Obituary for Ronald J. Slate
Ronald J. Slate, 84, of Wantage Township, passed away peacefully at home on January 4,
2023, after a year long battle with cancer and its complications.
The only child of Melvin S. Slate and Elsa Wyant Slate, Ron was a life long Sussex County
resident, owner/ operator of Timplex Corporation, a construction component company in
Wantage, for over 50 years.
Ronald was a proud graduate of Sussex High School Class of 1956 where he was a member of
the band, and where he began his life long love of woodworking. Many of his beautifully turned
wooden bowls were donated to charities in the area for fundraising purposes, and grace the
tables of family, friends, and those who touched his life in so many different ways.
He was a life member of the Colesville (now Wantage) United Methodist Church where he sang
in the choir, served as a trustee and a member of the building committee. Ron joined the
Colesville Fire Department as soon as he was of age, and served as a past chief and earned life
membership in the organization. He was also a member of the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.
Ron was a very community oriented person, serving the township as a member of the Land Use
Board, retiring after 25 years of service in 2020. The Sussex Kiwanis Club was one of his
greatest passions; he was a past president and a life member.
He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Marilyn Wehner Slate; four children, Marilyn Dawn
of Little Egg Harbor, NJ, Ronald Dean (Annie) of Rock Hill, SC, Donald R. (Irene) of Myrtle
Beach, SC, and Douglas J. (Deborah) of Augusta, NJ.; seven grandchildren; Jacob Slate
(Stephanie) of Longs, SC; Lindsey Stromeyer (Jay) of Dingman’s Ferry, PA; Ryan Slate (
Morgan) of Raleigh, NC; Jared Slate (Sara) of Newton, NJ; Emily Cantillano (Diego) of Raleigh,
NC; Caitlin D. Slate of Augusta, NJ; and Derek Slate of NJ. Three Step-grandchildren, Denise
Beccari (Tom) of Conway, SC; Greg Bennett (Jaime) of Myrtle Beach, SC; Eric Bennett (Amanda Haymaker) of
Tomball, TX; and Samantha Hogan of Conway, SC.
Seven Great Grandchildren who filled his life with such love and joy; Holden and Rhys
Stromeyer, Abigail and Olivia Slate, Corran Slate, Benjamin and Nora Cantillano and two new
Slates not yet born. Two step great grands; Brooke Beccari and Cade Bennett.
Visitation will be held on Friday January 13 at 9:30 am at the Wantage United Methodist Church,
199 Libertyville Road Wantage, NJ, with a Celebration of Life Service to follow at 11:30.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to
Wantage United Methodist Church Building Fund
199 Libertyville Road
Sussex, NJ 07461
Or
Sussex Kiwanis Scholarship Fund
PO Box 363
Sussex, NJ 07461
2023, after a year long battle with cancer and its complications.
The only child of Melvin S. Slate and Elsa Wyant Slate, Ron was a life long Sussex County
resident, owner/ operator of Timplex Corporation, a construction component company in
Wantage, for over 50 years.
Ronald was a proud graduate of Sussex High School Class of 1956 where he was a member of
the band, and where he began his life long love of woodworking. Many of his beautifully turned
wooden bowls were donated to charities in the area for fundraising purposes, and grace the
tables of family, friends, and those who touched his life in so many different ways.
He was a life member of the Colesville (now Wantage) United Methodist Church where he sang
in the choir, served as a trustee and a member of the building committee. Ron joined the
Colesville Fire Department as soon as he was of age, and served as a past chief and earned life
membership in the organization. He was also a member of the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.
Ron was a very community oriented person, serving the township as a member of the Land Use
Board, retiring after 25 years of service in 2020. The Sussex Kiwanis Club was one of his
greatest passions; he was a past president and a life member.
He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Marilyn Wehner Slate; four children, Marilyn Dawn
of Little Egg Harbor, NJ, Ronald Dean (Annie) of Rock Hill, SC, Donald R. (Irene) of Myrtle
Beach, SC, and Douglas J. (Deborah) of Augusta, NJ.; seven grandchildren; Jacob Slate
(Stephanie) of Longs, SC; Lindsey Stromeyer (Jay) of Dingman’s Ferry, PA; Ryan Slate (
Morgan) of Raleigh, NC; Jared Slate (Sara) of Newton, NJ; Emily Cantillano (Diego) of Raleigh,
NC; Caitlin D. Slate of Augusta, NJ; and Derek Slate of NJ. Three Step-grandchildren, Denise
Beccari (Tom) of Conway, SC; Greg Bennett (Jaime) of Myrtle Beach, SC; Eric Bennett (Amanda Haymaker) of
Tomball, TX; and Samantha Hogan of Conway, SC.
Seven Great Grandchildren who filled his life with such love and joy; Holden and Rhys
Stromeyer, Abigail and Olivia Slate, Corran Slate, Benjamin and Nora Cantillano and two new
Slates not yet born. Two step great grands; Brooke Beccari and Cade Bennett.
Visitation will be held on Friday January 13 at 9:30 am at the Wantage United Methodist Church,
199 Libertyville Road Wantage, NJ, with a Celebration of Life Service to follow at 11:30.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to
Wantage United Methodist Church Building Fund
199 Libertyville Road
Sussex, NJ 07461
Or
Sussex Kiwanis Scholarship Fund
PO Box 363
Sussex, NJ 07461