John H. Holbert

John H. Holbert 98, of Bedford, died on Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at Bedford Colonial Courtyard. He was born on September 17, 1923 in Bingham, a son of the late Clinton S. and Mabel (Bartoo) Holbert. On September 20, 1947 in Bellefonte he married Jean (Longwell) Holbert who preceded him in death on April 2, 2018. He is survived by a son John E. Holbert and wife Robin of Bedford; a grandson Rick Border and wife Lori of Coraopolis; and a great-granddaughter Brooke Border also of Coraopolis.  He was preceded in death by a brother, Milford Holbert and a sister, Louise Howe.

John was raised on a dairy farm in Potter County. He was active in the 4-H and was a graduate of Ulysses High School and Penn State University.  He served in the U.S. Army 103rd Infantry Division Communication Platoon as a telephone lineman in WWII as part of the 7th Army in Southern France, Germany, and Austria. He worked as a County Extension Agent for Penn State University for 39 years retiring as Bedford County Extension Director in 1986.  He was a member of the Bedford Presbyterian Church, a member of the Bedford Rotary Club, and served on the local board at UPMC Bedford Memorial Hospital for 34 years.  John loved the Bedford County Fair and was a fixture at the fairgrounds since 1953.  He served as president of the fair board from 1989 thru 2014. He also served on the PA State Association of County Fair Board as director for many years and was selected as the PA State Association Fair person of the year in 2006.  In 2008 he was selected as Bedford Rotarian of the Year.  In 2015 he received a lifetime Achievement Award from the Bedford County Chamber of Commerce.  The family would like to thank the staff at Bedford Colonial Courtyard, where John resided since 2018 and also Grane Hospice for their compassionate care. 

Funeral Services will be held on Monday, January 24, 2022 at 12:00 p.m. in the Chapel at the Timothy A. Berkebile Funeral Home in Bedford with Rev. Jack Miller and Pastor Dwayne Hay officiating.  Burial will be Private. Full military rites conducted by the Fort Bedford Honor Guard will take place at the funeral home.  Friends will be received from 10:00 a.m. until the hour of the service at 12:00 p.m. at the funeral home.  Those in attendance are asked to observe the recommendations pertaining to wearing masks and social distancing. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in John’s name to PSCE Bedford County 4-H Endowment Fund, c/o Bedford County Extension Service, 120 West John Street Suite 2, Bedford, PA 15522.   Our online guest book is available at www.berkebilefuneralhome.com.