduated from Woodstown High School in 1981 and began working as an electrician for the family business, Sims Refrigeration. As the owner of the business, Danny served as a prominent member of the community, greeting each customer with his signature kindness and sense of humor. He served on the board of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church and the Ashbrooke D. Snelbaker Home. Danny was also a member of the Osceola Snowmobile Association.

In his free time, Danny enjoyed hunting, snowmobiling, Philadelphia professional sports, and spending time with his family and friends. The life of the party, Danny was a natural at making everyone laugh with his fun and goofy personality. He will be remembered for being loyal, caring, sweet, and humble. He was loved by all of those he encountered.

He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Janice Sims; daughters Rachel Sims and Amanda McManus (Vince); his mother, Beatrice Sims; his siblings, Karen Walker (Danny) and Kelly Sims (Cheryl); and many more aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, and nieces. He is predeceased by his parents.

A memorial visitation will be held from 2 to 4 PM on Saturday, November 11^th in the H.T. Layton Funeral Home, 102 S. Main St., Woodstown.  Please visit htlayton.com to leave a note of condolence to Danny’s family.

Robert F. Turner, age 69 of Pilesgrove, died Sunday, November 5, 2023, in his home while surrounded by his loving family.

Bob was born on March 8, 1954, to Edward and Mabel (White) Turner.  He attended and graduated from Woodstown High School in 1972.  He earned his Associate’s degree in Construction from Salem Community College.  In 1980, he married Christine Coles at Friendship Methodist Church, where he was a member.  Bob earned his Master Plumbers License and worked for several Mechanical and Plumbing contractors in Salem County.  He worked the trade for 33 years.

In his younger years, he enjoyed running his beagle dogs and hunting with his Dad.  He enjoyed going up to camp in Potter County and hunting and fishing with his son, Kyle, and campfires with his family.  Bob enjoyed target shooting and sporting clays as a member of the Quinton Sportsmen Club.

Bob is survived by his loving wife, Christine (Coles) of 43 years of marriage; his son, Kyle from Pennsylvania; his sister-in-law, Karen Snyder(Scott); his brother-in-law, Mike Coles(Sue); his sister-in-law, Nancy Coles; and many nieces and nephews.  Bob was predeceased by his parents, Edward and Mabel Turner; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Bill and Bernice Coles; his sister-in-law, Joan Smith; and his brother-in-law, Steve Coles.

A graveside service will be held at 1 PM on Thursday, November 9^th in Friendship Methodist Cemetery, Island Road & Friendship Road, Monroeville.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Reliance Fire Company, 25 Broad Street, Woodstown, NJ.  Please visit htlayton.com to leave a note of condolence to his family.  Arrangements are by the H.T. Layton Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Woodstown.

William M. “Bill” Hart, Jr., age 82, passed away Thursday, November 2, 2023. Born in Salem, he was a lifelong resident of Alloway. A Woodstown High School graduate of 1959, Bill served in the Air Force during the Vietnam War. In his younger years, he was a farrier and blacksmith by trade and also harness raced throughout the Tri-State area. He, along with other family members, helped create many floats for the Alloway Halloween Parade. He also did work for the Mummer’s Day Parade in Philadelphia. He was an artist with stained glass and wrought iron, and he was a “jack of all trades”.
Bill is survived by his wife, Alice (nee McNemar); his sister, Jean Smith (Bill); his brother, Frank Hart (Joyce), all of Alloway; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, William M. “Morris” Sr. and Ruth Hart, he was predeceased by his sister, Pat Parave, formerly of Malaga.

A private graveside burial took place in the Salem County War Veterans Cemetery in Pilesgrove. Please visit htlayton.com to leave a note of condolence to his family. Arrangements are by the H.T. Layton Funeral Home & Cremation Service.

Ronald T. “Popeye” Mann, age 90 of Woodstown, died Saturday, October 28, 2023, in Salem Medical Center.

Born in Philadelphia, son of the late Nathaniel & Ethel (Robinson) Mann, he had been an Elmer and Woodstown resident since 1950.  Ron had been employed at Lakeland Hospital in Blackwood, S & W Machine Shop in Elmer, and most recently had worked at Friends Village as a security guard.  He is survived by his wife, Diane (Smith) Mann; his nieces, Helen Burns and Ethel Reid; several great-nieces & nephews, several great-great-nieces & nephews, and many dear friends.

Funeral services will be held at 11 AM on Friday, November 3^rd in the H.T. Layton Funeral Home, 102 S. Main St., Woodstown, where friends are invited to visit from 10 AM until the time of service.

Betty Jane “BJ” Richman of Mannington passed into the arms of her Savior on Sunday evening, October 15, 2023.  Born March 20, 1932, in Bridgeton, she was the daughter of Harry K. and Beatrice (Craner) Hamilton. She grew up in Bridgeton’s Second Ward (South Pine Street) and graduated from Bridgeton High in 1950.

In 1954 she married Merwin D. “Pug” Richman and moved to his family’s dairy farm in Mannington. She worked beside her husband while raising their family and was active in the Parent’s Association at Mannington School, Mannington Fire Company’s Ladies Auxiliary, and in Salem County 4-H, where she was Leader of the Buttons and Bows and Alloway Thumpers Clubs. She also clerked briefly at Aberfoyle in Bridgeton and in the Mannington Township Tax Assessor’s Office and was a volunteer librarian.

She enjoyed cooking for a crowd and was involved in Oyster Dinner fundraisers for Mannington Fire Company and Salem County Fair Association, cooked monthly meals for Cumberland County Second Fifties, and helped develop the Compassionate Kitchen and Woodruff College Book Fund ministries at West Park Church. Her Chicken Pot Pie, Mac and Cheese, Cookies and Apple Pies were epic.

BJ was a lifelong member of the Fourth Methodist/West Park Church congregation, where she cooked and served on several committees and mission boards throughout her life. Most recently, she filled her days with phone calls, puzzling, quilting, and baking.

She was predeceased by her husband of 64 years, Merwin D. Richman, Sr. in 2018 and her oldest child, Betty Jane “Dollie” in 1966; sister Mildred Gibe and brother Harry C. “Buddy” Hamilton.

She is survived by her children, M.Donald Jr. and Kimberly Richman, Carol Joan and David Suiter, John and Melanie Richman, all of Mannington, and James and Olga Richman of Somers Point; her cherished grandchildren Amanda, Matthew (Devon), Zachary, Elijah, and Talayden Richman, Aidan (Alison) and Devon Suiter, and Hanna and Bradley Richman; step great granddaughter Janessa Algarin; great grandchildren Reid Richman and Baby Suiter, due in December; sister-in-law Kathleen Hamilton and brother-in-law Robert Gibe; several nieces, nephews, and cousins; Annette Devitt, who she considered her own, and her West Park family. She loved them all dearly.

A Memorial Celebration will be held on Sunday, October 29 at 2pm at West Park United Methodist Church, 625 Shiloh Pike, Bridgeton, with visitation beginning at 12:30. Dessert fellowship will follow.

Donations in her memory may be sent to the West Park United Methodist Church (Missions), 625 Shiloh Pike Rt 49, Bridgeton, NJ 08302; to the Salem County 4-H Foundation, c/o Rutgers Cooperative Extension, 51 Cheney Road, Woodstown, NJ 08098; or to the Mannington Volunteer Fire Department, 175 Woodstown Road Rt.45, Mannington, NJ 08079.

Please visit htlayton.com to leave a note of condolence to BJ’s family.  Arrangements are by the H.T. Layton Funeral Home & Cremation Service.

Russell A. Shipman, age 88 of Pilesgrove, died Thursday, October 5, 2023, in Inspira Medical Center in Mullica Hill.

Born in Port Deposit, MD and raised in Quinton, Russ was the son of the late William M. & Ella Mae (Campbell) Shipman.  He graduated from Salem High School in 1954 and worked for local retailers for many years before opening his carpet business, Woodstown Carpets, in 1971.  In his later years, along with operating his business, he worked for the DE Memorial Bridge then worked as a custodian for First Baptist Church before his retirement.

When he was younger, Russ loved bowling and had won a state championship, and as he got older, his passion turned to antique cars.  He enjoyed attending car shows and loved his Mustang.  He was a member and past president of Rotary Club and enjoyed his years of involvement.  He also was a member and past president of a local square-dancing club.  He was active with Boy Scout Troop #38 when his sons were younger and had also enjoyed camping with friends.

Russ is survived by his wife of 56 years, Mary Jane (Sayre) Shipman; his daughter, Debbie Shipman; his son, Kevin Shipman; his granddaughter, Sophia Shipman; and his brother, Bill Shipman.  In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his son, Tim Shipman, in March of 2021, and his sister, Shirley Pate.

Funeral services will be held at 12 Noon on Thursday, October 12^th in the First Baptist Church of Woodstown, 117 S. Main St., Woodstown, where friends are invited to visit from 10 AM until the time of service.  Burial will be in the church cemetery.  Memorial contributions in Russ’s memory may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.  Please visit htlayton.com to leave a note of condolence to his family.  Arrangements are by the H.T. Layton Funeral Home & Cremation Service.