James E. Stuchell, Jr.

James E. Stuchell, Jr. passed away peacefully in his sleep on April 9, 2026, at the age of ninety-two. Jim was born on July 29, 1933, in Big Run, Pennsylvania, the son of James E. Stuchell, Sr. and Lena (Hollopeter) Stuchell. He was the oldest of five sons. He grew up in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, during the depression.

After graduating from high school, Jim joined the Army and served during the Korean War. Upon discharge he attended Penn State, graduating with a degree in Geography. He then earned a master’s degree in City and Regional Planning from the University of North Carolina.

Jim met the love of his life, Marie Henry, at a dance in Punxsutawney. After their first date he told his cousin, “I just met the woman I’m going to marry.” It took Jim a while to convince Marie but eventually, as he predicted, Jim married Marie in 1958. They spent sixty-five happy years together.

After Jim earned his master’s degree, Jim and Marie moved to Lancaster, Pennsylvania and then to Lebanon, Pennsylvania; Jim worked as a regional and city planner in both cities. In 1961, Jim attained national fame through a humorous AP news article describing how he was abruptly called away while delivering a speech on the population explosion, because his wife was in labor.

In 1970 the couple moved to Williamsport, partly because of its unique location in the center of so many pristine wild areas. In Williamsport, Jim worked as a city planner and later turned to real estate. He and Marie brought the Re/Max franchise to Williamsport.

Jim was committed to Williamsport and worked hard to make it a great place to live. He deeply loved the wild areas surrounding Williamsport, and spent countless hours fishing and hunting in the forests, mountains, and creeks. He long maintained a close cadre of good friends who shared his love of the outdoors.

Jim was well respected and loved in the Williamsport community for his honesty and integrity. He radiated competence, knowledge, warmth, and sincerity. He was an active member of Lions Club, Ducks Unlimited, Grampian Hills Association, Lycoming County Realtors Association, Lycoming County Planning Commission, Korean War Veterans, Knight’s Hunting Club, Antes Fort Fishing Club, and the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club. For decades, he attended St. Luke Lutheran Church, serving on the board and singing bass in the choir. More recently, he attended Wings of Love Community Church, which he considered his spiritual home.

The couple raised three children: Lynne Nerenberg (Michael), of Del Mar, California; Dana Jacques (Walter Zvikas) of Williamsport; and James C. Stuchell (Michele) of Savannah, Georgia. They have seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Jim has two surviving brothers: John Stuchell, of DuBois; and Ronald Stuchell, of Punxsutawney. He was predeceased by his parents and his brothers William Stuchell, of Punxsutawney and Gerald Stuchell, of Mellinghausen, Germany.

After retirement, Jim and Marie traveled the world and enjoyed spending time with their grandchildren, who love them both dearly. He indulged his interests in history and genealogy. He read widely, and was able to speak intelligently on almost any subject.

Jim had the gift of knowing he was going to die a few weeks ahead of time. He was not afraid of death, and was looking forward to his next step, confident that he would spend eternity with God. Therefore, Jim cheerfully set about saying good-bye to his family and close friends. He also helped plan his memorial service and lunch. With his typical sense of humor, he warned his college student grandchildren that although he wouldn’t be present to see their grades, he would have ways of getting news “up there.”

A visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, June 5, 2026, at the Knight-Confer Funeral Home, 1914 Memorial Ave., Williamsport. A memorial service will follow at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 5, 2026, at the funeral home.

Online condolences may be expressed on Jim’s memorial page at www.KnightConferFuneralHome.com.