One of Raymond V. Ellis' favorite images across classic literature was the lamplighter, a figure often noted only by the glow brought to the darkness. Aspiring to become a lamplighter for his faith, he began taking classes in 1973 for the diaconate in the Catholic Diocese of Camden.

Marion Stanley Smith died Thursday, February 28, 2013, at Genesis HealthCare Center in Lebanon, N.H. She was born November 19, 1918, in Merchantville, N.J., to Loren Watts & Jessie (Young) Stanley. She was the youngest of eight children. When she was six months old, Marion’s family moved to the Sargent homestead on New Boston Road in Norwich, Vt., where she lived until the age of eight. She often shared her family history and many fond memories of her childhood at this homestead.

Dr. Hussong, 93, of Merchantville, died Tuesday, Feb. 19, at his home. Born in Camden, Dr. Hussong early on was a step or 10 ahead of the crowd, academically and athletically. At Camden High School, he was president of the Class of 1937 and lettered in football, basketball, tennis, and track.

James M. Hunter, 88, an orthopedic surgeon at Thomas Jefferson University and a pioneer and innovator in the field of hand surgery, died Tuesday, Jan. 29, of heart failure at the Southeastern Veterans Center in Spring City, Chester County. Dr. Hunter was born on April 5, 1924, in Camden, the son of Robert and Helen Hunter. He was raised in Merchantville.

The Rev. Canon James Elliott Purdy, 99, an Episcopal priest in the Diocese of New Jersey for 74 years, died Sunday, Jan. 6, at the Evergreens, a continuing care community in Moorestown. Canon Purdy formally retired in 1984 after serving as rector of Grace Church in Merchantville for 18 years. He was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Eloise Hughes Purdy, in 2009; his brother, Edward; his sister, Frances Irene Harris Purdy; and his parents, the Reverend Charles Edwin Purdy, M.D., and Mary Frances Ann Ginn. Canon Purdy is survived by his son, the Reverend James Hughes Purdy (Emma Sarosdy Purdy); granddaughters Emma Purdy Coyle (John) and Katherine Purdy Spung (Michael); a great-granddaughter; and his brother, Samuel Edwin Purdy.

Passed away on November 24, 2012, at age 87. Beloved wife of the late Ronald and dear mother Ronald P. Riley Jr., Barbara Riley-Grant and the late Christopher L. Riley. Sister of G. William Hall, John J. Hall Jr., Richard Hall and the late Olive Bierschank. Loving grandmother of Matthew P. Riley and great-grandmother of Emma Mae,

Florence P. Casper (nee Pfeil), on November 15, 2012, age 86 years. Born in Camden, NJ, she was a longtime resident of Merchantville, NJ. Beloved mother of Ellen K. Esposito and Peggy C. Horton. Loving grandmother of two grandsons and two granddaughters and loving great-grandmother of one great-grandson. Florence was an active member of First Baptist Church of Merchantville, NJ, and was a secretary to the superintendent of the Merchantville Board of Education.

She was the beloved wife of the late Frank W. and loving mother of Patricia Fields of Merchantville and Karen Whitmore of Pennsauken. She is also survived by 6 grandchildren Morrie Fields, Ryan Fields, Amanda Aaron, and Brian, Ashleigh, and Kayleigh Whitmore; one great granddaughter Maura Aaron; and many nieces and nephews.

Sister Anna Maiorano, MPF, who taught at St. Peter, Merchantville and St. Joseph, Hammonton schools and received the Bishop’s Medal for her service in the Camden Diocese, died Oct. 17 at St. Joseph Hall, Villa Walsh, Morristown, at the age of 97, after a brief illness. Born in Camden, Sister Anna entered the Religious Teachers Filippini in 1932.

Hazel Shaffer Horner, formerly of Merchantville passed away in the Masonic Home of N.J. in Burlington Township on Thursday. She was 98. Hazel was a faithful and dedicated member of the Grace Episcopal Church in Merchantville where she served as the Women's Club President as many as seven times. She did volunteer work at Cooper Hospital serving more than 21,600 hours of volunteer time. She belonged to and served on AARP of Merchantville-Pennsauken for many years.

She will be remembered for being a gracious lady and very giving and kind. A Viewing will be held on Thursday at the Grace Episcopal Church, 7 E. Maple Ave., Merchantville from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Eucharist Burial Mass will begin at 10:30 a.m. with burial to follow in N.J. Veteran's Memorial Cemetery, Arneytown, N.J. Due to cemetery restrictions on flowers, please make donations in her memory to either the Salvation Army, 915 Haddon Ave., Camden NJ 08103 or Acacia Hospice, c/o Masonic Home of N.J., 902 Jacksonville Road, Burlington NJ 08016.