Robert Catherman
March 25, 1930 — March 16, 2017
Robert Marlin Catherman Sr., 86, a life-long resident of the Millmont area, died on Thursday, March 16, 2017, at 10:29 a.m. at the Buffalo Valley Lutheran Village, Lewisburg, where he had been transferred three days earlier from Elmcroft, Lewisburg.
He was born on March 25, 1930, one of 11 children of the late Tobias O. and Elizabeth Ann (Derr) Catherman. On April 30, 1949 he married Dorothy Louise Valentine, who passed away on October 16, 1998.
Bob graduated from Hartley Township High School and served in the U.S. Army from 1948 through 1950. He then began his career as a truck driver, hauling bricks for Watsontown Brick, freight for Halls Motor Transit, Sunbury, milk for Carr Trucking of Malvern, and paper for National Gypsum, New Columbia, with Professional Drivers Service of Milton. He retired in 1982 and then worked for several years for the Mifflinburg Area School District, driving Bus #6.
In earlier years, Bob enjoyed camping with the family and was president of the local chapter of the Good Sam Club. For many years, he was President of the Old Cedars Cemetery, Swengel.
Bob was a well-known figure at local auction houses, public sales and toy shows. Over the years, he had collected more than 700 model trucks, cars and buses, a few of which he took with him when moved to Elmcroft.
His family with Dorothy includes son Robert Jr. and his wife Mary, son Garry and his wife Patricia, and daughter Rose Johnson and her husband Melvin; grandchildren Deb Catherman, Karen Catherman, Renee Gessner and her husband Andy, Nicholas Renninger and his fiancé Tiffany Radel, Christopher Catherman, Michael Catherman, Bradley Catherman and Austin Catherman; great-grandson Landen Gessner, great-granddaughters Kaitlyn Erb, Kylee Gessner and Payton Gessner; step-grandson Justin Johnson and his companion Jennifer; and step-granddaughters Shana Johnson and Kala Ramsey and her husband Jeff; step-great-grandchildren Catlyn Johnson, Lilly Johnson, Morgan Ramsey and Rylee Ramsey.
On May 26, 2001, he married Shirley Esther Napp, who survives, and became step-father to her children Steven and his wife Fay, Joseph and his wife Gaye, Joanne Sauers and her husband Dennis, and Linda Wagner; and step-granddad to 9 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson.
He is also survived by sisters Helen Raker and her husband Frank, Patricia Zechman, Bettie Catherman, and Jean Marquart, and brothers Glenn and James. He was preceded in death by brothers Clarence, Tobias Jr. and Abraham, sister Mary Jane Brown, brother-in-law Harold Zechman and son-in-law Timothy Renninger.
Visitors will be received by the family from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, March 20, 2017, at the Roupp Funeral Home, Inc., 8594 Old Turnpike Road, Mifflinburg, where the funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Tuesday.
Interment will be in the Old Cedars Cemetery, Swengel, with military honors by the Mifflinburg American Legion and area veterans.
Fellowship and refreshments will follow at the Buffalo Valley Church of the Brethren Church, Rt. 45 west of Mifflinburg.
In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated to Celtic Hospice, 427 Hepburn Street, Williamsport, PA 17701.
Funeral arrangements are by Roupp Funeral Home, Inc., Mifflinburg.