John C. R. Biekarck, 79, of Warren, Pa., died Sunday morning, Dec. 30, 2012, at the Warren Manor Nursing Home.
He was born May 27, 1933, in Warren, Pa., son of the late F.C. Rex and Martha Grettenberger Biekarck.
He has resided in Warren most of his life. John was a 1951 graduate of Warren High School and a 1955 graduate of Allegheny College, where he earned a Bachelor's of Science degree in Business Administration. He had served with the United States Air Force as a first lieutenant, serving from 1955 to 1957. He was a third-generation owner and operator of Biekarck Music Store, working there from 1960 until his retirement in 1988. He was a member of Trinity Memorial Episcopal Church, where he was a former vestry member.
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John C. R. Biekarck
John enjoyed canoeing, gardening, sailing on Chautauqua Lake, especially his time spent at his cottage at Colburns Point, Bemus Point, N.Y.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Phyllis Beck Biekarck, whom he married Sept.1, 1954, in Jamestown, N.Y.; four children: R. Steven Biekarck of Corry, Pa., David Biekarck (Lois) of Warren, Pa., Marie Ann Biekarck of Newburg, Ore., and Nancy L. Biekarck of Johnstown, Colo., two sisters: Valerie Lynde and husband, Nelson, of Bemus Point, N.Y., and Violet "VI" Heise of Tuscan, Ariz., 10 grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, William "Bill" R. Biekarck.
Friends may call at the Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home Inc., 304 East Street, Warren, Pa., on Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013, from 6 to 8 p.m. A funeral and committal service will be conducted Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013, at Trinity Memorial Episcopal Church at 11 a.m. by the Rev. Matthew Scott, priest-in-charge, officiating. Interment will be Pine Grove Cemetery, Russell, Pa.
The family suggests memorial contributions may be made to Warren Cancer Center, 2 Crescent Park, Warren, PA. 16365 or National Parkinson's Foundation Western Pennsylvania, 3468 Babcock Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA. 15237. E-mail condolences may be sent by visiting www.lewisfuneralhomeinc.com.