John H. “Bussy” Van Buskirk Jr., 86, of Hughesville died Monday, August 26, 2019 at The Gatehouse.
Born December 11, 1932 in Picture Rocks, he was a son of the late John Harvey Sr. and Ruth Eleanor (Fenstamaker) Van Buskirk.
John was a 1950 graduate of Hughesville High School. He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War and with the Army Reserves retiring in 1991. John had worked at the former Sprout-Waldron’s, Muncy, a member of their Quarter Century Club, and at Central Equipment retiring in 2017.
He was a member of Muncy Masonic Lodge #299 F. & A. M. and the Scottish Rite. In addition, John belonged to the American Legion, the Duboistown VFW and the Picture Rocks Fire Department. He served 10 years on the East Lycoming School Board. John was a former Cub Scout Pack Leader in Picture Rocks. He enjoyed bingo, fishing and hunting belonging to the Little Gap Hunting Club where he served as president for over 40 years.
John loved sports. In the Air Force, he played fast pitch softball, basketball and volleyball while stationed in Korea and played fast pitch softball and baseball while at Eglin Air Force Base. He played fast pitch softball while working at Sprout-Waldrons where they were league champions 14 years in a row. John also played baseball in local adult leagues for the Picture Rocks Rockets, Hughesville Travelers and the Muncy town team. He umpired for the North Branch Baseball League. John coached little league teams, Grange & Montys, and the Picture Rocks Rockets in the intermediate league.
He is survived by two daughters, Ruth (Woody) Fry of Hughesville, PA, Mary (Chris) Albano of Alpharetta, GA; two sons, Mark (Michele) Van Buskirk of Gainesville, GA, John F. (Cindy) Van Buskirk of Boonsboro, MD; a sister, Shirley Van Buskirk of Picture Rocks, PA; nine grandchildren, Cassy, Brad, Brooke, Lindsay, Joseph, Justin, Jake, Josh and Zach; and five great-grandchildren.
John is also survived by a step daughter, Pam (Paul) Hartsock and a step son, James Dowling.
John was preceded in death by his wife, Rochelle Van Buskirk, and step son, Jeffrey Dowling.
Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, August 31, at Pennsdale Trinity United Methodist Church, 658 Village Road, Pennsdale with Rev. Kevin St. Martin officiating. Interment will be in Picture Rocks Cemetery with graveside military honors. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at McCarty-Thomas Funeral Home, 557 E. Water Street, Hughesville.
The family will provide the flowers and contributions may be sent to the Pennsdale Trinity United Methodist Church, 658 Village Rd., Pennsdale, PA 17756.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at http://www.mccartythomas.com.
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