Eli James McConaghay, Jr.

July 19, 2015

Eli James McConaghay, Jr. of Warwick Township died on July 19, 2015 at Pleasant View Retirement Community. Born in Wharton, Potter County, he was the son of the late Eli James McConaghay, Sr. and Violet McConaghay. He was married to Rosa Arlene (Dull) McConaghay for 67 years.
Jim was a 1942 graduate of Manheim Township High School. From 1943-1946 he served in WWII on the U.S.S. Davidson, a U.S. Navy supply ship later converted to a mine sweeper.
For 43 years, Jim worked for PPL, mostly as a lineman. After his retirement he helped organize the monthly breakfasts for the local PPL linemen.
He was a former member of Brunnerville United Methodist Church and attended Grace Brethren Church later in life.
Jim is known for his generosity, treating folks with Wilbur Buds, strawberries, potatoes, turkey calls, candy, and ketchup. He loved his time with his buddies at his hunting camp. Other interests included a love for horses, driving, going to public sales, mowing, watching football, collecting elephants, and his morning cups of coffee at Benner’s and Country Cupboard. Jim has many faithful friends and has been blessed with wonderful neighbors.
In addition to Arlene, he is survived by three children: Dr. Sandra Reed married to Frank Muse, James V. McConaghay married to Sherry (Stafferi) McConaghay, and Kathy McConaghay married to Jeff Ditzler. He has two granddaughters, Shannon Heydt married to Keith Heydt and Allison McConaghay Shu married to Richard Shu. Great grandsons, Beckett and Paxton Heydt have given him great joy. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law, Marie and Reba McConaghay and nieces and nephews.
Jim was preceded in death by his brothers, Reverend Dewey McConaghay and Charles McConaghay, his sister Evelyn Arnold, and a nephew Dennis McConaghay.
The family would like to recognize the loving care Jim received for more than three years from his Pleasant View caregivers and, most recently, from the staff of Hospice for All Seasons.
In lieu of flowers, a donation in Jim’s name may be made to Pleasant View Retirement Community’s Benevolent Care Fund, 544 North Penryn Rd., Manheim, PA 17545 (www. PleasantViewRC.Org) or World Wildlife Fund, Attn: Save the Elephants, 1250 Twenty Fourth St. NW, Washington, DC 20090-7180 ( www.worldwildlife.org ).
Friends and Family are invited to memorialize Jim’s life at the Pleasant View Retirement Community on Saturday, July 25, 2015. Friends will be received in the Gathering Place beginning at 10 AM. A service will follow at 11 AM in the Hoffer Auditorium. Interment will be at the Brunnerville United Methodist Church Cemetery.