Edward F. John, avid hunter, community volunteer

Edward F. John, 89, of Lewes, passed away at home Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. He was born Nov. 2, 1935, in Pottstown, Pa., son of the late Edward F. John Sr., and Dorothy Kathryn (Shanaman) French John.

Ed was predeceased by his sister, Margaret S. (John) Swavely; and his brother Richard M. John. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, N. Claudette (Rondum) John of Lewes; his daughters, Melanie G. (John) DeBlase McGarry of Reading, Pa., and Amy D. (John) Healy of Douglassville, Pa.; five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

Ed graduated from North Coventry High School in 1953 and earned a diploma from Reading Business Institute in June 1955. He went to work immediately thereafter in the Berks County Trust Investment Department.

Ed joined Gudebrod Inc., a specialty textile company with manufacturing in Pottstown, Pa., in December 1956, learning the business from the ground up. He worked for the company for 49 years, becoming the only nonfamily president and CEO. He retired in 2005, remaining chairman of the board of directors for three years.

Ed actively contributed to every community in which he lived. As a teenager, he was an assistant scoutmaster, and his interest in archery prompted him to organize what eventually became the Frontier Archery Club in South Coventry.  Ed was a member of Stichter Lodge No. 254 F&AM in Pottstown, Pa., and a past high priest of Pottstown Royal Arch No. 27. He was a member of the Rajah Shrine, the 32nd-degree Scottish Rite, and Pottsgrove High Twelve No. 321.

Ed was an avid hunter with a bow and arrow, shotgun, and rifle. He fished fresh and salt water, and his family ate everything he shot and caught. He was a gifted athlete, a high-scoring bowler, a consistent winner in competition archery — instinctive, no sights — and in skeet.

Ed began shooting skeet in his 50s at Cacoosing Gun Club, in Birdsboro, Pa., and continued that interest after moving to Lewes, joining the Salisbury Gun Club in Maryland. He has many trophies, medals, and awards from local and state competitions. He not only won many tournaments but loaded shells in all four gauges, and developed his own specialty shotgun loads. Mentoring his peers and teaching and supporting youth programs were the important gifts of Ed’s later years. He taught and coached anyone who asked for help.

As an active member of Conley’s UMC in Lewes, Ed was on the Staff Parish Relations Committee and later the church council. He was chairman of the council until he became too ill to serve.  He was a strong supporter of Camp Hope, a summer enrichment program for underprivileged children begun by Conleys.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Dec. 5, at Conley’s UMC, 33106 Jolyns Way, Lewes, where family and friends may visit beginning at 10 a.m.

A memorial service will also be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, at St. John’s UCC, 57 St. John’s Road, Birdsboro, Pa., with visitation beginning at 10 a.m. 

In lieu of flowers, send donations to Camp Hope, c/o Conley’s UMC, conleysumc.org/camp-hope. 

Visit Ed's Life Memorial webpage at parsellfuneralhomes.com.