1947 – 2026
Jack Milton Rathbun, son of John William Rathbun and Marion Cora (Wright) Rathbun, died on October 8, 2026. He was 78.
He was born on December 19, 1947, in Cooperstown and was raised in the small hamlet of Toddsville.
While growing up, Jack enjoyed hunting, fishing, trapping, making maple syrup, bowling, horseback riding, riding motorcycles, and driving sports cars. He attended the Cooperstown school system, graduating in the Class of 1969, the first graduating class in the new school on Linden Avenue.
After graduation, Jack enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, reporting to Parris Island, SC, on September 11, 1969. He served time in Vietnam, often seeing many of his local friends.
In August 1970, he got wounded and received treatment at an evacuation hospital in Japan for 28 days. He was then sent to the Philippines for R & R, and then back to Vietnam. He was discharged in 1971, receiving a Purple Heart.
After the military, he worked at Kirns Body Shop, the Town of Westford, and Remington Arms in Ilion as a machinist.
Jack is survived by a brother, William (Betty) Rathbun of Ilion, and a sister, Debra Reed of Schenevus; nieces Jacqueline James of Georgia, Terri Phillips of Latham, Melissa Stanley of Milford Center, Shana Ritton of Westford, Karrin Reed of Maryland, and Breanne Rathbun of Utica; nephews Scott Rathbun of Christian Hill, Beau Reed of Rochester, and Brett Rathbun of Albany, and many cousins.
He is survived by 1 stepdaughter, Jolene Peeters of Youngstown, FL; 4 step-grandchildren, Kyle Peeters of Youngstown, FL; Justin Troy Schrom Jr. of Youngstown, FL; Joseph Michael Schrom of Laurens, NY, and Salvatore Schrom of Youngstown, FL.
He is predeceased by his parents and a sister, Elnora E. Rathbun of Cooperstown.
Cremation Services will be handled through Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home and Cemeteries, Panama City, FL.
Local Services will be handled through Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, Cooperstown and later burial in Fly Creek Valley Cemetery with family.
If you would like to send condolences to the family, send an email to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth. We will forward your comments to the family. If you would like to send flowers in memory of the deceased, contact Mohican Flowers at (607) 547-8822, or A Rose is a Rose at (607) 264-3100.
