John S. Rockelman

JACOBUS- John Stahl Rockelman, 88, died on Sunday, June 9, 2024 at York Hospital. He was the husband of the late Margaret R. (Gladfelter) Rockelman. The couple had been married 53 years prior to her passing.

A celebration of life tribute service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, June 17, 2024 at Heffner Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Inc., 1551 Kenneth Rd., York with Pastor Peter Smith officiating. A visitation will be from 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. prior to the service. Burial will be private at York Rd. Cemetery with full military honors provided by the York County Veterans Honor Guard.

Born on the family farm near Atlantic City, NJ, he was the son of the late John B. Rockelman (1938) and the late Katherine A. (Stahl) May. John graduated from Pleasantville High School in Pleasantville, NJ and received his Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Agriculture from Rutgers University. He started Rockelman’s Nursery in 1964 but during high school and college he would sell trees in front of his mother’s house. He also was a teacher at Alexander D. Goode School in York, was the Assistant County Agent for PA State Extension and a 4H Advisor.

Mr. Rockelman served 6 years in the United States Army Reserves out of Ft. Indiantown Gap in Annville.

John is survived by two sons, John L. Rockelman of Kawasaki, Japan and Steven M. Rockelman of Tulsa, OK; two daughters, Reneé K. Haines of Jacobus and Susan E. Duerr and her husband, Andrew of York; son in law, Benjamin Barshinger and his wife, Janice; 16 grandchildren, Amy, Christopher, Cameron, Connor, Caleb, Alison, Malia, Benjamin, Jack, Mary, Daniel, Aaron, Aiva, Nathaniel Clara and Micah; and four great grandchildren, Jacob, Jeremiah, Mya and Wiley. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Anne M. Barshinger; grandson, John A. Rockelman; sister, Margaret Boehly; nephew, Richard Boehly; and son in law, David A. Haines.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Olivia’s House at www.oliviashouse.org/donate/ or to the 4-H Clubs of York County, 2401 Pleasant Valley Rd., Suite 101, York, PA 17402.

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