Joseph N. Ehret Jr. died peacefully at home on Saturday, Feb. 17th in Port St. Lucie, Florida surrounded by his family. Joe was born on July 30th, 1925 to Joseph N. Ehret Sr. and Geraldine Searles Ehret in Trenton, NJ. He was the third of four children (Grant, Bert and Elaine) and grew up in Spring Lake and Sea Girt, NJ. Joe graduated Spring Lake Grammar School (now H.W. Mountz) in 1938 and attended Manasquan High School, graduating in 1942. In High School, Joe played Soccer, Basketball and Baseball.
Joe enlisted in the Army Air Corps in August 1943. He was stationed in England between 1944-1945 and served with the 8th Air Force during World War II, as a navigator on a B-17 bomber. Upon discharge, Joe was engaged to Verna Bryan (Belmar) Christmas Day 1945 and they were married on June 30th, 1946 at St. Uriel’s Episcopal Church in Sea Girt, NJ. Together they had four children: Cheryl Lorraine, Valerie Jeanne, Joseph Nicholas, and Bryan Kimberly who they raised on Winding Brook Lane in Wall Township. Joe and Verna were married for 67 years until Verna’s passing on March 13th, 2014 in Port St. Lucie, FL.
He received his B.S. in Accounting from Temple University, PA (1951) and a Master of Public Administration from Rider University, NJ (1974). Joe worked for the Bendix Corporation as a cost accountant from 1952-1968. He served on the Wall Township Committee 1963-1970, with two terms as Mayor 1965-1967. Joe served in the Monmouth County and State governments from 1968-1972 and was appointed by the Governor to the position of Assistant Commissioner of Community Affairs for the State of New Jersey 1972-1974. He returned to Wall Township as Administrator 1974-1985.
Joseph was predeceased by his wife Verna, grandson Cristian Zeak, parents Joseph and Geraldine, brother Grant, and sister Elaine. He is survived by his brother Bert Ehret, children Cheryl (David) Zeak, Valerie Ehret, Joseph (Cyndi) Ehret and Bryan (Debra) Ehret; Grandchildren Jay (Kimberly) Ehret, Eryn Zeak, Jocelyn (Bobby) Stadnik, Joey (Jaimie) White, Dana Ehret, Alyssa (Jim) Fagen, Nicholas (Karina) Ehret and Jessica (Cesar) Bautista; Great Grandchildren Bryan (Jessica) Ehret, Jonathan Ehret, Christopher Ehret, Dakota Ehret, Mitchell Stadnik, Rachel Stadnik, Doyle Fagen, Cowan Fagen, one Great Great Grandchild Riku Ehret and many nieces and nephews.
A service for both Joseph and Verna will be held on May 11th at St. Uriel’s Church, Sea Girt, NJ followed by internment at St. Uriel's. Repast information will be provided during the service.
