February 15, 2022
by Jean Johnson
John William Menschner Sr., Patriarch and Founder of the Howell First Aid & Rescue Squad #1, passed away peacefully on February 6, 2022, in Vermont. He was 95 years old.
John was born on November 17, 1926, in Newark, NJ. He moved to East Keansburg, NJ with wife Henrietta Kohn Menschner and was a member of the East Keansburg First Aid for 5 years.
John moved to Howell in 1955, and noticed there was no first aid, and thought “Maybe I can
start one.” To meet new people and find potential members, John joined the Southard Fire Dept. #1. With $1,000 from the Township, John and 9 charter members started the Howell Twp. First Aid & Rescue Squad #1. It was officially incorporated in 1957. John continued being a part of the First Aid throughout his life. John’s leadership and dedication forever changed the township of Howell, and the lives of every man and women associated with the Howell First Aid Squad.
Other things that kept John busy, were his job as a machinist at FEL in Farmingdale, working as a part-time funeral assistant for Lakewood Funeral Home, Lakewood, and Van Hise & Callaghan Funeral Home, Point Pleasant. John was a member of the Elks Lodge and the Masons.
John also had seven children with wife Henrietta. He taught them about the importance of an honest day’s work, standing by your word, and of setting a good example for your children.
He gave you honesty and wisdom whenever you asked.
John loved boats and water and he would often drive along the shore, stopping at the Manasquan Inlet to watch the boats pass by. He also enjoyed being at the Manasquan Reservoir. He was a big fan of car racing and you could often find him sitting on the bleachers at Wall Stadium. He enjoyed traveling by car and did many road trips. He was a huge Yankees fan, too.
John was a man of pride and honor. John was a Patriotic man, who loved his country and his community.
Besides Howell, John lived in Point Pleasant and Lakewood, NJ, before moving to Vermont in 2020, to live with daughter Liz in Vermont.
John is preceded in death by his brothers, Harold and Charles, his ex-wife, Henrietta, daughter Jo-Ann and son Robert Menschner Sr. He is survived by 5 children, John Menschner Jr. and wife Dianne, in Oregon, Elizabeth and husband Frank, in Vermont, Carole in Florida, Jean and husband Dave, in Texas, William and wife Fran, in Howell. Grandchildren, Donald, Robert Jr., Allison, Tara, Sherri, Jenni, Janai, Crystal, Amanda and Daniel. Great-grandchildren, Connor, Emily, Tyler, Andrew, Aidan, Brady, Caleb, Jessie, Nickolas, Julian, great great grandchild, Raven. John also had 5 nieces and nephews, Cathy, Douglas, Christopher, Ellen and Susan.
John was born on November 17, 1926, in Newark, NJ. He moved to East Keansburg, NJ with wife Henrietta Kohn Menschner and was a member of the East Keansburg First Aid for 5 years.
John moved to Howell in 1955, and noticed there was no first aid, and thought “Maybe I can
start one.” To meet new people and find potential members, John joined the Southard Fire Dept. #1. With $1,000 from the Township, John and 9 charter members started the Howell Twp. First Aid & Rescue Squad #1. It was officially incorporated in 1957. John continued being a part of the First Aid throughout his life. John’s leadership and dedication forever changed the township of Howell, and the lives of every man and women associated with the Howell First Aid Squad.
Other things that kept John busy, were his job as a machinist at FEL in Farmingdale, working as a part-time funeral assistant for Lakewood Funeral Home, Lakewood, and Van Hise & Callaghan Funeral Home, Point Pleasant. John was a member of the Elks Lodge and the Masons.
John also had seven children with wife Henrietta. He taught them about the importance of an honest day’s work, standing by your word, and of setting a good example for your children.
He gave you honesty and wisdom whenever you asked.
John loved boats and water and he would often drive along the shore, stopping at the Manasquan Inlet to watch the boats pass by. He also enjoyed being at the Manasquan Reservoir. He was a big fan of car racing and you could often find him sitting on the bleachers at Wall Stadium. He enjoyed traveling by car and did many road trips. He was a huge Yankees fan, too.
John was a man of pride and honor. John was a Patriotic man, who loved his country and his community.
Besides Howell, John lived in Point Pleasant and Lakewood, NJ, before moving to Vermont in 2020, to live with daughter Liz in Vermont.
John is preceded in death by his brothers, Harold and Charles, his ex-wife, Henrietta, daughter Jo-Ann and son Robert Menschner Sr. He is survived by 5 children, John Menschner Jr. and wife Dianne, in Oregon, Elizabeth and husband Frank, in Vermont, Carole in Florida, Jean and husband Dave, in Texas, William and wife Fran, in Howell. Grandchildren, Donald, Robert Jr., Allison, Tara, Sherri, Jenni, Janai, Crystal, Amanda and Daniel. Great-grandchildren, Connor, Emily, Tyler, Andrew, Aidan, Brady, Caleb, Jessie, Nickolas, Julian, great great grandchild, Raven. John also had 5 nieces and nephews, Cathy, Douglas, Christopher, Ellen and Susan.