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Stella Lekas, 95
Owned Excellent Diner In Westfield With Husband for 40 Years
Stella Lekas, 95, of Westfield died on Sunday, August 15, 1999 at her daughter's home in Mountainside.
Born in Kavala, Greece and raised in New Jersey, she moved to Westfield in 1935.
Mrs. Lekas and her late husband, Louis Lekas, were the original owners of the Excellent Diner in Westfield.
They owned the diner for 40 years before selling it in the 1970s.
She was a member of the Ladies Philoptochos, and the Trinity Circle, both at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Westfield.
She was predeceased by her husband in 1976 and by a daughter, Georgia Lekas, in 1996.
Surviving is another daughter, Vasy Honecker of Mountainside; two grandchildren and two great-granddaughters.
A funeral service was held yesterday, Wednesday, August 18, at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church.
Interment took place at Fairview Cemetery in Westfield.
Arrangements were handled by the Gray Funeral Home, 318 East Broad Street in Westfield.
Memorial donations may be made to the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church or to the Westfield Volunteer Rescue Squad.
Marjorie Thwing, 82
Business Manager At Plainfield Consultation Center
Marjorie I. Thwing, 82, of Kennebunk, Me., formerly of Westfield, died on Tuesday, August 10, 1999 at home.
She was born in St. John, New Brunswick, Canada, the daughter of Arthur and Georgia Sherwood Jones.
Mrs. Thwing had been business manager at the Plainfield Consultation Center in Plainfield, retiring in 1996.
She attended schools in Arlington, Massachusetts and graduated from Arlington High School.
She was also an alumna of Simmons College in Boston, where she graduated in 1938 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Secretarial Studies.
Mrs. Thwing was a member of the Daughters of British Empire and the National Button Society.
She was predeceased by her husband, Roger W. Thwing, in 1968.
Surviving are two daughters, Janet Conner of Hiram, Me., and Paula McColm of Gilbert, Ariz., and five grandchildren.
A graveside service was held on Friday, August 13, at the Arms Cemetery in Shelburne, Mass.
Arrangements were handled by the York Funeral Chapel in Cornish, Me.
Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 52 Federal Street, Brunswick, Me., 04011.
Marie Losavio, 79
Juilliard Graduate; Sang at Carnegie Hall and for USO
Marie Losavio, 79, of Scotch Plains died on Friday, August 13, 1999 in the Morristown Memorial Hospital in Morristown.
Born in Newark, she had lived in Plainfield before moving to Scotch Plains 62 years ago.
A concert soprano singer, Mrs. Losavio performed as lead soprano in the Christmas concert at Carnegie Hall from 1955 to 1956.
She also sang in USO Camp Shows at Camp Kilmer, and during defense plant tours between 1943 and 1958 at various armories in throughout New Jersey and New York.
In addition, she performed with the Scotch Plains Community Choir in the "Messiah" from 1955 to 1960.
Mrs. Losavio took part in many talent events, and in 1956 she appeared on "The Future Show, " a television talent contest show, where she sang "Serenade."
Mrs. Losavio graduated with a master's degree from the Juilliard School of Music in New York City.
She received the American Type Founders- War Production Drive Certificate of Merit, and won first honors at the RKO Proctor's Theater for Gateway to Hollywood in 1939.
She sang at a testimonial dinner for Congresswoman Florence Dwyer of the Sixth Congressional District of New Jersey.
Mrs. Losavio also sang at many Communion breakfasts for churches in Scotch Plains, Plainfield, Westfield and throughout New Jersey and New York.
She also sang at many Sisters of Charity functions and for the Boys Club of America.
She studied under Sara Lee, Maestro V. DeCrescenzo, Maestro Enrico Rosati, Madame Estelle Leibling, Stuart Ross, Belle Julie Soudant of Juilliard, William Pierce Hermann and Maestro Duval.
Mrs. Losavio was a member of the Scotch Plains Philharmonic Society, the National Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs, the Community Concert Association of Plainfield and the Scotch Plains Oratory Prep Parents Guild.
She was also a communicant of St. Bartholomew the Apostle Roman Catholic Church in Scotch Plains and a member of its Rosary Altar Society.
Surviving are her husband of 55 years, John R. Losavio; two sons, Vincent J. Losavio and Nicholas F. Losavio; two sisters, Isabelle Lauro and Colleen Cucchisi, and six grandchildren.
A Mass was offered on Monday, August 16, at St. Bartholomew the Apostle Church in Scotch Plains, following a funeral service from the Rossi Funeral Home in Scotch Plains.
Memorial donations may be made to the Scotch Plains Rescue Squad, P. O. Box 325, Scotch Plains, 07076.
Joseph C. Stehlik, 64
Was Employed As Printer at Local Corporations
Joseph C. Stehlik, 64, of Scotch Plains died on Sunday, August 15, 1999 at home.
Born in Irvington, he had lived in Scotch Plains and Elizabeth before returning to Scotch Plains in 1995.
Mr. Stehlik had been employed by Dash Printing Company in Millington before retiring in 1996.
Prior to that, he had been a printer for the Lockheed Corporation in Watchung.
He was a member of UNICO and the American Association of Retired Persons, and a social organizer at the Senior Citizens Complex, all of Scotch Plains.
He was predeceased by a brother, Christian Stehlik.
Surviving are three daughters, Kathleen Bellush, Cynthia Mondoro and Debra Booth; two brothers, Edward Stehlik and Robert Stehlik, and five grandchildren.
Funeral services were held yesterday, Wednesday, August 18, at the Rossi Funeral Home in Scotch Plains.
Ferdinand Thiel, 69
Bell Labs Researcher; Former South Plainfield Councilman
Ferdinand "Ferdi" A. Thiel, 69, of South Plainfield died on Sunday, August 15, 1999 at JFK Medical Center in Edison.
Born in Haarlem, Netherlands, he immigrated to the United States from Germany in 1950, settling in Scotch Plains.
He had also lived in Union before moving to South Plainfield 36 years ago.
Mr. Thiel had been employed by Bell Labs in Murray Hill in the research department for more than 40 years before retiring four years ago.
During his career there, he had numerous articles published.
He was a veteran of the Korean Conflict and served in the United States Army in Germany.
Mr. Thiel was active in the Borough of South Plainfield, and was named the Grand Marshal of the South Plainfield Annual Labor Day Parade in 1992.
He was a member of the Republican Party and served as a councilman from 1983 to 1986, and as Council President in 1985.
Mr. Thiel also served on the South Plainfield Board of Health and as Chairman of the borough's Planning Board and Board of Adjustment.
He also served on other borough committees and boards.
Mr. Thiel received the Bob McCann Community Service Award in 1981 for outstanding service to the South Plainfield community.
He was a member of the South Plainfield Lions Club, and held multiple positions within the organization, including President, from 1987 to 1988.
He served as Deputy District Governor of District 16D from 1989 to 1991.
Mr. Thiel was also a member of the American Legion Chaumont Post No. 243 and of St. Stephen's Lutheran Church, both in South Plainfield.
He was predeceased by two brothers and a cousin. Surviving are his wife, Gisela Arns Thiel; three daughters, Christa Reineke of South Plainfield, Linda Thiel of Piscataway and Barbara Ustupski of Rockaway Township; two sisters, Hilda Mych and Ingeborg Belschner, both of Germany; three brothers, Werner Thiel of Belvedere and Edward Thiel and Guenther Thiel, both of Germany, and three granddaughters.
Funeral services were held yesterday, Wednesday, August 18, at St. Stephen's Church. in South Plainfield.
Interment took place at Hillside Cemetery in Scotch Plains.
Arrangements were handled by the McCriskin Home for Funerals in South Plainfield.
Memorial donations may be made to the St. Stephen's Memorial Fund, care of 3145 Park Avenue, South Plainfield, 07080.
Albert Nelson, 45
Albert "Smokey" Nelson, 45, of Plainfield died on Thursday, August 12, 1999 at Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center in Plainfield.
Born in Scotch Plains, he had lived in Westfield before moving to Plainfield.
Mr. Nelson was employed by Cranwood Electrical Supplies.
He was a former member of St. John's Baptist Church in Scotch Plains.
Surviving are a brother, Randolph Nelson, and two sisters, Sarah Nixson and Phyliss King.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, August 17, at the Rose of Sharon Church in Plainfield, followed by interment at the Hillside Cemetery in South Plainfield.
Arrangements were handled by the Jackson Funeral Home in Neptune.
