John Wallace

John A. “Jack” Wallace, Jr., age 91, of Pleasant Gap died Tuesday, December 20, 2016 at Windy Hill Village in Philipsburg. Jack was born on December 7, 1925 in Altoona, PA. He graduated from the Altoona High School in 1943. Upon his graduation, Jack enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force. During World War II, he served with the 15th Air Force in Italy. He attained the rank of Staff Sergeant being a ball turret armorer gunner on a B-24 Liberator Bomber with the 450th bomb group, 721stbomber squadron. He flew 25 missions over enemy territory. Jack loved to tell stories of his service and kept detailed descriptions of his missions. Upon his return home, he used the G.I. Bill to further his education and in 1950 received a bachelor’s degree in Metallurgical Engineering from Penn State University. Following graduation, Jack worked at Youngstown Sheet and Tube Company. In 1954, he joined the former Titan Metal Company in Bellefonte for 34 years retiring as Manager of Technical Services. On September 14, 1946, Jack married Dorothy “Dot” Winters who preceded him in death on November 14, 2005 after celebrating 59 years of marriage. He was also proceeded in death by his son, John A. Wallace III, who died on December 5, 2016 and an infant daughter, Susan, who died in 1950. Jack is survived by his son, Mark Wallace of Lakewood, CO and his sons, Scott Wallace of Littleton, CO and Mitch Wallace of Morrison, CO, and his daughter, Marianne Van Tilburg and her husband, Gerrit, of State College, PA and their children, Neil Van Tilburg of Downington, PA and Kristen Van Tilburg of Groton, CT. Jack was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Bellefonte for 62 years. He was an active member of the church parish where he served as a lector for 35 years. He was a former CCD teacher and a past Vice President of the Pastoral Council. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #1314 for over 50 years. Jack was also involved in his community as a little league manager and serving in various positions with the cub and boy scouts. He was honored as one of the first eight lifetime members of the Pleasant Gap Little League for his commitment to the future of children. Jack was a generous, loving and compassionate man. His greatest joy was spending time with his family. He enjoyed fishing, wine making, coin and stamp collecting and was an enthusiastic supporter of Penn State football and wrestling. A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, January 7, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 134 East Bishop Street, Bellefonte. Friends will be received prior to the mass from 9-10 a.m. at the church. The interment with a graveside military service will follow at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Jack’s memory may be made to St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 134 E. Bishop Street, Bellefonte, PA 16823. Arrangements are under the direction of Wetzler Funeral, Inc. in Bellefonte. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.wetzlerfuneralhome.com