David M. Hontz

May 5th, 2009

DAVID MICHAEL HONTZ
1946-
David Michael Hontz was born September 21, 1946 at the old Evangelical Hospital, Lewisburg, PA the son Robert and Marguerite (Brigham) Hontz, the third of four sons which include: Robert, Edward �Ted,� David, and James. David was baptized and confirmed at Trinity United Church of Christ. David graduated from Warrior Run High School in 1965 where he was class president and from Millersville State College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Arts Edcuation in 1969. David taught twenty-five years in various schools including Manheim Township, South Williamsport, and Warrior Run from which he retired in January 2005.

David married Rebecca Ann Garthwaite on August 25, 1973 in the Watsontown Baptist Church. Rebecca was born on June 12, 1951 at Geisinger, Danville, PA, the daughter of James and Doris (Jones) Garthwaite and was baptized at the Watsontown Baptist Church when she was twelve years old. David and Rebecca are the parents of two children: Michael David, b. May 8, 1976 and Emily Elizabeth, b. February 3, 1983. Michael married Valerie Ann Marshall and they have two children: Justin Michael, b. October 18, 2002 and Taylor Elizabeth, b. December 22, 2007.

On Monday evening, May 4, 2009, the Borough Council appointed David Hontz Mayor of Watsontown filling the position vacated by the death of longtime Mayor Robert Brown on April 10, 2009. Hontz earned the appointment, which will expire later this year, via a four-two vote from Council. President Harriet Miller, Vice President Harry Hefty, Mary Phillips and Jack Marshall voted in favor of Hontz�s appointment. Ralph Young and Keith Forney voted no. Council made the appointment after hearing from the three candidates that submitted letters of interest in the position – the other two being former council member and past President Diane Dawson and Warrior Run Fire Department EMT Veronica Irvine. Mayor Hontz�s first act was to declare Monday, August 17, 2009 as �Mayor Bob Brown Day� in the borough and plans were made to plant a tree in honor of Brown as well.

David enjoys delving into mechanical and architectual restorations and has belonged to numerous antique machinery associations. In addition to being a member of the Democratic party, David is also a member of the Watsontown Masonic Lodge, 401; the Valley of Williamsport Consistory; was a charter member of the Warrior Run Fort Freeland Heritage Society; and is affiliated with the Piper Aircraft Museum; and plans on joining Pennsylvania Canal Society.

The Hontz�s have lived at 507 Ash Street in Watsontown since February 1977 and have recently purchased the Harding residence on the southwest corner of Main and Third Street where David is restoring the structure to its original beautiful architecture.

[Interviewed via Telephone by J.D. Robison, Jr., May 5, 2009; The Milton Standard Journal, May 5, 2009, pg 1.]

Last Modified: 05.05.09

One Response

  1. Becky Hontz Says:

    Great site! One change, however. Dave retired from WR in 2005.

    Comment by James Robison: Thank you for the correction, I will change that immediately.

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