Earl Stokeley Stanton Sr.

Earl Stokeley Stanton Sr., age 68, went to be with his Lord on April 26, 2012 after a long battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife, Mary Lou of Pittsgrove, his son, Earl Jr. along with grandchildren, Earl III and Meranda of Palm Bay, FL, and his sister Cynthia Bradway (Clyde) of Millville. Also he is survived by a "Special" nephew, Lowell "Scott" Stanton (Laura) of Yorktown, VA. He was predeceased by his parents, Rev. Stanley R. and Lois Stanton who had been residents of Cedarville and three brothers, Stanley, John Morgan and Lowell Stanton. Mr. Stanton was a 1961 graduate of Bridgeton High School. After graduation he served 26 years in the United States Air Force. He served in Vietnam as a radio communications technician. He finished his career as the Superintendent of Maintenance for $750 million in electronics equipment for the first Ground Launched Cruise Missile Site in Germany. He earned 11 medals including Three Air Force Commendation Medals for outstanding performance, the U.S. Vietnam Medal with Two Battle Stars and the New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal. He retired as a Master Sergeant in 1987. Following his service he worked for 18 years in retail management. He retired to Pittsgrove in 2006 where he served as a member of the Pittsgrove Township Board of Education. Earl earned an AA in electronics, a BA cum laude in history and sociology from the University of Tampa, an MSA in administration from the University of Maryland and a Doctorate in Religious Humanities from the Universalist School of Theology. Interment will take place at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions are suggested in Earl's memory to the Cedarville United Methodist Church, 206 Main St., Cedarville, NJ 08311. Written condolences and tributes may be sent to the family by utilizing the funeral home website, freitagfuneralhome.com. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the FREITAG FUNERAL HOME in Bridgeton.