Obituary of John Charles McDonald

John "Jack" Charles McDonald, 85, of Spring Mills, PA died Saturday, March 5 at home, surrounded by his family. He was born November 11, 1930 in Crown, PA, to John Cyril and Charlotte May (Spady) McDonald, who preceded him in death. After graduating from high school in Marienville, PA in 1948, Jack worked for the United States Forest Service. He was in the Army Reserves when the 28th Division was called up during the Korean War in 1951. While stationed in Goppingen, Germany, he was a driver and telegraph operator for General Daniel Strickler. Jack qualified for the job because his uncle had given him a toy telegraph key and taught him Morse code. When he returned from Germany, he attended and graduated from the Clarion State Teachers College on the GI Bill with a Bachelor of Science degree in physical science and a minor in history. He taught science at Pymatuning Joint High School in Jamestown, PA. He received a Master of Science from the Pennsylvania State University, where he studied genetics. After moving to Spring Mills, PA in 1972, Jack taught biology at the Penns Valley High School until he retired in 1988. He greatly enjoyed seeing, talking to and hearing from his former students. He remembered them all. Jack married Norma Ruth Handlos in 1957; they were married for 48 years until her death in 2005. He was preceded in death by his sister Lillian Ruth McDonald. He is survived by his sons David and Matthew of Spring Mills, PA; daughter Kirsten and her husband William Piekielek of PA Furnace, PA, daughter Sigrid Sharif and her husband Dean of Portland, OR; his grandson J.D. of Spring Mills, PA; niece Mary McDonald, her husband Ken Mazawa and their children Daniel, Thomas and Julia of Portola Valley, CA; cousin, Ronald McDonald of Marienville, PA; sister-in-law Nancy Lestitian, her husband Bill and their children William, Theresa and John of Pittsburgh, PA. He is also survived by his dear friend Joanne Feldman of State College, PA, and was a loving honorary grandfather to Sorijah and Noah. Jack was a passionate bee keeper for many years; he caught his first wild swarm of bees in 1947 and kept bees for almost 70 years. His concern about the widespread collapse of bee colonies, including his own, moved him to write articles and network with beekeepers all over the world. He appeared in the documentary movie Nicotine Bees by Kevin Hansen (2010). He played violin in the in the Venango Chamber Orchestra in Franklin, PA, as well as the Nittany Valley Symphony. Jack had a boundless curiosity about the natural world. He was a farmer as well as an educator. He loved classical music, and loved to read. He was a photographer, snake charmer, horse whisperer and philosopher. Family and friends, please join us for a celebration of life service Sunday, March 20 at 5 pm at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Centre County at 780 Waupelani Drive Extension, State College, PA 16801. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Centre Volunteers in Medicine online at www.cvim.net or Centre CVIM, 2520 Green Tech Drive, Suite D, State College, PA 16803. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com.