David E. Gaehring, age 97 of Woodstown, formerly of Pedricktown, died Thursday, November 2, 2017 at Cumberland Manor in Hopewell Township.

Born in Philadelphia, he was the son of the late Charles R. & Emma L. (Dietz) Gaehring. David was a graduate of Northeast High School in Philadelphia and a US Navy veteran of WWII. He worked for the Dept. of Defense at the Philadelphia Navy Yard in the Planning & Estimating Division for over 30 years, retiring in 1968. During his service at the naval yard, he was involved in the initial construction of the USS New Jersey battleship. He was a Past Grand Patron of the O.E.S. of NJ in 1982, a Master Mason of the Elmer Masonic Lodge, and a member of Consistory and Shrine. David traveled extensively all over the world. He enjoyed working on his construction projects in his wood and metal shop at home, he enjoyed working on jigsaw puzzles with his buddies at Friends Village, and when he was younger, he enjoyed playing the trumpet along with his brothers as the “Temple Trumpeters”.

David is survived by his daughter, Linda (Ron) Amme; his sons, David P. (Donna) Gaehring and William R. (Trudy) Gaehring; his daughter, Nancy Gaehring; six grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his first wife, of 47 years, Adeline M. Robinson; his second wife, of 22 years, Mildred Dawson; and his siblings, Ruth, Paul, and Charles.

Funeral services will be held at 11 AM on Thursday, November 9th in the H.T. Layton Funeral Home, 102 S. Main St., Woodstown, where friends are invited to visit from 9 AM until the time of service. Burial will follow the funeral service in Woodbury Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in David’s memory may be made to OES Charity Foundation Scholarship Fund, c/o JoAnn Bigenheimer, 211 Virginia Ave., Egg Harbor Twp., NJ, 08234. Please visit www.htlayton.com to leave a note of condolence to the family. Arrangements are by the H.T. Layton Funeral Home & Cremation Service.