Bruce J. Sliker

Bruce J. Sliker, 88, of Califon, NJ, passed away on November 6, 2025 at Hackettstown Hospital. He was born February 3, 1937 in Tettertown (Lebanon Township), New Jersey, the first of five sons born to the late Wilbur & Louise (Gross) Sliker.

Bruce is survived by his children Brent, Jennifer (O'Dell), and Jeanette; grandchildren Jami (Williamson), Timothy, Jenevieve (O'Dell), and Jenine (O'Dell); 8 great grandchildren; brothers Glenn "Wib" & Trent; and several nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 59 years Genevieve Sliker (Milligan), brothers Wayne and Keith "Scrub" Sliker, and grandson Gary.

Bruce was in the Air National Guard for 35 years, dedicating his service time solely to working in the motorpool at McGuire Air Force. He was a member of the Lebanon Township Committee as well as having held the position of Lebanon Township Mayor on 3 separate terms.

In 1957, Bruce became a member of the Califon Fire Department, having remained one until passing.

Bruce became a Grange member in 1959, holding the position of Mount Lebanon Grange President for several years; in addition to being the local chapter president, Bruce was also the Hunterdon Pomona Grange Master and one half of the New Jersey Young Couple in 1964.

At a very young age, Bruce found himself fascinated by the mechanics of both cars and airplanes, often working on both alongside his father. This interest led to him having a career as a mechanic with Cooper Ford and, later, the Lebanon Township Road Department.

Having a career which he truly loved, Bruce also spent his spare time watching NASCAR and tinkering around with his favorite car – the Ford T-Bird.

In 1973, Bruce played an integral part in bringing his brother-in-law, Joseph, home for a weekend after having been a POW for nearly 6 years in Vietnam.

A former member and Deacon of Grandin Presbyterian Church, Bruce also held the role of Session (Elder) of Lower Valley Presbyterian Church.

Instrumental in creating both the Lebanon Township Historians as well as the the Bunnvale Library, Bruce dedicated his later years to reminiscing and telling his many stories to others.

A gathering of friends and family will be held beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, November 22, 2025 at the Lower Valley Presbyterian Church at 445 County Rd 513, Califon, NJ 07830. If you are not feeling well, for the safety of others, please join us virtually LIVE on the Lower Valley Presbyterian Church's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/LowerValleyPresbyterianChurch/.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the New Jersey State Fireman's Association (1711 Route 34 South, Wall Township, NJ, 07727).

For those wishing to leave online condolences for the family, please visit, www.cochranfuneral.com