John U. Raybold

John Underwood Raybold, 78, of Schwenksville, PA was welcomed into the kingdom of Heaven on Thursday, September 10, 2020. In his final weeks under hospice care, John was lovingly cared for by his sons, Brian and Benjamin and their wives Donna and Amy, whom John referred to as his “girls”. John passed peacefully surrounded by their love. Born in Philadelphia, John moved to Schwenksville at the age of 15, helping his father build their home. He married the love of his life, Ann Marie Kane, in 1963 and brought his bride from Philadelphia out to the rural country home in Schwenksville, where they raised four sons. John worked hard, providing for his family as an auto mechanic for over 40 years. He loved working with his hands and could usually be found at the workbench in the basement repairing whatever needed fixing or building his own creations. John was indeed one of a kind and a throw-back to a different time. He still used a shaving brush and shave soap in his Old Spice shaving mug, referred to a refrigerator as an icebox, and the living room was “the parlor”. Never one to be concerned with fashion, John’s signature look was a white T-shirt, blue “dungarees” and black loafers, with an added flannel shirt if he needed to dress up. He believed in helping others. Whether it was taking neighbors to appointments and running errands, giving shelter to someone in need, making coleslaw for his neighbors at Christmas or paying a visit, with a box of donuts in hand, to someone who had recently lost their spouse… John truly had a servant’s heart. Until his health no longer permitted attendance, John was an active member of Perkiomenville Mennonite Church. He enjoyed Sunday worship, arriving early to get the coffee going and helping in any way he could over the many years. John was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Ann Marie and he dearly looked forward to going home to see her again. Two sons, John U. Raybold, Jr and Joseph A. Raybold, and his brother Harry W. Raybold also predeceased him. He is also survived by his dear sister, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Interment will be private. A celebration of his life will be held at a future date.