JOHN ALBERT DUCEMAN

John Albert Duceman, 78, teacher, guidance counselor and school administrator for over 30 years, died on November 8 2003. Mr. Duceman was a resident of Shamokin before he and his wife moved to Elysburg, Pa. 17 years ago.

John was born on November 17, 1925 to William Duceman and Anna Hawk Duceman. Upon graduation from Coal Township High School in 1943, he enlisted in the United States Navy and was transferred to Naval Corpsman School and served in overseas combat service at various United States Naval Bases as a Medic, Pharmacist Mate Third Class. During the latter part of WWII, he was stationed at U.S. Naval Advance Bases in Torokina, Bougainville, and Guadacanal Japan. He received the Pacific Theatre Ribbon, American Theatre Ribbon, Victory Medal, and Philippine Liberation Ribbon.

After the war, he returned to the Shamokin area to continue his education, achieving a Bachelor of Arts from Susquehanna University, Pennsylvania and a Master of Arts in Guidance and Secondary Education Administration from Bucknell University, Pennsylvania.

He had married Margaret Deeben formerly of Teverton. From 1954 to 1962, Mr. Duceman taught English, Science, and Biology at Millersburg High School and Roaring Creek Valley High School. The next 26 years, he served as English Teacher and Guidance Counselor at Southern Area High School. He was active in various advisory positions to include Honor Society, Science Club, School Newspaper, Career Nights, Senior Advisor, Yearbook Advisor and numerous class trips. During this time, he continued to pursue graduate courses towards his Doctorate degree from Temple, Bucknell, and Penn State. He achieved certification to serve as Guidance Director and Secondary School Administrator. From 1978 until 1985, he was the Student Services Administrator at Northumberland County Vocational -Technical School involved in establishing and promoting a system of vocational-technical education in Northumberland County. He held professional memberships with the National Education Association, Pennsylvania State Education Association, and past chairman and regional representative with the Pennsylvania School Counselors Association. Served as cub and scout leader for the Boy Scouts of America and was active in the Uniontown Fire Company, American Legion and Moose organizations. He was a member of Saint John’s Reformed Church.

Learning was his life-long passion and he encouraged many others to achieve their educational aspirations. His favorite pastimes were fishing, hunting and taking his family on camping or picnic trips to local state parks. He had slowly succumbed to ALS, but always gave a hearty laugh and a smile, providing much inspiration to his family and friends.

John Duceman