James C. Werkheiser

James C. Werkheiser, 94, of Marshalls Creek, passed away on Friday morning, April 18, 2025 while under hospice care at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Muhlenberg in Bethlehem. He was the widow of Louise (Prata) Werkheiser who died June 4, 1989.
Born on May 15, 1930 at home in Tannersville, he was the son of the late Clifford L. and Lizzie (Martin) Werkheiser and step-son of the late Audrey (Martin) Werkheiser.
A lifetime resident of Monroe County, Jim was a 1948 graduate of Pocono High School, a 1952 graduate of East Stroudsburg State Teacher's College and received his Master's degree from Lehigh University in 1959.
He was drafted by KITTY League Baseball in Union City, Tennessee in 1952 and served in the United States Army from 1952 to 1954.
Jim was employed by the East Stroudsburg Area School District from 1955 to 1993 where he was Guidance Counselor for 35 years; was Director of Guidance Services from 1985 to 1992; served as Chairperson of District 10 Pennsylvania School Counselors Association; served as Education Association President from 1963 to 1964; was President of the Band Parents Association from 1982 to 1983; coached various sports including baseball, basketball, football and golf for 36 years; served as statistician for football, basketball and wrestling for 30 years, and was a charter member and historian of the Halls and Walls of Fame Committee. In 1995 he authored the statistical booklet "ESHS Boy's Basketball from the Beginning 1913-1994"; in 2008 authored the historical pamphlet "End of an Era" tracing the history of the J.S. Bunnell School; and in 2022 presented a copy of the diploma from East Stroudsburg's first graduate in 1891 to the school district.
His extensive community service included participating in Pocono Lively Arts community theater productions from 1984 to 1993; Chairman of the Pocono District Boy Scouts of America Leadership Training from 1960 to 1965; member of the former Grace Lutheran Church in East Stroudsburg where he sang in the choir, and served as council member and council president for two terms; was president of the Monroe County Church Softball League from 1968 to 1970; was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Tannersville where he was a former choir member; sang with the SONshine singing group for 21 years; was a member, former board member and former History Committee Chair of the Monroe County Historical Society; was a very active member and former officer of the Pocono/Jackson Townships Historical Society; organized the installation of the historical plaque on the Civil War Cannon in Monroe County Courthouse Square in May 2009; was a former member of the Pocono High School Alumni Association; and received the Al Keglovitz Spirit of Basketball award in 2006.
The East Stroudsburg Area School District inducted Jim into the Meritorious Hall of Fame on May 25, 2010 and the Athletic Hall of Fame on February 7, 2014; and in 2013 he was named "Volunteer of the Year" by the Monroe County Historical Association.
He was an Eagles, Phillies and UConn fan; and enjoyed traveling, golf, skiing and having coffee with friends.
Surviving are his companion, Marie Lohman; four sons, James B. Werkheiser and his wife Susan of East Stroudsburg, Jerome C. Werkheiser and his wife Marie-Louise of Stroudsburg, Martin P. Werkheiser and his wife Marsha of Harleysville, and Thomas M. Werkheiser and his significant other Arnulfo Vargas of Cape May, NJ; a granddaughter, Louisa Werkheiser and her significant other Jeffrey Enright of Stroudsburg; a sister, Joan Rinker and her husband Norman "Jake" of Reeders; and several nieces and nephews.
Services will be held on Wednesday, April 23rd, at the William H. Clark Funeral Home, 1003 Main Street, Stroudsburg where viewing will begin at 10:00AM and be followed by the funeral service at noon with Rev. Ray Williams officiating. Burial will follow in the family plot at Laurelwood Cemetery in Stroudsburg.
In lieu of flowers, memorial remembrances may be made to the East Stroudsburg Halls and Walls of Fame, P.O. Box 783, East Stroudsburg, PA 18301 or the Monroe County Historical Association, 748 Main Street (2nd floor), Stroudsburg, PA 18360.