Obituary of Michael J. Phelps

PHELPS?Michael J., Sr. of National Park, went home to be with the Lord after a long and courageous battle, surrounded by his loving family on March 3, 2006. Aged 78 years. Mike was born, raised and lived in National Park all his life except for living a short time in Atlantic City. Educated in the National Park school system, Mike attended St. Mary?s High and earned his G.E.D. in 1967. He was a US Navy veteran of WWII, serving on a destroyer escort. Mike worked for 33 years at Phelps Bottled Gas Co and Star Gas Service in National Park, Williamstown & Tuckahoe. In 1985, at the age of 57, he graduated from the Burlington Co. Police Academy, where he was one of the oldest cadets. Mike worked for the Gloucester County Sheriff?s Dept. until his retirement in 1991. He also held licenses in real estate and insurance. Mike loved his family. He was a big fan of the Phila. Eagles, loved being at the shore, fishing and working around his home. Mike was an active member of St. Matthew?s Church, men?s club and worked BINGO for their school for many years. He is the beloved husband of 43 years to Lois nee Biggs, devoted father of Michael of National Park, Marguerite of National Park, Lois Sprowl Brian of Millville & Rebecca Viola Armond of Pitman, loving Pop of Armond, Julia & Jaclyn Viola and Jordan Sprowl, dear brother of Agnes Lipscomb and brother-in-law of Thomas Hurry & Dorothy Phelps, special uncle to many nieces and nephews, loving son of the late Florence & William R. Phelps, Sr., brother of the late Marguerite Hurry, Florence Walsh, William R., Jr., Robert J. and Joseph H. Viewing Tues. 6:30-8:30 PM and Wed. 8:30-9:15 AM in the McGuinness Funeral Home, 34 Hunter St., Woodbury. Relatives and friends are invited to share in remembering and celebrate a life well lived at Mike?s Lifetime Tribute on Tues. 8:30 PM in the funeral home. Funeral Mass Wed. 10 AM in St. Matthew RC Church, National Park. Interment Gloucester County Veteran?s Memorial Cemetery, Williamstown. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: St. Matthew?s School, 1210 Hessian Ave., Westville, NJ 08093 or to Lighthouse Hospice, 1040 N. Kings Hwy., Cherry Hill, NJ 08034. Tributes & memories may be shared by clicking the "sign guestbook" icon. McGuinness Funeral Home ?The Lifetime Tribute Funeral Home?®