James Emerson "Jim" Laubach

James Emerson “Jim” Laubach, 91, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 25, 2024 at the Masonic Village in Elizabethtown.

He was born in Benton on February 23, 1933, the youngest of three children of the late Jonathan Paul and Ethel Irene (Bray) Laubach. A 1951 graduate of Benton High School, he earned his Bachelor’s degree at Lycoming College in Williamsport in the mid-1950’s.

Growing up in Benton his love of trains started at an early age. At that time Benton was the quintessential small American town, with the Bloomsburg & Sullivan rail line running right behind the family home on Third Street. Throughout his life, he was passionate about trains, collecting and building model railroads, working for Western Maryland RR in his early career, and even operating a number of short line railroads in the late 1970’s – early 1980’s. 

A reserved, gentle, and loyal man, he was a people person, making (and keeping) friends throughout his life. The work he enjoyed most - loss prevention specialist for Liberty Mutual Insurance, where he interacted with a wide range of clients (a favorite was M&M Mars), head of safety at Hershey Chocolate (he definitely loved chocolate!), and his various businesses that aligned with his interests – Cub Cadet tractors, water gardening, landscaping, and irrigation, all shared a common theme – engaging with people!

Although more of a “homebody”, enjoying the natural beauty of Pennsylvania and the east coast, he and Elaine took two trips to Europe, including a trip to Germany in 1998 to see the land of his ancestors (and take lots of pictures of trains).

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Jennifer Hayes Laubach, on January 13, 1988, after a battle with cancer; a sister, Janet Bouvier; and a brother, Jonathan "Jack" Laubach. 

He married (Eva) Elaine Smith of Ridgway, Elk County, on December 6, 1958, after meeting in Harrisburg, where they both were working. They celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in 2023. Also surviving is a daughter, Victoria Elaine Laubach, of Chester Springs; two nephews; five nieces; and several great nieces and nephews. 

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Dean W. Kriner Inc. Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 325 Market St., Bloomsburg and will be announced. Interment will be made in the Benton Cemetery.

His family and friends will miss him.