Harry William Johns passed peacefully away on Thursday morning, August 18, 2016 at Elmcroft of State College after a long battle with lung cancer. Harry was 76 years old.

Harry was born Harry Lee Jacobs in Williamsport, PA on January 15, 1940. He was adopted by William D. and Gertrude M. Johns in June 1952 after fostering with them since infancy. Harry was a 1958 graduate of Montoursville Area Joint High School where he played high school football.

In 1957, Harry began working for Spitler Funeral Home, Inc. of Montoursville until joining the United States Air Force in 1962. Serving during the Vietnam era, Harry worked as a mechanic servicing Delta Dart F-106 Interceptor aircraft. He was honorably discharged in 1966.

On April 16, 1966, Harry married Helen Judith "Judy" Trayer of Williamsport, PA. Shortly after their wedding, they moved to Bellefonte, Pennsylvania and Harry began working for HRB Singer, Inc. of State College. In 1971, Harry and Judy purchased the business, Keystone T.V. and Appliance, located on Fraser Street in downtown State College. After closing the business in 1989, Harry worked for several years for National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) and for Radio Semiconductor, Inc., before accepting a position with Murata Erie North America, Inc. of State College in 1985. In 2002, he retired after 17 years with Murata as a supervisor for the Quality Control Lab.

Harry was devoted member of the Fraternal Order of Elks of State College for many years. He joined the Elks in 1967 and was awarded Elk of the Year in 1972. He was elected to the Board of Trustees in 1979. He was actively involved in their fundraising campaigns including the State College High School Dance Marathon and the Elks Christmas Basket program. Harry was also long-time Penn State season football ticket holder and an active member of the hockey team's Icers Booster Club.

Harry was passionate about car racing! During the late 1960s, he co-owned a race car with good friend Joe Muncy. Years later, when his son Billy began racing a sprint car, Harry played an active and integral role on the pit crew. Although Harry was an avid fan of all forms of auto racing, his support for Billy and Billy's racing endeavors was without measure.

Harry was preceded in death by his loving wife of 44 years, Helen J. (Trayer) Johns who passed away in 2010; an infant son; parents Gertrude M. and William D. Johns of Montoursville; and siblings Norman R. Johns and Eloise V. Johns.

Harry is survived by his daughters Michelle L. Johns (Donald) Jordan of Shelocta, PA and Judith A. Johns of Cortland, NY and his son William D. (Christina) Johns of Boalsburg, PA. Harry will also be fondly remembered by his siblings, William E. Johns of Montoursville and Marjorie Johns Nagel Mamolen of Williamsport.

Family and friends will be received on Sunday, August 21, 2016 between the hours of 1:00 and 3:00 pm at the Mark D. Heintzelman Funeral Home, 1034 Benner Pike, in State College PA. In lieu of flowers, condolences may be sent to Michelle L. Jordan, 945 State Rte 210, Shelocta, PA 15774. A guestbook may also be signed and condolences sent to the family at www.heintzelmanfuneralhome.com.

The family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Christine Johns and the staffs of Elmcroft of State College and AseraCare Hospice for their care and support of Harry in his final days.