George R. Rue

Mr. Rue, 88, a lifetime resident of Imlaystown, died Aug. 23, 2012. A fourth generation farmer, Mr. Rue was born on the family farm that dates back to 1803. He enjoyed tending to his dairy herd, working the land and dedicating time to his community. He graduated from Allentown High School and attended Dennison University in Ohio, where he was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. Mr. Rue had an outstanding tenure of community leadership and involvement by representing Upper Freehold Township as an active member of both local and regional agencies. His long and distinguished record of service began with his election to the Upper Freehold Regional Board of Education, where he served for 16 years from 1956 to 1972. In 1986, he was elected to be a committeeman for the township, where he served for 12 years from 1986 to 1997, including three terms as mayor. At the county and state level, he served for 36 years as a commissioner on the Monmouth County Mosquito Extermination Committee, 15 years as president and 16 years as vice president; several years as a member of the Monmouth County Water Resources Commission; supervisor at the Freehold Soil Conservation District, and an active representative on the national and state boards of agriculture, potato board and dairy associations. His quiet, energetic style of leadership and abiding sense of commitment characterized his praiseworthy history of service and accomplishment to his fellow citizens. Mr. Rue was known as a man who worked hard and played hard. He loved his snow-skiing trips with his family and friends and waterskiing and swimming in the waters of the Metedeconk River. Playing golf was also a hobby he enjoyed. Surviving his wife of 67 years, Viola White Rue; two daughters, Donna Rue of Belvidere, and Lori Rue of Collingswood; two nieces, Sara Rue Ponczek and her husband, Ben, of Uniondale, Pa, and Diane McGrew of Delaware, Ohio; nephew, Robert Rue of Imlaystown; and his farm manager, Wayne and Yvonne VanHise. A funeral service was held at the Peppler Funeral Home, Allentown, followed by interment in the Cream Ridge Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Allentown FFA, 27 High St., Allentown, NJ 08501, or Hope Fire Co., P.O. Box 547, Allentown, NJ 08501.