Gladys E. Clayton

TOMS RIVER - Gladys E. Clayton, 94, of Toms River, NJ passed away peacefully and went to see the love of her life on what would have been their 75th wedding anniversary Tuesday, April 16, 2024. Gladys was born on February 26, 1930, in Irvington, NJ to her parents William and Anna (nee: Weber) Schafer.

Born in Irvington, Gladys moved to Toms River in 1949 and has been a resident for 75 years. She worked as a cashier for Food Town and Grand Union supermarkets for 38 years, retiring in 1996. Gladys was a member of the Pleasant Plains Volunteer Fire Dept. Auxiliary for 60 years and a member of St. Lukes RC Church.

In her free time, Gladys enjoyed knitting Afghan blankets and watched the Philadelphia Phillies baseball team on television. She baked a great cheesecake and enjoyed being outside, swimming and getting tan with her children. Gladys was a beloved mother, grandma, great grandma, sister, and friend and will be missed by all who knew her.

Gladys is preceded in death by her husband Edmund R. Clayton, Sr in 2007, her parents William and Anna Schafer, and her siblings, Frank Schafer, William Schafer, Dolores Baxter, Lorraine Berteska, and grandson Shawn Patrick Clayton.

She is survived by her children; Edmund R. Clayton, Jr., Harry Clayton, Terry Lee Clayton and wife Barbara, Pamela Ann Donahue and Brian Clayton and wife Barbara, her 10 grandchildren, her 7 great grandchildren, as well as her siblings, Joseph Schafer, Helen Clayton, and Eleanor Phelps, as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Family and friends are invited to gather on Sunday, April 21, 2024, from 1:00PM to 5:00PM at the Carmona-Bolen Home for Funerals, 412 Main Street, Toms River, NJ 08753. A service will take place on Monday, April 22, 2024, at 10:00AM at the funeral home. Burial will immediately follow at Ocean County Memorial Park, 1722 Silverton Rd., Toms River, NJ 08753. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.carmonabolenfh.com