Obituary of David Eric Kastner

David Eric Kastner, 54, of Stanhope, passed away suddenly on June 20.

David grew up in Denville, NJ and graduated from Morris Knolls High School in 1981. From a young age, David loved the outdoors and animals. Whether it was keeping raccoons or wounded ducks in his home or catching crawfish in the Rockaway River, David was a naturalist.

Throughout his life he frequently travelled on fishing and hunting trips. While at home, he kept chickens, bees, two goats (aptly named Billy and Goat), pheasants, cats, and, of course, his companion, Kobe, the German Shepherd.

His happiest times came when he met his life partner, Jodi, an internationally renowned dog groomer. He devoted his passion and skills to promoting their business of creating training videos, working to improve and patent the tools of the trade.

David was known to his friends and family as a fun loving man, quick with jokes and supportive words. He was loved by his nieces, Beth, Shannon, Alyssa, Corinne, Clara and Caroline, his nephew, Matthew, and Jodi's grandson, Oliver, who enjoyed his playful attitude.

David was predeceased by his mother, Carole Faith (nee Jones) Kastner. He is survived by his father and step-mother, Carl E. Kastner, Jr. and Shirley, of Easton, PA, his step-sister Susanna, and his brothers, Jeffry, of Cary, NC and Carl Kastner, III, and wife Kathy, of Wylie, TX; his 6 nieces and a nephew, and the love of his life, Jodi Murphy.

David's Life Celebration Services will include a Memorial Gathering on Sunday, August 6th from 3:00 to 6:00 pm and a Life Celebration Service with Words of Remembrance offered at 4:30 pm at the Leber-Lakeside Funeral Home, 150 Landing Road, Landing, NJ. For memorial donations, please consider the National Rifle Association, in which David was a Life Member, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, Va. 22030.