John R. Thrash

John R. Thrash, 96, of Berwick, passed away Monday, August 6, 2018, at his home surrounded by his loving family. Born in Nescopeck on January 18th, 1922, John was the son of John and Jennie (Nungesser) Thrash. After graduating from Nescopeck High School in 1939, John served as a top-turret gunner in the 381st Bomb Group in the U.S. Army Airforces during World War II, where he valiantly survived after his B-17 was shot down. Following the war, he was a supervisor at Wise Potato Chips. John was a happy and lighthearted man, always singing and telling jokes. He loved Big-band music, fishing in Canada, working with his hands, watching the Phillies, and spending time with his family. But more than anything, John loved his wife, Martha, of 70 years who passed away in 2012. He was also preceded in death by his parents and four siblings, Kenneth, Donald, and James Thrash, and Doris Taylor. John will be deeply missed by his three children, Robert and wife, Nancy, Berwick; Craig and wife, Linda, Elkton, MD; and Candace Belles of Berwick; six grandchildren: Shelley Spencer and husband, Lee, York; Scott Thrash and wife, Kris, Thompsons Station, TN; Eric Thrash and wife, Tina, Butler; Kristen Thornton, and partner, Jason McNew, Earlville, MD; Brian Thrash and wife, Jil, Joppa, MD; Bridget Lysiak and husband, Matthew, Selinsgrove; and Rachel Pourhashemi and husband, Dayheem, Chantilly, VA; seventeen great-grandchildren: Chelsey, Bethany, Bruce, Caleb, Sarah, Kaitlyn, Cole, Garrett, Bennett, Renee, Isabel, Taylor, Jack, Hilde, Georgia, Logan, Juliet; brother, Merlin Thrash, Tacna, AZ; and numerous nieces and nephews. After six years of mourning his beloved wife, John can now rest as they are reunited. All are welcome to join John's family for his funeral 1:00 PM, Thursday, August 9 at the Kelchner-McMichael-Baker Funeral Home, 119-121 East Third Street, Berwick. Rev. R. Christian Dunlap, chaplain at Geisinger Columbia Montour Hospice will officiate. Friends will be received from 11:00 AM until the time of service. Interment will follow at Elan Memorial Park, Lime Ridge.