Robert F. Remaley

LEWISBURG - Robert F. Remaley, 97, of Lewisburg, passed away Monday, March 24, 2025, at Nursing and Rehabilitation at the Mansion, in Sunbury, with his son and daughter-in-law at his side.

He was born at 244 S. Chestnut St., in Mt Carmel, Feb. 28, 1928, a son of the late Charles W. and Della (Snyder) Remaley.

Bob was a 1947 graduate of Mount Carmel High School. Following high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army then in active Army Reserves. Bob served a total of 27 months overseas, including 15 months with the 40th Infantry Division in Korea. He then held a reserve assignment in the Office of the Adjutant General of the Army until completion of 20 years active and reserve duty and retired with the rank of major.

Bob was lucky in August 1949, when he met a little Polish girl from Kulpmont in the pool at Knoebels, Rita Marie Bushick, who became his wife, May 9, 1953. They had a loving marriage of more than 63 years until her passing, Jan. 21, 2017.

He graduated from Pierce Business School in 1950.

In September 1957, Bob enrolled in Lycoming College and after graduation he took a position as an agent with the Internal Revenue Service. After training, he was assigned to Washington, D.C. While there he held short details to the House of Representatives and the White House under President Kennedy, assisting the members and both staffs with tax matters. He retired from the IRS after 24 years of service in various locations.

After retiring from the IRS, Bob had the opportunity to take a short-term position as the assistant treasurer in American Samoa. He always told Rita he would take her to live on a Pacific Island, so off they went!

As if his time in the Army and IRS wasn't enough, Bob and his brother, Charles, ran two companies in the Ashland area, Remaley Real Estate and Remaley Associates.

Bob was a tax accountant and did taxes for many companies and people in the Ashland and Lewisburg area.

In 1973, he and his brother built and operated The Ashland Car Wash for many years. It remained in the family for more than 50 years.

Bob and Rita loved to travel and visited many countries. They often spoke of visiting their son, Tom, in Germany while he was stationed there. While living in American Samoa, they were able to visit Australia, New Zealand and other countries. They also brought their daughter and granddaughters over to visit them and took them to Hawaii to spend time with them.

Bob liked to tell of visiting South Korea. They were on the border of North and South Korea when Rita stuck her foot over the line of demarcation, and said, "There! I was in North Korea!"

In their later years, Rita became ill and was confined to a wheelchair. Bob was her caregiver for many years, rarely leaving her side. They were happy to have their daily calls from Jim and family visits every Saturday morning for breakfast, gathering around the table to chat. In November 2022, Bob was admitted to the nursing home as he was no longer able to walk or care for himself. He looked forward to his daily calls from Jim, his Friday night visits from his son, Bob, who was "a good cook" and his weekend visits from Jim and Mary. He enjoyed the holidays when the family would bring the whole dinner and celebrate with him.

Bob is survived by his sons, Robert F. Remaley Jr. with his girlfriend, Dale Muckleman, of Turbotville, and James E. "Slim" Remaley with his wife, Mary, of Ashland; his daughter, Barbara A. Balistreri, of New Columbia; his grandson, Mathew Remaley with his girlfriend, Amy Mignot, of Mill Hall; his granddaughter, Melinda Chappell, of Milton; his great-grandchildren, Lydia, Marcus, Gianni and Vivien; two sisters-in-law, Julie Bushick and Gerry Bushick; and many nieces and nephews.

Along with his parents, and his wife, Rita, he was preceded in death by his son, 1st Lt. Thomas W. Remaley, in October 2011; his granddaughter, Allison M. Chappell, to whom he was very close, in December 2024; his brother, Charles Remaley; and two sisters, Elizabeth Shutt and Marion Miller.

REMALEY - Robert F. Remaley, 97, of Lewisburg. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Rothermel-Heizenroth-Clark Funeral Home, 120 S. Market St., Mount Carmel. A viewing for family and friends will be held from 9:30 to 11 a.m. prior to service at the funeral home. Burial with full military honors will follow services in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville. Rothermel-Heizenroth-Clark Funeral and Cremation Services Inc.-Mount Carmel / Kull Heizenroth Funeral Home Inc. has been entrusted with the arrangements. For more information or to extend online condolences, go to www.kullfuneral.com.