John Milton McLaughlin, Jr., Ph.D.
June 20, 1924 — January 15, 2015
John Milton McLaughlin, Jr., Ph.D.
John Milton McLaughlin, Jr., Ph.D., age 90, Danville, and formerly of Bloomsburg; affectionately known as Dr. Mac, JM, Milt and Red in his younger years, passed away peacefully on January 15, 2015, lovingly surrounded by his family at the Emmanuel Center in Danville.
John was born on June 20, 1924 in New Kensington, the only child of the late John Milton, Sr. and Effie Theresa (Carnahan) McLaughlin. He enlisted in the Merchant Marines at age 17, and served on ships of war carrying ammunition and cargo to allied troops throughout the world during World War II.
After the war, John married the former Mary Ann Gavigan on October 4, 1947 in Lock Haven, where he was attending Lock Haven State Teachers College. While earning his B.A. at Lock Haven State College, John played minor league baseball and was employed in manufacturing. Following college he taught elementary school for several years. In 1964, John and Mary Ann moved their family to State College where John earned his masters and doctoral degrees in the education of exceptional children at Penn State University. In 1968, John accepted the position of professor of special education at Bloomsburg University, where he taught until retiring in 1992 as Professor Emeritus. He moved to Danville in 2007.
John loved to play racquetball, work in his garden, play cribbage and spend time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. In his late 50s and early 60s he enjoyed competing in the Pennsylvania Special Olympics with his wife, Mary Ann.
After retiring, he attained certification with the state education system as a mediator. He traveled the state on a part-time basis coordinating mediations between special needs students, their families, and their school district administration. He continued working as a mediator until late in life, when caring for his wife became his number one priority. He visited Mary Ann daily for more than 5 years at the Emmanuel Center until he was most recently admitted himself to recuperate from serious medical conditions. He passed away with Mary Ann by his side, surrounded by his children, grandchildren and their families.
John and Mary Ann raised four children: John L. McLaughlin, wife Susan, Danville; Kim McLaughlin, wife of Rob Traber, Bridgeport, Conn.; Catherine McLaughlin, wife of Ed Lawrence, Benton; and Nancy McLaughlin, wife of Robert Martynowych, Riverside. In addition, he is survived by five grandchildren: Matthew McLaughlin, Collin McLaughlin, Blaine McLaughlin, Katie Traber and Dmitro Martynowych; and two great grandchildren, Riley McLaughlin and Nolan McLaughlin.
A memorial service to celebrate the life of John Milton McLaughlin, Jr. will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, March 15 in the Chapel of the Emmanuel Nursing Center, Danville. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: The Children’s Museum, 2 West 7th Street, Bloomsburg, PA 17815 or to the Bloomsburg Public Library, 225 Market Street, Bloomsburg.
John was born on June 20, 1924 in New Kensington, the only child of the late John Milton, Sr. and Effie Theresa (Carnahan) McLaughlin. He enlisted in the Merchant Marines at age 17, and served on ships of war carrying ammunition and cargo to allied troops throughout the world during World War II.
After the war, John married the former Mary Ann Gavigan on October 4, 1947 in Lock Haven, where he was attending Lock Haven State Teachers College. While earning his B.A. at Lock Haven State College, John played minor league baseball and was employed in manufacturing. Following college he taught elementary school for several years. In 1964, John and Mary Ann moved their family to State College where John earned his masters and doctoral degrees in the education of exceptional children at Penn State University. In 1968, John accepted the position of professor of special education at Bloomsburg University, where he taught until retiring in 1992 as Professor Emeritus. He moved to Danville in 2007.
John loved to play racquetball, work in his garden, play cribbage and spend time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. In his late 50s and early 60s he enjoyed competing in the Pennsylvania Special Olympics with his wife, Mary Ann.
After retiring, he attained certification with the state education system as a mediator. He traveled the state on a part-time basis coordinating mediations between special needs students, their families, and their school district administration. He continued working as a mediator until late in life, when caring for his wife became his number one priority. He visited Mary Ann daily for more than 5 years at the Emmanuel Center until he was most recently admitted himself to recuperate from serious medical conditions. He passed away with Mary Ann by his side, surrounded by his children, grandchildren and their families.
John and Mary Ann raised four children: John L. McLaughlin, wife Susan, Danville; Kim McLaughlin, wife of Rob Traber, Bridgeport, Conn.; Catherine McLaughlin, wife of Ed Lawrence, Benton; and Nancy McLaughlin, wife of Robert Martynowych, Riverside. In addition, he is survived by five grandchildren: Matthew McLaughlin, Collin McLaughlin, Blaine McLaughlin, Katie Traber and Dmitro Martynowych; and two great grandchildren, Riley McLaughlin and Nolan McLaughlin.
A memorial service to celebrate the life of John Milton McLaughlin, Jr. will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, March 15 in the Chapel of the Emmanuel Nursing Center, Danville. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: The Children’s Museum, 2 West 7th Street, Bloomsburg, PA 17815 or to the Bloomsburg Public Library, 225 Market Street, Bloomsburg.
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