John Anderson

Calling Hours:
Monday, November 29, 2021, 3:00-7:00pm
Loutzenhiser-Randall Funeral Home and Cremation
Services, 416 Liberty St., Jamestown, PA

Mass of Christian Burial:
Tuesday, November 30, 2021, 1:30pm
St. Margaret Mission Church, Jamestown
Rev. Christopher Barnes, Pastor, as celebrant

Burial with committal prayers and military honors
rendered by Jamestown VFW Post #5424 Honor
Guard will be in Park Lawn Cemetery

The family requests that all in attendance please
wear a mask.

John Waldemar Anderson, loving father and devoted husband passed peacefully from his earthly home to eternity with Jesus on November 24, 2021.

John was born December 18, 1929 in the ( Moreland)Stone House on the West Greenville Rd, Greene Township, Pennsylvania, to parents John and Myrtle (Herrick) Anderson. He attended Dowling, Sugar Run, and Joseph Badger Schools until returning to finish high school in Jamestown, graduating from Jamestown High School in 1947. He then enlisted in the Army, serving with the 822 Aviation Battalion in Panama and Korea. While in the Army Corps of Engineers he specialized in Heavy Equipment training, helping to build runways, roads and bridges. Shortly after he returned home he met the love of his life, Evelyn Speir Anderson. They married on June 16, 1953 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, accompanied by Dad’s sister Donna and her husband Pat. Returning to settle on the Anderson family homestead at “The Stateline”, Greene Township, Pennsylvania, they would become loving parents to twelve children.

In the 1950/60’s John worked for various construction companies in the Shenango/Mahoning Valley as a heavy equipment operator. From 1963-1966 he was a Project Manager for Shokbeton, a precast concrete business, a division of Levinson Steel, in their Reynolds Development plant. In 1967, after Shokbeton closed the Reynolds plant, John started Anderson Construction Company, and proceeded to build a company with a reputation for honesty, integrity, and excellent workmanship. He would operate the business until 2006, retiring at age 77. Anderson Construction built many of the bridges and Penn Power substations in Mercer County and neighboring counties. ACC was involved in the construction of or renovations to many local businesses, including St Paul’s, Greenville Hospital, Thiel College, Passavant Center, First National Bank, St Margaret’s Church and St Michael’s Church, Werners, Steel Car, Greenville Savings and Loan, Jamestown Fireman’s Club and Jamestown VFW Post 5424. He was honored to work with a loyal group of long term employees, including Wayne Erdice, Curt Weaver, Bill Weaver, Phil Blauser, Harold Artman, Ricky White, and Virginia Sheridan.  All of his sons worked for a time in the family business, with Bob Anderson as mechanic and operator and Alan Anderson eventually taking over as owner. Together they often accomplished the impossible, through sheer pluck and determination.

John had a passion for flying and obtained his pilot’s license in his 20’s. He loved to fly out of the Greenville Airport, taking family and friends out for a quick trip in the “blue heavens ”.......he eventually would serve several years on the Greenville Airport Commission, lending an ear and sharing expertise on rebuilding runways and hangars there.

John also served his community in other ways, including time spent with the Greenville Rotary Club, St Michael’s Parish Council and School Board, The Builder’s Association of Western Pa and Eastern Ohio, Jamestown Alumni Association, and Pennsylvania Right to Life. He enjoyed giving back to the communities he loved and did not want accolades or “rhetoric” for doing so. He saw problems and tried to fix them, with his knowledge, willful determination, and passion for doing what was “right”.

In his spare time he loved visiting family, doting on and supporting his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, attending sports, plays, and academic events.

He enjoyed golfing in many leagues, but most especially with his sons, both teaching and learning from them. His favorite pastime though, was playing the game Crokinole, a game passed down from his Grandpa Orr Herrick, and it was always the right time for a very competitive game with family...or friends, to whom he could introduce the game. He was the “Crokinole King”, seldom losing a game, playing into his 90’s.

He was predeceased in death by his adored spouse, Evelyn Frances ( Speir) Anderson in 2011, son Michael Norman Anderson in 2016, grandson Davin Anderson in 2000, big brothers Frederick, Frank and Carl Anderson, and little sisters Donna Whalen (Pat), Patty Jean Mitchell (Donald), Marian and Judy Anderson. He is survived by one sister, Faye Udby (Ande), Spokane, Washington and beloved sister in law, June Anderson, Huntington Beach, California.

Left to cherish his memory are six daughters:  Margaret  Anne Patton , Mary Lee Anderson, Karen Louise Kimrey, Kaye Therese Lenkner, Rose Marie Leonhard ( Greg) and Joyce Christine Randall; and five sons: Mark Edward Anderson ( Toni), Dale Matthew Anderson( Susan), Douglas Eric Anderson ( Michael), Robert Paul Anderson ( Susan) and Alan John Anderson(fiancée Amy Krachowski)

Remembering fun times with “Grandpa John” will be 29 grandchildren: Troy, Shane, Jason, Sally, Stacey, Sally, Lindsey, Ashley, Seth, Stephenie, Chris, Cody, Lauren, Ian, Kayla, Nekody, Melia, Elizabeth, Evan, Chrissy, Jessie, Katrina, Lisa, Erika, Zoë, Orion, Kieran, Caden, and Sullivan.

Thirteen great-grandchildren complete the Family Circle: Trenton, Quinn, Ellie, Emma, Michael, Teddy, Brody, Asher, Calvin, Dylan, Ryan, Robert, and Charlotte.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to St Margaret’s Church, Jamestown, PA or the Jamestown Fair Association, Mercer County Right to Life, or Habitat for Humanity.