John E. Mentzer, 77, of Newville, died on Thursday, November 19, 2015 in the Chambersburg Hospital. He was born on June 2, 1938 in Newville and is a son of Janet V. (Morrison) Mentzer of Carlisle and the late John Bruce Mentzer. He was married to the late Doris Mae (Negley) Mentzer, who died Dec. 24, 1994.

John attended the former Newville High School. He retired after more than 25 years of service working on the "bridge crew" with PennDOT, where he earned several awards including the Meritorious Service Awards and PennDOT Star of Excellence. Prior to that, John worked as a building contractor in the Newville area for a number of years. He was a life member of the Friendship Hose Co., Newville and was a member of the Big Spring Fish & Game Association. John enjoyed hunting, woodworking and restoring items such as his antique Farmall Tractor and his 1978 Ford pickup truck.

In addition to his mother, he is survived by one son, Bradley A. Mentzer and his wife, Cynthia, of Carlisle; his friend and faithful companion, Nora J. Magee of Newville and her daughter, Terry Conyers and husband Gerald of Shippensburg; one brother, Gary L. Mentzer and his wife Mary of Newville; one sister, Debbie K. Noel and her husband Michael, Jr., of Newville; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his late father and wife, he was preceded in death by one son, Danny Lee Mentzer; one sister, Bertha L. Mentzer; and two brothers: Franklin D. and Ernie E. Mentzer.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, November 25, 2015, at 11:00 a.m. in the Carlisle Evangelical Free Church, 290 Petersburg Rd., Carlisle, with Pastor Shad Baker officiating. Burial will be in Westminster Memorial Gardens, Carlisle. A viewing will be held from 5 to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday at the church. Memorial donations in John's name may be made to the Friendship Hose Co., 15 E. Big Spring Ave., Newville, PA 17241. Ewing Brothers Funeral Home, Carlisle, is in charge of the arrangements.