Obituary of Alice R. Essler

Alice Retman Penn Essler , age 92 of Pennsville, passed away on Friday, February 24, 2017. Alice was born in Mannington and was the daughter of the late Vincent and Alice Retman of Quaker Neck Road in Salem. Alice grew up on her parents farm and attended Salem Schools. Upon graduation, she worked at Anchor Hocking Glass in the Clerical Department. After marrying and moving into the Pennsville area, Alice was known as the little lady at two banks; namely, City National Bank and then at the branch office in Pennsville. Alice then became the School Crossing Guard at Penn Beach School until she retired from the position in December 1990 with 20 years service. Alice was always proud to announce that she safely crossed all six of her grandchildren to school and so many more children of the community. In her later years, Alice became a member of the Penns Grove Chapter, No. 86 Order of the Eastern Star of New Jersey and a member of Cedarville Baptist Church. She enjoyed boating, fishing, dancing and attending various events that her family members became involved in throughout the years. Alice is survived by her two sons, William R. Penn and his wife Donna and John H. Penn and his wife Carol. She is also survived by 5 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, 7 great-great grandchildren, a sister, Ruth Jordan and two stepdaughters, Dorothy Bragg-Litomisky and Barbara Jo Essler Doughty. Alice was predeceased by her husband, Mark Penn in 1972, her second husband, Elton Essler in 2011, a granddaughter, "Dee Dee" Penn Horne in 2012, 2 sisters, Jeanette Smick and Rebecca Elwell and two stepsons, Raymond Essler and Elton Essler. Funeral services will be held 11 AM on Wednesday, March 1, at the Laughrey Funeral Home, Pennsville, where friends may call from 10 to 11 AM prior to the service. Burial will follow at the Eglington Cemetery in Clarksboro, N.J. www.laughreyfuneralhome.com