John Summers Coutts

John Summers “Pap Pap” Coutts of Lewistown, formerly of Fairless Hills, passed away peacefully Monday, June 3, 2019, at his home.

John was born on March 24, 1924, in Sagon/Hickory Ridge to the late George and Bessie (Malick) Coutts.

Surviving are: his sons, John R. Coutts and wife, Joyce, of New Hope, and Jeffrey A. Coutts and wife, Karen, of Harleysville; daughters, Bette J. Trubl and husband, Mark, of Sierra Vista, Ariz., and Georgette M. O’Donnell and husband, Peter, of Lewistown; grandchildren, Timmie John, of East Canton, Ohio, Eric John and wife Melissa, of Vail, Ariz., Jonathan Coutts, and wife, Melissa, of Elizabeth, Colorado, Jaclyn Greiser, and husband, Dan, of Doylestown, Kelly O’Donnell, of Harrisburg, Amy Roberti and husband, Vin, of Washington, D.C., Jeana Schutte and husband, George, of Parker, Colo., Brian O’Donnell of Houserville and companion, Laura DeAntonio, of State College, and Laura Coutts of Harleysville; sister, Emily Kahler, of Shamokin, sister, Peg Kahler, of Helfenstein, brother, Larry “Hipper” Coutts, of Shamokin and eight great-grandchildren.

He was proceeded in death by his wife of 66 years, Mildred, who passed away in 2013.

A veteran of World Word II, John served in the U.S. Third Army 550th AAA AW Battalion from 1943 to 1945 seeing battle across Europe, including landing on the beaches of Normandy just days after D-Day. During his time in the service, he earned the Good Conduct Medal, the American Defense Service Medal and the Europe-Africa-Middle East Campaign (with 5 stars). John would twice return to Normandy, both times voluntarily, to remember those with whom he served.

Prior to his service in the military, John enlisted in the Civilian Conservation Corp, working to develop and conserve the natural resources within this state. He spent a number of years working in the coal mines of Northumberland and Schuylkill counties. Following a series of accidents in the mines, John moved his family to Fairless Hills and began working for U.S. Steel from where he retired in 1986.

John was a loving husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He provided for his family and with his wife, worked to make sure that every need was met. He was extremely hard working, even into his 95th year. He loved to tease and would charm anyone he encountered with his quick wit and commentary on current events. Pap Pap was happiest when he got to shoot the breeze with an old friend or family member and because he lived life to the fullest; he had many adventures to relive and reminisce about. His family is so grateful for the time they had with him and for all of the happy memories that Pap Pap provided. He will be missed tremendously by all who knew him and loved him.

Hoenstine Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Interment will be alongside his wife at the Washington Crossing National Cemetery, Newtown, at the convenience of the family

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