On the afternoon of Monday, June 22nd, 2015, well-known Canton resident, John LaVerne Anderson passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by his loving family and friends. He was 77 years of age. John was born in Sayre, Pa. on January 18th, 1938, the son of Louis and Alice (Vanderpool) Anderson, and was raised by Jack and Wilma Horton of East Smithfield. John’s adult life was devoted to serving others. He served 23 years with the U. S. Army, receiving numerous decorations and retiring as a SGT 1st Class. It was during his furlough following his tour in Vietnam that he was introduced to Lynell Dunbar while snowmobiling with friends during the blizzard of January, 1972.
On June 24th of that same year, in the midst of the Hurricane Agnes Flood, John took Lynell for his wife. Together they raised their family while residing at various military installations. The last being at Frankfurt, Germany. The Andersons settled in Canton, where John continued to serve the public as part of the Canton Borough Streets Department, retiring in mid 2000. For many years John was an ambulance driver for the former Canton Ambulance Association (now Western Alliance Emergency Services) and served as a firefighter with the Canton Fire Dept. He was a member of the Canton Post #303 American Legion, was a Webelos leader for Canton’s Cub Scout Pack #3 and served as a Little League coach. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing and woodworking. He had a firm handshake and an infectious smile, and was known for being straight-forward and without pretense. John was also a man with an unshakable faith in the Lord, and was a longtime member of the former First Baptist Church of Canton, now the Lighthouse of Faith. He served as a deacon for many years, as Regional Board President of the American Baptist Men, and as a Sunday School teacher, helping to guide young lives on the right path. John was a member of the church during its days of struggling, and has been credited as being a driving force in keeping the church open, helping it to grow into the active congregation that it is today.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Lynell, at home, sons Corey Anderson of Canton, Jamie (& Mons) DelaCruz-Anderson of Vancouver, B.C., Jeff (& Denise) Anderson of Brandon, Fl., daughter Marcia Denham of Canton, brothers Terry (& Jill) Horton of DuBoise, Pa and George (& Sandy) Horton of Hartford, CT., as well as grandchildren Emilly Anderson, Oceanna Denham, John Anderson, Sean Anderson and Colleen Anderson. He was preceded in death by his birth parents, Louis and Alice Anderson and the parents who raised him, Jack and Wilma Horton. Calling hours will be 7 to 9 PM Thursday at Lighthouse of Faith, E. Main Street, Canton, and will resume 10 AM Friday the 26th. Service will be at 11 AM at the church with pastors Sean Tymeson and Norman Pierce officiating. Interment will follow in Bradford County Memorial Park. (morseandkleesefuneralhome.com)
