Shirley Martin

Shirley Jean Carter Martin, a resident of Belle Mead, N.J. for 50 years, passed away at home on April 12, 2016, surrounded by her family. She was born on April 19, 1931 in Sayre, Pennsylvania to Carl A. and Marion S. Carter. Her sister, Helen Louise Carter Templer and both parents predeceased her.

 Shirley graduated from Laceyville High School and Robert Packer School of Nursing in 1952. Upon graduation she worked at New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, Morristown Memorial, BrainBio Center in Skillman, and Ingersoll-Rand in Painted Post, N.Y. where she met and married Arthur I. Martin. She enjoyed her nursing career so much and always said it enabled her to have many wonderful experiences throughout her life.

Shirley is survived by her husband, Art, of 58 years; her daughter Debbie and husband Bob Joslin; and her son Wade and wife, Lee Ann. Her grandchildren Matthew, Rachel, Emma, Kelly, Zach, and grand-dog Maggie will always be surrounded by her love and were her greatest joy.

Shirley was active in many organizations throughout her life and was supportive of public education through her involvement with the Montgomery P.T.A., Montgomery Athletic Boosters, and Montgomery Township Education Foundation. She was a co-founder of the Girl Scouts program in Montgomery Township. In later years, Shirley enjoyed her activities with the Present Day Club, DAR, and HomeFront.

A passion for travel took her to all corners of the globe but her favorite place was Grand Cayman. Long Beach Island was her domestic destination for summers with her children and grandchildren. Quality time with her family made each gathering special for each of us.

Shirley’s family visited with friends at Cherry Valley Country Club, Hobler House on Saturday, April 16 from 3 to 5 p.m. and a Celebration of Life was held at the Harlingen Reformed Church on Sunday, April 17 at 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution in Shirley’s memory to the HomeFront Playground, which is being constructed at their new facility in Ewing. Donations can be sent to HomeFront, 1880 Princeton Ave, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648 to the attention of Connie Mercer (playground act).

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Junior Van Skillman

Junior Van Skillman, 87, of Princeton died Sunday, April 17, 2016 at home. Born in Princeton, he was a lifelong resident. Junior was the owner for many years of Morris Maple and Son in Princeton. He was a member of Princeton Fire Company #1.

Son of the late William Henry and Lida (Vanmater) Skillman; father of the late Lynn Simpson, William Skillman; he is survived by 2 sons Jeffrey and Michael Skillman; and a daughter Heidi Skillman.

The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 23, 2016 at Nassau Presbyterian Church, 61 Nassau Street, Princeton. Burial will follow in Princeton Cemetery.

Friends may call on Saturday morning from 9 a.m. until the time of the service at the church.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, Princeton.

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Thyra Hildegard Hernquist

Thyra Hildegard Hernquist, 95, passed away on Saturday April 16, 2016 at The University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro after a brief illness.

She is survived by her three children Lars Hernquist of Lexington, Massachusetts; Thomas Hernquist of Seattle, Washington; and Ingrid Hernquist of Princeton. Thyra is also survived by 7 grandchildren.

She was born in Västra Strö, Sweden on February 18, 1921 and was one of 10 children. Thyra was married to Karl G. Hernquist in 1949 and together they moved to the United States in 1952. She supported Karl in his career at RCA where he worked for 34 years. While at RCA, Karl became a world renowned physicist in the area of gas lasers. He received over 35 patents and numerous awards while at RCA. Thrya and Karl became residents of Princeton in 1952, and she received her U.S. citizenship in 1957. She was married to Karl Hernquist for 65 years until his passing in 2014.

Thyra was a dedicated mother and devoted wife. She believed strongly in providing an education for her children. Lars received his PhD in astrophysics from the California Institute of Technology; Thomas received his MBA from Dartmouth’s Amos Tuck School of Business; and Ingrid received her JD degree from Rutgers.

Thyra was an avid swimmer and swam a mile a day until the age of about 90. She worked at Princeton’s YMCA for many years as a swim instructor and lifeguard. She also loved nature and was an active bird watcher and botanist. Thyra and Karl enjoyed traveling together and visited many countries on multiple continents during their lives.

In 1971 Thyra received a Certificate of Recognition from the American National Red Cross for saving the life of a young boy as the result of a skating accident on Carnegie Lake in Princeton.

A memorial service will be held at Stone Hill Church 1025 Bunn Dr., Princeton, NJ on April 23rd at noon. In lieu of flowers, contributions to Alternatives, Inc., 600 First Avenue Raritan, NJ 08869 are appreciated.

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Joan Blanche Wyckoff

Joan Blanche Wyckoff died peacefully in her sleep on Sunday, April 3, 2016 at Arbor Terrace Assisted Living facility in Ponte Vedra, Florida. Born in Orange, N.J. on January 9, 1931, she was a long time resident of Princeton Junction where she resided with her now deceased husband, Harry Wyckoff.

Joan was employed as an office manager by Manpower Inc. in Princeton. She also worked as a director of a local day care for over 15 years. After retirement, Joan enjoyed going to the local senior center where she socialized with friends and played cards.

She is survived by two sons, Richard H. Ernst and wife Mary Ann of Ponte Vedra, Florida; Harry Ernst of Ewing; a daughter, Beth Allen, of Vineland, NJ; 2 step sons Geoff Wyckoff and wife, Donna, of Titusville, NJ; and Hank Wyckoff and wife, Karen, of Hawaii; nine grandchildren, Robert, Michael, Bradley, Tara, Brittany, Courtney, Justin, Ben, and Ruth; four great grandchildren, Jacob, Jayden, Audrina, and Arielle; three sisters, Ellanore Lange of Washington State, Barbara Endiso of Kenilworth, NJ, and Lois Lombardi of West Orange, NJ; along with many nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service will be held at the Kimble Funeral Home, 1 Hamilton Avenue, Princeton; on Saturday, April 23, 2016 at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Haven Hospice (Suite 119), 8301 Cypress Plaza Drive, Jacksonville, Florida 32256.