May 19 1949 February 22 2020
James Henry Chegwidden May 19, 1949 – February 22, 2020 Share this obituary Send Flowers Sign Guestbook| Send Sympathy Card| Memorial Donation James Henry Chegwidden, 70, of South Old Turnpike Road, Drums, died Saturday evening at the Manor in St. Luke Village, Hazleton following a 2 year battle with lung cancer. Born in Hazleton, May 19, 1949, he was a son of the late Marvin A. and Jane (Yeager) Chegwidden and resided in the area his entire life. Jim was a 1967 graduate of Hazleton High School. He began his employment working at various local banks and later was hired as an electronics technician for the Thompson Mailing Corp., Berwick. Most recently, until his retirement, he was employed in the same capacity with the US Postal Service. A U.S. Navy veteran, Jim was discharged in November 1977 with the rank of CTM1 after serving 10 ½ years. He served on the USS Georgetown AGTR-2 during the Pueblo Crisis with North Korea and several other intelligence gathering sites throughout the world. In February of 1969, while on the Georgetown, he crossed the equator and was installed into the Ancient Order of Shellbacks. Jim was a Master Mason of the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Mason of Scotland. He joined the Lodge in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1977 while stationed in Edzell. He loved to ride motorcycles and was an avid Harley enthusiast and member of the Harley Owner’s Group. His travels took him as far as Maine and Nova Scotia. He enjoyed nature; tending to his garden and feeding the birds and squirrels in his back yard. This past October, Jim was awarded a Quilt of Valor by the National Quilts of Valor Foundation. He is only preceded in death by his parents. Surviving are his brother Tom Chegwidden and his wife Julie Varner of Drums; nephew Derek Chegwidden of Sybertsville; nephew Ian Chegwidden and his wife Christine of Sybertsville; great nephews Eli and Dylan Chegwidden and several cousins. A Memorial Service will be held Thursday at 11:00 AM from the Butler Chapel of Krapf and Hughes Funeral Home, Inc., 530 West Butler Drive, Drums. Pastor William “Chip” Fairchild will preside over the service. Burial will take place privately in the St. Johns Lutheran and UCC Cemetery, St. Johns. Friends and family are invited to call at the Butler Chapel on Thursday morning for a visitation period that will begin at 9:00 AM and continue until time of service. Memorial Donations to the Hazleton Animal Shelter, PO Box 481, Hazleton, PA 18201 are welcomed by the family. SERVICES Memorial Visitation Thursday, February 27, 2020 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM Butler Chapel of Krapf & Hughes Funeral Home 530 W. Butler Drive Drums, PA 18222 Get Directions on Google Maps Memorial Service Thursday, February 27, 2020 11:00 AM – 11:45 AM Butler Chapel of Krapf & Hughes Funeral Home 530 W. Butler Drive Drums, PA 18222 Get Directions on Google Maps Print Obituary Sign Guestbook Name: Location: Video: Image: Light A Candle Candle 1 Candle 2 Candle 3 Candle 4 Email: Personal Message: Personal Message (required) Confirm: Submit Guestbook entry
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of James Henry Chegwidden May 19 1949 February 22 2020.
Death notice for the town of: Drums, state: Pennsylvania