Isaiah L. "Ike" McCloskey, Jr.

Isaiah L. "Ike" McCloskey, Jr., age 84, Sun City Center, Florida and formerly of Bloomsburg died peacefully, after a short illness, on Thursday, July 20, 2017 at Lifepath Hospice, Sun City Center.

Ike was born in Bloomsburg on December 26, 1932 a son of the late Isaiah L., Sr., and  Lena McCloskey and Irene Davis. He graduated from Bloomsburg High School in 1950 and then went on to serve his country honorably during the Korean War as an engineer in the United States Navy, serving from 1950 to 1953.

Following his military service, he went on to graduate from the former Bloomsburg State Teachers College in 1957 with a B.S. degree and later earned his M. S. degree from Western Maryland College in 1968.

As a young man, he was passionate about the Boy Scouts and went on to be awarded its highest rank, Eagle Scout. His first professional job was with the Boy Scouts of America, serving as a District Scout Executive in Wilmington, Delaware. Later he spent 23 years in public education, serving as a teacher, Vice Principal and Guidance Director. During this time, Ike served as a class advisor, department head, director of school plays, yearbook and newspaper advisor, . worked in the music departments and was honored as teacher of the year in 1962.

Later he organized a group of 65 students to form the Pioneers Ancient Junior Fyfe and Drum Corps, winning several national awards with this group. Ike also worked in the summers,  during his public school days, for the National Park Service at Gettysburg, providing tours as a park guide to the park visitors.

He went on to start his own business helping high school students in need of summer school to make up credit, later developing this into one of the nation's first regionally  accredited distance education high schools and eventually selling the business  and retiring.

Ike was a member of First English Baptist Church,  a life member of Bloomsburg Elks Lodge 436, a former president of the Bloomsburg Lions Club, former longtime member of the Frosty Valley Country Club in Danville and a member of the Renaissance Country Club in Sun City Center. He always enjoyed a game of golf with family and friends and he treasured his travel of the country with his best friend, his wife Sally.

Outside of his love of family, perhaps his greatest love was his music. Upon arrival in Sun City Center in 2001, he helped to form a musical club called the "Front Porch Pickers." Today, this club has over 60 members that perform weekly for the residents of Sun City Center along with several local community concerts throughout the year. Ike honored his country, community, family and friends with a life of service; a kind and gentle soul, he will be greatly missed.

Ike is survived by his devoted wife and best friend, the former Sally Derr , with whom he celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary on November 27, 2016; four children: Norbert McCloskey, and his wife Anne, Ithaca, NY; Lisa, wife of Charles Hagemeyer, Jacksonville, Fla.; Kevin McCloskey, and his wife Valerie, Allentown; Kathleen, wife of John Balsis, Dunedin, Fla.; ten grandchildren: Jennifer Pierce (Kevin), Katie Moses (Brian), Laura McCloskey (Isidro Urtiaga), Sara Boyce (Brian), Jacquelyn Mracek (Curtis) Michael McCloskey, Casey McCloskey (Sheila), Meghan McCloskey, James McCloskey and Anthony Difebo; eleven great grandchildren: Jake, Cole, Sage, Meadow, Evan, Liam, Curtis III, Dane, McCain, Brandon and Bianca; two step grandchildren: Jay Ulshafer (Fanar), Sara Andress (Jay); five step great grandchildren: Wyatt, Jonas, Warren Guy, Logan and Riley; a sister, Dolores McCloskey; and many loved nieces and nephews.

Ike was predeceased by a sister, Anna Mae Fetzer and two brothers: Guy McCloskey and Robert McCloskey.

A service to celebrate Ike's life will be held on Saturday, July 29, 2017, at 11 a. m. in the First English Baptist Church, 700 Millville Road, Bloomsburg, with the Church pastor, Rev. Dr. L. Lee Barnhardt officiating. Entombment will follow in New Rosemont Cemetery, Espy, with full military honors by the combined VFW group.  Family and friends are invited to call at the Church from 10-11 a. m.

Memorial contributions may be sent to the First English Baptist Church, 700 Millville Road, Bloomsburg; the Bloomsburg Public Library, 225 Market St., Bloomsburg or the Columbia Montour Council, Boy Scouts of America, 5 Audubon Court, Bloomsburg, PA 17815.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Dean W. Kriner, Inc., Funeral Home, 325 Market St., Bloomsburg.