John McDermott

John J. McDermott, age 84, of Chambersburg, PA, passed away at Meritus Medical Center on Saturday,
November 11, 2017. Born October 20, 1933, in Wyoming, PA, he was the son of the late James A. and
Isabelle Williams McDermott.

Mr. McDermott earned his Bachelor of Science Degree from Shippensburg University, his Master’s from
the University of Delaware, EBD from Ohio State. As an educator for 48 years, he taught sciences in the
Greencastle and Carlisle School Districts, served as a Professor of Nuclear Science for Penn State and
Dickinson College; and was the Senior Science Advisor for the PA Dept of Education. He completed his
career at Wilson College where he was the Director of Teacher Education. He was a member of the
American Nuclear Science Teacher’s Association, Phi Sigma Pi, Kappa Delta Pi, Sigma Pi Sigma, and
Phi Delta Kappa.

He was a member of Corpus Christi Church. He previously served on the Parish Council, was a Special
Eucharistic Minister for Nursing Homes, and a 4th Degree member of the F. C. Noel Knights of Columbus.
He was a member of the Franklin County Historical Society , the Cumberland Valley Woodcarvers, and
the Institute for Retired Persons (IRP) where he currently served as Director. He especially enjoyed fly fishing,
hunting, cooking, woodcarving, history and spending time with family, Romeo friends and his beloved dog Beau.

Surviving is his wife, Frances Ruda-McDermott, four children, John W. McDermott (wife Gail) of
Mechanicsburg, PA, Elizabeth McDermott of Carlisle, Matthew McDermott (wife Chantel) of
Davenport, FL, and Meaghan McDermott of Carlisle; seven grandchildren, four great-grandchildren,
a sister, Marian Crist of Las Vegas, NV, and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he
was preceded in death by his first wife, Karen Scott McDermott and siblings, James McDermott,
Bernerd McDermott, and Leona McDermott.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Wednesday, November 15, 2017, at 11 AM at Corpus Christi
Catholic Church, 320 Philadelphia Ave., Chambersburg, PA 17201, where the Very Rev. Fr. Luis R. Rodriguez
and Fr. Joseph Carolin will celebrate. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, November 14, 2017,
from 6-8 PM in the Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 333 Falling Spring Rd.,
Chambersburg, PA. Interment will follow the Mass in Corpus Christi Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made in his name to
The St. Vincent de Paul Society, at the above church and address.