Born Nov. 22, 1937, in Thompsontown, Juniata County, he was the son of the late John L. and Beulah (Shelley) Auker. On June 13, 1959, he married his surviving wife, Alta M. (Peachey) Auker, with whom he was blessed to share over 61 years of marriage.

He was a 1956 graduate of East Juniata High School, in Cocolamus, and was self employed as a Dairy and Poultry farmer for over 50 years.

After high school, John had served for two years at the Philadelphia State Hospital at Byberry. Mr. Auker was a member and had attended the Delaware Mennonite Church in East Salem where he served on the Board of Trustees and in earlier life, had taught Sunday School. He had also served as a Delaware Township Supervisor for over 35 years; served on the Advisory Board of the Delaware Branch of the former First National Bank of Mifflintown; and was a member of Gideons International and the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau. His hobbies included hunting deer and small game, playing different sports, especially soccer, softball, and bowling, and enjoyed watching sports on tv; however, he cherished the time spent with his family, especially his children and grandchildren.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Douglas E. Auker, of Thompsontown, Jeffrey M. Auker and his wife, Cindy, of Richfield, Audrey J. Helmuth, of Thompsontown, and Brian J. Auker, of McAlisterville; one sister, Joann Yoder and her husband, Ted, of Belleville; one sister-in-law, Rena Auker, of Belleville; fourteen grandchildren, Moriah Auker, Seth Auker, Hannah Auker, Elizabeth Auker, Thaddaeus Auker, Levi Auker, Ryan Auker and his wife, Vicki, Kendra Bowman and her husband, Aaron, Jena Stauffer, Christa Barner and her husband, Joe, Danielle Messimer and her husband, Ryan, DJ Helmuth, Felicia Auker, and Whitney Peoples and her husband, Colby; and six great-grandchildren with two on the way.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, R. Lavon Auker and Earl R. Auker; and a grandson in law, Travis Stauffer.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday Sept. 1, 2020, at the Delaware Mennonite Church, 16 Delaware Church Road, Thompsontown with Pastor David Gingrich officiating.

Interment will follow in the Delaware Mennonite Church Cemetery.

Although the family will not be present for the Viewing, there will be a Public Viewing from 10 a.m. until the time of the funeral services at 11 a.m. Tuesday, at the Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Mr. Auker’s memory can be made to the Alzheimer’s Disease Research, 22512 Gateway Center Drive, P.O. Box 1950, Clarksburg, MD 20871 or to the Delaware Mennonite Church. 16 Delaware Church Road, Thompsontown, PA 17094.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Brown Funeral Homes Inc., 111 Westfall Street, McAlisterville.

Online condolences and tributes can be shared with the family at www.brow nfuneralhomesinc.com.