James "Jim" V. Dearing, 69, of rural Centre Hall, died at Mt. Nittany Medical Center, State College; Sunday, September 5, 2010, following a long, courageous and well fought battle with cardiopulmonary and cardiovascular disease.
He was born February 17, 1941 at Lewistown, a son of the late James W. and Bernadine Treaster Dearing.
On April 6, 1961 he married Margaret "Peg" C. Sendzik who survives at home.
Jim graduated from Penns Valley High School in 1959 and studied Law at LaSalle University. He went on to graduate from the Pennsylvania State Police Academy. He served in the U. S. Army from June 9, 1959 until May 12, 1962, transferring to the Army Reserves until his discharge June 8, 1965.
Mr. Dearing served with the State College Police Department for several years, and after graduating from the Pennsylvania State Police Academy, he worked with the Pennsylvania State Police for twenty six years, retiring as a Corporal. During his years with the State Police, in addition to many other duties he served as firearms instructor, earning promotions, as well as numerous awards and citations.
He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Boalsburg, a Thirty Second Degree member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and a member of the Tall Cedars of Lebanon.
One of his passions which he and his wife shared together, especially after his retirement, was his interest in the Civil War. He was a member of the Civil War Lodge of Research 1865 in Middletown, VA, and a Colonel with the Battery B Third Pennsylvania Volunteers, where he and his wife were active participants in Civil War reenactments. He tirelessly worked at coordinating Civil War groups at the Memorial Day Celebrations at Boalsburg, often serving as keynote speaker or Master of Ceremonies. In addition to other firearms training, Jim earned the distinction of being a Pennsylvania Certified Gunsmith, specializing in rifles and muzzleloaders.
Another of his passions was the recognition of Boalsburg's role in being the birthplace of Memorial Day. It is largely due to his persistent effort and the enormous amount of time he devoted to the project; that resulted in the funding, development, design and finally the installation of the Birthplace of Memorial Day Statue in the Boalsburg Cemetery; depicting the three women who are credited with observing the first Memorial Day.
Mr. Dearing is survived by two daughters, Jennifer Kay Ray of Coatesville, and Julie Rebecca Reighard of Boalsburg; three grandchildren, Tiffany, Anthony and Jordan; two great grandchildren, Braydon and Gage; and two sisters, Sharon B. Luse and her husband Keith of Centre Hall and Connie J. Horner and her husband Edwin of Howard.
Friends will be received from 5 - 8 p. m. Friday, September 10, 2010 at Mark D. Heintzelman Funeral and Cremation Service, 226 S. Pennsylvania Ave. Centre Hall, where Masonic Service will be conducted at 8:00 p. m. The funeral service will be at 11:00 a. m. Saturday, September 11, 2010, at the site of the Statue of the Birthplace of Memorial Day in the Boalsburg Cemetery; with the Reverend Brent Book officiating. In the event of rain, the service will be moved to Zion Lutheran Church adjacent to the Boalsburg Cemetery. Special honors will be provided by the Pennsylvania State Police and the Battery B, Third Pennsylvania Volunteers.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to Battery B; P. O. Box 114, Pennsylvania Furnace, PA 16865, for the preservation of authentic history of the Civil War Era or to Zion Lutheran Church, 305 N. Church Street, Boalsburg, PA 16823.
A guest book can be signed or condolences sent to the family at www.heintzelmanfuneralhome.com.