John H. Schickram

John H. Schickram, Tamaqua businessman, and civic leader passed away peacefully on Saturday December 14, 2019 at his home on Ryan Ave. in Hometown while in the loving care of his family. Survived by his wife of 48 years, Carol A. (DeLay) Schickram; daughters, Amy Lynn Rarick and her husband Edward of Franklin Twp., Johnna Schickram of Tamaqua; sister, Debra Kay Radishofski and her husband David of Hazleton; brothers, Wayne H. Schickram and his wife Louise of Tamaqua, Craig W. Schickram of Weatherly and his grandsons whom he adored Ian and Aiden.  Many nieces and nephews also survive John.  A 1967 graduate of Tamaqua High School, John enlisted in the United States Coast Guard.  While serving in the Coast Guard, John attended damage control School at Governors Island in New York.  He took carpentry , plumbing, masonry, and fiberglass boat repair courses'.  John had further training in biological and chemical warfare, and fire fighting in Philadelphia.  He served on oceanographic expeditions, at weather stations, and a tour of duty in Vietnam.  John received the National Defense Medal, Coast Guard Good Conduct Medal, Navy & Coast Guard Combat Action Ribbon, Coast Guard Commendation Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Stars, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy Battle Efficiency Award, Unit Commendation, Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation, Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citation, Vietnam Defense, Overseas Service, Sea Service, American Defense, Cold War Victory, Shellback Commemorative medals.  John rose to the rank of E-6 before being Honorably Discharged. Returning home from the Coast Guard, John worked William F. Schickram Trucking owned by his grandfather and father.  Upon acquiring the family business, John expanded to excavation, welding and the operation of Schickram's Car Wash & U-Haul of Tamaqua which he operated for 17 years.  John received a proclamation from the Mayor of Tamaqua naming March 5, 1997 John Schickram Day for his generous contributions to the community Police Department. John, was affiliated with numerous fraternal and civic organization. Past member of the Gnaden Huetten Hospital Board, having served on the finance and grounds committees,  former Bank Director of Miners National Bank, Heritage National Bank, and Main Street Bank of Pottsville. Former Rush Township Supervisor, having served as road master, Rush Twp, Zoning Board, and as delegate to Schuylkill Land Fill.  John was Past Master and Past Trustee of the Tamaqua Masonic Lodge #238, and Vice President of the Temple Association.  He was a member of the lodges blood and organ donor program.  He was a Past High Priest and Past Trustee of the Tamaqua Chapter #177 & Past Grand Principal Sojourner of the Grand Chapter of PA.  A member of the Council of Anointed Kings, and Hillbilly Degree of Lehigh County, Sovereign Order of Knights Preceptor, Past Master of Valley Council #352 of Allied Masonic Degrees, past thrice Illustrious Master of Council # 62 of Hazleton, past Commander of Ivanhoe Commandeers  #31 of Mahanoy City, Knights of the York Cross of Honor, and a member of Mary Conclave Knights of the Red Cross of Constantine. Life member of  Joshua Association. A 32 Degree and MSA Mason, also Past Sovereign Prince and Past Most Wise Master and presently trustee serving on the kitchen committee of the Bloomsburg Consistory, and life member. The seventh Division Past Commanders Line Officers Association,  45th Masonic "Tuie Club", Rajah Shrine Temple in Reading, Rajah Legion of Honor, Schuylkill County Shrine Club, Lehighton Order of Eastern Star and York Rite College #11. Life member of Grand Commandery Eye Foundation, Past Grand Tall Cedar of Schuylkill County Forest 50, Life member of Knights Masonic Council #72. Past Exalted and Past Trustee of Tamaqua Elks, member of National Elks Foundation, Past Commander, and Past Trustee of Tamaqua American Legion.  Member of Carbon County 40 & 8 Club, Tower City Moose Lodge, Tamaqua Lions Club and past director, Chartered member of Independent Order of Odd fellows and Past Noble Vice of Tamaqua.  Coaldale V.F.W, Chartered member of Tamaqua Amvets and Last Man Club.  Life member of Vietnam War, Inc. Order of Cooties, Pup Tent 31.  Served as Past Engineer, Past Trustee and pensioned member of the East End Fire Co. of Tamaqua.  Served as Aerial Foreman of the Tamaqua Fire Department, Tamaqua Fire Police, pensioned member of Hometown Fire Company and Life member of New England Fire Company  He was an associate member of FOP Lodge #13 Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home & Cremation services, Inc. of 655 East broad street Tamaqua, Pennsylvania 18252. (570) 668-2550 Funeral Services will be held on Thursday December 19, 2019 at 11 o'clock A.M. from the funeral home.  Friends may call on Wednesday evening from 5 to 8:00 P.M. and on the morning of services from 10:00 A.M. until time of service. Masonic Services Wednesday evening December 18 at 7 o'clock P.M. Private Interment Sky-View Memorial Park Tamaqua, Pennsylvania.  Memorials in John's name to: Lebanon VA Medical Center 1700 South Lincoln Ave. Lebanon, Pa 17042  online condolences may be made by visiting www.griffithsfuneralhomes.com