Obituary of John Porter

John Joseph Porter, 70, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 11, 2012 at Centre Crest Nursing Home in Bellefonte, PA. Born in Bellefonte on October 20, 1941 to Harold Leroy "Bud" and Irene Ishler Porter, John graduated from State College Area High School in 1959. He was a class officer who lettered in football, wrestling and baseball. He continued to wrestle while attending Lycoming College. John studied business at Lycoming before entering the Army in 1960, serving as a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division. After his military service, he earned his business degree from the Altoona School of Commerce. John opened and managed a paint store for Finnaren and Haley in Ocean City, NJ. Following that, he and his brother Dave carried on the family business, Porter Brothers Paint and Wallpaper, in State College. The highlight of John's store was the interaction he had with his customers. They were more than just customers; they were valued friends. A member of the American Legion Post 321 and the VFW Post 245, John continued to spread goodwill. He played Santa Claus for a generation of kids at various State College elementary schools. In his free time, he also enjoyed playing softball and billiards. On October 11, 1980, he married Rebecca Kipp. Beloved for his humor, sincerity and kindness, John maintained a strong commitment to his community and will be greatly missed. John is survived by his mother, Irene Porter, of State College; two daughters, Mariesa Sajdowitz of Milwaukee, WI and Sarah Rose Thompson, along with her husband Ryan, of Santa Rosa, CA; a grandson, Jared Sajdowitz of Milwaukee, WI; and Rebecca Kipp of Santa Rosa, CA, to whom he was married for twenty years. Also surviving are his siblings, Shirley Richardson and her husband Dave, of Flagstaff, AZ; Ed Porter and wife Linda, of Bernardston, MA; Dave Porter and his wife Joyce, of State College, PA; Dana Miller and her husband Bill of Coeur d' Alene, ID; Lisa Freestone of Hemlock, NY; and thirty nieces and nephews along with their families. Friends will be received at the Koch Funeral Home, 2401 S. Atherton Street, State College, on Thursday, February 16, 2012 from 6 until 8 p.m. A memorial service will be held at the funeral home on Friday, February 17, 2012 at 11 a.m. Burial with military honors will follow in Boalsburg Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to any of the following organizations: Special Olympics of Pennsylvania 2570 Boulevard of the Generals Norristown, PA 19403 Parkinson's Disease Foundation www.pdf.org Centre Crest Nursing Home 502 E. Howard Street Bellefonte, PA 16823 Online condolences may be made at www.kochfuneralhome.com