John P. Detwiler, 82, passed away on July 9, 2023, at the Lebanon Valley Home. He was the son of the late Wilbur and Magdalen Swanger Detwiler and the beloved husband of Patricia Aurentz Detwiler for 59 years. Born in Lebanon on December 14, 1940, John was a 1959 graduate of Lebanon High School and was on the football, basketball and track teams. Det, as his classmates called him, was a mainstay on his reunion committee for 50 years. While in high school, John was known for his speaking skills and won many oratory awards. After graduating from Lebanon Valley College in 1963, John began his teaching career at Palmyra High School where he taught English. He then moved to the Lebanon School District where he taught for 30 years. At Lebanon High School, John taught printing, English and social studies. Besides being a dedicated conscientious teacher, he was also the advisor for the yearbook and newspaper, stage manager and was dubbed “Voice of the Cedars” as he was the play-by-play announcer for the football and basketball games. Because of deep roots in the Lebanon School District the John and Patricia Detwiler Scholarships were proudly established to be awarded annually to two students pursuing careers in education. John was a life-long, die-hard fan of the Philadelphia Eagles and avidly watched the Phillies, Penn State football and Duke basketball. John was well-rounded and had many interests but he was most passionate about music, which was always playing throughout the house from his vast music collection comprising many formats, genres and artists. He enjoyed travel which took him and Pat to 42 states and many foreign countries and photography which was used to chronicle his life and travels. Also, John enjoyed watching all kinds of sports on TV, attending concerts and big production shows, reading three newspapers daily along with history, travel and non-fiction books, producing his own multi-media programs and being in the company of family and friends. Surviving are his loving wife, Pat, brother James of Fairfield, PA, sister-in-law Diane Detwiler, nieces Tammy Hauer (Brett) of Jonestown and her children Tatum Doney and Trey Hauer, Lori Ferzandi (Zubin) of Carmel, Indiana and children Maya and Ethan, nephew Brian (Kate) Detwiler and their son Nolan. Also surviving are brother-in-law John (Jack) Aurentz (Sandy) of Annville and their son Travis Aurentz (Fallon) of Palmyra and their children Aydin and Adysin, all of whom John loved dearly. Funeral services are planned for 11:00 AM on Saturday, July 15, 2023, at the Rohland Funeral Home, 508 Cumberland Street, Lebanon, PA 17042, followed by interment at Holy Cross Cemetery. A closed-casket visitation precedes the service at 10:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations in John’s name may be made to the Lebanon Valley Family YMCA or the Lebanon Rescue Mission.
