NJ NJ - Josephine A. Gerstner, 76, Mount Arlington, 1 Sept 1983

[Gardener1850]

No Photo

Missing Person / NamUs #MP26320
Josephine A. Gerstner

Female, White / Caucasian
Height 5' 1" - 5' 3" (61 - 63 Inches)
Weight 110 lbs

Hair Color: Gray or Partially Gray
Head Hair Description: Hair may be dyed red.
Eye Color Hazel

Scar/mark
Scar on abdomen.

Other distinctive physical characteristic
Freckles

Accessories
Black purse.

Clothing
Last seen wearing a green sweater and green pants.

Footwear
Last seen wearing black shoes.

Jewelry
Gold wedding band.

Circumstances
Date of Last Contact September 1, 1983
NamUs Case Created October 1, 2014
Last Known Location Map
Location Mount Arlington, New Jersey
Morris County

Circumstances of Disappearance
Josephine was last seen on September 1, 1983.

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

Please help find a photo of Josephine and more info.

 

[folieadeuxnola]

Newark Star-Ledger - 09/07/83

LE are searching for a Josephine Gerstner that disappeared last Thursday 9/1/1983. It is suspected that Josephine was going to Irvington where she previously lived before moving in with her son a month prior. A witness reported seeing Josephine @ 6:30 pm on the night she disappeared. She was hitchhiking @ a mile from her son's house. The man provided a ride to the woman to a nearby Landing but convinced her to return to Mt Arlington as that she seemed disoriented. Josephine was sighted a 2nd time @ 1-1/2 hrs later hitchhiking on a road that leads to Route 80. Tracking dogs were utilized to search the area however lost her scent. Josephine is described as a white female, reddish-gray hair, 5'3", 125 lbs. wearing a green sweater, blouse and slacks w/black handbag. She was not carrying any identification at the time.

 

[CastlesBurning]

Bumping for Josephine - it's now been over 38 years.

 

[Pennysmom2]

Josephine Gerstner

Clipping found in Daily Record published in Morristown, New Jersey on 9/13/1983. Josephine Gerstner

www.newspapers.com

 

[NJEverCurious]

No exclusions listed on Namus as of 22 January 2026.

 

[rob525]

So. I just noticed this and it is near to my house. If she was trying to get to Irvington without a car, the logical way would be via train. It is a little confusing as the first person to see her said he cave her a ride to Landing but convinced her to return to Mt. Arlington. I wonder if he gave her a ride back? I am thinking that, perhaps, her first thought was to catch the train at Hopatcong train station in Landing> That station was likely closed for the day by 6:30 pm ( at least these days it is hard to get a train past Dover or Mt. Arlington in the late evening). I wonder if that is why she was later seen hitchhiking on a road leading to interstate 80. I assume that road to be Howard Blvd. on which sits Mt. Arlington train station ( although in 1983 things may have been much different). Mt. Arlington station today is easier to get to and from than are the stations further west. Maybe she thought she could still catch a train at 8:00-9:00 pm.

I wonder where her scent was lost by the dogs? Did she get picked up on the way to the train station and or I80?