Ernest J. Cottrell, age 91, of Whiting died Wednesday, January 7 at Van Dyke Hospice in Toms River. Mr. Cottrell was a native of Monmouth County and attended Keyport High School. After graduating in 1934, he was employed in three different New York Studios making photographs for national advertisements. He then became a National Geographic Magazine staff photographer and was a member of the White House News Photographers Association, working out of Washington, DC for many years. During World War II, he was a Navy Aerial Photographer doing reconnaissance photography in the Pacific Ocean area and received a Navy Unit Commendation Award for his part in the seizure of enemy Japanese-held Iwo Jima. After moving to Red Bank, he taught photography at the Fort Monmouth Signal School for five years and then wrote and edited Army Technical Manuals on reconnaissance photography and equipment at the U.S. Army Electronics Command until retiring in 1970. He lived briefly in Atlantic Highlands before moving to Whiting. He was an avid fisherman and a Master Mason of Washington Lodge No. 9 in Eatontown. Ernest was predeceased by a son, John Bruce Cottrell and by a sister, Dorothy Patton. He is survived by a son, Lawrence Cottrell and granddaughter, Susan both of Atlantic Highlands and by a good friend, Gladys Lins of Wrightstown and other friends in the Wrightstown area. Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 12 at 12 Noon at the Tilghman Funeral Home, 52 Main Street in New Egypt (www.tilghmanfh.com). Burial will follow in Old Tennent Cemetery in Manalapan Twp. Calling hours will be on Monday morning from 10:00 to 12 Noon at the funeral home.