Wendell Everett Ayers

Wendell Everett Ayers, 86, of Wantage Twp. died unexpectedly at home on April 26, 2013.

Born to Everett B. and Evelyn M. Ayers in Sussex, he has been a lifelong resident of Wantage Twp.

Ayers served with the United States Navy during WWII and then worked as a lineman for Jersey Central Power and Light in Newton for 35 years before retiring in 1985. He took great joy in hunting and fishing and was a loving father, grandfather and great grandfather.

Ayers was predeceased by his wife, Virginia Ann Ayers (2006).

He is survived by his children Wendy Shear and her husband, Jeff Breed of Crystal Lake, Ill.; grandchildren Christopher E. Shear of Palatine, Ill. and Kevin Shear and his wife, Amy of Marengo, Ill.; and great grandchildren Lincoln W. and Ashlynn Shear.

Memorial service will be Wednesday, May 1 at the Sussex United Methodist Church, Sussex, NJ at 10 a.m. Cremation was private. Funeral arrangements are by Ferguson Funeral Home, 27 Third Street, Sussex.

Memorial gifts to the COPD Foundation, 2937 SW 27th Avenue, Suite 302, Miami, FL 33133, www.copdfoundation.org would be appreciated.

For information and condolences visit fergusonsussexfuneralhome.com.