E. Donald Sterner, 89; Held Jersey State Posts

Published: October 3, 1983 - The New

E. Donald Sterner, a lumber company president who served as a New Jersey state senator and became the state's first Highway Commissioner, died Friday at the Jersey Shore Medical Center in Neptune City. He was 89 years old and lived in Avon.

Mr. Sterner, a Republican, served as an assemblyman from 1928 to 1930, when he was elected state senator representing Monmouth County. In 1934 he was named secretary to Gov. Harold G. Hoffman and was appointed to head the state's Republican Party committee.

Mr. Sterner was appointed Highway Commissioner in 1935, and held the post until 1942.

He later served as president of the New Jersey Lumbermen's Association and in 1950 was appointed to the National Lumber and Allied Products Retailers Industry Advisory Committee to the Federal Department of Commerce. He was president of the Sterner Coal and Lumber Company in Belmar.

Mr. Sterner is survived by his wife, Dorothy; two sons, George W., of Wall Township, and John N., of Spring Lake Heights; a daughter, Dorothy Braly of Baltimore, and six grandchildren.