James R. Bratton

James R. Bratton, 78, of Granville, formerly of Burnham, passed away Monday, March 12, 2018.        

Born February 14, 1940, in McVeytown, Oliver Township, he was a son of the late Bruce M. and Edna M. (Allison) Bratton. 

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by: his loving wife, Janet M. (Mowery) Bratton in June 2003; and a sister, Joyce A. Bratton, in 1937.

Surviving are: two sons, Michael A. Bratton and wife, Maureen, of Palmyra, and Mark S. Bratton and wife, Cindy, of Reedsville; four grandchildren, Carla A. Fink and husband, Clint, of McVeytown, Christopher J. Bratton, of Mechanicsburg, Erin L. Bratton, of Kingston, and Ryan H. Bratton, of Phoenixsville; his brother, Kenneth B. Bratton, of Hooversville; and a sister, Linda McClenahen, of Shreve, Ohio.

Jim graduated from Chief Logan High School, Class of 1957.

He was a member of Walnut Street United Methodist Church.

Early in life, Jim was employed by Beaver Brothers Bakery in Burnham and later, was an insurance agent for the Prudential Insurance Company, where he retired with 30 years of service.

Jim actively served his community as a member of the Burnham Lions Club and as a life member of the Burnham Volunteer Fire Company.  For many years, he served as a PIAA official for high school football and baseball.  He was a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan and attended all seven games of the 1967 World Series.

His great passions in life included golf, fishing, hunting, and cooking.  He was a former member of the Newport and Boalsburg Elks Country Clubs and enjoyed many years of hunting from the Seldom Seen camp in New Lancaster Valley.  He loved fly fishing on Penns Creek with his good friend Paul Frymyer and his brother-in-law, Don Warner.  Jim’s apple pies were well loved by his family and friends and were an anticipated treat for Thanksgiving gatherings.  

Jim’s lasting wish for his family and friends was that each would come to know and accept the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

A viewing will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, March 16, at Heller-Hoenstine Funeral Homes, 108 First Ave., Burnham.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, March 17, at Walnut Street United Methodist Church, 203 N. Walnut St., Burnham, with Pastor Chris Lutz officiating.

Interment will take place in Vira Methodist Cemetery, Lewistown.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Jim’s name may be made to: Burnham Fire Company, 205 N. Beech St., Burnham, PA 17009, or to: Walnut St. UMC, 203 N. Walnut St., Burnham, PA 17009.

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