John Owen Yocum

John Owen Yocum, 85, of Old Reading Road, Catawissa, passed away peacefully at his home with family by his side on Wednesday, January 22, 2025.

Born on September 15, 1939, in Ringtown, the son of the late Owen and Grace (Burd) Yocum. After graduating from Roaring Creek Valley High School, he went on to study Agronomy at Penn State University. After graduating with his Master’s degree, he and his wife Sandra moved to Lancaster County to live and work on the Penn State Research Farm at Manheim, where they worked for 41 years before retiring and returning to Catawissa.

John was a member of the Kulp United Methodist Church. While in Lancaster County he was a member of the Manheim Rotary Club. He served on the Southern Columbia Area School board and on the Soy Bean Board. He was a member of the Future Farmers of America at Roaring Creek Valley School and the Alpha Zeta Fraternity at Penn State.

He is survived by his wife, the former Sandra A. Faust with whom he celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary on September 23, 2024; two daughters: Jennifer Yocum of Greensboro, North Carolina and Jeanne Schlager at home; a granddaughter, Coleen, wife of Hakeem Thomas of Manasses, Virginia; a son in law, Mike Schlager of Bloomsburg; three sisters: Joyce LeVan of Catawissa, Darlene Turner of Bloomsburg and Karen, wife of Ron Keefer of Catawissa; and several nieces and nephews.

John was a caring and loyal husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. He will live on in our hearts forever.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, January 28, 2025 at 12 noon in the Kulp United Methodist Church, Old Reading Road, Catawissa with his pastor, Kym Eichelberger officiating. Interment will follow in the Church cemetery. Friends may call at the Church from 11:00 a. m. to 12 noon.

Flowers are welcomed, but donations to the John Owen Yocum Agricultural Scholarship Fund are encouraged as he dedicated his life to helping the farming community. Checks should be made out to Southern Columbia Area High School, noting the scholarship name and sent to 800 Southern Drive, Catawissa, PA 17820.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Dean W. Kriner, Inc., Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 325 Market St., Bloomsburg, PA 17815