John Elliot Stanwood

John Elliot Stanwood, of Browns Mills, passed away on Friday, March 17, 2017 at his home surrounded by his family. He was 77. Born on July 6, 1939 in Lakewood, NJ; the son of the late Frank and Eleanor Stanwood. John was raised by his uncle and aunt, Harvey and Edna Stanwood in Toms River, NJ. He graduated from Toms River High School in 1958. He attended Ball State College in Muncie, IN and graduated from Richard Stockton State College in 1973 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Arts. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1962 and did his basic training in Fort Dix, NJ. After graduation, he was transferred to Fort Myer, VA. He was in charge of the casket bearer team which took the body of President John F. Kennedy off the plane and placed the casket in the hearse at Andrews AFB. He marched in the funeral procession from the Capitol Building to Arlington National Cemetery with the honor guard company, 1st Battalion, Third Infantry. He joined the NJ State Police in 1965. After serving 22 years, he retired as a Detective Sergeant First Class in 1986. After retiring from the state police, he worked for Ocean Spray in Bordentown, NJ as a night security guard for 10 years. He coached Pemberton PAL football and Little League, Woodland Township Babe Ruth and Florence Township Freshman football. He was a diehard Philadelphia sports fan. He loved traveling, camping, model trains, listening to classical music, reading about history, and researching the Stanwood and Bodine family genealogy. He was an avid supporter of his children and grandchildren’s sporting events. He is survived by his wife of 50 years Constance (nee Bodine) and his four children, Dawn (Mike Nirdlinger), Jonathan, Lynn (Tom Curry), and David (Melissa Sollenberger); 8 Grandchildren, Brittany Nirdlinger, Ashley Nirdlinger, Jonathan Pilalides, Mikey Nirdlinger, Jr., Taylor Nirdlinger, Emily Curry, Zachary Stanwood and Julia Stanwood; 1 great-grandchild Jacob Frederick. He was predeceased by his brother Frederick and sister Gail. Relatives and friends may visit on Thursday, March 23 from 9-11 AM at Perinchief Chapels, 438 High St., Mt. Holly. Funeral services will follow at 11 AM at the funeral home. Burial will take place in Woodland Cemetery, Chatsworth. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123 (www.cancer.org) or Samaritan Hospice, 5 Eves Drive, Suite 300, Marlton, NJ 08053.

John Elliot Stanwood

July 6, 1939 - March 17, 2017