John Youssef Khouri

John Youssef Khouri

Heart of Gold & Beautiful Soul -

John Youssef Khouri, age 72, of Mechanicsburg, and formerly of the Mountain of Sourat in Batroun, Lebanon, peacefully and unexpectedly passed away with his loving family by his side on Sunday, June 23, 2019, while in Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.  John was born on Sunday, December 1, 1946 in Batroun, Lebanon to the late Youssef Khouri and Souad (Mondalek) Khouri.  In addition to his parents, John is preceded in death by his brother.

John is survived by his wife of 44 years, Therese (Khawand) Khouri; his six daughters: Cozette Roderick and her husband, Jeffrey, and their son, Enzo, of Mechanicsburg; Souad “Sue” Khouri Carney and her husband, Shawn, of Mechanicsburg; Danielle Spaw and her husband, Bill, and their two daughters: Ellie and Mila, of Las Vegas, NV; Desiree Khouri Tako and her husband, Robert, of Mechanicsburg; Monique Khouri of Mechanicsburg; Nicole Khouri of Mechanicsburg; his brother; his five sisters; and many nieces and nephews.

It the late 1960s, John was a young man in his twenties when he emigrated to the United States of America from Lebanon in search of a better life and greater opportunities.  He was the first of his family to land on America’s shores and over the years John helped his entire family join him in the land of opportunity.  One by one they came and found housing, employment, and a safe place to raise their families.  He was truly the patriarch of his family and he took much pride in his children and grandchildren.

John was Catholic and a member of St. Joseph Church in Mechanicsburg.  He was a man with a heart of gold, a winning smile, and a beautiful soul.  Kind, giving, hardworking, and always doing for others were his hallmarks.  John seemed to have an answer for everything and was a collector of a great many things.  Some of his happiest moments were spent at flea markets, bargaining over the trinkets he so carefully selected.  Among many things, John had a vast collection of hats and shoes which he wore proudly.  John’s legacy will live on and the memories of him will warm the hearts of all who knew and loved him.

All are welcome to join John’s family on Monday, July 1, 2019, for his viewing from 10:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., at Buhrig Funeral Home and Crematory, 37 East Main Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055; and for his Mass of Christian Burial at 12:30 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 410 East Simpson Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055; with Reverend Timothy J. Sahd celebrating.  Burial will immediately follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Mechanicsburg.  John’s family invites everyone to join them for a time of food and fellowship at Gilligan’s Bar & Grill, 5002 Carlisle Pike, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050, following the burial.

Contributions in celebration of John’s life can be made to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 15120, Chicago, IL, 60693, www.Heart.org/Donate or the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 15829, Arlington, VA 22215, www.Diabetes.org/Donate.

John’s family has entrusted his care to Buhrig Funeral Home and Crematory in Mechanicsburg, (717) 766-3421.  Read John’s full obituary, view his memorial video and portrait, and sign his official guest book at Buhrig.com.