John was born in Matawan, NJ, raised in Washington Twp., NJ and graduated from Washington High School. He proudly served in the US Navy from 1957 to 1959. John had a 20-year career as an Oil Burner Technician and General Manager for Hackettstown Oil Company. After retiring from the oil industry, he and his brother, Arthur, started building houses for their company, Big Brother Home. John then transitioned to truck driving for his and his son’s business, John Pflugfelder & Son. Most recently, he retired from Cassidy Transportation where he drove a transport van; he enjoyed all his jobs but really enjoyed this one! "Mr. John" loved driving those special kids!
John was a member of the Musconetcong F&AM Lodge #42, the Tri-County Fire Company in Mansfield Twp., NJ and the Panther Valley Ecumenical Church. John took great pride in being a constant presence in the lives of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren; he made it a point to be at every ball game and school event cheering them on, his family was his world.
John was predeceased by his parents, Arthur and Hazel (Snyder) Pflugfelder; his grandson, Bernie; and his siblings, Arthur and Betty. He is survived by his beloved wife, Katherine “Kathy” Pflugfelder; his children, Melissa Walge, John F. Pflugfelder, Jr. (Tracy), and Judy Pflugfelder-Smith (Andrew Smith); his grandchildren, Nancy, John Tyson, Ashlee, Elizabeth, Derek, Payton, Jakob, Aaron, Jordan and Sadie; his great-grandchildren, Theo, Landen, Lilly, Cooper, Remington, Sophia, Ryleigh, Buck, Bernie, Jak, Kaylynn, Colton, Ava, Leland and Briar; and his sister, Doris Hall. John also leaves behind his brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and friends.
The family wishes to extend their sincerest gratitude to Elizabeth for her role in John and Kathy’s care over the last few years; her commitment to them has greatly enriched the lives of the entire family.
Visitation will be held from 4 pm to 7 pm on Monday, April 10, 2023, at Smith-McCracken Funeral Home, 63 High St., Newton, NJ, with a Masonic Service at 7pm. Funeral Services will take place at 10 am on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, at the funeral home, followed by interment in Tranquility Cemetery, 19 Maple Ln, Green Twp., NJ.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in John’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl, Memphis, TN 38105. Online condolences may be offered below.
