The Emporium Community has lost a life-long dedicated Christ and community servant
with the passing of Kenneth L. Ostrum, on September 12, 2024.
Ken was born January 26, 1932, at his family home on the Old West Creek Road, son of John
Fred and Violet (Barr) Ostrum.
On Feb 23, 1952, he married Mary Jane Kinley at the First Baptist Church in Emporium and
then celebrated 53 years together.
Ken graduated from Emporium High School in1950. He received his Associates Degree in
Electrical Engineering from ICS of Scranton, PA
He was employed for 37 years at Sylvania Electric (GTE, Philips Electronics), first as a
production worker, then in Electrical Design. Ken worked internationally at design jobs in
Canada, Mexico, Belgium and France.
He was a proud Army Veteran of The Korean War serving from 1952 – 1954 with the
Korean Military Advisory Group (KMAG) as a Combat Engineer and instructor for the
Republic of Korea Army. He was an integral part of his church and community as a Sunday
school teacher, Deacon, and a licensed Lay Minister of the First Baptist Church, speaking at
many churches throughout the area. He was a popular soloist, singing in several Gospel
Quartets, and community choruses including the Singing Dutchmen and The Nittany Knights.
He performed solos for well over 140 weddings for family and friends.
Ken was a member of Emporium Masonic Lodge No. 382, serving as Master in 1972. He
served as Tax Collector for Shippen Township; was President of the Sylvania Chapter of the
National Management Association; a licensed projectionist at the Emporium Theatre; a
President of the Emporium Senior Center; member of the American Red Cross, serving as the
local Disaster Relief Chairman and also donated over 24 gallons of blood.
Ken was preceded in death by his loving wife, Mary Jane, and his 4 brothers and 2 sisters.
Surviving are three daughters: Cathy (Steve) Swarmer, of Reedsville, PA; Kim (Jon)
Howell of Haddon Township, NJ; Lori (Harold) Horton of Hudson, OH; six grandchildren:
Kristina, Stacy, Nicole, Jessica, Christopher and Jeffrey. He is also survived by nine great
grandchildren.
Visitation will be at the Coppersmith – Condon Funeral home on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024
from 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm at which time a Masonic Service will follow.
Funeral Services in celebration of Ken’s extraordinary life will be
held on Monday, Sept. 16th at The Endless Mountains Methodist Church, Emporium, Pa
starting with visitation at 10:00, followed by the service at 11:00 am. Military honors will be accorded by the Cameron County Memorial Detail.
Burial will be in Newton Cemetary.
In lieu of flowers, Ken requested that donations be made to The Emporium Senior Center,
Endless Mountain Methodist Church or First Baptist Church of Emporium.
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