Mike is a 1980 graduate of St. Rose High School, Belmar. He later graduated from the University of South Carolina earning his B.S. in Political Science. After working as a Sales Representative for a large distributor of office machines, and as a driver for Clayton Limousine Service, Spring Lake, he decided to pursue his dream of entering funeral service. He enrolled at the American Academy-McCallister Institute of Funeral Service in New York City graduating in 1988. He served his internship at Colonial Funeral Home, Brick Township, and remained on staff after receiving his license for eight years.

In 1995 Mike joined his wife, Geri at the original branch of the Oliverie Funeral Home in Lakehurst on a full time basis. They remained there until 2001, when they relocated to their new, larger facility in Manchester. In addition to being a member of St. John’s Roman Catholic Church, Lakehurst, Mike also served as Past President to the parish Holy Name Society and was a Charter Member of the Knights of Columbus, Council #12940, St. John the Apostle. Mike is also a member of the Ocean County Chapter of the Ancient Order of Hibernians.

Mike is a Paul Harris Fellow, an award he received in 1997 from Rotary International. In addition to making funeral arrangements with families, and conducting various funeral services, Mike enjoys the Restorative Art aspects of his profession which he believes adds yet another level of comfort that families appreciate during a difficult time. Geraldine Oliverie Hennicke is a 1981 Jackson Graduate. She received an Associates Degree in Applied Science in 1982 from Herkimer County College, Herkimer, NY and an Associates Degree in Business from Ocean County College, Toms River in 1983. She then pursued her childhood dream of becoming a funeral director and enrolled in American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Services and graduated with honors and as class vice-president in 1984. She was licensed by both the State of NJ and the National Licensing Board of the US in 1986.

While attending college and funeral service school she worked in Lakewood for a funeral firm from 1984 to 1987. She then pursued a bigger dream of owning her own funeral home and opened her first funeral home, Oliverie Funeral Home of Lakehurst in 1987. In 1988 she also managed Shore Memorial Funeral Home in Pt. Pleasant Beach until it sold in 2003. In 2000 she opened her second funeral home in Manchester Township.

Geraldine married in 1988 to Michael J Hennicke who is also a licensed funeral director and co-owner of their businesses. They have three children, Marissa, Bridget and Michael.

Geri, is the nickname she is commonly known by, is a charter member of the Funeral Ethics Association and also a charter member of the Lakehurst Historical Society. She is a member of the NJ State Funeral Directors Association and the National Funeral Directors Association. She is also a Certified Celebrant, certified by Oklahoma University in 2006.

Geraldine started her community services at a very young age. She was a Jackson First Aid Explorer, through the Boy Scouts from 1975-79 and then became a Junior Cadet for the first aid squad until her 18th birthday when she became a full privileged member. She has been a career speaker for both the Boy Scouts and Monsignor Donovan High School for many years along with the Vocational Schools Career Day on the Lakehurst Naval Base.

In 1988 she was elected to the Lakehurst Borough Planning Board and in 1991 she was elected as council woman for the Borough and in 1994 she was appointed to the Borough of Lakehurst Board of Education and in 1995 she was elected to the Board of Education. She is a Eucharistic Minister, Lector, Altar Rosary Society and Parish Council member of St John’s Church, Lakehurst since 1987. She is a member of the St Joseph’s Advancement Advisory Council in Toms River since 2005.

Geri was active in the Jackson Lioness Club in 1985 -1990 and served as their president from 1989-90. She is a member of the Chamber of Commerce since 1992. She is very active with the Lakehurst-Manchester Rotary Club, a member since 1988 she has held many positions, Sergeant of Arms 1991-93, Secretary 1993-95, President 1997-98 and 2005-07. Assistant District Governor 1998-2000 and 2006-09. She is a Presidential Citation recipient from District 7500 in 1996 and 2005. She is a District 7500 Service Award honoree in 1995 and a Rotary International Paul Harris Honoree in 1993, 1998, 2005 & 200, 2007 & 2008 and an International Benefactor. Geri was honored with the prestigious Jackson Alumni Hall of Fame Civic Award in October 2006.

Geraldine is an active supporter of her community. She is a sponsor of the Manchester Little League since 1999. She is an Honorary Lifetime Member of the Manchester Volunteer Fire Co since 2005. She is Platinum sponsor for the Lakehurst Fleet Reserve #124 Summer Olympics since 2000 and also a Platinum sponsor for Manchester Day since 2000. She has helped the United Way with their Children’s Easter Basket Drive since 2003 and the Ocean County Catholic Charity’s Christmas Toy Drive since 1999 and the Boy Scouts Food Drive since 1999. She also is a major sponsor of the Children’s Memorial Garden in the Winding River Park that the Compassionate Friends of Toms River Maintain.

Geri helped organize and raise funds for the playground equipment donated to the Lakehurst Elementary School by the local Lakehurst Manchester Businesses. She applied for & received grant monies from the Rotary District 7500 for the “Light up Manchester”, to help get the stadium lights for the Manchester High School Football Fields and donated as a professional/personal sponsor also.