John C. Proper

1931 - 2025

John C. Proper, 93, of Donegal, passed away Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, at Ligonier Gardens with his loving wife by his side. Mr. Proper was born July 27, 1931, in Scenery Hill, PA, to the late Rev. E. Stewart and Glenna Cloyd Proper. John was a graduate of Ramsay High School, class of 1949, and King College in Bristol, TN. John was a member of Mt. Zion Lutheran Church in Donegal, where he served on the church council and helped with the Youth Group and Sunday school. He proudly served his country in the United States Army, working as a surgical tech at Walter Reed Hospital. He was a member of the Chestnut Ridge Fire Department for over 50 years, the Chestnut Ridge Lions Club for over 67 years, and the Bridgeport Sportsman's Club golf league. He was a member of 'The Over The Hill Gang.' John was very active with the Laurel Highlands Snowmobile Club. He was a certified snowmobile instructor by the Pennsylvania DER. John was a man of strong faith who lived his life with a youthful spirit that never faded. He was an inspiration to everyone he touched. He reminded us all that age is just a number, but a joyful heart is forever young. John is survived by his loving family, his wife of 66 years, Helen Newill Proper; his daughters, Holly Bryan (Dr. Henry) of Grosse Pointe Park, MI, and Bonnie Viazanko (William) of Columbia, SC; his daughter-in-law, MaryRose Thomas; his grandchildren, Alana Wilhelm (Dan), Alexa Brady (Peter), John S. Proper, Megan Viazanko, Richard Proper, and Aaron Viazanko; his great-grandson, Henry Wilhelm; and by his sisters, Sybil Harr and Glenna Shaw. In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his son, William S. Proper; his brother, William Proper; and by his brothers-in-law, William Harr, and Dan Shaw. Family and friends will be received on Sunday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at GALONE-CARUSO FUNERAL HOME INC., 204 Eagle St., Mt. Pleasant. A funeral service will be held on Monday, at Mt. Zion Lutheran Church, Donegal, at 11 a.m. with Rev. Keith Deckinger, officiating. Interment with military rites will be accorded in Donegal Cemetery. The Lion's Club will hold a service in the funeral home on Sunday, at 5:45 p.m., followed by the Chestnut Ridge Fire Dept. In lieu of flowers, donations in John's memory can be made to Mt. Zion Lutheran Church in Donegal. To offer an online condolence, please visit our website at www.galone-carusofuneralhome.com.