It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Lt. Col. Samuel M. Siler (Ret.), Father of Public Works Supervisor Mark Siler, on February 19, 2017. Sam served for many years as a member of Gloucester Township Council from Feb. 22, 1988 to Dec. 31, 2001, where he held the office of President from July 1, 1999 to June 30, 2000, and again as a Council Member from Jan. 2, 2012 to Dec. 31, 2015. Sam also dedicated much of his time to the community as an active member and participant of various other service organizations, activities and projects throughout Gloucester Township and Camden County. Sam was an important part of the community, and the Gloucester Township family, and he will be sorely missed.
Lt. Col. Samuel M. Siler, U.S. Army (Ret.), a long time resident of Gloucester Twp., NJ passed on Feb. 19, 2017 at the age of 84 yrs. He is the devoted husband of Joyce M. Siler (nee Carrington); the beloved father of Orrin W. Wright (Renate Lemarc) of Germany, and Mark E. Siler (Sharon McCann) of Gloucester Twp. He is the loving grandfather of Marc Samuel Siler, Kenneth Wright (Nadja) and Natalie Wright; as well as the proud great-grandfather of Noah Wright. Two nieces also survive him, Dawn Siler-Nixon (Claude Nixon) of FL, and Sharon Siler of NC. He was predeceased by all of his siblings.
Sam was born and raised in North Carolina, where he enlisted in the U.S. Armed Forces, serving three years with the U.S. Air Force, and afterwards an additional seventeen years with the U.S. Army. He was a Korea and Vietnam Veteran; retiring in 1974 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Over his years of service he received numerous decorations, medals and citations. He spent a number of years working at The Pentagon prior to his retirement.
Sam served as a Member of Gloucester Township Council from Feb. 22, 1988 to Dec. 31, 2001, where he held the office of President from July 1, 1999 to June 30, 2000. Years later, Sam was once again elected to serve as a Council Member from Jan. 2, 2012 to Dec. 31, 2015. He was active in numerous service organizations including Blackwood Rotary, endless fundraisers, Veteran’s activities, and countless community projects throughout Gloucester Township and Camden County. Many residents will always remember him as a pillar of the community.
Sam had a love for horses. Over the years he owned numerous Tennessee Walking Horses, and he received national recognition at many horse shows around the Country, in which his horses competed. He served as President of the Tennessee Walking Horse Association.
Viewings will be Monday, Feb. 27th, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM, and Tuesday, Feb. 28th, 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM, at Bethel Church Blackwood (AKA Bethel Christian Center) 1583 Blackwood-Clementon Rd., Blackwood, NJ 08012, where services will follow at 11:00 AM on Tuesday. Interment will take place at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory would be appreciated to either the D.A.V. (Disabled American Veteran’s), or to the Wounded Warrior Project. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.earlefuneralhome.com
