Photo courtesy of Peppler Funeral Home - Allentown
Allentown, New Jersey
Sep 10, 1932 – Jul 22, 2024
Mearl R. Challender, 91, of Cream Ridge, passed away Monday, July 22, 2024 surrounded by his loving wife of 67 years and his three children. Born in Trenton, Mearl was a 1950 graduate of Trenton Central High School. A US Air Force Veteran during the Korean war, he was stationed at Pusan East K-9 Airforce Base and served with the Military Police with his K-9 Bullet. Following his discharge from the service, Mearl went to Trenton Junior College. He worked for Lanning Engineering for several years before working as a Highway Engineer for the State of New Jersey, Department of Transportation, retiring after 33 years of employment.
Mearl loved adventure and traveled all over the world. He kept active with many hobbies including skiing, hiking, SCUBA diving, white water rafting, and biking. He recently converted to Catholicism and received his sacraments at the Easter Vigil Mass at St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church.
Above all, Mearl was devoted to his family. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather.
Son of the late Mary and Mearl Challender; he was predeceased by his brother, Richard Challender and his daughter-in-law, Annalisa Challender. He is survived by his devoted wife, Catherine A. Challender; his loving children, Mearl R. Challender, Janet Kicinski, and Kathleen Giraldi; his grandchildren, James Challender, Julie Challender, Christopher Challender, Maria Ervin (Jason), and Katie Mottola (Carl); his great grandchildren, Catherine and Eleanor Ervin and Karla and Thomas Mottola; as well as his cat and companion, Ol’ Blue Eyes.
A viewing will be held Thursday, July 25th from 6-8 pm and again Friday, July 26th from 10-11am at the Peppler Funeral Home, 114 S. Main St., Allentown, NJ. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:30am on Friday, July 26th at St. John the Baptist RC Church, 1282 Yardville-Allentown Rd., Allentown, NJ. Interment will follow in Emley’s Hill Cemetery, Cream Ridge.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mearl’s name to Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the B.V.M., Eden Hill, Stockbridge, MA 01263 www.thedivinemercy.org/amh
Read MoreI´m so sorry for your loss. I was Mearl´s barber for many years. I will miss him and his stories of his indoor/outdoor cat ol´ blue eyes.
Mike
October 16, 2024 | Friend
Single Tree
Christine and Allie Busacca
July 26, 2024 | Trenton, NJ
Single Tree
Deborah and Robert Jones
July 26, 2024 | Middletown, NJ
Single Tree
Vartika, Alok and Shanaya
July 25, 2024 | Robbinsville, NJ
My condolences to the Challender Family. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
MJ Chiacchio
July 25, 2024 | Other
Although I haven´t kept in touch I will always be grateful for Mearl spending so much quality time with me as a kid. I remember the first time he took me on a hike at Washington crossing park. But that was only the beginning we hiked and camped up at the Appalachian trail and those were some of the best times of my life. I remember Mearl always stopping on the side porch asking for the basketball to try one long shot at the hoop. Mearl I am sad at your passing but so happy you lived such a...
Bobby Richards
July 25, 2024 | Friend
Single Tree
Jeanne and Ken Eschbach
July 25, 2024 | Trenton, NJ
Sorry for your loss. Have nice memories of the whole Challender family !!! RIP
Joan Czeizinger-Sherrard
July 25, 2024 | Family
Janet. So sorry for the loss of your father. You and your family are in my prayers
Jeff Simone
July 24, 2024 | Other
