1937-2015

John Anderson Wesley, 78, of Springfield, a retired Sergeant of the Swarthmore Police Department, died Saturday, August 29, at Taylor Hospital Hospice after a long illness. In February, 1963, he was hired as a patrolman in the Swarthmore Police Department, and worked there 33 years until his retirement in October, 1996. He attained the rank of Sergeant. Mr. Wesley graduated in 1957 from Springfield High School and served in the 188th MP Company, U. S. Army, from December, 1960, to December, 1962. He was stationed in both San Francisco, at the Presidio, and in La Rochelle, France. A Life Member, he joined the Springfield Fire Company in 1957, and was elected to the Board of Directors from 1960-1969 and again in 1996-2005; he served as Secretary from 1969-1977 and Treasurer from 1977-1992. He was elected 2nd Assistant Fire Chief in 1963 and served until 1966, when he was elected 1st Assistant Fire Chief through 1968. He was Captain from 1968-1970. More recently, he served in the Fire Police Unit, holding the position of Captain from 1986-2006 and Chairman from 1983 to 1992. Prior to his death, he was again serving as Chairman of the Fire Police Unit. He was also a Life Member of the Springfield Ambulance Corps. In addition, Mr. Wesley joined Swarthmore Fire and Protective Association as an active member in January of 1979. He served as Director from 1983-1985 and Treasurer from 1994-1995. He transferred his membership from Active to Associate status in 1998. The members remember his being on the scene of the majority of emergency calls in one capacity or another. He was active with the camping activities of Cub Scout Pack 503 and Boy Scout Troop 503 when his sons were members. Mr. Wesley was a member of Saint Matthew Lutheran Church for 46 years, where he was an usher and served as Treasurer of the Sunday Bible School. For a number of years he worked as the sexton of the church after his retirement from the Police Department. He was an avid bowler with the Delco Police Bowling League for over 30 years and served many of those years as Treasurer of the organization. Mr. Wesley was a charter member of the Police Officers On Pension group.

Surviving are his wife of nearly 50 years, Jeannette “Jeff” Russel Wesley; sons John R., Steven and Gary; granddaughters Taylor, Madison, Patricia and Samantha; a sister Karen Reilly and nephews and nieces.

A Resurrection Service will be held Saturday, September 5, at Noon, at Saint Matthew Lutheran Church, 400 Lynbrooke Road, Springfield, PA 19064. Calling hours will be from 9 a.m. to Noon. Interment is private. Contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to Saint Matthew Lutheran Church to the address above.

Published in The Daily Times from Sep. 1 to Sep. 2, 2015.