John Benjamin Hershey, of Lancaster, passed away Thursday, July 18, 2024 on the family farm in Limestone Township, Montour County.
Born August 5, 1943, he was the son of the late Clarence (Huber) and Lydia (Kreider) Hershey. On April 2, 1966 he married Ruth K. Zeager, and together celebrated 58 years of marriage.
John graduated from Manheim Township High School in 1961. He worked at Sauder’s Chevrolet until 1969, as a mechanic. During that time he also served at Byberry State Hospital, in Philadelphia PA, in the farming program during the Vietnam War. He then went on to work as a draftsman for High Steel Structures, Inc. for 10 years. John became the supervisor for Manheim Township Public Works Department for over 30 years, where he was loved and respected by many. Throughout his career he farmed many areas of Manheim Township, making his fields beautiful with his straight rows. In his retirement, John enjoyed playing on his farm in Montour County. This is the same county where he started courting his wife back on September 23, 1962.
John was a member of the Mennonite Church. He loved anything with a good sounding engine, drag racing, tractor pulls, riding his horse Skip, the thunder of a Harley Davidson and good old gospel music, especially from The Chuck Wagon Gang and The Blackwood Brothers.
He was a God-loving, good natured man of a few words and he cherished his time spent with his grandchildren and family most of all. He will be missed by many.
In addition to his wife, Ruth, John is survived by three sons, John D. (Doug) Hershey, of Strasburg; David B. (Jeannine) Hershey, of Pennsauken, NJ; and James K. (Melissa) Hershey of Lancaster; and daughter, Anita M. (Philip) Hoover, of Lancaster; 5 grandchildren, Amanda Rose, Lisa Anne, and Rachel Elizabeth Hershey, and Justin Benjamin and Derrick Ryan Hoover; and a brother, C. Ray (Mary Ann) Hershey.
Besides his parents he was preceded in death by his, Aunt Anna (Hess) Kreider; paternal grandparents, Clayton (Sauder) and Elizabeth (Huber) Hershey; and maternal grandparents, Benjamin (Warfel) Kreider and Leah (Hess) Kreider.
A memorial service for family and friends will be held on Friday, August 16 at 3:00 PM at Calvary Church, 1051 Landis Valley Rd, Lancaster, PA 17601 and on Saturday, August 17 at 3:00 PM at Beaver Run Mennonite Church and Cemetery, 36 Derry Road, Watsontown, PA 17777, with visitation to follow both services.
In lieu flowers donations in his memory can be made to Montour Antique Farm Machinery Collectors Association (MAFMCA), PO Box 444, Danville, PA 17821.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Brooks Funeral Home & Cremation Svc PC, 207 Broadway Street, Turbotville.
To share a memory or condolence for the family please visit, http://www.wfbrooksfuneralhome.com
