Roger A. Lockwood

Roger A. Lockwood, 82 beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather, and uncle, died Tuesday, March 6, 2018 at his home surrounded by his family after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

He was born December 3, 1935 in Sinnemahoning, a son of the late Alfred R. and Elvina I. (Krebs) Lockwood.

Roger was a graduate of the Lewisburg High School class of 1953. He enlisted in the Naval reserves while attending high school with his childhood friend Don Smith. At the age of 17 with his father’s signature, Roger enlisted in the United States Army in September 1953 during the Korean Conflict with his friends, Dick Donahoe, Don Smith, and Howard Anderson.

Upon his honorable discharge, Roger studied wood pattern making and graduated from the former Williamsport Technical Institute, now Penn College.

He became gainfully employed by the Federal Bureau of Prisons when he started his career at the United States Penitentiary “Alcatraz” on March 28, 1960 and transferred to the United States Penitentiary Lewisburg in late 1960 upon the death of this father. He retired December 31, 1985 as a Correctional Counselor at USP Lewisburg.

After becoming bored with retirement, Roger decided to get a part-time job at Scotts’s Floral and Greenhouses, Danville. He enjoyed seeing the smiles on the customer’s faces when he delivered them flowers. He became good friends with Scott Edwards, his family and his coworkers.

On April 27, 1963, Roger was married to Margaret “Peg” Emily Kauffman at Christ’s Lutheran Church, Lewisburg by the Rev. George K. Bowers. They would have celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary next month.

For many years, he bowled in the Tuesday night Lewisburg Penitentiary League at the Lewisburg Legion Lanes.

Roger played a major role with his wife Peg in the development of their grandchildren, shaping them into who they are today. He attended their school activities, sporting events, and especially enjoyed grandparents’ day at Meadowbrook Christian School.

Since his childhood, he enjoyed building model airplanes, model cars, and the buildings to his elaborate HO Scale Train Display.

Roger had a knack for building wood working projects such as his garage, sunroom, shed, pool house, several fences, trellis, and a swing. He also built a motor boat in his mother’s barn as a young adult.

He was very proud of his garden. Every year he grew an abundance of vegetables of which they canned. Roger also planted sunflowers and zinnias around the outskirts of his garden.

Before becoming ill, Roger enjoyed his daily four mile walks on Furnace Road for many decades. He took pride in his home, completing all sorts of improvements to it.

He had the love for antique cars and always kept his vehicles in pristine condition. Roger enjoyed all of the wildlife right in his own backyard. He was also an avid bird watcher.

Roger is survived by his beloved wife Margaret; a daughter and son-in-law, Denise M. and Mikel Betzer, of New Columbia; two sons and daughters-in-law, John R. and Elizabeth Lockwood, of Selinsgrove, Gregory A. and Peggy Lockwood, of Lewisburg; four grandchildren, Matt, Marcus, Deanna, and Ethan; one granddaughter-in-law, Heather; one sister and brother-in-law, Jeanne and Robert Meckly, Jr., of Lewisburg; and one brother-in law and companion, James Kauffman and Kathy, of Middleburg; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by two sisters, Barbara Brouse and Lois Leohner; and one brother, Richard Lockwood.

The family would like to extend their thanks to the wonderful nurses on the 7th floor of the Geisinger Medical center in Danville, the Geisinger Cancer Center in Lewisburg, Young’s Medical Equipment and Evangelical Hospice for the wonderful care they provided.

Friends will be received from Noon to 2 p.m. on Saturday at Christ's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 100 S. Third St., Lewisburg, where the funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. with his pastor, the Rev. William S. Henderson, officiating.

Burial with full military honors will follow in Lewisburg Cemetery.

The family will provide the flowers and suggests contributions in Roger’s memory be made to Hospice of Evangelical, 235 Hospital Drive, Lewisburg, PA 17837.

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