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John Eastlake

John Eastlake, 79, of South Williamsport hiked to his heavenly home on Saturday, February 20, 2021 from UPMC Susquehanna Williamsport with his loving wife and all four children holding his hands.

Born July 16, 1941 in Greenville, PA, John was the son of the late James A. Eastlake and A. Martha (Bricher) Eastlake. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his younger sister, Katherine at a very young age.

John is survived by his wife of 56 years (June 6, 1964), Joan (Matovic) Eastlake, his daughter, Alicia (Greg) Swaggerty of Cocoa Beach, FL, daughter, Cynthia “Cyndi” (Randy) Jackemeyer of Fort Wayne, IN, son David (Cindy Casale) Eastlake of Williamsport, PA, son, Brian (Mindy) Eastlake of Spotsylvania, VA; six grandchildren, Danica & Samantha Swaggerty, Carolina & Sara Eastlake, Nate & Ashlee Jackemeyer. He is also survived by his brother Edward (Ellen) Eastlake of Springfield, MA, nieces Erica (Rob & son, Owen) Lucier of Palmer, MA and Rachel (Bret) Pisarski of Palmer, MA, and many cousins.

John graduated from St. Michael’s High School, Greenville, PA in 1959, received his Bachelors in Agriculture-Forestry from the Pennsylvania State University in 1964, and was honorably discharged from the Army National Guard of Pennsylvania after five years (and three months) as a medical corpsman, receiving the sharp shooter badge for rifle (something he would casually mention to his daughters’ dates ). He retired from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) (formerly PA Department of Forests & Waters) after 39 years (2003).

John was all about family and was always there before you needed him. He was a husband, father, grandfather (“Bampa”), friend (he knew no strangers), and a steward of state forest land. He was an avid outdoorsman, hiker (including becoming an Adirondack 46er in 1985), cross-country skier, and photographer. If you saw him without his camera, it was a rare sighting. You always had pictures and stories in your emails. He always pointed out the wildlife, the CCC works, and you knew all the stories that trees and flowers tell. Along with Bob Weber (d.2015), he laid out a few of Pennsylvania’s most beloved trails: the Black Forest Trail (including the Sentiero DiShay Trail), the Golden Eagle Trail, and the Old Loggers Path.

John was his kids’ biggest fan and volunteer. He coached Little League baseball, helped develop the Mountaineer Little League Softball League (now South LL), never missed an elementary, junior high, or high school basketball game, track meet, baseball/softball game, cross-country ski race, tennis match, or band competition. He was a longtime scorekeeper for basketball, was in the stands at his daughters, Alicia and Cyndi’s college basketball games, and in the college golf gallery for his son, Brian and granddaughter, Danica. He always said, “You did good, kid” with his three pats on the back hug.

John was also very involved with his community as a longtime member of the South Williamsport Lions Club (2004/2005 past president, 2010 Melvin Jones Award, 2011 Pennsylvania Fellows Award, 2005 Lion of the Year), Civilian Conservation Corp Legacy (2015 Certificate of Appreciation: Conservationist Researcher, 2019 Legacy Stewardship Award), Audubon Society, Alpine Trail Club, Susquehannock Trail Club (2017 Circuit Hiker Award), Appalachian Trail Conservancy and Museum, Keystone Trails Association (2020 Citation Award for Lifetime Achievement), Pennsylvania Forestry Association (2013 The Sandy Cochran Award for Excellence in Natural Resources Education), Tiadaghton Forest Fire Fighters Association, Pennsylvania Forest Firefighters Museum, Pennsylvania Lumber Museum, Pennsylvania Parks and Forest Foundation, Thomas T. Tabor Museum, Great Smoky Mountains Association, Pennsylvania Forests Heritage Association, Little League Team Host (Uncle), Nittany Lion Club, Penn State University Football Usher (Section NF), and Friends of the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

John was always an educator and historian. He taught all of “his kids” hard and smart work ethics (“it’s the end result that counts”), all in the glory of God. He always looked you in the eyes with a handshake and a smile, sharing stories and corny jokes. And he never forgot anyone’s name. His passion was the history of the Civilian Conservation Corp (he was known as the “CCC Guy”). And all his kids were always sworn in as Junior Rangers at all the National and State Parks near and far. He shared the environment with everyone and holds a genuine life-estate Deed to one square inch of Mount Nittany Conservancy land. His outreach, though, is measured in miles and miles, genuinely lifting everyone up on eagles wings that are blessed to be part of his trails and beyond.

Due to the current health crisis, a walk-through viewing will be held on Friday, February 26, 2021 from 6-9pm at Charles M. Noll Funeral Home, 1 E. Central Avenue, South Williamsport, PA 17702. All CDC guidelines requiring mask and social distancing will be observed.

Due to Covid-19, we will hold a private mass and graveside service on Saturday for immediate family. We’re all wearing our favorite ball caps. Please wear one of yours and salute John with a favorite take-me-out-to-the-ballgame beer.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in John’s name can be sent to South Williamsport Lions Club, 1424 Pinecrest Dr, South Williamsport, PA 17702 or Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Legacy, P.O. Box 341, Edinburg, VA 22824 or St. Lawrence Church, 800 West Central Avenue, South Williamsport, PA 17702.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Charles M. Noll Funeral Home, 1 East Central Ave., South Williamsport, PA 17702.

www.charlesmnollfuneralhome.com