Emerson “J.R.” David Bardo
Emerson “J.R.” David Bardo, Jr., 82, of 998 Musser Lane, Muncy, died Tuesday, July 24, 2012 at his home.
Born December 6, 1929 in Millville, he was the eighth child of eleven born to the late Emerson D. Bardo, Sr. and Ellen Smith (Sellers) Bardo. J.R. moved to Muncy with his parents, five brothers and five sisters when he was six months old. At the age of six he started working at Bryfogles Green House carrying buckets of cold water for the workers to drink on hot summer days, earning $1.00 a week.
J.R.’s future father-in-law told him he must be baptized and join the church if he wanted to date his daughter, so in 1948 J.R. was baptized and joined the First United Methodist Church, Muncy, where he was a member for 63 years. J.R. was a past president of the Weslyan Class, a past chairperson of the church trustees, a member of the BLT class, a member at large on the church council and head usher for the late morning worship service for over 30 years. He enjoyed cooking breakfast at church sunrise services.
A 1949 graduate of Muncy High School, J.R. played and lettered in football and basketball. After graduation he took summer courses in agronomy at Cornell University, thanks to brothers, Ken and Pete Bryfogle. He served as past president of Muncy Alumni Association.
In July 1950, he married his high school sweetheart, the former Beverly “Peach” Bair, who survives. Together they celebrated 62 years of marriage.
J.R. started working in 1955 as a sheet metal worker at the former Sprout Waldron, now Andritz, and retired in 1987 as an administrative assistant in the feed mill division. He was a member of Sprout’s Quarter Century Club and coached and managed the Sprout Waldron Little League team for eight years.
J.R. was a 50 year member of the Masonic Lodge, Muncy and the Williamsport Consistory and a member of the Muncy Rotary and the former Genesee Game and Trail Club.
Bowling in a sanctioned league for over 50 years in Lycoming County, J.R. was inducted into the Lycoming County Bowling Hall of Fame in 1986, where he was a chairman of the Hall of Fame committee for over 30 years. He was also a member for 41 years and past president of the Lycoming County Bowling Association.
A faithful volunteer, he assisted at the Son Light House and helped cook breakfast at the Muncy Hospital Lawn Parties. He also chaired the committee of the Water & Sewer Authority for Muncy Creek Township.
Surviving in addition to his wife are three children who all have careers in education, Dr. David B. and Carol Bardo of Antigo, WI, where he is superintendent at Laona School district, Robin B. Musto of Longboat Key, FL, where she is a retired superintendent, and Holli Jo Quinn of Langhorne, where she is assistant to the dean and academic administrator at Strayer University in Philadelphia; one sister, Lottie Smith of New Columbia, two sisters-in-law, Ruth Ann Bardo Shreck and Jean Sellers Derr; seven grandsons, Maj. Brett and Hilde Bardo of Fort Leonard Wood, MO, Scott and Cindy Bardo of Wausau, WI, Dominick and Melissa Mack of Morrisville, Anthony Mack of Williamsport, Austin Quinn of Germantown, Drew Wolfe of Chicago, IL, and Lt. Scott and Holly Wolfe of Columbus, GA; two granddaughters, Tara and Dan Tamburello of Longhorne and Hannah Wolfe of Antigo, WI; and three great-grandsons, Timothy and Phillip Bardo of Wausau, WI and Carter Wolfe of Antigo, WI.
In addition to his parents he was predeceased by five brothers, Raymond and Clark Sellers, Donald, Charles and Luther Bardo and four sisters, Della Johnson, Ocie Carson, Cora Quigel and Jennie Akers Meckley.
Friends were received from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 27, 2012 at Grenoble’s, 121 S. Main St., Muncy and from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, at the First United Methodist Church, 602 S. Market St., Muncy, where the funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Officiating was his pastor, the Rev. Arlene P. Beechert.
Burial followed in Muncy Cemetery.
The family provided the flowers and suggests contributions be made to the First United Methodist Church, 602 S. Market St., Muncy, PA 17756.
Expressions of sympathy may be shared at HYPERLINK ““http://www.grenoblefuneralhome.com”>www.grenoblefuneralhome.com“ www.grenoblefuneralhome.com