Edwin Deacon III

Edwin Deacon III
Edwin Deacon III, 83, of Phillipsburg, N.J., passed away Tuesday, September 11, 2007, at Warren Hospital, Phillipsburg. He was born October 18, 1923, in Phillipsburg, son of the late Edwin Deacon Jr. and Caroline Saar Deacon. He lived in Phillipsburg all of his life. He and his wife, the former Olga H. Smulick, observed their 57th wedding anniversary on June 23. Edwin served with the Phillipsburg Police Department from 1949 until 1979. For many years, he served as a detective and was chief of the police department. He also worked at the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission until retiring in 1987. He was a graduate of Phillipsburg High School. He was a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church, Phillipsburg, where he served on the board of trustees. He was a former member of the board of directors of Fairmount Cemetery, Phillipsburg, and served as its president, a life member of New Jersey State P.B.A. Local 56, a member of the Warren County Police Chiefs Association, a founding member of the Phillipsburg Pistol Club, and a life member of Reliance Hose Company, Phillipsburg, Phillipsburg Exempt Firemens Association and the New Jersey Exempt Firemens Association. He was an Army veteran of World War II, serving with the 141st Ordnance Division in the Pacific theater. Survivors: Wife; sons, Edwin Deacon IV of Bangor, Thomas W. Deacon of Phillipburg, Robert P. Deacon and his wife Chris of Bangor; three grandchildren, three great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two brothers, John W. Budd and Joseph Budd. Services: 11 a.m. Saturday, September 15, Rupell Funeral Home, 465 Memorial Parkway, Phillipsburg. Calling hours will be held at 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Friday, September 14, at the funeral home. Burial, Fairmount Cemetery, Phillipsburg. Contributions: In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Wesley United Methodist Church, Miller Street at Potts Avenue, Phillipsburg, NJ 08865.