Donald L. (‘Pap’) Lomison

Donald L. (“Pap”) Lomison, 92, entered eternal life from his beloved earthly home in Pine Creek Township, surrounded by his family, on June 14, 2026.

Pap was born in Orviston, Pa., on June 2, 1934, to Roy and Relda Heaton Lomison.

He attended Howard High School until his family moved to Jersey Shore in 1949. He graduated from Jersey Shore High School in 1950 at age 16, and enlisted in the U.S. Navy at age 17. He served as an EN3 from 1951-1955, aboard the U.S.S. Berkley County LST-279.

In 1954, during his service in the Navy, Pap married the love of his life, a farmer’s daughter, Betty Marie Eckel. They spent precious years working for Betty’s parents, Reynold (“Speed”) and Edith Eckel, on their Pine Creek dairy farm. In 1960 they established their own farm in Pine Creek Township, where they raised beef cattle, farmed crops and built a cherished family.

Pap had a variety of careers during and after farming, for all of which grit and hard work were essential. He and his son, Donnie, owned a logging business, Lomison Farm and Logging, for many years. Pap never fully retired until he was 80, years after rolling a loaded log truck down the side of a mountain “up Pine Crick.” He thankfully survived to continue to humor us with his one-liners and wit that everyone always expected and appreciated. The “joke” of that incident was that he had pretty much used up all of his “nine lives” already, but he savored many long years after that with his beautiful bride, Betty. They enjoyed traveling, and spending time with children, grandchildren and friends until her passing on Nov. 15, 2020. They would have celebrated 72 years of marriage this month.

Pap was a diehard Phillies fan for over 70 years and he enjoyed many years playing on fast-pitch softball teams early in life. Along with his dear late friend and business partner, Bob Chambers, he started and managed a Pine Creek Little League team in the late 60’s and early 70’s. He cherished lifelong friendships with many of those players.

Pap was a valued asset on bowling leagues back in the day, which was a team competition Betty enjoyed as well. It was likely his bowling prowess that gave him the upper hand in cornhole tournaments more recently, winning his last one at age 88.

His favorite activity for the past many years was golf, which he treasured watching and playing; especially at Belles Springs with his late, lifelong friend and neighbor, Don Orndorf.

Pap clearly loved Jesus and he shared his faith with everyone, everywhere. He genuinely appreciated any opportunity to socialize and make new friends, who he would consider family, and he would have no reluctance offering advice on life. Pap taught us how to live, love and die with dignity; even during a six-month battle with cancer, he never complained and didn’t let that define his final days here with us.

In 2019 he wrote a Bible study guide, “In the Beginning — God, Follow the Promise”, which he shared with family and friends. His wish is that he will spend eternity in heaven with all of us.

Pap is survived by his three children, Debra (John) Reese, Donald (Brandi) Lomison and Laurie (Rick) Hendricks; grandchildren, Dustin (Tana Blett) Moore, Shannon (Jennifer) Reese, Kristen (John) McKivison, Jonathan (Stefani) Reese, Nichol Lomison Shejbal, Jennifer (Jamie) Paulhamus, Ashley Lomison, Damon (Brooklyn) Norman, Hanna (Joshua) Fye, Katharine Hendricks and Madelyn Hendricks; and 13 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a sister, Jo (Ron) Savits; and a brother, David (Deborah) Lomison.

Pap has many nieces, nephews and friends who were a special part of his life. His nephew, Danny Yearick, spent summers during his youth working on the farm with Pap and Speed, and he even met the love of his life, Rose Hazel Yearick. A “best” friend, and his barber, Gio Montarsi, recently described Pap as the man “who loves life more than anyone he’s ever met.” That perfectly sums up our loss here on Earth and his legacy.

He was preceded in death by Betty; his parents; step-mother, Mae Lomison; a son, Jeffrey Reynold; sisters, Bette Yearick, Rebecca Kustanbauter, Sarah Hinton and infant Martha Lomison; and brothers, Jacob Lomison and infant, Lester Lomison.

Pap was active in his faith and was a dedicated member of the Pine Creek Valley Christian Church, where he served as an Elder. He also served as Chaplain of the Korean War Veterans of Lycoming County, where he ceremoniously honored those veterans who passed before him, with his brother, David, up until his final days. He was a member of the Lock Haven V.F.W. and the Sons of Italy, Lock Haven, as well.

We were blessed to learn many valuable lessons from Pap whose love for life and others knew no bounds. It is our hope, and his, that those lessons will always be remembered and passed on.

A memorial service to celebrate Pap’s “life well lived” is scheduled for Saturday, July 18, at 11 a.m., at The Barn at Pine Creek, 4729 North Route 44 Highway, Jersey Shore. The service will begin with full military honors. A luncheon will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Lock Haven V.F.W., 1110 E. Water St., Lock Haven, PA 17745; or Pine Creek Valley Christian Church, 26 Locomo Lane, Jersey Shore, PA 17740.

Arrangements are under the direction of Gedon Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, LLC, 121 W. Main St., Lock Haven, Pa.

Thoughts and memories can be made at the Gedon Funeral Homes Facebook page or www.GedonFuneralHomes.com.