Lifetime Freehold Resident John Clayton Dies at 89

John B. “Jack” Clayton, 89, of Freehold Township passed away with his family by his side on Wednesday, December 11, 2013 at CentraState Medical Center.  

Jack was born in Freehold and was a lifelong resident of the area.  He was a U.S. Navy Veteran during World War II serving in both the South Pacific and on a destroyer in the Atlantic.  Jack was a member of Carpenter’s Union Local 2250 in Red Bank for 55 years before retiring in 1989.  

He was a member and Life Deacon at the First Baptist Church of Freehold.  Jack served as the Chairman of the Christian Board of Education, Board of Trustees, and Building Committee at the church.  He was a former church moderator, member and past president of the Married Couples Club and a 45 year member of the church bowling league.  

Jack is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of sixty five years, M. Jane Clayton; two sons, John Jay Clayton of Manalapan and Dennis J. Clayton and his wife, Linda of Tinton Falls; two daughters, Darlene Hoffman and her husband, Ralph of Freehold Township and Sharon L. Clayton of Freehold Township; four grandchildren, Keith Hoffman, Alison Hoffman, Steven Clayton and Jeffrey Clayton.

Visitation will be held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township on Monday, December 16, 2013 from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 PM.  Relatives `and friends are invited to attend his 11:00 AM funeral service at the First Baptist Church of Freehold, 81 West Main Street, Freehold, with the Rev. William Frederickson officiating.  Interment will follow in Maplewood Cemetery, Freehold.  For those who desire, memorial contributions may be made to the Abiding Memorial Fund, First Baptist Church of Freehold, 81 West Main Street, Freehold, NJ 07728.  For information, directions or condolence messages to the family, visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com.