Obituary of Harry Van Dexter III

Harry Van Dexter passed away on Wednesday, October 18th. Born on January 25th, 1926, he was 97 years old. The only child of the late Harry (Henry) Van Dexter and Ethel May Johnson, Harry was the loving husband of Frances E. Van Dexter, nee Koelmel, for 71 years. In addition to Frances, he is survived by his five children, Kurt (Janice), Karen (John), Erik (Debbie), Kristian (Karen), and Heidi (Bill); as well as six grandchildren Wayne, Kristina, Andrea, Max, Ryan, and Erin; and four great grandchildren Xavier, Aurora, Luna, and Iris. Harry was a gifted architect, artist, Schuhplattler dancer, musician, and wonderful generous human being. Harry was raised in Pitman and graduated from Pitman High School in 1944. After serving in WWII from 1944-1946 with Patton's 10th Armored Division, then attending and graduating in 1952 from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY. Harry returned home to Gloucester County to establish his career and raise his family. Harry was an architect for several firms in South Jersey before starting his own business in 1963. Harry was known for his love of Bavarian music, Bavarian folkdance, and Bavarian architecture. This influence was sometimes evident in the many commercial, municipal, and professional structures which he designed throughout southern New Jersey. Harry was a life member of the GTV Almrausch Schuhplattler dance group in Philadelphia, lifetime and oldest member of Highland Chemical Engine Company in Pitman, and a member of the Hurffville Volunteer Fire Company in Hurffville. Friends may greet the family on from 6-8pm on Monday and on Tuesday 9:30-10:30am in the Kelley Funeral Home, 125 Pitman Ave., Pitman, NJ. Funeral Mass will be at Tuesday at 11am in The Catholic Community of the Holy Spirit, 17 Earlington Ave, Mullica Hill, NJ 08062. Interment St. Joseph's Cemetery, Woodstown. Those desiring may make a contribution to the Highland Chemical Engine Company, 109 Woodland Ave, Pitman, NJ or to Hurffville Volunteer Fire Company, 213 East Holly Ave, Sewell, NJ 08080.