Gladys M. Whilden

Gladys M. Whilden

AGE: 98 •

Gladys M. Whilden, 98, went to be with the Lord, her Creator and Savior, on April 25, 2015. Born in Quinton, NJ, as the only child of Ellwood Zaccheus Rudolph and Anna Fisher Rudolph, she grew up in nearby Salem in a house built by her father. Graduating from Salem High School and Glassboro State Teachers' College, she worked as a teacher prior to becoming a full time home-maker. She and her husband, Dr. Charles Steelman Whilden, former local pastor and Ocean County Superintendent of Schools, lived in Allentown, Ocean Grove and Toms River. Active all her life as a volunteer, Mrs. Whilden served countless hours at both Jersey Shore Medical Center in Neptune and Community Hospital in Toms River, as well as at the Healthcare section of Harrogate in Lakewood, the retirement community where she resided since 1989. Gladys was a former Chairperson of the Ocean County Christian Women's Club. In addition, she was a member of the United Methodist Homes of New Jersey Board of Trustees and was honored by that organization as a "Senior of Distinction" for her years of service.

Following the death of her husband in 1968, Gladys joined the staff of the First United Methodist Church, Toms River as the Parish Visitor. An active member of her church, she served on several boards and committees including being President of the United Methodist Women. She was the founder of her church's Prayer and Share Ministry and was a delegate for many years at the Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church in NJ. All of her service flowed out of her life-long faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Mrs. Whilden was a loving mother and grandmother to her son and daughter-in-law, Dr. Dale C. and Carol Whilden and grandson and his wife Rev. Jordan D. and Brittany Whilden.

Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Wednesday, April 29 from 3-5 and 7-9 pm at Orender Family Home for Funerals, 2643 Old Bridge Road, Manasquan. A "Celebration of Life Service" will be held at the funeral home Wednesday evening at 7 pm. Interment will be private at Riverside Cemetery, Toms River. At the request of the family, memorial donations may be made online to the First United Methodist Church of Toms River (www.fumctr.org) or The Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association (www.oceangrove.org and then click on donate). To send condolences to the family or obtain directions to the funeral home, please visit www.orenderfamilyhome.com.