Birth Date: 05/15/1931
Deceased Date: 12/07/2018
John F. Gellenthin, Jr., 87, passed away at his home on Friday, December 7, 2018.
He was born in Mantua, NJ on May 15, 1931 to the late John F. (Sr) and Elizabeth (O’Hara) Gellenthin. John graduated from Woodbury High School in 1948, and immediately enlisted into the United States Navy serving honorably for 4 years during the Korean war. During this time, he met and subsequently married his favorite choir girl, Miriam A. Ellis on September 12, 1953. Together they built their dream home in Barnsboro, NJ where they raised their six children and fostered more than 22 children over the years. John and his wife, Miriam (Mim) retired to Smithfield, NC in 1997.
John provided for his family by pursuing one of his greatest passions in life, land surveying and planning. He secured a position as a beginner with a land surveying company. From that moment, his career immediately flourished. He soon became one of the best in the industry. John was chairman of the newly established Mantua Township Planning Board and a founding member as well as 1st & 2nd year president of the Surveyors Association of West Jersey. One of John’s proudest moments was when he and his wife decided to start a family land surveying business; where they were able to have all 4 sons working with them at the same time. A one of a kind situation in the industry.
John was a dedicated husband, father, son, brother, grandfather and uncle. He has been a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints since joining in 1962. Whatever position he was asked to serve within the church, he always served with his whole heart. He sacrificed much to ensure his family would be together forever by making the journey to Salt Lake City, Utah in 1966 where they were sealed in the LDS temple for time and all eternity.
John is survived by his beautiful bride, Miriam A. (Ellis) Gellenthin, his children Scott, Jeffrey, Gail and James, 20 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. John, is predeceased by his son Donald and daughter Judith.
Visitation and funeral services will be held at: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Smithfield Ward building, 303 Canterbury Road, Smithfield, NC 27577. Friends may call on Friday, December 14 from 10:00 to 11:30AM. A celebration of Life will begin at 12:00. Interment will be at the Maplewood Cemetery in Clayton, NC.
In lieu of flowers, you are invited to make a contribution to the New Jersey Society of Professional Land Surveyors, for a land surveying scholarship fund in memory of John F. Gellenthin, PLS.
Please visit www.parrishfh.com to leave a note of condolence to his family.
