Daniel Huber Newton

Daniel Huber Newton, 56, of Winfield, passed away peacefully Sunday, September 21, 2014 at his home, surrounded by his beloved family, ready to meet his Maker. This followed a year’s valiant struggle with cancer.

Dan was born on June 30, 1958, in East Stroudsburg, a son of Albert Edward and Carol Ann (Price) Newton, who predeceased him.

Dan married the former Rebecca R.E. Smeltz, who survives, in October of 1999. They enjoyed more than fifteen years of a special loving relationship. Their union brought two wonderful children – Carol Elizabeth Newton, born August 24, 2001 and Daniel Edmund Newton, born September 15, 2004. Dan was a doting and loving husband and father, uncle, brother and friend.  He will be sorely missed by family and friends who knew his spirit.

Dan graduated from Shamokin Area High School in 1976. He attended Susquehanna University for a year, majoring in music. He transferred to Penn State University, State College, where he obtained a B.S. in Nutrition and Food Science. Dan further studied bio-chemistry at the Medical College of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

Dan was the epitome of a Renaissance man – he had interests in many areas, and he researched and developed those interests with gusto! He loved wooden boats and sailboats, and created and built wooden boats from full-size to model sailboats. Dan also owned a 36’ sailboat on the Chesapeake Bay with a friend, and spent a lot of time enjoying that past-time with his wife, family and friends. Dan loved spending time on the water. It was second nature to him.

Dan was a skilled craftsman and operated his business, Dry Valley Joinery on Stein Lane, for at least twenty years. Throughout that time, he built beautiful hand-crafted furniture and cabinet installations. Dan had also worked with the Museum Commission to complete historic restorations.

Music was a great passion of Dan’s life, and in fact, it was his love of music that brought him together with his wife, Rebecca, when they sang together with the Susquehanna Valley Chorale. This was a common interest the two shared, and they spent time enjoying music together whenever possible. Dan was a skilled drummer, who was able to share that talent by playing with various groups, from Queen Bee and the Blue Hornets to the worship team at Buffalo Mennonite Church.  Dan passed his love of music to his two children and encouraged them to follow in his steps.

Dan was a true nature lover, and had been a member of the Appalachian Trail Club and spent a great amount of time back-packing in New England.  Dan also enjoyed day-hiking with his wife and children.

In addition to his adoring wife and children, Dan is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Michael Newton and Lisa Newton, of Elysburg, his father and mother-in-law, Edmund and Doris Smeltz, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Friends will be received from 10 a.m. to Noon on Thursday, September 25 ^th at Buffalo Mennonite Church, 4445 Hoffa Mill Road, Lewisburg, followed by the service at Noon.

Burial will follow in the cemetery adjacent to the church.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to “The Newton College Fund” for Dan’s children, at First National Bank, 2 South Market Street, Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania.

The family is being assisted by Cronrath-Grenoble Funeral Home, S. Second and St. Louis streets, Lewisburg.