Obituary for Dennis E. Van Horn
Dennis E. Van Horn, 62, of McAlisterville, passed away at 12:41 PM, Monday, February 8, 2021 at the Geisinger Medical Center in Danville.
Born on May 4, 1958 in East Salem, Juniata County, he is a son of the late Harold R. and Sara Jean (Barton) Van Horn.
On June 1, 1991, he married his surviving wife, Karen M. (Foltz) Van Horn with whom he was blessed to share almost 30 years of marriage.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by: one brother, Donald R. “Red” Van Horn of East Salem; one sister in law, Maggie Van Horn of Liverpool; two nephews, Brian Van Horn and family of East Salem and Shawn Van Horn and family of Lewistown; and one niece, Christy Gelnett and family of McAlisterville.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, David K. Van Horn in 2016; and two sister in laws, Trudy Van Horn and Julie Van Horn.
Mr. Van Horn was a 1977 graduate of East Juniata High School in Cocolamus.
In his early years, he helped his mother and father clean at the East Salem Shirt Factory. Later, he was employed and retired in 2016 after more than 39 years of service at Empire Kosher, Inc. in Mifflintown. He also spent 16 years working with Reisinger Sporting Goods in Ickesburg where he enjoyed helping set up and tear down displays from the Grange Fair, the Port Royal Fair, and the Shermans Valley Heritage Days.
Dennis was a member of St. John United Methodist Church in Cocolamus. In recent years, he also attended the Bunkertown Brethren Church and visited the Reward United Methodist Church in Millerstown where his good friend, Pastor Wayne Kerstetter preached.
His hobbies included riding motorcycles, going fishing, playing ping pong, going to flea markets and auctions, and attending carnivals and fairs with the Bloomsburg Fair being his favorite and had attended the fair every year from 1988 to 2019.
Dennis was an ardent sports fan with his favorite sports teams being: since the age of 10, he was a big fan of the New York Jets, especially Joe Namath; the Philadelphia Phillies; and Penn State Nittany Lions football. He was also known for playing church softball having pitched for Bunkertown Church of the Brethren and later for the Cocolamus United Methodist Church Charge.
His greatest joy was working at the Village Merchants where he was a vendor since 2008 and later worked with the owner, Tony Little at his warehouse upstairs. He loved meeting and helping all his customers which brought him great joy.
Public Graveside Services will be held at 11:00 AM, Tuesday, February 16, 2021 at the East Salem Cemetery, Thompsontown with his friend, Pastor Wayne Kerstetter officiating.
Due to the ongoing Covid pandemic, wearing of masks and social distancing will be required at the graveside services.
There will be no public viewing or visitation.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Mr. Van Horn’s memory can be made to the charity or church of one’s choice.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Brown Funeral Homes, Inc., 111 Westfall St., McAlisterville.
Online condolences and tributes can be shared with the family at www.brownfuneralhomesinc.com.
Born on May 4, 1958 in East Salem, Juniata County, he is a son of the late Harold R. and Sara Jean (Barton) Van Horn.
On June 1, 1991, he married his surviving wife, Karen M. (Foltz) Van Horn with whom he was blessed to share almost 30 years of marriage.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by: one brother, Donald R. “Red” Van Horn of East Salem; one sister in law, Maggie Van Horn of Liverpool; two nephews, Brian Van Horn and family of East Salem and Shawn Van Horn and family of Lewistown; and one niece, Christy Gelnett and family of McAlisterville.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, David K. Van Horn in 2016; and two sister in laws, Trudy Van Horn and Julie Van Horn.
Mr. Van Horn was a 1977 graduate of East Juniata High School in Cocolamus.
In his early years, he helped his mother and father clean at the East Salem Shirt Factory. Later, he was employed and retired in 2016 after more than 39 years of service at Empire Kosher, Inc. in Mifflintown. He also spent 16 years working with Reisinger Sporting Goods in Ickesburg where he enjoyed helping set up and tear down displays from the Grange Fair, the Port Royal Fair, and the Shermans Valley Heritage Days.
Dennis was a member of St. John United Methodist Church in Cocolamus. In recent years, he also attended the Bunkertown Brethren Church and visited the Reward United Methodist Church in Millerstown where his good friend, Pastor Wayne Kerstetter preached.
His hobbies included riding motorcycles, going fishing, playing ping pong, going to flea markets and auctions, and attending carnivals and fairs with the Bloomsburg Fair being his favorite and had attended the fair every year from 1988 to 2019.
Dennis was an ardent sports fan with his favorite sports teams being: since the age of 10, he was a big fan of the New York Jets, especially Joe Namath; the Philadelphia Phillies; and Penn State Nittany Lions football. He was also known for playing church softball having pitched for Bunkertown Church of the Brethren and later for the Cocolamus United Methodist Church Charge.
His greatest joy was working at the Village Merchants where he was a vendor since 2008 and later worked with the owner, Tony Little at his warehouse upstairs. He loved meeting and helping all his customers which brought him great joy.
Public Graveside Services will be held at 11:00 AM, Tuesday, February 16, 2021 at the East Salem Cemetery, Thompsontown with his friend, Pastor Wayne Kerstetter officiating.
Due to the ongoing Covid pandemic, wearing of masks and social distancing will be required at the graveside services.
There will be no public viewing or visitation.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Mr. Van Horn’s memory can be made to the charity or church of one’s choice.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Brown Funeral Homes, Inc., 111 Westfall St., McAlisterville.
Online condolences and tributes can be shared with the family at www.brownfuneralhomesinc.com.