James K. Stewart

Lewisburg - James K. Stewart, a former employee of the Lewisburg Penitentiary and a talented amateur musician, died Friday, Aug. 31, at the home of his daughter in Penns Creek. He was 85. Mr. Stewart lived most of his adult life in Penns Creek. He was employed at the Pennsylvania House Furniture plant in Lewisburb, then worked 20 years at the penitentiary, primarily in the personnel department. He then worked in the account services at the Tri-County National Bank in Middleburg before retiring. For 40 years, he served as pianist, organist, and choir director of the Emmanuel United Church of Christ in Penns Creek. He was also a member of the church consistory. Mr. Stewart was a charter member of the Susquehanna Valley Chorale and sang with the chorale for several decades. He also performed with such community groups as the Buffalo Valley Singers. He was born Oct. 26, 1921, in Pittsburgh, the son of Thomas and Anna Laura Stewart, and graduated from Perry High School. Afterward, he performed for a summer with the highly regarded Civic Light Opera in Pittsburgh. He served in the Navy aboard a submarine during World War II, seeing action in the south Pacific. After War, he attended Northwestern University and Bucknell University, where he and his wife were active members of the International Christian Student Fellowship. Mr. Stewart was an enthusiastic reader, a card and cribbage player, a crossword puzzle whiz, and enjoyed tennis and other outdoor activities. He served on the Middleburg school board and was instrumental in organizing Penns Creek's first youth baseball team. Later in life, he volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and the area adult literacy program, and served as an officer with the nonprofit Euell Gibbons Foundation. His wife, the former Barbara Anne White of Norfolk, VA., died in 1993. Afterward, he moved to Lewisburg, and joined the Beaver Memorial United Methodist Church and worked as a volunteer at the Evangelical Community Hospital. In recent months he had resided at Riverwoods nursing home. Surviving are two sisters, Betty Mohn of Leesburg, FLA., and Jeanne Mayo of Pittsburgh; two daughters, Tina McCloy of Williamsport and Eileen Trojan of Penns Creek; two sons, Timothy Stewart of Denver, Colo., and Michael Stewart of Orangeville. Also surviving are seven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. Arrangements are under the direction of the Dale E. Ranck Funeral Service in Milton. Interment will be in the Hyndman Cemetery, Hyndman, PA. Contributions in his memory may be made to the Emmanuel United Church of Christ, Penns Creek, Pa., or to Beaver Memorial United Methodist Church, Lewisburg, Pa. A memorial service will be held 11:00 A.M., Saturday, September 15, 2007 at Emmanuel United Church of Christ Church, Penns Creek, PA Online condolences can be sent to www.Bestlifetributes.com