John F. Homan

On Sunday, April 11, 2021, John Franklin Homan, a resident of Shepherdstown, WV, passed away at the age of 83, at Meritus Medical Center in Hagerstown, Maryland. John was born in Sugar Grove, WV, on July 28, 1937, to the late Dr. Virgil Ray Homan, Sr. and Leafy A. Mitchell Homan.

John was a graduate of Franklin High School in 1955. Following high school, he attended Potomac State College, West Virginia University, and Shepherd College, graduating with a teaching degree. John went on to receive a master’s degree from Shippensburg State College for guidance counseling. He married his high school sweetheart, Loretta Sponaugle Homan, in 1961, and later had two daughters, Susan Homan and Sarah Homan Speck.

John was a member of New Street United Methodist Church, where he attended regularly. He was very involved in his church and community over the years. He was an honorable Kentucky Colonel, and was also a member of the Masonic Grand Lodge of West Virginia, A.F. & A.M., Pendleton Lodge No. 144 for over 50 years. He was known to be a meticulous man who took great pride in his yardwork and could often be found outside. He loved to be around children and absolutely adored his two granddaughters, Emma and Jacqueline (Jackie) Speck. In fact, John dedicated his life to caring for and working with children in the Washington County school system for 40 years. He began his career as a science teacher at North Hagerstown High School in 1962, then taught as a Board of Education TV science teacher from 1964-1966 before resuming teaching science in the classroom at North Hagerstown High School again from 1966-1970. Following this, he went on to become a guidance counselor at Williamsport High School in 1970, where he remained until his retirement in 2002.

He was preceded in death by his father, Dr. Virgil Homan, Sr., his mother, Leafy Homan, and four brothers, Morris, Richard, Reid, and Walter Homan, as well as sisters-in-law Jeanne and Ruby Homan. He is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Loretta Homan; brother, Virgil Homan, Jr.; sister-in-law Jean Ann Homan; two children, Susan and Sarah; two granddaughters, Emma and Jackie, and countless cousins, nieces, and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Saturday, April 17, at Kimble Funeral Home, 80 South Main Street in Franklin, where a funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Sunday, April 18, in the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Michael Loudermilk officiating.

Interment will follow at the Sugar Grove Cemetery with Masonic graveside rites conducted by members of the Pendleton Lodge #144 A.F. and A.M.

A memorial service will be organized for residents near Shepherdstown at a later date.

Charitable donations may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation by mail to P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD, 21741-5014 to benefit research for Parkinson’s Disease or Shepherdstown Fire Department by mail to P.O. Box F, Shepherdstown, WV, 25443.

Online condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.kimblefuneralhome.com.