George Robert Kelder Sr.

1934 - 2016

George Robert Kelder, Sr.

AGE: 82 • Freehold Borough

George Robert Kelder, Sr., formerly of Freehold Borough died at home on Thursday March 3, 2016.

Born on Sunday February 11, 1934 in Freehold he was a borough resident most of his life moving to Howell Township in 2001.

George graduated Saint Rose of Lima Grammar School in 1948 and Freehold Boro High School in 1952. He entered the U.S. Navy at the Bainbridge, Maryland Naval Training Center that summer and was honorably discharged in 1956 having served aboard the Destroyer Radar Picket Ship #714 U.S.S. William R. Rush during the Korean Conflict. Upon his discharge he played semi-professional football for several years with the Jersey Sharks headquartered at Wall Stadium in Wall Township.

He was employed by the State of New Jersey, the Phelps Dodge Company, Trap Rock Industries, W.E. Timmerman Company and the Borough of Freehold until his retirement in 1994 where he served as Senior Engineering Aid, Senior Purchasing Assistant and Administrative Assistant to the Borough Administrator.

Mr. Kelder was a communicant of Saint Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church where he previously served as an extra-ordinary minister of the Eucharist and Usher. He was an Ex-Captain of the Freehold Borough Volunteer Fire Department Engine Co. #1 of which he volunteered 21 years. He was also the Engine Company #1 Secretary Treasurer for 17 years. He was a member of the Freehold Exempt Association, Life member of the New Jersey State Firemen's Exempt Association, American Legion Freehold Post #54, the U.S.S. William R. Rush Association, and the Tin Can Sailors Association. He was the co-founder/director of the Courthouse Volunteers Fife and Drum Corp. and a member of the Company of Fifers and Drummers.

He served on the Freehold Borough Council from 1995 to 2001, was Council President 1998-99 and Police Commissioner from 1995 until 2001.

Mr. Kelder was a member of the Friends of the Freehold Borough Library and the Freehold Borough Housing Authority serving as commissioner from 1995 to the present.

He is survived by his wife the former Joan J. Fallat, One son, George R. Kelder, Jr. and his wife Jennifer, Manasquan, two daughters: Michele and her husband Clayton Forman, Myrtle Beach, SC and Lisa Susan and her husband Donald Wagner, Freehold Township as well as seven grandchildren; Lauren, Christopher, R. Nevin, Jeffrey, Victoria, Benjamin and Patrick.

George's family is grateful for the support received since last summer from family and friends notably the VNA and Bayada Hospice staff in particular; Joshua, Stacey, Natala, Jane & Robin. We thank them for their humor, extraordinary care, compassion, and comfort.

Relatives and Friends may gather at the Freeman Funeral Home, 47 East Main Street, Freehold on Sunday March 6th from 3-8 p.m.

The Rite of Committal will begin at 9 a.m. on Monday March 7th at the funeral home followed by a Funeral Liturgy at 10 a.m. in the Chapel of Saint Rose of Lima, Freehold. Interment will follow on the family farm, Squirrel Town, Freehold Township. For those desiring memorial contributions may be made to: the New Jersey Funeral Service Education Corp., the Freehold Borough Fire Department or the Freehold First Aid.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam an dilís.