Harold A. Shawver

MILROY - Harold A. Shawver passed quietly at home in Milroy, on Oct. 11, 2008, with family present.

Born on March 6, 1925, in Redersburg, he was a son of the late Orvis S. and Minnie B. (Bennage) Shawver, of Swengel. He was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Esther A. (Chatten).

Surviving are his children: Reo Shawver and wife, Terri, of Pine Bush, N.Y., Dale Shawver, Cornwall on Hudson, N.Y., Timothy Shawver and wife, Nancy, of Manning, S.C.; and grandson Seaman Cory Shawver FT3(SS), of Norfolk, Va.; daughter Gail Louey and husband, Harry, of Dickinson Center, N.Y.; granddaughter, Orlena Louey; and grandson, Chad Louey, both of Cornwall, N.Y.; grandson Jeremy Louey, and wife, Mary; great-granddaughters, Elizabeth, age 4, and Sara, 1 week, of Walden, N.Y.

Harold worked at various farms in the Big Valley and Center Hall areas of Pennsylvania starting at the age of 9.

At 21, he went to work for Sheffield Farms in New Jersey where he met and married Esther on May 1, 1948, in Pennington, N.J.

They moved to Mountainville, N.Y., in 1952 to work at Glenoden Farms, a registered Holstein Farm of 300 head, where he eventually became manager.

Through the years, Harold was always increasing his knowledge of dairy techniques. He returned to Pennsylvania when he retired in 1986.

Although farm and field work consumed most of his time, he enjoyed his time with his family on vacations to different states, and the times with his grandchildren showing them the sights of Pennsylvania.

He participated in bowling leagues, snow mobiling, hiding the eggs for the annual farm Easter egg hunt that he sponsored and held at his home.

He was also a founder of the Mountainville Youth Club, and enjoyed refereeing many of the baseball games.

He is also survived by his sisters: Charlotte Wance and husband, Ed, of New Holland, Nancy Wolfe and husband, Donald, of Aaronsburg, Fay Stover, of Mifflinburg, June Bingaman, of Millmont, Janie Maurer and husband, Harry, of Mt. Pleasant Mills, Dorothy Keister and husband, Maynard, of Penns Creek, Rosaline Phillips, of New Athens, Ohio; brothers, Glenn Shawver and his wife, Barbara, of Lewistown, Dean Shawver and wife, Rebecca, of Howard, Albert Shawver and wife, Venus, of Summerfield, Fla., Donald Shawver and wife, Rose Mary, of Portsmouth, N.H.; many nieces and nephews; plus his close friend, Anita Dreamer, of Milroy.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Gladys Stover, of Aaronsburg; and daughter-in-law, Connie Shawver, of Cornwall on Hudson, N.Y.

Burial will be in Mountainville, N.Y., at the convenience of the family.

A memorial service will be held on Nov. 8, 2008, at his son's (Reo) new home at 242 Orchard Grove Ave., Burnham.

For those who wish, you may make a memorial contribution to Hospice: The Bridge, 400 Highland Ave., Lewistown, PA 17044.

Barr Funeral Home Inc., 120 Logan St., Lewistown, is in charge of arrangements.