John C. Corson

John C. Corson of Shirleysburg died September 3, 2019. He was the son of the late John W. and C. Isabel (Chilcote) Corson and the grandson of Luden K. and Essie B. (Lamberson) Chilcote and David C. and Cordelia (Miller) Corson.  He was preceded in death by a baby sister. Mr. Corson was born January 17, 1934 in Huntingdon and lived in Mount Union.

Mr. Corson graduated from Captain Jack High School in 1951 and Juniata College in 1955. He was employed by Remington Rand until he returned to Huntingdon County in 1972. He then operated several small businesses, as the co-owner with his wife, the former Dorothy Fogle, of Modern Business Systems, Raystown Roller Rink, Raystown Electronics\Radio Shack and was a National Systems Dealers Association member.

John was an elder in Bethel United Presbyterian Church in Monroeville. Since returning to live in Huntingdon County, John was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Mount Union.  He and his wife worked with the youth group. For a few years he sang with The Potter’s Band.  

John was an amateur magician and photographer.  He was also a collector of classic cars and busses.

He was active in the community as a member and former president of the Mount Union Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. Corson was a member of the following organizations:  Circus Fans, Historical Model builders (his circuses were Corson Brothers and Arthur Brothers), Antiques Automobile Club of American, Packard and Studebaker Clubs, Motor Bus Society, Titanic Historical Society, American Institute of Architects, Frank Lloyd Wright Conservancy and Foundation, Friends of the East Broad Top and Antiques Truck Historical Society.

John recently published a book, The Unlikely Railroad, about the Lewistown and Tyrone Railroad and had a book in progress about Juniata College. He wrote articles for magazines such as Bandwagon, The Keystone, Timber Transfer, Car Collector, Wheels of Time and Motor Coach Age.

He is survived by his wife, Dorothy Fogle Corson, and four children: Deborah and her husband, Mark VanDeveer of Virginia Beach, Michael Corson and his wife Bonnie of Mapleton, Nancy and her husband Ken Grundon of Shirleysburg, and Patrick Corson of Elizabethtown. There are five grandchildren: David VanDeveer, Shane Corson, Devin Corson, Kathryn VanDeveer, and Sarah VanDeveer. Also surviving are several cousins, Lance Burkholder and his wife Mary Alice of Mount Union, Rick Burkholder and his wife Maxine of Philadelphia, Steve Steiner of Colorado, Nancy Jaymes of Texas, Linda Morgan of Philadelphia.

There will be a private family service and interment will be at Haven Rest Memorial Park. There will be a celebration of life service to be announced at a later date.

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