Dr. John Wilson Galbreath, age 89, of West 9th Street, Bloomsburg, died on Monday, September 3, 2012 at his home under the care of Columbia-Montour Home Hospice. He had been in failing health for the past year.
John was born on Wednesday, April 18, 1923, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, the son of the late Dr. William R. and Pearl (Boutwell) Galbreath. He spent much of his youth in Puerto Rico where his father was a medical missionary. He moved to Bloomsburg with his family in 1935. John was a 1941 graduate of the Bloomsburg High School and also attended Bucknell University.
John served in the United States Army during World War II with the support staff of the 120th Evacuation Hospital in Great Britain and Germany, participating in the liberation of the Buchenwald Concentration Camp. After the war, he attended the University of Pennsylvania Dental School. Upon graduation in 1952, he established a 35 year dental practice in Bloomsburg.
John was active in the Tri-County Dental Society, having served a term as organization secretary. He was a 75 year church member and Elder of the First Presbyterian Church of Bloomsburg. He was well-known in the area as an amateur musician having been a 46 year member of the Catawissa Military Band. He also played with the Danville Community Band and the former Lime Ridge Band.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 68 years, Eleanor (Anderson) on August 21, 2012, a brother: William Galbreath and sisters: Alice Roach and Jean Jennings.
Survivors include a son: Stevan Galbreath of Bloomsburg; three daughters: Nancy Hesser and husband, Phillip, of Crocheron MD; Susan Fike and husband, Terry, of Lock Haven; and Anne Cosper of Bloomsburg; a granddaughter: Rebecca Cosper also of Bloomsburg and a brother: James Galbreath of Parkersburg WV.

A time of Visitation for family and friends will be held on Friday, September 7 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Allen Funeral Home, Inc., 745 Market at Eighth Street, Bloomsburg.
Funeral Services will begin on Saturday, September 8 at 10 a.m. from the First Presbyterian Church, 345 Market St., Bloomsburg with Rev. David B. Pierce, officiating. Private graveside services will be held in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Lebanon County.
Memorial contributions in John's name are suggested to: Catawissa Military Band, 115 S. Berger Ave., Catawissa 17820; or the First Presbyterian Church, 345 Market St. Bloomsburg 17815; Danville Community Band, P.O. Box 345 Danville 17821 or Columbia Montour Home Hospice 410 Glenn Ave. Suite 200 Bloomsburg.