John W. Schenk Sr., 82, of Woodland died on Dec. 7, 2010 at Clearfield Hospital.
He was born on Aug. 20, 1928 in Woodland, a son of the late Leon T. and Esther L. (Wisor) Schenk.
Mr. Schenk was a custodian with the Clearfield Area School District for 36 years retiring in 1992. He also worked in area brickyards and for Dotts Motor Company, Clearfield. Along with his brother Duane, Mr. Schenk had also owned and operated a TV repair business.
He served as a scoutmaster and a little league baseball manager for several years.
Mr. Schenk was a member of the Lake Street United Methodist Church, Woodland.
He had a love for music, frequently singing for weddings and serving as the choir director and song leader at church. He enjoyed singing in a trio with Wally Maines and Jack Karchner for many years.
Mr. Schenk believed in the power of prayer, which led him to help with the church services at Mountain Laurel Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. During these services, he would lead the prayer time and also be found singing to the residents in the hallways.
His real passion in life was fishing, as he well best known for his expertise in fly fishing.
He is survived by his wife, Margaret L. ‘Peggy’ (Duke) Blowers Schenk, whom he wed June 12, 1969 in Woodland,
Two children:
John W. Schenk, Jr. and wife Carolyn Clearfield
Burton D. Schenk Woodland
A step-daughter:
Mary E. Smith and husband Melvin Clearfield
A grandson whom John and Peggy raised:
David Blowers, III Curwensville
Ten grandchildren:
Christy Schenk Kunkle and husband Andy Charlotte, NC
Megan Schenk Bechtold and husband Forrest Charlotte, NC
Katie Ausel Penoyer and husband Brad Clearfield
Evan Schenk Clearfield
Lynn Smith and companion Jennifer Johnson Clearfield
Melanie Smith and husband Earl Roanoke, VA
Amy Royer and husband Randy Grampian
Jacob Peters and companion Gina DeSantis Clearfield
Vicki Blowers Barger and husband Matt Clearfield
Raymond Blowers Nestlerode and companion Amber Johnston Hyde
Thirteen great-grandchildren:
Nathan Arnold, Ben Leighow, Brittany and Nicholas Blowers, Evelyn ‘Evvy’ Smith
Alicia, Breanna, Braden and Jena Royer; Damon, Arian Rose, Devon and C.J. Blowers
A sister:
Norene Koozer and husband Alvin Woodland
A sister-in-law:
Betty Schenk Clearfield
And numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Gladys (Smeal) Schenk, a step son David Blowers and a brother H. Duane Schenk.
A memorial service will be held at the Lake Street United Methodist Church, Woodland on Saturday at 11 a.m. with Pastor Barry Neal and Pastor Sean Patrick Smith officiating.
Friends will be received at the church on Saturday from 10-11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Clearfield Foundation for Health-Hospice, PO Box 992, Clearfield or to the American Heart Association, 777 Penn Center Blvd., Suite 200, Pittsburgh, PA, 15235.
The Kevin A. Beardsley Funeral Home, Clearfield is in charge of arrangements.
To sign the on-line guestbook go to www.beardsleyfuneralhome.com