Mrs. Ada B. Nafew, 95, of 21 Broad st., Eatontown, one of Monmouth county's oldest residents, and for 45 years postmaster at Eatontown, died Tuesday at Marlboro state hospital where she had been a patient a short time.

In May, 1940, Mrs. Nafew was chosen to r represent the third district of the New Jersey state federation of Women's clubs as the district candidate for the pioneer club women. At that time, Mrs. Hosea Chark, then of Rumson, now of Highlands, wrote a resume of Mrs. Nafew's life, excerpts of which form the major part of the following:

Mrs. Nafew was born in Springfield, Ill., and while still a young woman came to this vicinity with her husband, the late James Weed Nafew. Mr. Nafew opened a drug store there, which he ran with the help of his wife, until 1889. He was then appointed Eatontown's postmaster. He ran the post office in his store with Mrs. Nafew continuing as his assistant. Mr. Nafew served as postmaster for one term after which he was succeeded by Dr. W. B. Beach. Mrs. Nafew served as Dr. Beach's assistant for three years when he resigned in her favor.

For 45 years and 26 days, Mrs. Nafew served Eatontown as postmaster, and it was during her term in office that rural and village delivery was established in her district. She was a past president of the State Presidential Postmasters association and once went to Cleveland as a delegate to the convention of the postmasters' league.

Mrs. Nafew had the unique privilege of meeting every president of the United States from Benjamin Harrison down to Franklin D. Roosevelt.

A great reader, Mrs. Nafew organized the Eatontown library and worked for it 40 years, during which time she served as president of its board. She was also instrumental in organizing the Monmouth County Library Round table.

In spite of all her other activities, Mrs. Nafew found time to do hospital work, having served on the executive board of Riverview hospital and serving as president of one of the auxiliaries of Monmouth Memorial hospital. She was also a member of the Red Cross and was interested in Parent Teacher association work.

Mrs. Nafew was a member of the Shrewsbury Presbyterian church and its missionary society.

She instituted the celebration of the Eatontown community Christmas tree, a custom which has been observed in the borough ever since. For 20 years, she served as president of the Ladies' auxiliary of the Eatontown fire department.

For 655 years Mrs. Nafew held various office in the Shrewsbury Reading club. In all, she was an active member of 11 women's organizations including the Red Bank Women's club, the Helping society of the Shrewsbury Presbyterian church, and others. In 1941, she was honored by the General Federation of Women's clubs at its national convention in Atlantic City.

Mrs. Nafew is survived by a grandson, George Mosby of Highland Park, and a great granddaughter, Mrs. Barbara Bauer of Omaha, Neb.

The funeral will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2:30 at her Eatontown home, with Rev. D. V. Reinig, pastor of the Eatontown Methodist church, officiating.

Burial under the direction of the Worden funeral home, will be in Glenwood cemetery, West Long Branch.

Red Bank Register, Thurs., Dec. 29, 1949

Mrs. Ada B. Nafew, 95, of 21 Broad st., Eatontown, one of Monmouth county's oldest residents, and for 45 years postmaster at Eatontown, died Tuesday at Marlboro state hospital where she had been a patient a short time.

In May, 1940, Mrs. Nafew was chosen to r represent the third district of the New Jersey state federation of Women's clubs as the district candidate for the pioneer club women. At that time, Mrs. Hosea Chark, then of Rumson, now of Highlands, wrote a resume of Mrs. Nafew's life, excerpts of which form the major part of the following:

Mrs. Nafew was born in Springfield, Ill., and while still a young woman came to this vicinity with her husband, the late James Weed Nafew. Mr. Nafew opened a drug store there, which he ran with the help of his wife, until 1889. He was then appointed Eatontown's postmaster. He ran the post office in his store with Mrs. Nafew continuing as his assistant. Mr. Nafew served as postmaster for one term after which he was succeeded by Dr. W. B. Beach. Mrs. Nafew served as Dr. Beach's assistant for three years when he resigned in her favor.

For 45 years and 26 days, Mrs. Nafew served Eatontown as postmaster, and it was during her term in office that rural and village delivery was established in her district. She was a past president of the State Presidential Postmasters association and once went to Cleveland as a delegate to the convention of the postmasters' league.

Mrs. Nafew had the unique privilege of meeting every president of the United States from Benjamin Harrison down to Franklin D. Roosevelt.

A great reader, Mrs. Nafew organized the Eatontown library and worked for it 40 years, during which time she served as president of its board. She was also instrumental in organizing the Monmouth County Library Round table.

In spite of all her other activities, Mrs. Nafew found time to do hospital work, having served on the executive board of Riverview hospital and serving as president of one of the auxiliaries of Monmouth Memorial hospital. She was also a member of the Red Cross and was interested in Parent Teacher association work.

Mrs. Nafew was a member of the Shrewsbury Presbyterian church and its missionary society.

She instituted the celebration of the Eatontown community Christmas tree, a custom which has been observed in the borough ever since. For 20 years, she served as president of the Ladies' auxiliary of the Eatontown fire department.

For 655 years Mrs. Nafew held various office in the Shrewsbury Reading club. In all, she was an active member of 11 women's organizations including the Red Bank Women's club, the Helping society of the Shrewsbury Presbyterian church, and others. In 1941, she was honored by the General Federation of Women's clubs at its national convention in Atlantic City.

Mrs. Nafew is survived by a grandson, George Mosby of Highland Park, and a great granddaughter, Mrs. Barbara Bauer of Omaha, Neb.

The funeral will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2:30 at her Eatontown home, with Rev. D. V. Reinig, pastor of the Eatontown Methodist church, officiating.

Burial under the direction of the Worden funeral home, will be in Glenwood cemetery, West Long Branch.

Red Bank Register, Thurs., Dec. 29, 1949