Alex Thomas Slobig , 17, died Tuesday (March 22, 2005) at Robert Wood Johnson Bristol Meyers Squibb Children's Hospital in New Brunswick. Born in Toms River, he formerly resided in Bridgewater before moving to Raritan 11 years ago. He was a junior attending Bridgewater-Raritan High School and also attended Somerset County Educational Services Commission's alternative high school in Raritan. Alex was loved by his family, friends and fellow students. He was a talented artist who touched the lives of everyone who knew him. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Robert Conklin Slobig; and a half-sister, Cierra Nicole Slobig. Surviving are his loving mother, Jill C. Keating and stepfather, Joseph J. Keating II of Raritan; his father, Thomas Elton Slobig and his wife, DeeAnn of Visalia, Calif.; his dear sister, Alaina Marie Slobig of Raritan; a stepbrother, Raymond Keating of Bridgewater; a stepsister, Ashley Keating of Raritan; a half-brother, Dallon Slobig of Visalia, Calif.; his maternal grandparents, Norman J. and Joan H. McKinney of Bridgewater; his paternal grandmother, Jeanette P. Slobig of Baker City, Ore.; and several aunts, uncles and cousins. Visitation will be conducted from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday at the Branchburg Funeral Home, 910 Highway 202 south, Branchburg, with prayer services beginning at 4:30 p.m. Committal will be private at the request of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his memory to Robert Wood Johnson Bristol Meyers Squibb Children's Hospital, 1 Robert Wood Johnson Place, New Brunswick, NJ 08903.