Mildred Rohel

August 7, 1920 - October 16, 2018

Wantage – Mildred Elizabeth Haggerty Howell Rohel, age 98, Matriarch of the Howell-Rohel family passed away at her home on Tuesday, October 16, 2018 following a recent illness and diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Mildred was the oldest of six children of Harold L Haggerty and Mabel Stivers Haggerty. Born in a small back room of her Grandparents home on Lusscroft Road in Beemerville, New Jersey, the family lived on Haggerty Road until she was 10 years old during which time her two oldest brothers were born. Eventually, the family moved back to the home of her maternal grandparents of Lusscroft Road where her younger two brothers and sister were born. She attended Sussex High School. On Oct 13, 1936 she was married to Leon “Clark” Howell and moved to the Judd Howell farm in Beemerville where Clark worked with his father on the farm. Ronald, Wayne and Elaine were born of this marriage. After a time, they moved to start their own dairy farm operations to a property on Decker Road. Shortly after seeing their dream come true following the delivery of their cattle, Clark passed away on May 3, 1946. The farm was sold and the family returned to her parent’s home for seven months. During that time, she and the three children occupied a single bedroom in the house. Her father-in-law , friend, Ed Decker, her Dad, friend’s Sam VanderGoot and his young son, John helped to build them a home in Beemerville. In an effort to provide for her children, Mildred was determined to work hard. One day when Mildred was visiting her parents, there was a man there repairing their stove and this was how she met Roy George Rohel. July 11, 1948 Mildred and the children were united in marriage to Roy and moved to Sussex on Route 23 to the home of his father and grandparents. Here, the last two children, Roy R. and Margie, were added to the family group. Mildred was well known and respected in the community as a straightforward businesswoman, a wise risk taker who excelled in whatever she attempted. She was loved and respected by her help who called her “Mom.” She was bright and well organized, had a keen sense of making positive choices and in remaining optimistic in the midst of hardship. Mildred was the ultimate homemaker and mother. She supported the development of Roy’s propane business known as Tri-States Supply. To help in supporting the children, she continued to raise chickens and sold eggs, made and sold wedding cakes and beautiful ceramics during the early years of their marriage. At some point in the mid 1950’s, Mildred took on the position of Secretary and Treasurer of Tri-States Welding Supply Co. and she held that position for 12 years. As the business grew, along with the family and as the sons became involved in the business as well, she envisioned and promoted the evolution of the business to become bigger and in 1972 they ventured to build and open Tri-States True Value store. Here she was the backbone of the operations and served as Secretary and Treasurer there for 33 years, retiring in 2005, when the store was sold. Mildred also served her community and gave of her time, talents and finances. Mildred joined Beemerville Presbyterian Church in 1934 and also served as a Sunday school teacher when the children were young. She was a former member and President of Beemerville Ladies Fire Auxiliary, member of Sussex Fire Ladies Auxiliary, Member and President of the Sussex Co. Fire Auxiliary Ladies, Life Member and President of New Jersey Fire Ladies Auxiliary, member of OES Order of Eastern Star, member of Chinkchewinska DAR, former member of Ladies Aux Sussex Elks #2288, former member of Golden Area Ceramic Club and former member of the Sussex County Civil Air Patrol. In addition to her community service and work as an executive secretary, Mildred was a woman loved by her family, a beautiful, intelligent and proud lady, admired for her genuine and powerful nature, her sage advice and guidance in life and her incredible strength and will. She considered her most important and meaningful role in life as that of being a mother and creating the fiber of a strong family. She lived for and loved her family and was the light and glue of it. She enjoyed the business years, traveling, raising her children and then in later years, enjoyed wintering in Naples and Cape Coral, Florida where she and Roy made many treasured acquaintances. She enjoyed family gatherings, visits from the kids and grandkids and in keeping tradition alive. She loved country life and scenes such as the dairy farms of Sussex County. Seeing a lush green field filled with a herd of cows gave her joy. She enjoyed studying the stock market, she loved country music and polka. Listening to her husband Roy play his accordion and organ was a favorite in her spare time and at those precious family gatherings. Mildred is predeceased by her husbands, Leon Clark Howell and Roy George Rohel, by her parents, Mabel and Harold Haggerty, by brother, Joe and his wife Marian Haggerty of Hainesville, by brother, Donald Haggerty of Culvers Lake Branchville NJ, and by brother-in-law, Denton J Armstrong of Sussex, grandson, Curtis Rohel of Culvers Lake, and granddaughter, Donna Howell Little of Hampton, NJ. Mildred is survived by her brothers; Harold W. Haggerty of Beemerville, Wendall (Linda) Haggerty of Beemerville; her sister, Carolyn J. Armstrong of Wantage; and sister –in-law, Barbara Haggery (Donald) of Branchville. Also surviving are her five children, Ronald (Rayna) Howell of Simmons Lk, Sussex, NJ, Wayne (Judith) Howell of Wantage NJ, Elaine(Frank) Eberhart of Hampton, NJ, Roy R. (Cindy) Rohel of Branchville, NJ and Margie (Ed) Borner of Cape Coral, Florida. A proud blessing of her life was the gift of 19 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren and 20 great-great grandchildren, as well as many treasured nieces and nephews. Family has asked that in lieu of flowers, that memorial donations may be made to the Trooper Curtis G Rohel Memorial Fund, PO Box 621 Augusta, NJ 07822, the Beemerville Presbyterian Church, 226 Route 519, Wantage, NJ 07461 or to Beemerville Fire Department, 227 Route 519, Wantage, NJ 07461. Visitation will be held on Friday, October 19th from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm at the Pinkel Funeral Home, 31 Bank Street (Route 23), Sussex, NJ. Funeral services will be held at 9:30 a.m. at the Beemerville Presbyterian Church, 226 Route 519, Wantage on Saturday, October 20, 2018. Interment will follow at the Beemerville Cemetery. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.pinkelfuneralhome.com