John B. Cornish, 86, of Bethlehem, died August 1, 2015. Born in Uniontown, he was a son of the late Harry Emmett and Mildred (Terry) Cornish. He was the husband of the late Nancy (Ritter) Cornish.

He was a captain in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict.

He was a 1951 graduate of Lafayette College where he earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering; and of Lehigh University, where he earned a master's degree.

He was a research engineer and the railroad director of safety and training with Bethlehem Steel until he retired after more than 30 years of employment.

He was a real estate sales agent with his family's firm, Plaza Realty, for 27 years until his passing.

He was a member of Rosemont Lutheran Church, where he was a council member and financial secretary.

He was a treasurer of Lutheran Manor. He was a judge of elections. He was a scoutmaster, troop committee member and merit badge counselor for Boy Scout Troop 318. He was a WSI trainer at the Red Cross, a handicap swimming instructor at Liberty HS and a PIAA swimming official. He worked with the Bethlehem Housing Authority, Dream Come True, the YMCA and the Fine Arts Commission. He was president of the Live Bethlehem Christmas Pageant, co-chair of the Christmas City Fair, and a board of directors member and volunteer with Burnside Plantation. He was a volunteer at the Blueberry Festival, the Sun Inn Strawberry Festival and Musikfest. He was on the board of directors and was a president, show director, actor and fundraising chair with Pennsylvania Playhouse. He was president of the Moravian College Conservation Association, Northwest Swim Club, Calypso Elementary School PTA, the Audubon Society and the community concerts.

He is survived by two sons, Seth A. and his wife Jennifer and Noel E. and his wife Donna, all of Bethlehem; two grandchildren, Kristin and John J. Cornish; a sister, Norma Jean Lineburgh of Lakewood, Ohio; a brother, Rev. Dr. Homer T. Cornish of Harrisonburg, Va.; companion and friend, Dorise Gross of Bethlehem; nephews; and nieces. He was predeceased by two siblings, Harry Emmett Cornish Jr. and Mildred Hobaugh.

Contributions may be made to Live Bethlehem Christmas Pageant (LBCP), PO. Box 263, Bethlehem, PA 18016-0263.

Arrangements were made by Cantelmi Funeral Home Inc., Fountain Hill.