Wilbur S. Houck, age 91, of Sugar Run, PA (formerly of Ashley, PA) passed away on January 4, 2017 at the Golden Living Center in Tunkhannock, PA.


Wilbur was born on April 10, 1925 in Ashley, PA the son of the late Jesse W. and Josephine Bonser Houck. He was a graduate of Ashley High School with the class of 1943.


After graduation Wilbur served his country in the US Army in the 309th Field Artillery and 78th Lightning Division. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge during WWII.


He married the former Beverly J. Brown on November 10, 1951 and together they raised four children. Wilbur was a self-employed businessman as he owned and operated R.B. White Hardware and a grocery store in Ashley, White Appliance and Furniture in Dallas, and the 2nd ever car wash in the Wyoming Valley. He also worked on the New York Stock Exchange and was fastest typist and best short hand Clerk while working for the VA. After his retirement he and Beverly moved to Sugar Run in 1987.


After moving he still kept very busy. He loved to farm, deer hunt, raise turkeys, work on his Model A Ford and vegetable garden. He enjoyed helping his son out at his restaurant, Mark's Valley View. You would often see him tending the cash register, washing dishes, and having a conversation with the customers. Most of all he loved spending time with all of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.


Wilbur was also involved with many organizations. He was a member of the Hollenback United Methodist Church, the Director of the Wilkes-Barre Area Vo-Tech, the founder and President of the Ashley Area Parent-Teachers Association, a Board Director at the United Penn Bank, a member of the Ashley-Coalville Masonic Lodge #474, and the Irem Temple Shrine and the Caldwell Consistory in Bloomsburg, PA. He was also a former member of the Ashley American Legion Post #673 and the Wyalusing American Legion Post #534.


Wilbur is survived by his wife of 65 years, Beverly J. Houck of Sugar Run; his children, Linda VanDeMark of Stowell, PA, Mark Houck and his wife Stacy of Stowell, PA, Barbara Kus and her husband Frank of Dallas, PA, and Brenda Stoshak and her significant other Marc Miller of Corning, NY; his grandchildren, Jennifer Belcher and her husband Tyler, Jill VanDeMark, Loni VanDeMark, Eli Houck, Chaney Houck, Frank Kus, Amanda Kus, Jessica Kus, Steven Stoshak, and Sarah Stoshak; his great-grandsons, Levi and Jacob Belcher; his sister Cornelia Krispin of Dallas, PA; as well as many brother/sister-in-laws, nieces and nephews.


It was Wilbur's wishes to have a private funeral service at the convenience of the family. Interment will be in the Maple Hill Cemetery. A private military service was performed by the members of the Wyalusing American Legion Post #534 at the funeral home and a Masonic service performed by the members of the Coalville Lodge #474 F&AM Masonic Lodge at the Maple Hill Cemetery Chapel. Pallbearers were Steven Stoshak, Frank Kus, Frankie Kus, Adam Dull, Ben Zeidner, and Tyler Belcher.



Arrangements were entrusted with Sheldon Funeral Homes, 155 Church St., Wyalusing, PA. Online condolences may be made at www.sheldonfuneralhomes.com.


In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in Wilbur's name to the Shriners Hospital for Children, c/o Office of Development, 2900 Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, FL 33607 or on their website at www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org or to the Wilmot Volunteer Fire Department, 1732 Quicks Bend Road, Sugar Run, PA 18846.