Obituary of Herbert C. Sweetapple

Herbert C. Sweetapple, 95, of Chesterfield, passed away on Monday, February 8, 2021 at St. Joseph’s Skilled Nursing Care, Lawrenceville. Born in Brooklyn, NY and raised in Newfoundland, he was a longtime resident of Lawrenceville, before moving to Chesterfield. Herbert retired from the US Army in 1967, after serving in post-war Germany and traveling (and photographing) through Europe with his beloved wife Florence. He served as infantry instructor at West Point, attended NCO Academy and Airborne training in Fort Benning, and served as Platoon Sergeant at Fort Dix. He fought in World War II (Canadian Army), Korea and Vietnam, earning the Bronze Star Medal for heroic achievement in Korea, Purple Heart in Vietnam, and numerous other medals and commendations. Herbert was a true American Patriot and a devout Christian. He enjoyed bike riding and walks through Lawrence Township. Herbert was a loving father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend who will be greatly missed. His love of family gatherings, storytelling, singing, guitar and harmonica playing, fishing, and telling jokes will be long remembered by all who knew him. His daily prayers for all the family was that everyone know and love the Lord Jesus. Predeceased by his parents Edward and Jessie Sweetapple, his wife Florence Cermele Sweetapple; his siblings Edward Sweetapple, Yvonne Knee and Joyce Way; he is survived by his daughter and son-in-law Susan and James Ruddiman, his son and daughter-in-law Edward and Katherine Sweetapple; his grandchildren Jessica Rose and her husband Ben, Kathleen Ruddiman, D.O., and Anna and Elena Sweetapple. Bert is also survived by sisters Shirley Gill, Violet Mallett, Judy Purdy, and brothers Arthur, Hubert, Calvin, and Ray Sweetapple and their families, as well as beloved cousins Gloria Valletutti and Ed Staiano. He is the last of the generation of the children of Giuseppe and Rosa Falcone Cermele, predeceased by beloved in-laws Lucy Rossi, Andrew Cermele, Irene Ponticello, Sara Stanzione, Mark Cermele, Madeline Swol, Joseph Cermele, and Rose Anzuini, and their spouses. Bert has dozens of beloved nieces and nephews and their families who hold their own special memories so dear to their hearts. Funeral services will be held at graveside at St. Mary’s Mausoleum at 1200 Cedar Lane, Garden of St. Joseph building C, on Wednesday February 24 at 1pm. Attendees are asked to arrive no later than 12:45PM. Masks are required and please maintain social distancing. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Capital Assembly of God (1380 Whitehorse-Hamilton Square Rd, Hamilton NJ 08690), the Jimmy Swaggart Ministries (www.jsm.org), or to your local church. Bert would tell you to go to church and praise the Lord!