Ira G. Masemore

Dr. Ira Grabill Masemore was born February 11, 1934 in Mattawana, Mifflin County PA to parents Grabill Ira Masemore (1909 – 1977) and Edith E. Kauffman (1913 – 2007). Ira was preceded in death by his loving wife Gillian (Jill) M. (Paddock) Masemore (1934 – 2018) and son Andrew G. Masemore (1964 – 1981). Surviving are his son Duncan J Masemore, Daughter-in-Law Carol A. Masemore of Lock Haven, grandson Aiden G. Masemore of Harrisburg and Sister Marietta Dunmire of State College.

Ira grew up in the Lewistown Pennsylvania area and attended Shippensburg University 1952-1956 receiving a Bachelor’s degree before being drafted to the U.S. Army where he served in Paris, France 1956 to 1958 where he met his wife, Jill. Ira went on to get his Graduate degree (1958 – 1960) and D.Ed. degree (1961 – 1969) in Education from Penn State University. Ira and Jill adopted their first son, Andrew, from the Cherokee Nation in North Carolina in 1964 and their second son Duncan from the Oneida Reservation in Green Bay, Wisconsin in 1967. They lived in State College until 1969 when Ira finished his Ph. D, then moved to McElhattan, PA outside Lock Haven, when he started teaching history at Lock Haven State College. Ira was promoted to Dean of the College of Education and Human Services in 1979 and remained in that role until his retirement in 1996.

Ira served on the Board of Supervisors for the Clinton County Landfill in the 1970’s and was involved with the Lock Haven Rotary. As a young man Ira learned how to fly and got a pilot’s license and he was always fascinated with all modes of transportation, his father worked for the Lewistown Transportation Company and his grandfather worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad. Ira collected die-cast model busses and cars and spent many hours assembling models of ships or villages for his model railroad display.

In retirement Ira volunteered for the Piper Aviation Museum performing a variety of activities finally ending up in the archives where he spent every day organizing records and assisting pilots, and piper enthusiasts with research related queries. Ira also spent his retirement traveling, including sailing around the Greek Islands in the Mediterranean, zip lining in Costa Rica, visiting relatives in England and a 50th wedding anniversary trip to Paris to name a few.

A memorial service is being planned and will be announced.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Ira and Jillian Masemore Scholarship Fund or the Piper Aviation Museum c/o the funeral chapel.

Helt Funeral Chapel, 232 Hogan Blvd., Mill Hall has charge of arrangements.

Online condolences can be sent to MaxwellHelt.com.