John A. Batura

John A. Batura, age 88 years, of Raritan Township, NJ, died on Sunday, June 3, 2007 in the Hunterdon Care Center, Raritan Township, NJ.

Born in Bayonne, NJ, son of the late Adolph and Catherine Sapielak Batura, he had resided in Raritan Township, NJ since 1961, having previously lived in Cranford, NJ.

He formerly worked in the Specifications Department of Mack Trucks, Somerville, NJ, retiring in 1980.

A Communicant of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, Summer Road, Three Bridges, NJ, he was a member of its Seniors Club as well as a member of the Flemington-Raritan Senior Citizens, where he was known to cook some specialty dishes. He was also a Staff Sergeant in the United States Army, serving in World War II.

John was an avid handball player in his youth. After returning from the Army, he met Eleanor, his wife, at a dance at St. Michael's Church in Bayonne, NJ where they were married in 1948.

John also enjoyed gardening and carpentry and did some wood carving. He contructed a lily pond with gold fish which won him a prize. He attracted birds to his garden with bird houses that he constructed. John also enjoyed hunting, fishing and making kites which his children particulary enjoyed.

He was pre-deceased by three siblings, Adolph Batura, Hedy Eck and Florence Brzostowski, all of whom were from Bayonne, NJ.

Surviving are his wife of fifty-eight years, Eleanor Rogers Batura; two daughters, Joan Housman of West Orange, NJ and Carol Batura of Limeport, PA; a son, Robert Batura of Raleigh, NC; a granddaughter, Melissa Housman of Atlanta, GA; and a grandson, Drew Housman, stationed with the United States Army in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday at 10:30 a.m. in St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, Summer Road, Three Bridges, NJ under the direction of the Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, NJ. Entombment will follow in St. Magdalen Mausoleum, Flemington, NJ. Calling hours will be Thursday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Funeral Home. Please visit www.holcombefisher.com for further information or to send condolences.