Joseph J. Shumock, a former football coach at Abington High School, 86

Joseph J. Shumock, 86, of Dresher, a former football coach at Abington High School, died Thursday, Dec. 15, of congestive heart failure.

Mr. Shumock coached at Abington from 1964 to 1975 as part of a high school coaching career that saw him inducted into the Pennsylvania Scholastic Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

"It took me a little bit by surprise," Mr. Shumock told the Inquirer in 1993, the year of his induction. "When they told me about it, they gave me a list of names who were already in. I said, 'Wow!' I knew some of them when I was a kid. It gave me that big, proud feeling I had when we won a big ball game."

Mr. Shumock grew up in Northumberland County, Pa., graduating from Coal Township High School in 1948. He graduated from Pennsylvania State University, where he played baseball and football, in 1952. He then served two years in the Army, achieving the rank of first lieutenant.

Mr. Shumock taught at Shamokin Catholic High School from 1955 until 1958. He started and coached the school's first football program..

He then coached football at Bishop McCort High School in Johnstown, Pa., from 1959 until 1964.

Mr. Shumock moved from there to Abington. He remained at the school as a health education instructor until retiring in 1996.

His teams were known for consistent success. Four of the students Mr. Shumock coached became professional players, including Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Jack Ham, who had attended McCort. Mr. Shumock's career record was 142-50-9.

He was inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in 1999.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, the former Anacleta Dallatore; children, Mark, Denise Nokes, Bryan, Craig, Michelle Cresta, and Marise Pierce. a sister; grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son, Kurt.

A viewing will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 21, at the John J. Bryers Funeral Home, 406 Easton Rd., Willow Grove. A Funeral Mass will celebrated at 9 a.m. Thursday at St. Anne Ukrainian Catholic Church, 1545 Easton Rd., Warrington, Pa. 18976. Interment will be private.

Donations may be made to the church at the address above, or to the Joseph Shumock Scholarship Fund at Bishop McCourt High School, 25 Osborne St., Johnstown, Pa. 15905.