John Sleeman

John Sleeman passed away peacefully on October 4th 2023, at the age of 84, surrounded by his children in Saint Johns, Florida.  Born in Kane, Pennsylvania on September 27th 1939, to William & Dorothy Sleeman of Sheffield, Pennsylvania.  John was a graduate of Sheffield High School Class of 1957 where he played Football and sang in a Mixed Quartet with friends.

John worked with his Father, “Bill” and Grandfather, Edward “Pop” Sleeman, for South Penn Oil Company, pumping oil wells up the “Six Mile Road” in Tiona, Pennsylvania.  He attended Upsula College in East Orange, New Jersey where he played on the Tennis Team.  John then attended Bryant and Stratton College and was then employed by Bethlehem Steel in Buffalo, New York.

He was drafted in the United States Army in 1963.  After basic training he was stationed in Fort Knox, Kentucky where he was a Tank Specialist in the Armor Division.  John excelled in Marksmanship, which led him to shoot for the “Fort Knox Army Skeet Team.”  John was then transferred to Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia where he met the love of his life, Anne Carter.  On June 12th 1965, they were married at Round Oak Baptist Church in Corbin, Virginia with their families attending.

After his honorable discharge from the Army, they moved back to Buffalo, New York for which he was employed by Bethlehem Steel.  A few years later he got transferred to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where he raised his family with Anne in West Bradford.

John’s love for skeet, trap & sporting clays shooting gave him incredible opportunities throughout his life.  It all came together for him in 1969, where he won the World Skeet Title in 20 gauge, Class C.

John “retired” after a long career in the Steel Industry.  He did not like retirement, so he founded Wapiti Metals and Trading Company and worked various jobs.  Ultimately, this led him to a job at Virginia Galvanizing in Ashland, Virginia.  The move brought them close to Anne’s Mom, Dora Carter & Family, where John “finally retired”.

John loved the outdoors, hunting, especially for elk in New Mexico, fly fishing, surf fishing, trapping, cigars, Coors Banquet Beer, yearly Father & Son “Nike” Tournaments or playing 18 holes on Saucon Valley CC, Whitford CC, Blueberry Hill or any golf course he could.  He was very proud of earning the rank of Eagle Scout.  He enjoyed bowling in leagues with Anne, Elvis, Jim Croce, Don Williams, Country Music, Cowboy Hats and Boots, attending his kid’s sporting events, spending 3 weeks at Seaside Park, New Jersey each summer, traveling with his family all over the USA in a Winnebago which culminated with traveling to England, Scotland & France. John was a pilot and loved flying a Cessna out of the old Shannon Airport.  He loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

John will be dearly missed by his family, Greg Sleeman of Unionville, Pennsylvania, Lori Matulevich (Husband Jonathan) of Saint Johns, Florida, Jeff Sleeman of Sheffield, Pennsylvania, Grandchildren: Christopher Sleeman, (Fiancé Abby Taylor) of San Fransico, California,  Tyler Matulevich (Fiancé Gia Occhiogrosso) Jacksonville, Florida,  Hannah Matulevich & Ella Matulevich, Saint. Johns, Florida,  Niece, Jodell Barner, Sheffield, Pennsylvania, and Nephew Jason Barner and Family, Wetmore, Pennsylvania & numerous Cousins.

John was proceeded in death by his loving wife of 50 years, Anne Sleeman. Parents, William and Dorothy Sleeman, Sister, Judy Barner and (Brother-In Law, Jack Barner.)

A Celebration of Life will be in Sheffield, Pennsylvania on November 22, 2023. Fellowship Gathering 11:30 a.m. in the “Hospitality Room” of Bethany Lutheran Church 110 Church Street.  Luncheon at Noon.  Military Honors Funeral at 2 p.m., Sheffield Cemetery.

With John’s love of his roots in Sheffield and passion for clay target shooting, Memorial donations can be made to The Sheffield High School Trap Team c/o Robert Grove 4058 Route 6 Sheffield, PA 16347.

John will be dearly missed by his Family & Friends!  To leave an online condolence for John Sleeman, please visit www.bordenfuneralhome.com.  Local arrangements are under the care of the Borden Funeral Home of Sheffield, PA.

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