Obituary for John Calvin Weisgarber
John C. 'Cal' Weisgarber Sr., 98, of Grampian died on Friday, December 25, 2020 at the Ridgeview Elder Care and Rehabilitation Center, Curwensville.
He was born on May 25, 1922 in Curwensville, a son of the late Harry M. and Eliza B. (Derrick) Weisgarber.
He graduated from Curwensville High School with Magna Cum Laude honors.
John served in the US Army Air Force from 1943-1945 during WWII. He was 1st Lieutenant Navigator in the 91st Bomb Group 323 Squadron on a B-17 Bomber, The Seattle Sleeper, out of England. He needed 35 completed missions to come home for Christmas, but was shot down on his 33rd mission on November 26, 1944 while flying over German territory. He was captured and taken to Stalac Luft I at Barth, Germany as a Prisoner of War until the war ended. He was a recipient of the Air Medal, Purple Heart, and Distinguisher Flying Cross.
He was a member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church, Grampian. He was also a member of the Grampian Pomona Grange; was a life member and past commander of the Curwensville VFW Post #842; a 60 plus year member of the American Legion Post 505; a 50 plus year member of the Curwensville Rescue Hose and Ladder; Grampian Lions Club President from 2001-2002, and Lion of the Year 2003-2004; he was the 2009 Grampian Outstanding Citizen of the Year; a member of the Nobel Lodge #480 of the Free and Accepted Masons; a 25 plus year 32 Degree member of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite in the Valley of Altoona; a member of the Jaffa Shrine and Clearfield Shrine Club Oriental Band; and a member of the Curwensville Loyal Order of the Moose.
John owned and operated Curwensville Heating and Plumbing for 50 years from 1946-1996. He was an avid reader, gardener, and animal lover. He had various animals throughout his life. He was fond of trout fishing, and arrowhead collecting in his younger years. Later in his life he took as interest in metal detection where he traveled to England and Scotland on metal detection trips. He traveled to many countries during his life, taking trips to Spain, Portugal, Tahiti, New Zealand, Australia, and Aruba.
He is survived by two sons, John Weisgarber, Jr. and wife Sharon of Curwensville, and Dennis Weisgarber and wife Tammy of Curwensville; a daughter, Kelly Hlavsa and husband Chris of Phoenix, AZ; six grandchildren, Melisa Bloom and husband Shawn of Grampian, Dustin, Brandon, and CJ Hlavsa all of Phoenix, AZ, and Robbie and Calvin Smith of NJ; one great grandson, Cross Bloom of Grampian; a sister, Mary M. McKenna; and two step children, Coleen (Rea) Luzier, and Ron Rea.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Lucianna 'Lucy' Battistella, his second wife, Ann Howatt, and his third wife, Virginia Hess Rea; two sons, Robert M. (Howatt) Weisgarber, and Robert H. Weisgarber; a daughter Sharon (Weisgarber) Smith; a step daughter, Judy (Rea) London; great grandson, Shae Bloom; and an infant brother, Frederick Weisgarber.
Private services will be held at the convenience of the family. Interment will follow in the Oak Hill Cemetery, Curwensville.
Beardsley Funeral Home and Crematory, Curwensville is in charge of arrangements.
The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to Orphans of the Storm c/o Peggy Sass, 412 Hill St., Curwensville, PA 16833; or Shriners Hospital and Burn Centers, Processing Center, PO Box 863765, Orlando, FL 32886.
To sign the on-line guest book go to www.beardsleyfuneralhome.com.
He was born on May 25, 1922 in Curwensville, a son of the late Harry M. and Eliza B. (Derrick) Weisgarber.
He graduated from Curwensville High School with Magna Cum Laude honors.
John served in the US Army Air Force from 1943-1945 during WWII. He was 1st Lieutenant Navigator in the 91st Bomb Group 323 Squadron on a B-17 Bomber, The Seattle Sleeper, out of England. He needed 35 completed missions to come home for Christmas, but was shot down on his 33rd mission on November 26, 1944 while flying over German territory. He was captured and taken to Stalac Luft I at Barth, Germany as a Prisoner of War until the war ended. He was a recipient of the Air Medal, Purple Heart, and Distinguisher Flying Cross.
He was a member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church, Grampian. He was also a member of the Grampian Pomona Grange; was a life member and past commander of the Curwensville VFW Post #842; a 60 plus year member of the American Legion Post 505; a 50 plus year member of the Curwensville Rescue Hose and Ladder; Grampian Lions Club President from 2001-2002, and Lion of the Year 2003-2004; he was the 2009 Grampian Outstanding Citizen of the Year; a member of the Nobel Lodge #480 of the Free and Accepted Masons; a 25 plus year 32 Degree member of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite in the Valley of Altoona; a member of the Jaffa Shrine and Clearfield Shrine Club Oriental Band; and a member of the Curwensville Loyal Order of the Moose.
John owned and operated Curwensville Heating and Plumbing for 50 years from 1946-1996. He was an avid reader, gardener, and animal lover. He had various animals throughout his life. He was fond of trout fishing, and arrowhead collecting in his younger years. Later in his life he took as interest in metal detection where he traveled to England and Scotland on metal detection trips. He traveled to many countries during his life, taking trips to Spain, Portugal, Tahiti, New Zealand, Australia, and Aruba.
He is survived by two sons, John Weisgarber, Jr. and wife Sharon of Curwensville, and Dennis Weisgarber and wife Tammy of Curwensville; a daughter, Kelly Hlavsa and husband Chris of Phoenix, AZ; six grandchildren, Melisa Bloom and husband Shawn of Grampian, Dustin, Brandon, and CJ Hlavsa all of Phoenix, AZ, and Robbie and Calvin Smith of NJ; one great grandson, Cross Bloom of Grampian; a sister, Mary M. McKenna; and two step children, Coleen (Rea) Luzier, and Ron Rea.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Lucianna 'Lucy' Battistella, his second wife, Ann Howatt, and his third wife, Virginia Hess Rea; two sons, Robert M. (Howatt) Weisgarber, and Robert H. Weisgarber; a daughter Sharon (Weisgarber) Smith; a step daughter, Judy (Rea) London; great grandson, Shae Bloom; and an infant brother, Frederick Weisgarber.
Private services will be held at the convenience of the family. Interment will follow in the Oak Hill Cemetery, Curwensville.
Beardsley Funeral Home and Crematory, Curwensville is in charge of arrangements.
The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to Orphans of the Storm c/o Peggy Sass, 412 Hill St., Curwensville, PA 16833; or Shriners Hospital and Burn Centers, Processing Center, PO Box 863765, Orlando, FL 32886.
To sign the on-line guest book go to www.beardsleyfuneralhome.com.