Obituary of James E. Berkeyheiser

James E. Berkeyheiser Jr. 94 of the White Horse section of Hamilton died April 11, 2017. He was born in Trenton and has been a lifelong area resident, a 1940 graduate of Hamilton High School, He served in the US Navy from 1942 to 1948 and from 1950 to 1952 as a Chief Aviation Electronics Technician Mate. In 1955 he received a diploma in Practical Radio Engineering from Capital Radio Institute. He graduated from Drexel University in 1960 with a BS Degree in Electrical Engineering. He was employed at David Sarnoff Research Center in Dutch Neck for 37 years. He also served as Chief of the RCA Labs Fire Brigade for 25 years. He was a member of the Pearson Memorial United Methodist Church and a past scoutmaster of Troop 37, which was sponsored by the church. He was a life member, past president, past assistant chief, and past trustee of the White Horse Volunteer Fire Company. He was a member since 1948 and a member of the company's 750 club. He was the recipient of the Member of the Century Award, and was an honorary member of the White Horse Volunteer Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary. James was a life member of the New Jersey State Fireman's Association of which he served as Sergeant at Arms since 1963. He was a life member and past president of the Mercer County Fireman's Association. He was a life member of the International Fire Chiefs Association. He was a member of the NJ State Fire Chiefs Association. He was a life member and past commander of the Joseph McNerney Disabled American Veterans Chapter 41, life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars post 491, life member of the American Legion Post 1000, and member of Robbinsville Elks Lodge No. 2580. He was a member and (past or) president of the Golden Nuggets Senior Citizens of White Horse. Son of the late Edward J. and Mary Ann (Wood) Berkeyheiser, husband of the late Hazel M. (Lollar) Berkeyheiser, father of the late James Michael Berkeyheiser, he is survived by his son and daughter in law Jeffrey and Edel Berkeyheiser of Ecorse, MI, daughter in law Julieann of Hamilton, three grandchildren, Michael J. Berkeyheiser, Christine Maziarz, and Kelsey Varga, one sister Lucille Celmer of Florida, and several cousins, nieces and nephews. Funeral Services will be celebrated on Friday, April 21 at 11:00am at Knott's Colonial Funeral Home 2946 South Broad Street, Hamilton. Interment will be in Riverview Cemetery, Trenton. Relatives and friends may call on Thursday, April 20 from 5:00-8:00pm at the funeral home.