Obituary of Willis Wardell

Willis D. "Chubby" Wardell, Jr., 68, of Neptune passed away surrounded by his family on Monday, January 7, 2013 at Jersey Shore University Medical Center. Dick was a lifelong Neptune City and Neptune resident, and was a member of the first graduating class of the new Neptune High School in 1962. Starting as a lineman in 1962 for JCP & L, Chubby served as a President of Local 1309, and then retired in 2006 as the President of the I.B.E.W. System Council U-3. He was a life and exempt member, and past President of United Fire Company #1, Neptune City, serving as Chief in 1976. Chubby was presently serving as Secretary for the Relief Association of the Fire Department. Willis was a member of the Atonement Lutheran Church, Asbury Park. He was just re-appointed to the Neptune Township Harbor Commission. Dick also served on the Neptune Township Planning Board and was an assistant coach of many baseball and basketball teams for his children. Chubby was a founding member of the WaKeMo Construction Ass. His family and friends remember him by this saying "If I say the huckleberries are ripe, go grab a bucket!" Willis was predeceased by his parents, Willis D. "Pop" & Katherine Wardell, Sr. and a sister, Carolyne Gentile. He is survived by his wife, Anne Wardell nee Crowell; two daughters, Lisa Rummel and her husband, Walter of Neptune City and Annemarie Wardell of Neptune City; two sons, Tom Gentile of Cape Coral and Joe Gentile and his wife, Cindy of Avon; five grandchildren, Kayla, Meghan, Sean, Catherine, & Trevor; a sister, Dot Smith and her husband, Jim of Wall; a brother, Ted Wardell and his wife, Reenie of Neptune City; two nephews, Teddy and Andrew; and two nieces, Heather and Kate; four great nephews; two great nieces; his aunt, Mary Gross of Neptune; many cousins; and countless loving and caring friends. Visiting at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township on Thursday, January 10, 2013 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his 11:00 AM Funeral Service at the funeral home on Friday, January 11, 2013. Entombment will follow in Monmouth Memorial Park, Tinton Falls. For those who desire, memorial contributions in memory of Chubby may be made to The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation, 5526 West 13400 South, #510, Salt Lake City, Utah 84096 or Atonement Lutheran Church, 308 First Avenue, Asbury Park, New Jersey 07712. For information, directions or condolence messages to the family, visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com.