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.

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.

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.

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.