Obituary of Samuel Beck Drissel

Samuel Beck Drissel, age 89 years, of Turnersville, NJ, died May 3 at Vitas Hospice, Stratford, NJ. Born in Lansdale, PA, he served in the U.S. Navy during WWII as a Quartermaster 2nd Class on a Destroyer Escort performing convoy duty in the Atlantic. He married Sara Arlene "Dolly" nee Crouthamel on June 28, 1947. They lived in Pitman from 1950 - 1959, Glassboro 1959 - 1975 and Turnersville from 1975 through the present. In 1950, he opened Drissel's Ace Hardware with his younger brother Robert in Pitman. They opened a second store in Turnersville in 1973. Sam retired in 2005 at the age of 80, having worked for over 55 years. He was well respected throughout the Pitman, Glassboro and Turnersville areas as a solid businessman who ran his business which relied on excellent customer service to obtain and keep his customer base. Many current customers have been patronizing his establishments 40 years or more. He was known as a hard working merchant who taught his children and grandchildren a good work ethic and the fact that, in business and around town, your good name means everything. He was a member of the Washington Township Rotary Club since 1973, and was a charter member of St. James Lutheran Church in Pitman, along with his wife. Since retirement, he has enjoyed bowling with senior friends in Glassboro. They enjoyed their annual vacations to the Caribbean and enjoyed going out to dance. Predeceased by brothers Clyde Beck Drissel, Francis Beck Drissel and sister Kathryn Beck (Drissel) Sims. Survived by his wife of 66 years, Dolly, children Thomas (wife Kay), Christina (husband Lawrence Harker), Joseph (wife Kathy) and Sally (husband Paul Hemingway), 7 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, and brother Robert Beck Drissel. Friends may call on Wednesday from 7 to 9PM in the KELLEY FUNERAL HOME, 125 Pitman Ave., Pitman, NJ, and on Thursday from 10 to 10:45AM in St. James Lutheran Church, 400 Columbia Ave., Pitman, NJ 08071. Funeral service at 11AM. Interment Bethel Cemetery, Hurffville, NJ. Those desiring may make contributions to St. James Lutheran Church, Glory to God Fund at the listed address. Memories may be shared at www.kelleyfhpitman.com.