John "Jack" Edward McGarvey

John "Jack" Edward McGarvey Jr. of Elliottsburg, Pennsylvania passed away at the age of 81 in his home surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday January 8th, 2020.

John Edward McGarvey Jr. was born in Shirleysburg, Pennsylvania to the late John E McGarvey Sr and Freda (Smith) McGarvey on February 19th, 1938. He was a graduate of Blain Union School class of 1955 and went on to join the Navy in 1958 where he attended U.S. Naval Medical School and U.S. Naval Hospital Corpsman School becoming a Hospital Corpsman Medic 3rd Class. He was honorably discharged in April 1964. In September of 1967 he married his loving wife of 52 years Verna (Nester) McGarvey at Messiah College. Jack worked for various companies and contractors over the years but loved coming home to work on his farm. He favored using his horses for much of the work such as hauling wood, bringing in potatoes, mowing fields, and plowing. Mid 80's Jack was wagon master on trail rides and even took a company of friends with their horse drawn covered wagons on week long adventures. Family and friends would be invited to attend "beans and bulls**t" sessions in the back 40 where he would showcase his culinary skills with a whole pig or chicken on the roaster. He was well known for his storytelling abilities throughout the valley and many a time those driving past and seeing him on the porch would stop to hear the tales he could tell like no other. As they walked across the yard they would be invited to "sit down and tell me a lie". He will be sorely missed by friends and family alike.

Jack is survived by his wife Verna (Nester) McGarvey, son William M McGarvey, and his daughter Laura (McGarvey) Miller. He is also survived by his grandchildren Aleah McGarvey and Logan Miller, siblings Marian Shatto and Richard McGarvey. Jack is preceded in death by his sisters Jeanne Metz, Anne Zimmerman as well as brothers Charles (Chuck) McGarvey and William B McGarvey. Viewing and services will be held Thursday January 16th 10 AM at the Perry Mennonite Reception Center, 350 Green Park Rd Elliottsburg, PA 17024 followed by a graveside service at Blain Cemetery. Arrangements handled by Nickel-Lochstampfor Family Funeral Home 3626 Shermans Valley Rd Loysville, PA 17047. www.lochstampforfh.com In leiu of flowers please consider making a contribution to charity of your choosing.

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