Emanuel John Mereo, Sr., 76, of Toms River, NJ, formerly of Phillipsburg, died Monday, June 27, 2000 in his home. He moved to Toms River in 1985.

He was a machine operator for 18 years for the former Sonoco Products in Phillipsburg.

Born May 14, 1924 in Easton, he was the son of the late Alfonso and Marie Mauro Mereo.

He was a former member of the Italian American Pleasure Club in Phillipsburg.

Mr. Mereo and his wife, the former Regina Frinzi would have observed their 47th wedding anniversary July 4, 2000.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, Emanuel J., Jr., of Lake Charles, Louisiana; three daughters, Donna Six, Kathleen Longenbach and Deborah Campbell, all of Rio Rancho, NM; two sisters, Elizabeth DeGeorge of Long Island, NY and Mary DiPietro of Allentown, Pa.; ten grandchildren, Mark and Andrea Albrough, Steven and Stephanie Longenbach, Gabriel and William Rodriguez, Adam and Adrain Campbell and Shea and Joey Mereo.

A brother, John and four sisters, Grace Andrews, Anna Buttacovoli, Carmella Vegso and Josephine Franco all died earlier.

Funeral services will be held 9:00 a.m. Monday in the Noto-Wynkoop Funeral Home, 289 South Main St., Phillipsburg. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 9:30 a.m. in St. Philip and St. James Roman Catholic Church, 426 South Main St., Phillipsburg. Calling hours will be held Sunday, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the funeral home. Burial will be in St. Philip and St. James Cemetery, Greenwich Twp.

The family requests memorial to the charity of one's choice.