John W. Longenecker

YORK- John W. Longenecker, 75 of Springettsbury Township, died Tuesday, October 20, 2009 at York Hospital. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 31, 2009 at Heffner Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Inc., 1551 Kenneth Rd. in York, with a visitation from 9-10 a.m. Burial will be in Prospect Hill Cemetery with full military honors by York County Veteran's Honor Guard. Mr. Longenecker was born in York on February 6, 1934, a son of the late Paul R. and Catherine (Brillhart) Longenecker. He attended grades 1-10 in the York City and County Schools; grades 11-12 from Massanutten Military Academy where he graduated in 1951 in Woodstock, VA; obtained a Drafting Diploma from LaSalle University in 1976 in Chicago, IL, and received an Associate's Degree in Applied Science, General Management, from El Paso Community College in 1983, in El Paso, TX. He worked at Bears Department Store, as a Cafeteria Worker; for General Roofing Company as a Roofer; G.F. Plitt and Son, as a Driver and Salesman; at Walmart in Night Receiving, for a total of 10 years all in York. He served in the PA National Guard in York from 1958-60, where he was awarded General Thomas E. Stuart Medal. He served in the US Army from 1956-58 and 1961-85, a total of 26 years and four months, and Retired as a Sergeant Major. He served three Tours in Germany (nine years, three of which in Berlin), two Tours in Korea (26 months), and two Tours in Vietnam (19 months). He also served at sixteen different stateside locations. He received the Combat Infantry Badge, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Good Conduct Award with eight Loops, Vietnam Service Ribbon with nine Campaign Stars, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, a Purple Heart, along with many other Service Ribbons. He also received Distinguished Instructor Award, Ft. Lee, VA in 1971. He was a member of Hawk's Gunning Club, East Lincoln Bowling Leagues, Springettsbury Fire/Ambulance Clubs, and was a life member of Springettsbury VFW, Post 5865. Mr. Longenecker is survived by a brother, Frederick J. Longenecker of Tampa, FL and a cousin, Joseph Brillhart of York. Memorial contributions may be made to York Cancer Center, Patient Help Fund, 25 Monument Rd., York, PA 17403.