The Courier-News from Bridgewater, New Jersey • Page 27

THE COURIER-NEWSThuraday, December 13, 1990 C-3 LOCAL Witness: My suspicions were roused Pupils told to appreciate freedoms offered in U.S. By DAVID P. WILLIS Courier-News Staff Writer building for a family business," Sanderson said. She testified that Riggs told her the company had developed a cure for AIDS in Switzerland and that she had consulted with Hunterdon Medical Center. A building was -needed for patients and offices, she said.

So Riggs and another man were shown a building on Routes 22 at Route 523, a site offered at about Sanderson said. "She said, 'I think it's a nice location. I think the price is right. Let's buy Sanderson She said she thought Riggs' action was unusual. "Most, i people understand that the asking price is not necessarily the purchase price and they do not want to leave money behind, so they negotiate," Sanderson said.

A contract was drawn, and two checks totaling $25,000 representing down payments for the property bounced, Sanderson said. Riggs also looked at a $3.2 million house and a $1.5 million house in Tewksbury, and said she would pay cash for the residential and commercial properties, Sanderson said. Sanderson said she introduced Riggs to a lawyer and a person at First Fidelity Bank of North Jersey, telling the banker of her reservations about Riggs. "I told (her) I wasn't sure about this" but that there was a woman who wants to bring "substantial amounts of money" into the country, Sanderson said. Riggs had told her that the money would be wired from Switzerland, Sanderson said.

She said she contacted First Fidelity every day to see if the money had arrived, but it never did. crimes, she said. She was then arrested five more times before finally leaving for the United States, where she rejoined her children in about 1976. She now lives in Washington, D.C. When her older son returned to Chile in 1986 at age 19, he was arrested, beaten, tortured, then set afire and left dead in a ditch.

"You are privileged kids because you're taking for granted rights that other kids don't have," DeNegri said. "You walk without seeing." DeNegri was invited to Hunterdon Central by members of the school's Amnesty International chapter and the school's social studies department, teacher William Fernekes said. "She's not only a victim of human rights violations, but an advocate for worldwide human rights," Fernekes said. Amnesty International highlights and campaigns against human rights violations around the world. While the situation in Chile remains grim, countries on all continents are violating human rights, she By lee Mcdonald Courier-News Staff Writer RARITAN TOWNSHIP A woman who lost her son, her marriage, her family, her home and all her possessions to government tyranny told high school students yesterday that they may never understand what she's talking about, since its unlikely they'll face the same circumstances.

Veronica DeNegri, a member of the board of directors of Amnesty International, yesterday told students at Hunterdon Central Regional High School about having her life destroyed when democracy was overthrown in 1973 in her native Chile. DeNegri's husband was arrested and "disappeared," leaving her with one son and pregnant with another. She eventually delivered her child but later was arrested herself without charges, tortured for nearly a year, then placed in a concentration camp. She was allowed to leave only after she signed confessions to fictitious FLEMINGTON "Little red flags" went up in the mind of a Readington real estate agent while she was negotiating deals with Rowena Riggs, a woman later accused of bilking several Hunterdon County businesses. "There are just some things that don't ring true," Judy Sanderson, an associate seller and a partial owner of ReMax realty in Whitehouse Station, told a jury during Riggs' trial here.

Police say that Riggs, 62, bilked a host of businesses by saying she was a wealthy woman who was looking for a local place to stay. She was arrested in March, charged with several counts stemming from checks and postdated checks issued to pay for homes, property or belongings. According to the indictment, Riggs allegedly at various times also known as Rowena Powell, Christina Onassis and a host of other aliases faces charges of theft by deception, issuing bad checks and theft of services for running up huge bills throughout the Flemington area. For instance, she's charged with issuing two checks totaling $25,000 to a trust company and a ReMax realty escrow account for commercial land she planned to buy in Readington. Sanderson said she met Riggs in her office on Feb.

15. "She claimed that she was in town to buy a commercial Veronica DeNegri fled tyranny in Chile said. And while most Americans enjoy relatively free lives, the United States is not without fault, she said. For instance, Amnesty International counts as U.S. human rights violations: inmates who are confined to death row; incidents of racial bias "on both the American invasion of Panama; and the possibility of war with Iraq.

No verdict on Somerville courtroom Getting to know all about the disabled thanks to puppets By KATHY BALOG Courier-News Staff Writer basement The borough had been using the county's old courthouse as its viola tions bureau and courtroom as part of a 20-year arrangement. But because the courthouse is being renovated beginning in January, all offices are being moved out of the building. The violations bureau moved from the third floor of the old courthouse to its new home at 29 W. Somerset across from Borough HalL The court is still seeking a home. The new basement courtroom is expected to be ready for use in mid-February.

County Administrator Bjorn Firing said issues such as security still must be addressed before a deal can be finalized. That issue is of concern because the borough holds evening court sessions. By KATHIE FLANNERY Courier-News Staff Writer SOMERVILLE A decision could be made Monday on whether Somerville Borough will use the new basement courtroom in the county building while the old courthouse is being repaired, Mayor Michael Kerwin said yesterday. Kerwin, Superior Court Assignment Judge Wilfred Diana, and county officials met yesterday to tour the new courtroom, which is still under construction, to see if could meet the borough's needs. "It was a good meeting," Freeholder Christopher Bateman said.

Kerwin said the Borough Council's regular Monday meeting will include discussion and a possible decision on whether to hold the weekly court sessions in the performance. "When children see someone who is disabled, they don't know how to treat them. Children should learn at an early age that you don't have to treat (the disabled) any differently than anyone else," Donnelly said. "Just because they're different doesn't mean they can't be your friend," puppeteer Sandie Johnston told her young audience. That message was heard loud and clear by the more than 40 children in kindergarten through second grade at one of two shows yesterday at St.

Mary's. Children were more curious than cautious about the puppets' disabilities. "Why are you blind?" "How do you dress yourself?" and "Why can't you walk?" echoed through the school cafeteria, site of the show. The puppets make it easier to ask such personal questions, said program director Dee Rothschild, who schedules about 50 performances of the group a year. Students learned that appearances usually aren't what they seem.

For one thing, sign language is more than a flutter of hands. When puppeteer Barbara Hopps extended her fingers in a whisker-like motion from her mouth and asked what she was describing, Kate said excitedly, "That's a cat!" First-grader Kevin Impellizeri was fascinated to learn that people in wheelchairs can play many of the same sports he enjoys. "Can you play basketball?" he asked the little puppet in the wheelchair. "As long as the rules are changed a little bit, I can play a lot of sports," Mark the puppet responded. By the end of the show, children were offering suggestions on ways for the disabled puppets to enjoy a universally rewarding experience being accepted by others.

Some things also proved universally understood. Hopps held her hand up, extending the thumb, index and small fingers straight out and curling the others down. "What three important words does this mean?" She asked. An exuberant Michelle Miano, 6, easily knew the three most important words in any language. "I love you," she chirped.

BOUND BROOK Copper-haired Kate Lovell isn't deaf, but the 6-year-old St. Mary's School student yesterday learned to use her other senses to "hear" words in sign language. Her teachers were a troop of disabled puppets known as the Kids on the Block. Unlike the popular able-bodied singing group, these kids include a blind boy named Rinaldo, a wheelchair-bound boy named Mark, and a mentally retarded girl named Ellen Jane. Operated by a trio of puppeteers from the Somerset County Park Commission, the colorful characters are part of an awareness program aimed at knocking down the barriers facing people with disabilities.

The biggest barrier is people without disabilities, the puppets explained. To children, the sight of a disabled person can be easily misunderstood, feared and avoided, said parent Cathy Donnelly, who works with the disabled and helped to arrange yesterday's OBITUARIES John W. Geis 41 was a scoutmaster North Plainfield. Mass will be tomorrow at 10 a.m. at St.

Joseph's Church. Martha A. Ruetsch, 88, retired Weston employee COLONIA Martha A. Stanke Ruetsch, 88, a member of the Elmora Presbyterian Church in Elizabeth, died Tuesday (Dec. 11, 1990) at home.

Mrs. Ruetsch was born in Germany and had lived in Elizabeth before moving to Colonia in 1975. George Schwarzenbach, veteran of World War II RARITAN TOWNSHIP George Schwarzenbach, 73, an Army veteran of World War II, died Monday (Dec. 10, 1990) at Hunterdon Medical Center. Mr.

Schwarzenbach was born in Brooklyn. He moved to Maplewood and lived in East Amwell for five years before moving to Raritan Township 30 years ago. He was a foreman and test technician at the Naval Air Propulsion Test Center in Trenton, retiring in 1982. He was a member of the Sohiwe Deer Club in Hopewell and the Hunterdon 2nd Cavalry Essex Troop National Guard Unit. Surviving are his wife, Marie Kas-singer Schwarzenbach; three daughters, Jean Held of Lynbrook, N.Y., Valerie Schwarzenbach of Marble-head, and Patricia Remoli of Neshanic Station; four sons, Charles and Fredrick, both of Ringoes, Robert of San Francisco and Stephen of Putney, a brother, Frederick of Williamsport, two sisters, Nancy Hall of Tewksbury and Betty Ortman of Belchertown, and two grandchildren.

Services will be private. Visitation will be 7-9 p.m. tomorrow at the Hol-combe-Fisher Funeral Home, Flemington. NORTH PLAINFIELD John W. Geis 41, a communicant of St.

Joseph's Roman Catholic Church here, died Tuesday (Dec. 11, 1990) at Somerset Medical Center in Somerville. Mr. Geis was born in Plainfield. He lived in North Plainfield most of his life, graduating in 1967 from North Plainfield High School.

Mr. Geis was an Army medic stationed in Korea at the time of the Vietnam War. He was a carpet installer with Exclusive Floor Covering Contractors Inc. of Hackensack and was a member of the Carpenters Resilient Flooring Union Local No. 2212.

Mr. Geis was a scoutmaster with the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts in North Plainfield and was an avid fisherman and scuba diver. His mother, Berta Geis, died in 1968. Surviving are his wife, Kathleen Sylvester Geis; two sons, John Jr. and James, both at home; his father, Joseph Geis of Singer Island, a sister, Darlene Geis of North Plain-field; four brothers, Joseph of North Plainfield, Robert of Elizabeth, Roger of Plainfield; and Thomas of South Plainfield.

Visitation will be 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. today at the Scarpa Funeral Home in FUNERAL NOTICES HALL Linda E. Hall on Dec. 11, 1990 of Plainfield. Mother of Michelle Bradley, LaToya Hicks Ernest Hall.

Daughter of Inez John Hall. Sister of Evelyn Schenck, Patricia Curtis Hall. Funeral will be held Fri. 10am JUD-KINS COLONIAL HOME. Friends may call Thurs.

7-9pm. Genevieve E. Prus, 78, pastor's mother BRIDGEWATER Genevieve E. Prus, 78, died yesterday (Dec. 12, 1990) at the Raritan Health and Extended Care Center in Bridgewater.

Mrs. Prus, who had lived in South River, was the mother of the Rev. Eugene Prus, pastor of Blessed Sacrament Roman Catholic Church in Martinsville and former pastor of St. Mary's Church in Bound Brook. She was born in Braddock, and lived in South River most of her life.

In addition to Father Prus, surviving are her husband, Stanislaus Prus; a son, Stanley of East Brunswick; a daughter, Sandra Marie Prus of Baltimore, two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Services will be Saturday at 9:45 a.m. at the Brunswick Memorial Home in East Brunswick followed by a 10:30 a.m. funeral Mass at St. Mary's Church in South River.

Visitation will be 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. tomorrow at the funeral home. Stephen C. Grippo, 35, formerly of Middlesex Stephen C. Grippo, 35, died Tuesday (Dec.

11, 1990) at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore. Mr. Grippo was born in Elizabeth. He lived in Roselle and later moved to Middlesex Borough, graduating from Middlesex High School in 1972. He graduated from Towson State College in Maryland in 1985.

He was an electrician for the Arundel Sign Co. in Annapolis, for three months. He previously was an electrician with the J. C. Stone Co.

in Landover, Md. Surviving are his wife, Dawn Schmid Grippo; his parents, Frank and Eva Grippo of Middlesex; and a brother, Joseph Grippo of Basking Ridge. Services will be at the Middlesex Funeral Home in Middlesex at 9 a.m. Saturday, followed by a 10 a.m. Mass at Our Lady of Mount Virgin Roman Catholic Church in Middlesex.

Visitation will be tomorrow, 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Lillian L. Reed, 77 HILLSIDE Lillian L. Reed, 77, died Tuesday (Dec. 11, 1990) at Ir-vington General Hospital.

Mrs. Reed was born in Columbus, Ohio. She lived in Newark before moving to Hillside 20 years ago. She worked for CHR-ILL Montclair, for 20 years before retir FUNERAL NOTICES She was an assembler for Weston Instruments in Newark for 15 years, retiring in 1966. Surviving are two daughters, Arline Heuser of Lakewood and Irma Ruetsch of Colonia; three sons, Clifford and Raymond Ruetsch, both of Edison, and Rudolph of Mountainside; nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. today with services at 8 p.m. at the McCracken Funeral Home in Union. Mabel Salvia Reilly, born in Uruguay RARITAN TOWNSHIP Mabel Salvia Reilly, 37, died Tuesday (Dec. 11, 1990) at the Lehigh Valley Trauma Center in Allentown, Pa.

Mrs. Reilly was born in Montevideo, Uruguay, and came to the United States in 1978. She lived in North Plainfield before moving to Raritan Township in 1985. Mrs. Reilly was a material control manager for the Robert McKowan Co.

Inc. in Branchburg. She was a communicant of St. Magdalen's Roman Catholic Church in Flemington. Surviving are her husband, Gene Reilly, a stepson, Sean Reilly of Jersey City, a stepdaughter, Tracey Ann Reilly at home; her parents, Ruben Salvia and Martha Ferreya DeSalvia in Montevideo; a brother, Danielo Salvia in Montevideo; two sisters, Martha M.

Erickson of Kendall Park and Ines DeChiazzaro of Montevideo; and a step-great granddaughter. A Mass will be at 10 a.m. tomorrow at St. Magdalen's Church in Fleming-ton. Visitation will be 2-4 and 7-9 p.m.

today with evening prayers at 8 p.m. at Bright's Colonial Funeral Home in Lebanon. Paul Goldinas, 86, co-owner of lumber firm FLEMINGTON Paul Goldings, 86, died yesterday (Dec. 12, 1990) at Hunterdon Medical Center in Raritan FURNALD Lawrence W. age 93, of North Plainfield on Wednesday, December 12th, 1990.

Husband of the late Helen T. Furnald, father of Lawrence W. Furnald, Jr. and Myrl Moore, also survived by 9 grandchildren, 1 1 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild, Visiting hours at HIGGINS HOME FOR FU- Lawrence W. Furnald, was railroad executive NORTH PLAINFIELD Lawrence W.

Furnald 93, died yesterday (Dec. 12, 1990) at the Margaret McCutchen Nursing Home here. Mr. Furnald was born in Brooklyn. He lived in North Plainfield and Westfield before moving back to North Plainfield in 1981.

He was an assistant secretary and treasurer for the Chicago Northwestern Railroad, New York City, for 43 years, retiring in 1957. He was a member of the Probasco Club of the First Park Baptist Church in Plainfield. He sered on the North Plainfield Board of Education from 1942 to 1948. His wife, Helen T. Furnald, died in 1981.

Surviving are a son, Dr. Lawrence W. Furnald Jr. of Watchung; a daughter, Myrl Moore of Bedminster, nine grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild. Visitation will be 7-9 p.m.

today at the Higgins Home for Funerals, North Plainfield. Services will be 3 p.m. on Tuesday at the Margaret McCutchen Nursing Home. Edith K. Owen, 89, former Bell Labs worker MENDHAM Edith K.

Owen, 89, died Monday (Dec. 10, 1990) at the Holly Manor Nursing Home here. Mrs. Owen was born in Brookside, Mendham Township. She lived in Port Charlotte, and Plainfield before moving to the nursing home in Mendham Borough in 1988.

She was a statistician at Bell Laboratories in Whippany, retiring in 1965. During World War II she worked in ballistics studies for the Army Ordinance Department at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Aberdeen, Md. Mrs. Owen was a member of St. James Episcopal Church in Port Charlotte and was a former president of the church's women's organization.

Her husband, Robert H. Owen, died in 1968. Surviving are three daughters, Frances Owen of Bernardsville, Barbara Barber of Topeka, and Molly Monica of Berkeley Heights; four grandchildren; and two greatgrandchildren. Services will be Saturday at 9:30 a.m. at St.

Luke's Episcopal Church in Mendham. Arrangements are by the Bailey Funeral Home Mendham. Harold F. Kluge, 83, retired Singer employee BRIDGEWATER Harold F. Kluge, 83, died Tuesday (Dec.

11, 1990) at home. Mr. Kluge was born in Newark. He lived in Union before moving to Bridgewater 17 years ago. He was a payroll supervisor for the Singer Company in Elizabeth for 20 years.

Surviving are his wife, Mildred Kluge, and a brother, William Kluge of Cape Coral, Fla. Services will be at 10 a.m. tomorrow at the Speer-Van Arsdale Funeral Home, Somerville. Visitation will be 7-9 p.m. today.

i Raymond G. VanBrunt, World War II veteran PLAINFIELD Raymond G. VanBrunt, 76, died yesterday (Dec. 12, 1990) at Morristown Memorial. Hospital.

Mr. VanBrunt was born in Brooklyn. He lived in North Plainfield and Mantoloking before moving to Plain-' field in 1961. He sold International Harvester equipment for the Ferrante Equip-, ment Co. in South Plainfield for 15 i years, retiring in 1981.

He was previously employed by the Ehbar Equipment Company in Union, where he worked for 20 years. Mr. VanBrunt served in the Army during World War II, with duty in the North Africa, Sicily and Italian campaigns. He was a communicant of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, Plainfield, and a member of the Vet-.

erans of Foreign Wars Storr-Ritchie Post 506 and the Navy League. His wife, Margaret C. VanBrunt, died in August. Surviving are a son, Michael Van- Brunt of New Providence; three-, daughters, Kate Riley of Elizabeth City, N.C., Joan VanBrunt of Oakland, and Ann Richmond of -Plainfield; and five grandchildren. A Mass will be at 9 a.m.

Saturday at St. Mary's Church in Plainfield. Visitation will be 7-9 p.m. tomorrow-' at the Higgins Home for Funerals, Plainfield. Isadora Baines, 38, electronics technician PISCATAWAY Isadora Baines, 38, died Monday (Dec.

10, 1990) following an accident. She was born in Chowan, N.C., and lived in Piscataway for 32 years. She was a graduate of Piscataway High School and worked as an tronics technician in Plainfield. She was a member of the Mount Olive Baptist Church in Plainfield. Surviving are a daughter, Celeste Baines of Piscataway two sons, Sher- man and Joseph Baines, both of Plainfield; her parents, Willie and William Baines of Piscataway; a sis-ter, Sarah Nowell of Plainfield; a brother, William Baines of Plain-field; and two grandchildren.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Satur- day at Judkins Colonial Home, Plain-field. Visitation will be 7-9 p.m. to- morrow at the the home. Anna Teresa Turrin, 86, formerly of Gillette COLTS NECK Anna Teresa Tur-4 rin, 86, died yesterday (Dec.

12, 1990K at the CentraState Medical Center in Freehold Township. Mrs. Turrin was born in Passaic. She lived in Gillette for more than 60 years before moving to Colts Neck 10 years ago. She operated an egg farm in Gillette for more than 25 years with her late husband, Anthony.

She was a communicant of St. seph's Roman Catholic Church in' Stirling, and St. Mary's Roman Cath-. olic Church in Colts Neck. Surviving are a son, Richard H.

Turrin, a brother, Anthony "Jack" DePiero of Marathon, and three grandchildren. Services will be at 9 a.m. tomorrow at St. Mary's Church, Colts Neck. Ar-, rangements are by Higgins Memorial Home, Freehold.

LEWIS Alvin H. on Dec. 12, 1990. Formerly of Media, PA. Beloved husband of Mary (nee Winterbottom) Lewis, father of Alvin H.

Lewis Jr. and Marian Cole. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Requiem Eucharist on Friday at 10 AM at Christ Episcopal Church, So. Orange Media PA. Calling hours after 8:30 AM at the CAVAN-AGH-PATTERSON FUNERAL HOME, 43 E.

Baltimore Media PA. Interment Hollywood Memorial Park, Union. NLHALS, 4b 1 somerset Norm nainneia, Thursday evening 7-9pm. Interment private. Memorial service at the Margaret McCut-chen Nursing Home, North Plainfield, Tuesday, December 18 at Memorial contributions may be made to the Margaret McCutchen Nursing Home, 112 Linden North Plainfield, NJ 07060.

GAAL Bernice E. (Yuill) of New Vernon, on December 10th, 1990, wife of the late Dr. Albert Gaal, mother of Dr. Albert F. Gaal, of Old-wick, N.J.

and Mrs William Paton of New Vernon N.J. Grandmother of William Gall, Marcie (Gaal) Metzler, Kathi Paton-Uttal, John Paton and Jeni Paton, also survived by 3 great grandchildren. A Memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church, of New Vernon on Thursday, December 13th at 12 pm. Friends may call Wm. A.

Bradley Son Funeral Home, 345 Main St. (Rt. 24) in Chatham on Wednesday 2-4 and 7-9 pm. Those who wish may contribute in her memory to First Presbyterian Church of New Vernon, Lee's Hill Village Rd New Vernon, N.J. 07976 RUETSCH Martha A.

(Stanke) on December 11, 1990. Mother of Arline Heuser, Irma Ruetsch, Clifford, Rudolph Raymond Ruetsch. Also survived by 9 Granchildren and 5 Great Grandchildren. Services will be held Thursday, December 13, 1990, 8:00 p.m., al Mccracken funeral home, 1500 Morris Avenue, Union, Visitation Thursday 2-4 8 7-9pm. FIRST ANNIVERSARY SECOND ANNIVERSARY In Loving Memory MICHAEL B.

PARLAPIAN0 In Loving Memory ALICE L. FLACK, R.N. Who Passed Away December 13, 1989 ing seven years ago. She was a member of St. Philip's Trinity Episcopal Church in Newark.

She was a member of the Girls Friendly Society and past worthy matron of Lakawanna Temple-Trinity Chapter 14 Newark. Her husband, O'Neal Reed, died in 1989.1 Surviving are a son, Gordon Reed of Maplewood; five daughters, L. Brenda of Scotch Plains, Carmen Eaves, Janice Reed and Denise Spottswood of Hillside and Patricia Anderson of Somerset; three sisters, Odessa Hairston of Union, Bernice Hopkins of East Hanover and Doris Crenshaw of East Orange; and eight grandchildren. Services will be at 10 a.m. tomorrow at the Growny Funeral Home, Hillside.

Visitation will be 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. today at the funeral fine. Who Passed Awav yt December 13, 1988 Township. Mr. Goldings was born in Boston.

He lived in Staten Island before moving to Flemington 40 years ago. A graduate of Massachusetts Institute of Technology, he was a partner in the Flemington Lumber Raritan Township, retiring in 1981. He was a member of the Jewish Community Center in Flemington. Surviving are his wife, Bess Levin Goldings; a sister, Jean Goldings of Boston; and several nieces and nephews. Services will be at noon tomorrow at the Jewish Community Center.

There will be no visiting hours. Funeral arrangements are by the Hol-combe-Fisher Funeral Home, Flemington. In our hearts your memory lingers. Sweetly tender, fond and true. There is not a day, dear mother, That we do not think of you.

Love, Kathy, Faye, Husband-Ed and Family. The evening star shines on the grave Of one we loved, but could not save. God took him home, It was His will, But In our hearts, we love him still. Sadly Missed, The Family.