James R. Ertel, 83, of Mosquito Valley, died peacefully, Tuesday, March 13, 2018, at his home surrounded by his family.
Born May 25, 1934, in Williamsport, he was a son of Roy Arthur and Ruth (Macomber) Ertel. He was married to Joann Carl on August 15, 1968.
Jim was a 1956 graduate of Lycoming College earning a Bachelor of Arts in Biology. He was an elementary school teacher in Woodbridge, New Jersey in 1956 and was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1957 where he and his twin brother served two years. Jim was an elementary teacher at Jackson Elementary School from 1960-1995.
He was a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church. Jim loved spending time with his family at their cabin on Beaver Lake. He cherished the time visiting with family and friends almost every day at their home eating cookies and drinking coffee, and talking about the Bible or Thomas Edison.
Surviving in addition to his wife of 49 years, are two children, Marion E. Burgess (Christopher) and Kenneth R. Ertel (Shana); five grandchildren, Kayla J. and Kadix I. Burgess, and Sidney A., Morgan R., and Benjamin James Ertel, all of Mosquito Valley; his twin brother, Joseph R. Ertel (Galina), of Nisbet; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a brother, R. Conrad Ertel and a sister, Alice B. Castetter
A funeral service to honor the life of Jim will be held 3:30 p.m. Sunday, March 18, at Sanders Mortuary, 821 Diamond St., Williamsport. Burial will be private in Montoursville Cemetery. A time of visitation will be held from 2-3:30 p.m. Sunday at Sanders Mortuary.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Jim's name may be made to a charity of one's choice, or Jim and his family would greatly appreciate, a kind gesture, like visiting a friend.
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