Sadly, I only recently learned of John's passing. We met regularly in a coffee shop with friends and went together with friends on trips to historic diners many years ago, but lost contact in subsequent relocations. John was a good man, a very well read and learned English scholar, an historian and outstanding editor, a lover of 50s music and autos, and above all possessed a well developed sense of humor. He will missed but always remembered. 

Happy Birthday in Heaven, John...till we meet again.  John Van Ness- if you see this give me a ring at 864-649-1177.  Thanks.

John was a friend of mine since 1980, while I was living in Bryn Mawr, Pa...back in those days John  was driving a '64 Chevy Belair with Wyoming tags and showed up at Dunks when I was there.  I'd been out in Wyoming 2 years earlier on a xc motorcycle trip so we hit it right off trading stories about out west. Later John, another guy and I rented a house in Bryn Mawr.  John's dad helped him and the other fellow move in into the house with his pickup truck.  As time went on he and I hit used book stores, diners with other hungry friends...lol...he loved to travel and told me about working in Ft Collins, CO...going on road trips into the mountains out there...He also taught in Laramie and moonlighted working at a saw mill in nearby Centennial. Other trips included going to Toronto and Marblehead, MA...years later John moved off the Main Line and moved back to Levittown. In 2007, he sold me a neat 100 year old roll top desk that I look at everyday in my living room.  I'm deeply saddened to hear of his passing and owe a lot of what I know, to him and his knowledge of books, travels, music and his way of seeing life. Rest in peace dear friend.  John Van Ness-he mentioned you many times and visiting you in Iowa....I remember John wearing a tee shirt saying 'Last Tango in Iowa City' that he picked up out there. Give me a call if you want 864-649-1177 preferable to email.

This is John Van Ness again.  I just had to say how reassuring it has been to not only learn how many friends John had—both at work and in his various writing groups—but also to realize that so many of you knew the same John I knew in the mid-seventies out in Laramie, Wyoming.He had a wealth of knowledge about a broad range of subjects and was never shy about sharing trivia, dropping names and book titles, and making wry comments.  And yes, even back then John would seize the seat at the head of the table and weigh in frequently on whatever was being discussed.  I have so enjoyed hearing anecdotes and observations that, so to speak, reunited me with some very good memories about a really great guy.  Thank you all for your comments.

Johnny was my 2nd cousin and I knew him as a youngster and as he grew up to be a fine man. Though we lived close, did not get see him, except for running into him at the library.(our loss). We did see him at the Wirebach reunion held each July, but not this year as it was canceled due to the virus.(again our loss) we got to visit him in Laramie back in the 77s when we were on a western trip. From reading these messages we can see how well he was liked. God be with you, Johnny. Rest In Peace.

I was in the Bucks County Writers Workshop with John for about four years. I often tried to snag a seat at his end of the table so that I'd be privy to his witty mumblings and offbeat, sometimes controversial, commentary. The John I knew was passionate, opinionated, loud, and honest -- and a knowledgeable, skilled storyteller. I loved his work, trusted his feedback, and had looked forward to seeing him again. To his family and my BCWW beloveds, please accept my sincere condolences.

For many years, I was one of John's office mates at Bucks County Community College. We'd share YouTube videos, sing oldies, and quote SNL skits in between grading papers and meeting with students. I called him "Elvis," and he called me "Zsa Zsa" after our birthday celebrities, and we'd laugh each time. We lost touch after he left Bucks, but I still think of him frequently. He will be missed. Peace to all.

John was a thoughtful and caring colleague at Bucks County Community College for many years. My sincere condolences to his family and friends.

I've known John for many years as a talented writer who was wise and funny and also quick-witted thoughtful. I never knew anyone who possessed so much knowledge about books. John shared entertaining, light-hearted stories about his varied life experiences in places such as Wyoming, Bucks County, his college days at Kutztown, and in Massachusetts. He often expressed love, not only for the written word but for humanity, too. I will miss him very much.

I'll fondly remember John's sense of humor peppered with a bit of causticity, his directness but also his humanity. He was an original. I will miss him.

Though I hadn't see John in years, I remember him fondly as a caring and helpful presence who gave me honest and direct advice when I was trying to find my way as a writer. John was a teacher who possessed a unique manner that demanded you pay attention to the valuable lessons he shared. Thank you, John, for all that you taught me. Rest peacefully.

I knew John as part of two writing groups. He was a wonderful, big-hearted man who read voraciously and always spoke his mind. As an irrepressible storyteller, you never knew where his tales might end up. He was a teacher to his core. He made me laugh, and he always told the truth. I'm going to miss him terribly.

I am so sorry to hear of John’s passing. John and I were both long-time members of the Bucks County Writers Workshop. I was always impressed by his knowledge of history and how it was reflected in his writing. John always sat at the head of the table at our meetings and we called that seat “John’s seat.” It saddens me to know that seat will now be empty.

So shocked to hear of this. I've known John for about twenty years as part of two writing groups, Bucks County (PA) Writers Workshop and the Rebel Writers of Bucks County. John knew his literature and was also a gifted fiction writer. We pushed John to get active in trying to sell his work. For a short time he did make submissions to agents and publishers, but this business is so tough to get into. He stayed very active in the two workshops. I will miss dearly the conversations I had with John in a parking lot following our meetings. I'm sad to have lost this dear friend.

What stunning and sad news.  John was a long-time member of our Rebel Writers group.  (See www.rebelwriters.org)  John has been a staple of my journey as a writer for more than ten years, though our monthly in-person meetings, and longer for his fellow founding members of Rebels.  John's knowledge of literature and fiction, and his candor and insight, was an important part of the strength of our novelist critique group.  This very week we were reviewing one of his strongest pieces of writing yet.  This is a tremendous and unexpected loss for us of a friend and colleague and a talent.  He often made us laugh, and he provided me with strong encouragement in my efforts on the difficult journey of breaking through as a published novelist.  We would appreciate it, if the family could provide us with more information on his circumstances these past few weeks and his passing.

This is John Van Ness again.  I had been trying recently to contact John because I was concerned how he was handling the pandemic.  Emails, calls to the last landline number I had for him, even a postcard.  When I didn’t hear and feared the worst, that is when I checked for his obituary.  I would really appreciate hearing about John’s last days, as he was a valued friend for forty-five years.  Please, as family members feel up to it and it is convenient for them to do so, email me.

John was my fellow teacher at the University of Wyoming during the seventies.  We became great friends and shared a house in Laramie.  Since then, we have stayed in contact and shared our interests in sports, writing, and reading.  He will be missed.

Our thoughts remain with you and your family at this time. We are honored by the trust and confidence you have placed in us during this difficult time.- The Staff of James J. Dougherty Funeral Home

OBITUARIO

John H. Wirebach

8 enero, 1943 – 4 octubre, 2020

James J. Dougherty Funeral Home, Inc.

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