James L. Ferguson, 75 of Howard, lost his battle with cancer but finally won the war. He went home with the Lord on Friday, August 7, 2009 at the Mount Nittany Medical Center, State College.
He was born on November 30, 1936 in Philipsburg to the late Thomas and Ruth Ferguson. On November 29, 1969, he married the former Sylvia Jane Litz, of Howard. In addition to his wife, he is survived by two step-daughters; Sharon McCloskey, wife of Wayne, of Wingate, and Diane Lomison of Bellefonte, five sons; Barry Ferguson, Husband of Alice, of Somerset, James Jr., of Philipsburg, David Ferguson of Philipsburg, Michael Ferguson of South Port, and Paul Ferguson of Milwaukee, Wis., three daughters; Ruth Ann Barnes of Sheldon, Iowa, Mary Jane Burke of White Oak, and Lisa Harris of Virginia Beach, Va., four sisters; Genevieve Weaver, wife of William of Rebersburg, Jeanette Steele, of Winburn, Effie Neidig of Munson and Marie Krasinski, wife of James of Kylertown, Three brothers; Thomas Jr. husband of Nancy, of Philipsburg, Timothy and Jack both from Philipsburg.
He loved all of his family including his 17 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death along with his parents were three brothers, Charles, Grant, and Gordon.
In 1954, he was discharged from the Army as a corporal after serving in the Korean War for four years. He retired from HRI in 1989 after 30 years of service. He later worked for Dairy One where he collected milk samples for Penn State. He was a member of the Howard area VFW and Barger Lodge #325 FEM.M. He attended the Brookside Wesleyan Church.
He loved to read and enjoyed gardening, camping, and hunting along with spending time with his entire family. The past several years he and his wife spent the winters in Florida, so they did not have to endure the Pa. cold winters, but his heart remained in Centre Co. He was a caring man who always had a smile on his face and shared what he had with others. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Friends will be received at the Kader-Neff Funeral Home, 135 W. Main Street, Howard, Pa. from 6 – 9 p.m. on Sunday, August 9, 2009. Funeral service will be Monday, August 10, 2009 at 10:00 at the funeral home with the Pastor Barry Ferguson and Pastor Robert (Bo) King officiating. Burial will be at the Schencks Cemetery, Howard Twp. with Military Honors.