Obituary of John J. Haffly , 84

John J. Haffly of State College, PA passed away peacefully into eternal life at the age of 84 at Mount Nittany Medical Center. Born March 13, 1929 in Harrisburg, he was the son of the late Mary W. Fergus and John E. Haffly. Surviving is his wife of 51 years, Linda L. (Howard) Haffly. Also surviving is a daughter, Tracy L. (Haffly) Scala and husband Rick, of State College, grandsons, John W. Scala of State College and Dominick A. Scala of Fort Pierce, FL, and great-grandson, Deegan J. Scala of Fort-Pierce, FL. Surviving from a previous marriage is daughter, Jonna (Haffly) Scott of York and son, Steven A. Haffly of Harrisburg.

John was a 1948 graduate of William Penn High School. He was a talented athlete who played varsity football and track. He was a member of the only varsity football team in the history of the school to beat John Harris High School for three consecutive years. He joined the United States Marine Corps Reserves in 1948 and was called to active duty during the Korean War in 1950. He was a Sgt. in the 2nd Motor Transport Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. John played football for the US Marines and then went on to play semi-pro football for the Harrisburg Lions from 1952-1959. From 1948-1950 he worked for the Commonwealth of PA Labor and Industry, from 1952-1960 for Thompson Products in Harrisburg, and from 1960-1967 for Sears and Roebuck Company where he met his wife Linda. He was then employed at Tyco Electronics (formerly AMP Inc.) as an inventory controller until 1983 when he became an advanced buyer for Raytheon Company (formerly HRB Singer Inc.) in State College, PA. He retired in 1990.

He was a member of East Shore Baptist Church in Harrisburg, the Cumberland Star Masonic Lodge #197 in Carlisle, the National Rifle Association, and the National Association of Veterans and a former member of the Nittany Leathernecks. He was a 4-H Leader for the Dauphin County Horse Club for nine years. He played on numerous golf leagues in Harrisburg for AMP Inc., in State College for HRB Singer, for Burning Tee at Penn State, and the Centre County Golf League. He was an avid hunter and gun collector. He had a love for the Native American heritage and made authentic handcrafted Native American relics. John was a veracious reader, especially interested in biographical and geographical books about Pennsylvania, as well as Native American and Civil War history. He was a lifetime supporter of Penn State sports and a member of the Alumni Association. John had a special love for his boxer dog, Gretel.

John’s love and pride for his wife, daughter and grandchildren brought him unending joy. He felt blessed to have the gift of God's saving grace and a lifetime of loving memories to cherish with his wife and family.

Family and friends will be received from 6-8pm on Saturday, January 18, 2013 at Koch Funeral Home, 2401 South Atherton Street, State College.

Celebration of John’s Life will be held in the spring at the convenience of the family.

Memorial contribution may be made to East Shore Baptist Church, 6721 Jonestown Road, Harrisburg, PA 17112 or http://eastshorebaptist.org/giving/ Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com