Richard E. “The Junk Man” Auman, 79, of Spring Mills, passed away peacefully at home with his wife by his side on Wednesday, January 18, 2023. Born on December 16, 1943, in Spring Mills, he was the son of the late Wilber L. and Mildred I. (Smith) Auman. On June 24, 1967, in Spring Mills, he married Jeanne M. Grenoble.
Richard attended the Penns Valley Area School District. He worked as an equipment operator with the PA Forestry Penn Nursey until he retired in 1999, after 36 years of service. On his spare time, he was the proud owner and operator of his own company, Auman’s Auto Wrecking, for 59 years.
Richard attended the Penns Valley God’s Missionary Church. He was a member of the Nittany Antique Machinery Association. He was a collector of sorts for items ranging from coins to scraps and many things in between. He was his families personal historian for Penns Valley, always trying to help educate on who lived where and what used to be located where while taking family drives in the car. He was very proud of his business and loved to help many generations of people find the right car part or an inexpensive first car for someone. He loved working in the yard and on cars. He and a few others cleaned up and painted 5 cars for the demolition derby that was once held in Centre Hall. He loved a good deal and may have been considered thrifty or frugal when it came to making such deals. He loved his family and cherished every moment spent with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Along with his wife, Richard is survived by three children, Dulce L. Auman and her husband, Tim Chamberlin, of Spring Mills, Travis E. Auman and his wife, Gwen, of Spring Mills, and Hannah M. Witherite of Madison Township, PA; six grandchildren, Caleb R. Chamberlin (Amber), Mariah Chamberlin, Dalton Auman, Aaron Witherite, Sam Witherite, and Nathaniel Heck; one step grandchild, Tony Corman (Megan); two great grandchildren, twins, Adam and Lillian Chamberlin; and two sisters, Judy Witherite and her husband, Russell, and Jane Manley, both of Spring Mills.
A viewing will be held on Monday, January 23, 2023, from 6pm – 8pm at the Daughenbaugh Funeral Home, Inc in Centre Hall and on Tuesday, January 24, 2023 from 10am – 11am at the Penns Valley God’s Missionary Church in Spring Mills. A funeral service will immediately follow Tuesday at 11am with Pastor Nathan Walter and Pastor Mike Covalt co-officiating. A graveside service will follow at Heckman Cemetery in Spring Mills.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Penns Valley God’s Missionary Church, 109 Evergreen Lane, Spring Mills, PA 16875.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Daughenbaugh Funeral Home, Inc 228 S. Pennsylvania Ave., PO Box 579, Centre Hall, PA 16828. An online guest book can be signed or condolences to the family available at www.daughenbaughfuneralhome.com.