Bruce E. Zettlemoyer

Bruce E. Zettlemoyer, 83, of Watsontown, PA, passed away peacefully in the presence of loving family on January 21 at WellSpan Evangelical Community Hospital.

Bruce was born on March 27, 1941 to Harry and Eleanor Zettlemoyer in Watsontown, PA. He attended Watsontown High School and in 1959 became part of the first graduating class of Warrior Run High School where he was Class President. Bruce was an accomplished athlete, attaining 10 varsity letters in football, baseball and basketball.

In 1963 he joined the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation where he spent 30 years as a Construction Inspector for District 3-0. Upon retirement from PennDOT, he moved on to various construction consulting firms, including Larson Design, McTish Kunkle & Associates and TRC until he ultimately retired in 2015.

Bruce was a dedicated member of the community, serving as coach for Twin County Midget League Baseball and Warrior Run Midget League Football for over 25 years. Never ‘Coach’ and never ‘Mr. Zettlemoyer’, he was known as ‘Bruce’ to all of his young ballplayers. Throughout the years he served organizations such as Watsontown Jaycees, Watsontown Masonic Lodge 401, McEwensville Fire Department, WR Athletic Association and he was a beloved member of Zion Lutheran Church in Turbotville for over 50 years.

He loved all things sports, playing cards with the ‘Card Club’ of over 50 years, mowing lawn (at a championship level!), watching Gunsmoke, eating shrimp and drinking Diet Pepsi. He was well known for his humor and wit and had a life story for every occasion. In his later years he enjoyed attending the sporting events and concerts of his grandchildren, visiting family on Martha's Vineyard and vacationing with friends and family in Kissimmee, FL.

Bruce is preceded in death by his father Harry and mother Eleanor, brother Herbert and brother Dick. He is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Barbara Rovenolt Zettlemoyer, sister Roberta Callenberger of Port Matilda, brother Neil Zettlemoyer and wife Edna of Lewisburg, children Deborah Volinskie and husband Michael of Middleburg, David Zettlemoyer and wife Adriana Serritella of Arlington, VA, Rebecca Rabeni and husband Anthony of Edgartown, MA and his 5 grandchildren, Garrett Volinskie, Gabriel Volinskie, Emma Volinskie, Nicholas Rabeni and Clara Rabeni.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated caregivers of Evangelical Community Hospital Critical Care Unit, especially Dr. Patil and Dr. McKillion. The family is being assisted by Brooks Funeral Home of Turbotville.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Zion Lutheran Church in Turbotville on Friday, January 31 at 11:00am with visitation and fellowship meal to follow in the church social hall. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Watsontown Police Department's Chief Carl Reed Memorial Fund at 18 Main St, Watsontown, PA 17777 or Zion Lutheran Church at 39 Paradise St, Turbotville, PA 17772.

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