Fred Cox Iliff

Fred Cox Iliff, Jr., 87, of Lancaster, PA, passed away on Friday, December 22, 2017 in Sevierville, Tennessee. He was the son of the late Fred Cox and Geraldine (Simpson) Iliff, Sr. Fred was born on October 1st, 1930 in the apartment above the Iliff Furniture Store at 173 Spring Street, Newton, NJ. Fred graduated from Newton High in 1948 and attended Admiral Billard Naval Academy Prep School in New London, CT. He attended Drexel University of Technology in Philadelphia, PA until 1950 when he entered military service in the United States Navy and served as a storekeeper at Quonset Point Naval Air Station and onboard the USS Northampton CLC1 until his discharge from the service in March, 1955 as a storekeeper 3rd. In August of 1950 he married the former Miss Jean MacGregor of Rochester, NY. Fred graduated Cum Laude from the Cincinnati College of Embalming in Cincinnati, OH. Following the granting of a license as a practitioner of Mortuary Science by the State of New Jersey, Fred entered into business as a third generation Funeral Director in the family funeral and furniture store then known as John Iliff and Son. He managed the combined businesses until his brother, John Iliff, returned from service in the United States Air Corps, in 1965. The two businesses separated at that time with Fred becoming the manager of the Iliff Funeral Home, Inc. until his retirement in 1993 and brother John managing the furniture store. Fred was a 50 + member of the First United Methodist Church of Newton and served on the old official board as a trustee and a lay speaker; he was an active member of the Manna House crew. He also served as the institutional representative for the Church’s Boy Scout program. The Boy Scout’s involvement included serving as assistant scout master of Troop #86, key three and assistant district commissioner. As an active member of the Masonic Fraternity he served Harmony Lodge #8 as Worshipful Master in 1965, served as secretary for 15 years, stepping down as he was honored in 1985 with an appointment as a NJ Grand Lodge Chaplain. He was also a member of Baldwin Chapter #17 Royal Arch Masons, Demolay Commandry and Crescent Temple Shrine. Fred served his town as an active member of the Newton Fire Department for over 40 years, serving as foreman of the Newton Fire Patrol and as Chief in the department from 1970-1974. His civic duties included serving over 25 years as a member of the Newton Water and Sewer Utility advisory board and several terms as chairman and was honored in 1998 when he resigned his seat on the board. He also served as chairman of the Newton-Sparta water task force. Following the death of his wife, Jean, he married Shirley Hoin Aument, in June 2011 and moved to Lancaster. He joined the Hempfield United Methodist Church where he was an active member, attending the Breakfast Bible Study group and participating in senior member activities. He is survived by three daughters; Mary Ann (Mark) Cioffi, of Pembroke, NH, Dr. Susan Iliff, New Providence, NJ and Nancy L. (Steven) Love, Laurel, MD; a son, William L. (Denise) Iliff, McClure, OH, stepsons, Terry (Barbara) Aument, Keith (Mindy) Aument, stepdaughters, Beth (David) Lorah and Karen (Kenneth) Lentz; five grandchildren, Alexes Boutin, Mackenzie Sizemore, Taylor Iliff, Jean Cioffi, and Triston Sizemore; a great-granddaughter, Brooke Boutin, seven step-grandchildren; Kelly and Bryan Lorah, Amy (Cory) Trimble, Andrew and Tess Aument and Daniel (Courtney) and Melanie Lentz; six step-great grandchildren; Isabella Gavlick, Landon and Marci Trimble, Taylor, Aiden and McKenzie Lentz; a brother, John L. (Terry) Iliff, Culvers Lake Section of Frankford, NJ and a sister, Virginia (William) Morrow of St. Ansgar, IA. He was also preceded in death by a sister, Charlotte Lafean. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Fred’s Service on Friday, January 5, 2018 at 11:00AM at the Hempfield United Methodist Church, 3050 Marietta Avenue, Lancaster, PA, 17601 with Pastor John Longmire officiating. Family will receive friends at the church on Friday from 10:00AM until time of service. Interment will be held at the Newton Cemetery, in Newton, NJ. Contributions in Fred’s memory can be sent to Care Ministry at Hempfield United Methodist Church or The Seeing Eye Dog, PO Box 375, Morristown, NJ, 07963-0375.