John Ferguson Hunsberger

A member of “the greatest generation”, John F Hunsberger (age 97) passed away peacefully on October 7, 2020. Survived by his loving brother Arthur Hunsberger; loving children: Karen Hunsberger Moore Johnson, John F. Hunsberger II, and Stephen J. Hunsberger; his five grandchildren: Ashley Hunsberger Clark, Jeanette Hunsberger Jones, Scott Ferguson Hunsberger Moore, Kellen Hunsberger, and Veronica Hunsberger Kepler; and by his six great grandchildren, as well as many loving nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his devoted wife Veronica Miko Hunsberger, two children, Francis Hunsberger and Jerome Hunsberger, and by siblings Manual, Harold, Austin, Lawrence, Emerson, and Elizabeth Virginia Hunsberger Brown. He was predeceased by Evelyn Moore Hunsberger his second wife following the death of Veronica. John was the second youngest of eight children. Born in Clifton Virginia he was raised on a farm by his parents Amos Wharton Hunsberger and Lucy Keene Hunsberger. He enjoyed his younger years on the farm helping with chores, hunting, and fishing in Bull Run. They were a self-sufficient group during the Depression, and when asked how he remembered his young life, John said: “With pleasure.” In high school he was a gifted machinist and was recruited by Glenn L. Martin/Lockheed of Baltimore to build aircraft for the World War II effort. John decided that in addition to building planes he would learn to fly them in service to his country. He enlisted in the Navy and was a flight engineer on anti-submarine warfare aircraft, the PVY5 Catalina. In the battle for the Atlantic, his combat squadron, “the Screaming Eagles,” patrolled for German submarines. After the war he continued to serve for thirty years in the U.S. Navy Reserves, flying the P -2(V) Neptune, patrolling the Mediterranean during the Berlin crisis and patrolling the south Atlantic during the Cuban missile crisis. After the war he married Veronica Miko and they lived in Arlington & Falls Church, VA. John worked for the US Postal Service in vehicle maintenance for 25 years. During that time he progressed to management and became the supervisor of vehicle maintenance for all of Northern Virginia. An exemplary father, he and his wife, Veronica, worked hard to raise and put all four of their children through college. He was active with the children in teaching them to hunt, fish, and be skillful in scouting, sports. He supported all their events, and took the family camping for vacations in New England and Canada. John enjoyed hunting with his sons, brothers, nephews, and friends. He was a skilled woodworker and machinist. He made his own bullets and helped all the neighbors with their car difficulties. He was also active in the Catholic Church participating in charity events with his wife. A faithful husband for 33 years John saw his wife through a two-year battle with cancer when she passed away in 1987. Several years later John married Evelyn Moore of New Braunfels, Texas and resided there with her for over 20 years. At that time he was able to spend time with his daughter Karen Hunsberger Moore and grandson Scott who were in nearby Austin, Texas. Friends with Evelyn‘s four grown children and extended family, John was also active in new Braunfels as a hospital volunteer and continued to enjoy hunting. In 2017, wife, Evelyn passed away. John decided to return to Manassas near his birthplace of Centerville, VA to “come full circle” and return to his roots. In his last year‘s he resided at Arbor Terrace Sudley Manor Retirement Home and enjoyed being close to his brother Art, three sons, grandchildren and great grandchildren and nieces and nephews. John’s children remember their father as a man of great character, with an impressive work ethic, quiet dignity, humility, and courtesy of the heart. He was someone who aged gracefully, in good spirits, and he expressed gratitude and a positive viewpoint of life. He had a quick intelligence and wit, shared gentle empathy with others, was loving, generous, and gracious to the day of his death. Though he has passed, our father continues to raise us with his shared wisdom. The way he conducted his life was a great example to us, advising us to “do the best that we can, for as long as we can.” We shall miss his presence every day. A viewing will be held at Pierce Funeral home, 9609 Center Street, Manassas VA 20110, on November 6 from 6:00 – 8:00pm, funeral services on November 7 at 2:00pm. Interment will be at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery with military honors.

John Ferguson Hunsberger

March 7, 1923 - October 7, 2020