Obituary of Arthur Norman DeGeus

Arthur Norman DeGeus was the firstborn child of George and Gladys Newberry DeGeus, arriving on February 23, 1930 in Madison, South Dakota. The family moved to Pennsylvania to escape the ravages of the dust bowl and eventually established a dairy farm on Pumpkin Hill, between Roseville and Jobs Corners, where Art grew up with siblings Garret, Richard and Ruth. Art graduated from Mansfield High School and in 1949 married Virginia Watts. He worked for 25 years with Swift Premium Meats in Elmira, NY while raising a family of 6 children. After the closure of the Swift plant Art and Garret formed a partnership to service and sell cars at DeGeus Brothers Garage at the state line on Rt. 328. Art kept in touch with his farming roots by helping John Busia on his dairy farm. He was also active for many years as caretaker of the Jobs Corners Cemetery and a member of the Cemetery Association. Art was active for many years in the Big Elm Volunteer Fire Department, serving as assistant chief for much of that time. The Christian faith was central to Arts life and he was very active in the Daggett United Methodist Church. As the church changed conference relationships between New York and Pennsylvania, Art developed many relationships in both conferences. He enjoyed the annual mens rally in Lewistown, Pa. and attended several of the quadrennial United Methodist Mens gatherings at Purdue University in Indiana. Arts hobbies included bowling, deer hunting and watching NASCAR racing. He is survived by wife of 60 years Virginia; brother Richard,sons and daughters, Eugene (Liliana) Gene Robert; Kay Bartlett (David) John, Brett, Sarita Merrill, Nathan, Kristi; Dale & his son Ryan; Duane (Esther)Michael, Megan, Jennifer,Lauren, Ashley;Ginger Gregory (Shawn) Joshua Wood, Sara, Becky;Donna Gooshaw (Terry)Andrew & Jeremy. There are 16 great-grandchildren.