James E. Brumbaugh Jr. Obituary
James E. Brumbaugh, Jr., 82, of Bellefonte passed away on August 27, 2023 at The Oaks Pleasant Gap. Jim was the son of the late J. Edgar and V. Irene (Kough) Brumbaugh of Smithfield and was a graduate of Huntingdon High School, Class of 1959.
One of Jim's fondest childhood memories was as one of the organizers of the rubber ball baseball league that played on the Triangle. "J.B." / "Robin" was also active in the Smithfield Community Band and scouting, coached Little League, and was a member of the Smithfield Fire Company and the Jaycees. He was an active member of the United Methodist Church nearly all his life, first in Huntingdon and then in Pleasant Gap. He later served as one of organizers of the Marion-Walker Junior Baseball League and was a coach, manager, and league president throughout the years. He enjoyed walking, taking photographs at family events and history.
Jim started his career with C.H. Miller Hardware Co., Huntingdon on September 23, 1960, first stocking shelves, then as an assembler. He moved to Industrial Sales and then assumed the role that lasted many years: traveling salesman. He relocated to Mingoville in 1971 to serve his new sales territory and won the next-door-neighbor lottery when he met Sally and the late Richard "Dick" Toner, who became dear friends. In Jim's 50+ years in hardware, he won numerous awards for sales achievement. He also served in the Army National Guard and attained the rank of SFC-E7. Jim was "the lovable Mess Sergeant" for five years.
Jim married Sharon L. (Black) Brumbaugh in 1968 and they had two children, Kathi of Lebanon, and James (Adrianna) of Mechanicsburg. They gave him grandchildren Wyatt Caber, Preston Gould and Madison Gould.
Jim remarried Audrey (Moore) Brumbaugh of Burnham in 2000, who preceded him in death on January 17, 2021. Audrey brought three children and five grandchildren into the marriage, and he loved being "Pap Jim" to Stacy Haines, Stanford Haines, Heather Hassinger, Shane Marks and Cody Moore.
Jim is also survived by siblings Vera (Reed) Cox of Trilby, FL, Ruth Rohrer of Smithfield and Donald Brumbaugh of Bellefonte, and a cousin who was like a sister, Doris (Andy) Donnelly of Huntingdon. He adored his nieces and nephew, including Misty Hicks of State College who was a faithful caretaker during Jim's final years of life.
Visitation will be held from 10-11 AM on Saturday, September 2 at the Pleasant Gap United Methodist Church. The funeral service will follow at 11 AM with Pastor Carrie Granche officiating. A luncheon will follow the service. Private internment at Zion Cemetery will be held at the convenience of the family.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Dean K. Wetzler Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Inc., 201 Spring Street, Milesburg.
