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John E. Bem

John E. Bem, 77, Hastings, passed away Wednesday. He was a son of the late Stanley J. Bem Sr. and Anna (Schall) Bem.

Surviving are his sisters, Mary Kirk and Agnes Eckenrode; a brother, Stanley Bem Jr.; nieces and nephews: Donald (Sally) Kirk, Michele Kirk (Joseph Gelormino), Kevin (Mary) Kirk, Eugene (Marina) Bem, David (Evelyn) Bem and Michael (Susan) Bem; a nephew-in-law, Herbert Clapper; and great-nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; infant sisters, Patricia Ann and Theresa Ann Bem; brothers-in-law, Ken Kirk and James Eckenrode; a sister-in-law, Louise (Sharbaugh) Bem; and a niece, Karen (Kirk) Clapper.

John was a 1965 graduate of Bishop Carroll High school. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from Saint Francis University, Loretto, and a Master of Education degree in chemistry from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. John taught chemistry and physics at Cambria Heights for 30 years. He was one of the first 100 in the nation to receive national certification in chemistry. He was a life member of St. Bernard Church. He was involved in the Holy Name Society and was an usher, chairman of parish council, part of the board of trustees, secretary and treasurer of the cemetery association and charter member of the financial council and parish festival committee.

John was a registered PIAA football official. He was secretary-treasurer from 1982 to 1997, and assistant rules interpreter from 1992 to 2005. He was honored to officiate many interdistrict football playoff games and officiated the 1994 PIAA Class 1A football state championship game. In 2002, he was recognized for 35 outstanding years of service to District 6.

He was also highly involved with Hastings Volunteer Fire Company No. 1. He joined in 1970 and became a Fire Police in 1973. He held a variety of offices from secretary to treasurer. He was a part of Volunteer Firemen’s Association of Cambria County and Vicinity, where he held a variety of important positions from 1973 until 2011. He became an elected delegate for the Central District Volunteer Firemen’s Association in 1973. He received the honor of the Leroy C. Focht Award for Outstanding Service to Central District “Firefighter of the Year.” He was also very involved and held a variety of offices in the Western Pennsylvania Firemen’s Association as well as the Firemen’s Association of the State of Pennsylvania.

Friends will be received from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at Easly-Hindman Funeral Home, 333 Beaver St., Hastings.

An additional viewing will be held from 10 until the start of the 11 a.m. funeral Mass Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at St. Bernard’s

Catholic Church, 148 Seventh Ave., Hastings.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in John’s honor to the Hastings Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 or to St. Bernard’s Catholic Church.

Arrangements are by Easly-Hindman Funeral Home & Crematory Inc. Condolences may be made at HindmanFuneralHomes.com.