Obituary of Samuel E. Essler

Samuel Elton Essler, 89 also known as "Scratchie" Essler, went home to be with the Lord on March 8, 2011. He was born in Salem and a lifetime resident of Salem County. He was the son of Samuel Elton Essler, Sr. and Helen Sanderlin also of Salem County. He served in WWII in the Navy on the USS Drayton from 1941 to 1945, served as a Police Officer in Salem City from 1946 to 1952, was employed as an operator at Atlantic City Electric, and became owner and operator of Essler's Barber Shop on N. Broadway in Pennsville, until he retired after 44 years. He was a lifetime member of VFW Toulson Post 253, in Tilbury, Elsinboro, NJ, a member of the Penns Grove Masonic Lodge 54 F&AM from 1966 to 2011 and Worshipful Master 1979 & 1989, a member of the Salem County F.O.P., and a member of Cedarville Baptist Church. He is Survived by his wife, Alice Retman Penn Essler, his children, Raymond Essler of CA., Elton Essler, of LAC., Dorothy Bragg-Litomisky of LA., and Barbara Jo Essler Doughty of Woodstown, stepsons, William Penn (Donna) and John Penn (Carol) of Pennsville. He has 6 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren, 6 step grandchildren, 14 step great grandchildren, 1 step great great grandson. Predeceased by four siblings, Helen Jennie Heintz, Eunice May Essler, Ivy Essler and Elwood Raymond Essler. "Scratchie" was a strong, tough man. He loved his barbershop where he socialized with friends. He had a very strong bond to the Masonic Lodge and Church. Later on in years he and his wife, Alice, loved to travel and they loved plotting and planning their yearly vegetable and flower garden. He would enjoy peacefully sitting in his screened porch watching the various species of birds all year long. He has always had a love for fishing with family and friends. His greatest hobby was the intricate art of fine woodworking and would lovingly give his works of art to family and friends to cherish for a lifetime. Funeral Services will be held at 11am Saturday, March 12, at Laughrey Funeral Pennsville. Friends may call between 10 and 11 am prior to the service. Burial will follow at the Salem County Veterans Cemetery in Mannington/Pilesgrove. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to: Meals on Wheels, 118 Walnut Street, Salem, N.J. 08079.