Obituary of Harry W Boyer

Harry Whiteman Boyer, age 98, of Liberty, PA, died Thursday, October 16, 2014 at his home. Harry was born on November 23, 1915 in Sunbury, PA, a son of Harry E. and Myrl Whiteman Boyer. He graduated from Sunbury High School in 1935 and completed some Penn State University extension courses while working at the former Broscious Paint and Lumber Co. Harry married Thelma Anderson of Shamokin. He was employed at PPL in 1940 as a telephone operator. After serving in the Air Force during WWI, he returned to PPL working in sales and later as a lighting, wiring and home heating specialist, retiring in 1975. After Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps and became a Flight Instructor at Cochran Field in Macon, GA. In 1945 he became a B-24 Liberator Pilot and trained his crew for active duty in the Pacific. The war ended before he went overseas. He enlisted in the Air Force Reserve for 29 years earning the rank of Lt. Colonel. Harry was a dedicated blood donor for 53 years giving 275 pints (over 34 gal.) and was honored as a donor by the North Central Chapter of the American Red Cross in 2003 and 2010. He was a 32 degree Mason (a member of the Blue Lodge 22) Valley of Bloomsburg, and a lifetime member of the American Legion Post 201, Sunbury, PA. Harry was a choir director at St. John's Methodist Episcopal Church, Sunbury; Faith United Methodist Church, Montoursville; and the former Calvary Methodist Church in Williamsport. After retiring from PPL, he and Thelma moved to Macon, GA, joining the Liberty United Methodist Church where he taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, and served as a trustee. He was a member of the Jersey Shore Presbyterian Church, became an ordained elder and deacon, choir member, and created the popular Birthday Song Ministry. Harry was a Red Cross Team Leader and tutor at John Heard School, Macon, GA for 11 years. He was a tutor in the Literary Program at Lycoming County Prison and an inmate advocate for the former Friends of the Court. Harry was a volunteer reader for the North Central Sight Services radio and recorded audio books for the sight impaired. He was featured as a Defender of Freedom in the Williamsport Sun Gazette in October 2009, and is in the book "Defenders of Freedom, Vol. 1", published in 2010. Harry was a baritone soloist singing in choirs from age 18 to 98. He collected family history and genealogy, wrote a personal history book called My Story, enjoyed Classical and Sacred music, and was a Big Band trivia buff. He enjoyed reading, local travel, and family gatherings. Harry is survived by his second wife, Diane Bastian, of Liberty, PA; daughters, Ann Boyer of West Chester, PA, Debbie B. Hoag of Yoma, AZ; Patti B. Bemer of Montoursville, PA; Carol A. Boyer of Montclair, NJ; granddaughter-in-law, Angela Hoag of AZ; great grandchildren, Jared, Trinity, and Heather Hoag, of Yuma, AZ. Harry was predeceased by his first wife, Thelma, in 1995; his brother, Robert in 1973, and his only grandson, Border Patrol Officer, John A. Hoag III in 2009. A Memorial Service will be held at Jersey Shore Presbyterian Church at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, November 8th, 2014. Memorial gifts (no flowers) may be sent to Jersey Shore Presbyterian Church, 235 S. Main St., Jersey Shore, PA 17740. Buckheit Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Inc., 637 S. Main St., Mansfield, PA is assisting the family. www.buckheitfcandcrematory.com