Kenneth L Sheppard's Obituary
Kenneth L Sheppard, 98, a longtime resident of Fairton, NJ passed away suddenly on Friday morning July 18, 2025 at the home of John & Kelly Sheppard.
Born in Bridgeton, NJ March 5, 1927, he was the son of the late Benjamin Gaskel and Miriam Lytle (Noss) Sheppard. He was predeceased by his loving wife Maria Sheppard, who passed in 2013.
Ken’s education began in the same school his mother attended, which was a one room dwelling on Lebanon road called the Loder School, built on land deeded from Seeds Dairy Farm. He would later attend Cedarville, Hopewell, Seabrook, and Greenwich area schools throughout his youth before ultimately graduating from Bridgeton High School in 1943.
In 1945 he was drafted by the US Army and admirably served overseas in Germany with the 1st Armored Division. Upon his Honorable Discharge, he returned home to work in various roles such as farmhand for Husted Farm and the first ever Manager of the Delsea Drive In Theater and later the Bridgeton Drive In. Ken served as Board of Education District Clerk for Fairfield Township for 24 years. Most notably in 1952, he founded Sheppard Bus Service after purchasing a Greyhound Bus and charter operating authority from family member and Bridgeton native, Milton Sheppard. What began as one contract and three school buses for Fairfield Township continued to grow for over 70 years into a business that now operates over 900 school vehicles throughout the state of New Jersey.
Outside of his career, Ken loved tending to his garden and reading, especially The New Yorker Magazine. He was an opera and classical music enthusiast and spent many years as an avid antique collector with his wife, Maria. "Opa" loved traveling and spending time with his grandchildren teaching life lessons. Ken enjoyed playing pinochle, attending scholastic high school wrestling matches and watching professional tennis on television.
Kenneth’s memories and legacy are left to be cherished by his son John Sheppard (Kelly) and his four grandchildren Quinn, Johnny (Mikayla), Henry, and Stella Sheppard.
He was preceded in death by his parents Benjamin and Miriam Sheppard, his wife Maria Sheppard, step daughter Marianne Lunsford, and two brothers Raymond and Benjamin Sheppard Jr.
Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial service to honor Kenneth’s life on Tuesday July 22, 2025 from 10AM- 12PM.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Future Farmers of America https://ffa.givenow.stratuslive.com/ffadonate and Cumberland County Historical Society https://cchistsoc.org/
What’s your fondest memory of Kenneth?
What’s a lesson you learned from Kenneth?
Share a story where Kenneth's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Kenneth you’ll never forget.
How did Kenneth make you smile?