John S. Koehler

1927 - 2016

John S. Koehler
John S. "Jack" Koehler, a well-known and loved, local historian and Lehigh Valley Railroad (LVRR) extraordinaire, who specialized in the history that made Weatherly a community, died on Monday, Aug. 22, in his home at the age of 89. It was Jack that felt everybody and every place had a story worth telling and preserving. Preceding him was his loving wife and co-pilot in life, the late Esther (Romig) Koehler (2008), and his youngest daughter, Patricia (Koehler) Richie, on June 23, 2016, who both fought the battle against cancer. Born on April 16, 1927, to the late Russell W. and Kathryn (Sturtevant) Koehler, he was the oldest of four sons, the others being late Hugh R., husband of Doris (van Horn) Koehler of Lancaster, the late Mr. and Mrs. Robert and Edyth Koehler and Kurt Koehler of Lancaster, as well as one sister, the late Joanne Koehler.
Jack is survived by his children, Kathryn (Koehler) Coblentz, and her husband, Wayne, of Middletown, MD, and John B., and his wife, Coreen (Truskey) Koehler, of Penn Lake Park Boro; six grandchildren, Brian Coblentz, husband of Suzanne, of Mount Airy, MD, Greta (Richie) Yoka, wife of Robert of York, Alicia (Richie) Quinn, wife of Matthew of Penn Lake Park Boro, Kimberly Richie of Bowie, MD, Jennifer (Koehler) Jones, wife of Chris, of Nesquehoning, and John C. Koehler, fiancé of Karen Karper, of Jim Thorpe; nine great-grandchildren, Robert, Isaac, Timothy and Daniel Yoka, Samantha and James Coblentz, Brady and Carson Jones and Vonn Koehler; a son-in-law, Irvin J. Richie, and his fiancée, Kate Kumitis, whom Jack lived with for the last four years; nieces, nephews, cousins, sisters-in-law, many friends and a beloved community are left behind.
Jack started collecting historical artifacts of the LVRR in 1942, which was the railroad that passed through the Weatherly community. He was inspired by the many members of his family who once worked for LVRR.
Upon graduation from Weatherly High School in 1945, Jack was drafted for World War II and trained for the invasion of Japan. He had hoped to have come home and find himself enjoying his years while working on the railroad, but the return of veterans left no available jobs for new employees. Jack started full-time with the United States Postal Service in 1955, where he worked for 34 years.
It was in 1954 when Jack's uncle, the late Harry Yeide (Weatherly Bakery owner) passed away. Jack visited the home and found a gold trimmed Weatherly graduation card, dated 1892, with eight names, including the late Lottie White (Jack's great aunt).
This motivated his quest to collect Weatherly history, memorabilia and artifacts, in addition to all things LVRR. Since then, he took pride in learning about the discovery of the community and the businesses and industries that shaped the town. His most prized possession is the Beaver Meadow Railroad Conductors report, dated 1854.
He was a selfless man who was determined to give back to the community and passions he so adored. He volunteered with many organizations throughout the community. A few notables are Curator of his very own museum, Weatherly Area Community Museum, which opened in 2012 in the old LVRR dispatcher's office; treasurer for over 50 years for the First Presbyterian Church of Weatherly; president of Weatherly's Union Cemetery for 26-plus years; a past president of Weatherly Ministerium; one of the founders of the Audobon Lehigh and the W.A.H.S. Alumni Association, as well as a past treasurer; and an Explorer Troop leader who led one of the first Hazleton/Weatherly troops to Philmont, N.M., in the 1960s.
On any given day, Jack could be found enjoying his numerous hobbies, such as taking walks through the woods, hikes to Glen Onoko Falls or picking strawberries and blueberries to share with neighbors. He loved animals of all kinds and nature's glory, especially having studied forestry at Penn State's Mont Alto, one of the first forestry schools in the nation.
At home, you'd find him sitting at his card-table adding to his robust stamp and coin collections, or working in his den on the many record books he started and maintained. He'd be seen not just in town but throughout the region, chasing trains that came through and logging them in his files.
Jack was also known through the community as a caretaker for the Charles M. Schwab School. He used to climb the tower and wind the clock by hand from 1952-2000. Sunday day trips meant driving to different post offices to mail himself a post-card so he could collect all the different postmarks, just one example of something that doesn't exist today.
Jack was awarded many honors and distinctions, including the Commandant Award by the Delaware and Lehigh Heritage Corridor in 2010 for his years of dedication to the Audubon Auto Tour and his personal commitment to the legacy industrial development has played in Weatherly's heritage. He was honored by the American Red Cross in 1998 for donating over 104 pints of blood or 13-plus gallons.
He'll forever be known as Mr. Weatherly, a living encyclopedia of countless and interesting facts and stories.
Service: Celebration of his life 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 29, First Presbyterian Church of Weatherly, E. Main and Spring streets, Weatherly. Call 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Sunday, Philip J. Jeffries Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 211 First St., Weatherly. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made in memory of Jack Koehler and the Weatherly Area Museum. Checks should be payable to Weatherly Borough and mailed to Weatherly Borough, 10 Wilbur St., Weatherly, PA 18255; or, to the First Presbyterian Church of Weatherly, E. Main and Spring Streets, Weatherly, PA 18255.Online condolences may be signed at www.griffithsfuneralhomes.com.