James O. Auman

James O. Auman , 91, of 352 Church Street, St. Marys, died at his home on Friday afternoon, November 11, 2011 surrounded by his family following a short illness.

He was born February 23, 1920 in St. Marys, a son of the late John R. and Genevieve Dippold Auman.
On May 16, 1945 in Pawling, NY, he married the late Edna M. "Snooky" Dippold Auman, his loving wife of more than 66 years who preceded him in death one week before on November 4, 2011.

Mr. Auman was a lifelong member of St. Marys Church, where he served as an usher and as a chairman on the building committee during the 1988-1989 renovations to the church.  He served in the Army Air Force during WWII as a flight engineer and Staff Sergeant in the 96th Combat Wing of the Second Air Division.  He was awarded an Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters as well as a Purple Heart for wounds received over Germany in 1944.  He and his wife owned and operated Auman's Grocery Store since 1945 until they retired in 2009.

Jim had also served as the Director of the Merchants Grocery Company and was the Mayor of St. Marys from 1966 to 1970.  He was a member and past president of the Benzinger Township and St. Marys Historical Society. He was also a member of the American Legion and the Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter #467.  He was a lifelong member of the Boys Club where he enjoyed teaching wood carving classes.  He enjoyed traveling and spending time with his family.

He is survived by four daughters, Margaret Ann Gabler (Michael) of St. Marys, Katherine Mary Muth (Larry) of Ridgway, Barbara Ann Little (Rich) of St. Marys, and Patricia Mary Grabill (Steve) of Mechanisburg; 10 grandchildren, the Rev. Michael Gabler O.S.B., Lori Ligenfelter (Alan), Sean Gabler (Tina), Melanie Meyer (Matt), Douglas Muth, Katie Muth, Henry Hoehn (Amy), Christopher Little, Nick Grabill, and Laura Grabill; seven great-grandchildren, two step great-grandchildren and one step great-great-granddaughter; and one sister: Helen Parana of St. Marys as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents and his wife, Edna "Snooky" Auman, he was preceded in death by 5 sisters; Evelyn Francis, Mildred Gerg, Rita Cunningham, Cecelia Geer and Mary Hasselman and by 2 brothers; Alvin Auman and Edward Auman.  Jim's brother, William "Beagle" Auman, died just hours after him on November 11, 2011.

There will be No Visitation .

A Mass of Christian Burial for James O. Auman will be celebrated at the St. Marys Church, Church Street, St. Marys, on  Saturday, November 26, 2011 at  10 AM with Rev. Michael Gabler, O.S.B, his grandson, as celebrant.
Military Honors will be conducted by the St. Marys Servicemen's Burial Detail.

Burial will follow in the St. Marys Catholic Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Community Nurses Hospice, 757 Johsonburg Road, Suite 200, St. Marys, PA 15857 or to the St. Marys Catholic Church, 139 Church Street, St. Marys, PA 15857.

Online condolences may be placed at www.LynchGreenFuneralHome.com