John C. Lightner

YORK John Clair Lightner died Wednesday, May 7, 2014, surrounded by his family. He was the husband of Edna H. Lightner. Born June 17, 1923, in Commodore, Pa., he was the son of the late Joseph Rhody and Nancy Ellen (Van Scoyoc) Lightner. John was the third of 10 children. He was preceded in death by brothers and sisters, Elizabeth "Biddy Ann" (Fred Markley), Walter (and Mary), George, Marjorie (and Bob Miller), Joseph "Merv", Earl and Ray Lightner. Brothers, Blake (Sandy) and Rhody Allen (Dorothy) Lightner are still living; as are sisters-in-laws, Betty (George), Annette (Earl), and Judy (Ray) Lightner; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and extended family friends. John is also survived by three children, Barbara (Jim), Leslie Lightner, and Bill and Sandy (Kirk) Lightner; and four granddaughters, Kristen, Jessica, Kimberly, and Allison Lightner. John graduated from Bellwood Antis H.S., Bellwood, Pa. He worked for the PA Railroad, Altoona, and Glen Martin Co., Baltimore, Md. Drafted into WWII in 1943, he was assigned to the 36th Medical Composite Unit in the United States Army. John completed training and was shipped to Guadalcanal in the Pacific Theatre. One of his duties was malaria control. He came stateside and supervised the clerical dept. at Ft. Carson Convalescent Hospital in Colorado. He was honorably discharged in 1946. He received the American Service Medal, Asiatic Pacific Medal, WWII Victory Medal, and Good Conduct Medal. He graduated from Indiana University of PA in 1950 where he received his B.S. in Business Education. John met his wife, Edna, at IUP and was married in August 1950. He was manager of Anderson Shoe Store, Indiana, Pa., and an Assistant Manager of Montgomery Ward Stores in Indiana, Punxsutawney, Kittanning, and Butler. In 1955, he accepted a teaching job in Wilmerding, Pa., at Westinghouse H.S. outside of Pittsburgh. He received his Masters Degree in Secondary Education from the University of Pittsburgh. In 1963, John taught Distributive Education at William Penn H.S., York (training students employment skills). He took a two year respite from teaching youth and accepted a job at McCrory's McClelland & Green Distribution Center training adults. John missed working with the youth and D.E., and accepted a teaching job at Bermudian Springs H.S. in Adams County, where he retired in 1986. John's interests were his family, friends, hunting, travel, family reunions, pinochle, WWII books, and movies. His favorite place was his cottage at Ridgeview Park in western Pennsylvania. John was a member of Eastminster Presbyterian Church, VFW Post, and Victory Athletic Club. Monday evening, May 12, 2014, a viewing will be at the Etzweiler Funeral Home, 1111 E. Market St., York, from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday morning, May 13, there will also be a viewing at 10 a.m. at the Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 311 Haines Road, York. The service will begin at 11:30 a.m. Military rites will be conducted following the service at the church by the York County Veterans Honor Guard. Wednesday, May 14, at 10 a.m. there will be a Chapel Service - Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Ridgeview Park Association in memory of John Lightner, 281 Ridgeview Road, Derry, PA 15627 www.etzweiler.com