Donald W. Steward Sr

Donald W. Steward Sr., 65, a lifetime resident of Woodbury Heights.
Don was a member of the Woodbury Heights Fire Dept. for 50 years. He was made an honorary member at age 14, he served as Chief for 14 years; treasurer of the Fireman's Relief Assoc. for 4 years and is a life member of the NJ State Fireman's Assoc. Don was a member of the National Guard. He served on the Woodbury Heights Bicentennial Committee in 1976 & was selected by the US Jaycees as an Outstanding Young Man of America. Don was chairman of the Woodbury Heights Shade Tree Committee from 1977 to 1985. He served a one year elected term on Council in 1979 where he served as finance chairman. In 1982, Don was instrumental in starting the Neighborhood Dispute Committee with Municipal Judge David Keyko and served as its first chairman. He served 12 years as the Mayor of Woodbury Heights, 1987 - 1998. His last election was won in a write-in campaign which was the first successful write-in campaign ever in the county for Mayor. He is a past president and member of the Gloucester County Mayor's Assoc. & NJ Conference of Mayors. In 1998, Don was appointed to serve on the Robin's Nest board of directors and was appointed to an Ambassadorship to the Underwood Memorial Hospital. In 1999, he was appointed to the Advisory council and in 2000, he was appointed to serve as a director to the Foundation Board. He served on the board of the Red Cross. Don served on the Administrative Board, the finance committee and has chaired the stewardship committee for 5 years of the Kemble Memorial United Methodist Church. He was Commissioner of Elections in Gloucester County, appointed by Gov. Corzine. Don was an active member of the Rotary Club of Woodbury, he served on the Board of Directors and was chairman of the International Committee and the Foundation Chairman. In 1998, he served as chairman of a selection committee for the Gloucester County District of the Boy Scouts to find a Gloucester District Chairman and served on the Boy Scouts finance committee. He served on the advisory board of the Gloucester County Institute of Technology for 24 years. He was a member of Swedesboro-Paulsboro Masonic Lodge #157 F&AM. In June 2000, he was appointed to Project Get Straight Committee by Gloucester County Prosecuting Attorney, Andrew Yurick.
Don was President of W.B. Steward & Son Heating-Air Conditioning & Fuel Oil business, retiring in Oct. 2006. He was involved in the Fuel Merchants Assoc of NJ and served as VP of the Southern Region and trustee at large of the Oil Heat Assoc of South Jersey.

Don was predeceased by his parents Wilbert Bradshaw & Pearl C. Steward & brother Robert Owen Steward. He is survived by his wife Virginia Harre Steward; daughter Shelly S. (Jim) Mandel of Atco; son Donald W. (Leah) Steward Jr of West Deptford; 3 step daughters Virginia T.(Robert) Harriett of Medford, Judith T. (Dr.Randall) Link of Levittown, PA & Cheryl T. (Christopher) Roethke of Woodbury Hts.; sister Elizabeth (Volker) Ringleb of Post Aransas, TX; 6 grandchildren & 4 step grandchildren.

Visitation Tuesday 6 to 9pm and Wed. 9am until the service at 10am at the Kemble Memorial United Methodist Church 19 S. Broad St. Woodbury, NJ under the direction of DAVIS & WAGNER FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES Woodbury, NJ. Interment Eglington Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Kemble Memorial United Methodist Church or Woodbury Heights Fire Dept 500 Elm Ave. Woodbury Heights, NJ 08097.

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