Herbert Cooper Wallen Jr.

Herbert Cooper Wallen, Jr., passed away peacefully at the Memorial Hospital of Salem County on October 11 after a long illness. Born in 1942, Herb was the son of the late Herbert Wallen, Sr. and Bessie (Rodgers) Wallen he was a life-long resident of Penns Grove/Carneys Point. Herb spent most of his career-life proudly serving in law enforcement. He began as a Gloucester County Corrections Officer before becoming a Franklin Township Police Officer and finally returning to his hometown of Penns Grove where he rose to the rank of Detective Sergeant. While Herb loved all facets of his career as a patrolman and had many special relationships with partners and fellow officers, the two partners he had the greatest love for were Pax and Sam, his K9 Partners. Herb became a K9 Officer in 1979 and with his partner Pax served as one of the first police K9 officer teams in Salem County. Herb had a deep love for and faith in both partners who each became part of his entire family. Herb enjoyed years as a dedicated firefighter and was an exempt member of the Liberty Fire Department in Penns Grove. While he liked to tell stories of particular fires, his kids love to tell the stories of “Santa” visiting on the fire truck “wink wink”. One of the things he was most proud of was founding the Police Athletic League in Penns Grove. After leaving law enforcement he transferred his passion for dogs to his dog grooming business. During healthier times Herb enjoyed, Hunting, Fishing, camping, all kinds of outdoor activities and the occasional home improvement project (especially painting). He was a great dancer and a huge prankster. Through the years Herb also hosted six international exchange students and enjoyed considered being their American parent an honor. In recent years as his health limited his abilities, Herb found joy in spending time with his family; Herb grew up in a generation of intolerance but in his later life he learned that love had no such boundaries as he not only accepted but adored his grandson’s Austin and Zander and they adored him in return. Though his body failed his mind stayed strong which allowed him to find happiness reminiscing about loved ones and experiences he had growing up in Penns Grove as a “River Rat” and teaching the grandkids important life lessons like the proper way to stick your tongue out. Nothing brought him joy as much as when a daughter would show to and take him for a simple ride, visit a place that held a special memory, visit with family or take him out for a big steak dinner. Herb leaves behind his loving wife Ann Smith-Wallen of Penns Grove and his children Bessie BJ (Smith) Ayars and her husband Jack of Elsinboro, Patricia Price and Her Husband John of Mannington, Jacqueline Wallen of Stone Harbor, Herbert Wallen, III of Monroeville and Mary Shannon Smith of Penns Grove. Along with his children the legacy he treasured included 14 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, two special godchildren (among several) William Lankitus and Darby Smith, numerous nieces, nephew, friends and his special lifelong cousins Robert Callahan, Billy Wallen and Jane Sakers. The family would also like to acknowledge he is survived by Edna Chew, his first wife with whom he maintained a life-long friendship, and example to all of honoring a past even as life moves in new directions. Herb was predeceased by his daughters Theresa Vanderslice and Jane Wallen, his beloved sister Diane Travis and a granddaughter Megan Vanderslice. People who would like to make a donation In lieu of flowers are encouraged to support the Salem County Center for Autism which has provided tremendous support to his grandchildren. http://salemcountycenterforautism.org/ A viewing will be held on Friday, October 19, 2012 from 6:30 to 8:30. Services will be held on Saturday, October 20, 2012 with a visitation from 9:30 to 10:30 at the Adams Funeral Home, 18 East Maple Avenue, Penns Grove, NJ 08069 followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 at St. Gabriel the Archangel R.C. Church, 369 Georgetown Road, Carney's Point, NJ 08069. Interment will be at the Riverview Cemetery in Penns Grove, NJ. www.adamsfuneralhome.org

Herbert Cooper Wallen Jr.

October 11, 2012

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Herbert Cooper Wallen Jr.

October 11, 2012

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