Herbert Ernest Molke, 93, of West Milford, N.J., passed away peacefully on June 20, 2024, at his High Crest Lake home. Herb lived in High Crest with his wife Johanne for 62 years.
Born and raised in New Milford, he graduated Hackensack High School in 1948 and Maine Maritime Academy in 1953. Herb enlisted in the military proudly serving his country as an officer in the Navy. He worked and retired as a teacher from Bergen Tech Vocational High School.
Herb is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Johanne (nee Newhaller) Molke and their children Carol Lockenvitz and husband Jeff, Nancy DeFeo and husband David, and Sue Denuel and husband Paul. He was preceded in heaven by his son Steven Molke.
Affectionately called “Pop” by his 8 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren that he so loved, he is survived by grandchildren Kyle DeFeo and wife Megan, Randy DeFeo and wife Amanda, Daniel Lockenvitz and wife Sarah Rose, Stephen Denuel and wife Alura, Eric Lockenvitz, Lauren Nunley and husband Caleb, Gabrielle Driskill and husband Steele, and Matthew DeFeo; and great-grandchildren Millie, Welles, Henry, Olivia, Cooper, Emmerson and Tyson.
Herb cherished his twin brother Robert H. Molke, and his nieces and nephews.
Herb played basketball, soccer and baseball in high school, basketball in college, and loved playing softball and golf. He enjoyed gardening, walking, travel and his beloved New York Yankees, but mostly Herb enjoyed spending time with his family at High Crest Lake and Myrtle Beach, SC.
The Molke family would like to thank everyone who visited and provided care for Herb, with a special thank you to niece Ellen Schmidt and caregiver Grace Obeng.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to The Morrison Etheridge Funeral Home Inc., Butler, NJ. At the families request all services will be held in private.
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