John Mason Edmonds, Jr.

John Mason Edmonds, Jr.
June 19, 2021

On the nineteenth of June 2021, the last breath of John Mason Edmonds Jr. was taken on this earth. John’s life began in 1950, his very first breath taken on the last day of December, becoming the firstborn to Barbara Hahn and John Mason Edmonds 70 years prior at the Pottsville Hospital. 

John was a well seasoned man, drafted into the Vietnam war after high school and on his return took up the honorable trade of carpentry. He did his best to live a good life and was a bright beam of hope shooting through the darkness. His days were spent finding joy through the infinite glimmers of divine light by grace of undeserved love. He shared his joy at every chance and with everyone he crossed, in every way one might imagine. He, without question, admired the goodness of every soul and with an overwhelming love demonstrated his gratitude in service to soup kitchens, inmates of prison yards, to wandering vagabonds, curious rebel souls on the side of the road and business sleuths alike. He walked alongside those broken and weary, gathering many friends while sharing his solace, reflecting the best representation of light he had come to know. 

In the summertime, he enjoyed taking his family to the wilderness to witness the handiwork of a great creator, singing out of tune psalms to a tone-deaf God all long the countryside, the windows down and his family by his side. Telling tales and weaving stories of all he has seen, all he had done and all he had hoped. He had a great sense of humor, a divine sense of wonder and lived with his hands off the wheel flying by the seat of his pants.

In John’s final thoughts there was a sweetness and a humbleness to his spirit, a great thankfulness for the gift of life. John leaves behind three younger sisters and his darling sweet wife and lifelong love, Debbie. He fathered two sons, Stephen and Benjamin, whom he spoke about with great tenacity, saying at every chance he got, “I am wild about you my sons, absolutely wild. Grace, peace and love to you, for all of your days.” These words are words to be missed the most. Spoken with surety and pride, in the sound and the strength of an earnest man, a good father, and a humble servant of the most sovereign up high.

There will be a public ceremony on the morning of June 24, 2021 at 9am at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Indiantown Gap Rd., Annville. All who want to express gratitude for the life of John are welcome.  There will be a procession leaving the H. L. Snyder Funeral Home, Inc., Pine Grove promptly at 8:15 am for those wishing to follow to the cemetery. 

You may send condolences to the family online at www.hlsnyderfuneralhome.com 

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