John H. Shuman Jr.

April 27, 1934 - July 15, 2020

We're finding it very hard to write a proper tribute to the life and times of John H. Shuman, Jr. (aka Jack, Dad, Papa) who passed away on July 15, 2020. How do you honor the life of a man so loved? Both the supreme optimist and occasional pessimist (safety first!) as he thus strove to always do the right thing for his family and friends. He stayed the course to his priorities in his life. And to his last day he was trying his best by humbly striving to be a better husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. Jack called Bloomsburg home his entire life. He attended Bloomsburg schools where met his future wife Nancy Anne Ennis in 7th grade, with his senior year spent at Valley Forge Military Academy, graduating in 1952. He went on to Wesleyan College, graduating in 1956, where among other accomplishments was proudest of being the Defensive Captain of their football team. He and Nancy went to graduate school near each other in New York City at Columbia University where he got his MBA in 1958 while she obtained her Nursing degree there. They married in 1957 and remained happily and lovingly together for 62 years. Jack achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, served in the Pennsylvania National Guard, and was a member of the Trinity Reformed United Church of Christ. Jack always did as much as he could do for his family, running successful businesses through his life: John H. Shuman, Inc. Real Estate and Insurance, Shuman's World Travel, Campbell Builders, and Montour Mutual Insurance Co. He was a member of the Jaycees and Kiwanis clubs, and served as president of the Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce. Despite his love for business, Jack's family and friends always came first. His children and grandchildren received more love than any of us (at least at certain times) deserved. He set a perfect example of the values of honesty, loyalty and integrity. None of us ever saw a moment where he placed any priority above his family, unless conflicted briefly by a teaberry ice cream or a favorite piece of candy, but he would always share those anyway. He loved tennis, bridge, hunting, fishing, all with a dose of kindhearted joking around. Always the athlete, he played tennis with Nancy on into his eighties. He and Nancy "retired" from tennis to play bridge Tuesday nights, laughing and still maneuvering some more wins along the way. He loved vacations with his family: going to the Ocean City NJ and the Keys were his favorites, along with Mu Hollow camp for fall colors, and Lake Carey for boating. Jack Shuman passed away leaving behind with us a million wonderful memories of his mischievous smile, heartfelt laugh, warm hugs, and zest for living. Jack is survived by his wife Nancy, his children Bob Shuman and Kati Shuman, his grandchildren Rees Shuman and Devin Shuman, and his sister Nancy Shuman Hock. Jack was preceded in death by his sisters Eleanor Shuman and Mary Shuman Middleton. Jack will be interred at Hillside Cemetery in Catawissa. Allen Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. A service will be held in the future at the convenience of his family. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Shuman Mitochondrial Disorder Research Fund at Columbia University to help find a cure for the disease that has so impacted our family by using this internet address: https://medicine.givenow.columbia.edu/?alloc=17121 Or if you want to pay by check contact us at [email protected] for the proper mailing info to Columbia U. Jack was the sweetest and humblest man we've ever known. He'll be dearly missed and forever remembered in our hearts and lives as we strive to "pay it forward" in his honor.