James L. Rumble

June 3, 1941 - October 26, 2018

Our family and community are absolutely devastated that Our Heavenly Father chose someone we love so dearly to join him in Heaven. James Lewis Rumble, 77, of Greensboro, left us to begin his journey with God on Friday, October 26, 2018, but not before negotiating for an air conditioned tractor cab for his journey and a good cup of coffee with pie and ice cream when he arrived. Rumble made his grand entrance into this world on June 3, 1941, and was raised in Dilliner, PA. He has always been the proud son of the late John and Mary Cagey Rumble Zaher, parents of whom he adored and had so much love for. Rumble, a 1959 graduate of Mapletown High School, was a very active and well- known member of his community. He was very humble and shied away at recognition for his efforts and accomplishments. He was known for always being available to anyone in need, and never turning anyone away. He helped several local and distant business owners get their start, and never wanted anything but for them to be successful and give back to the community in return. As a young boy, Jim always worked. He held jobs throughout his Middle School and High School days with Gugliotta Busing, Wolf’s Cemetery and Bobtown School. He was also very proud of his many years as an Eagle Scout. After High School, he worked for Atlas Railroad, before starting his own adventures. He spent his life owning and operating trucking companies and surface mines, most notably: Rumble Trucking, Rumble Coal and Greensboro Coal. He was once known for owning the finest fleet of trucks in the area. He was never afraid to take a risk or try new things, and proved that several times through his many business adventures and hobbies with over-the-road truck driving, gas and oil well drilling, farming, raising cattle and horses, gardening and selling trailer loads of watermelons and furniture. Before starting a family, he was an avid fisherman. Rumble spent his free time watching westerns, specifically John Wayne movies. Jim was a lifelong member of the Mapletown United Methodist Church. He is a former member of the Greensboro Volunteer Fire Department, the Greensboro VFW, the Bobtown Polish Club and the Bobtown Rod and Gun Club. A staunch supporter of American Soldiers and Veterans, he never failed to participate or contribute to organizations doing the same. Rumble served on the Southeastern Greene School Board, strongly advocating for buildings & grounds updates and educational improvements for the students. While serving on the school board, he actively met with students and staff to address the needs of the district, and formed many very strong bonds of friendship and mutual respect. He served on the Cornerstone Care Board and was instrumental in getting the current clinic facilities secured and open to the public. Jim was an integral component to the formation of the Greensboro Monongahela Township Joint Sewage Authority (GMTJSA). He is a founding father to the authority and served on the board, as a member and as the chairman, for over 25 years. He continued to advocate for the betterment of the sewage and water systems throughout his life. He served his county as a Democratic Committeeman for many years, and was elected as a Monongahela Township Supervisor for six years, serving mostly as the Chairman of the board, during which time he brought many improvements to the township. His favorite project involved his success in organizing, both the funding and the completion, of having the local cemetery paved and more easily accessible and safe for the community. Rumble always got a deep pleasure from helping others and spending time with his family and friends. He could frequently be found sitting with random customers at The Ice Plant Restaurant, talking with them and telling stories. “Rumble-isms” have been the highlight of many conversations over the years and will continue to put smiles on our faces as we tell his stories many times over. He held a vast amount of knowledge and expertise, and had the skills and talents to carry it out. His knowledge of all the best places to enjoy “a good cup of coffee”, from coast to coast, was vast. Jim cherished his wife of 58 years, Joann Buttermore Rumble, who survives, despite being summoned with a “Hey Jo” multiple times a day. He is the loving father of four children, of whom he is so very proud. Lisa Miller (Curt), to whom he taught his love of entrepreneurship and his keen business sense, made it her job to keep him on his toes. They shared a love of all things paperwork and business oriented. Rumble is sure to be looking for a phone in heaven, to call her many times a day, to discuss “business”. He dotingly referred to her as the matriarch of the family. Michael Rumble (Andrea), his only son, with whom he shared his longtime love of big trucks and heavy equipment. Rumble loved following him around the shop and proudly referred to him as “My Boy.” He called Michael daily to review the truck schedules and work completed for the day, and was always concerned with planning early for the upcoming week. Sheri Jordan Garlick, with whom he shared his dedication and commitment to the public and serving on any board designed to improve the community. Rumble was always proudly told people he raised a “school teacher” and inquired about her attendance daily, because “she doesn’t need to miss school.” Bobbi Neighbors (Scott), who always enjoys engaging him in a good argument and making his trips to doctor’s appointments most enjoyable. She made it her duty to keep everyone on their toes when it came to his healthcare. He was proud of her uncanny ability to mimic his strong-willed personality. Each of his children absolutely adore him and will miss him deeply. Rumble has six grandchildren, who put the biggest smile on his face. He has a very special bond with each of them and is very proud of each of them. Michael “The Babe” Rumble, whose college professors were used to his phone ringing often during class and exams, because they expected his Pap to call to find out what he was getting into that day. He has now graduated to the doctors and nurses he works with asking about his Pap every day. Alexandra “Lexie” Miller, who found herself in deep discussions with her pap about spending too much money, traveling too much and how to correctly do a breathing treatment. She never passed up a good cup of coffee with her Pap. Tyler “Tybo” Rumble, who made his Pap so proud by enjoying big trucks as much as he did. Tyler always had a keen way of making his Pap laugh, and Rumble enjoyed it beyond words. Baylie “Babydoll” Brandenburg, who spent many evenings at her Pap’s house giggling, and prompting his typical question to her “What’s so damned funny?” Baylie entertained her pap and drove him crazy by making him wait for her to “feel like” giving him a haircut. Jonathan “Big Bad Jon” Miller, melted his Pap’s heart when he decided to carry on a family tradition and chose a career that replicate’s the generations ahead of him. Rumble enjoyed talking “shop” with him and making him ride on “parts runs with him”. Paytyn “Pay Pay” Neel made her Pap so proud with her involvement in extracurricular dance and theater activities. He was also proud of her taking pride in her education and enjoyed their many games of 500. Rumble also has a dog, Toby, who loves him very much and misses him terribly. Rumble had two sisters, Joan Brown and her husband Jack of Monroeville and the late Lucille Bate and her husband, the late Tom Bate. He also had two brothers who were waiting for him in heaven: the late John Zaher Jr., whose bodily vessel never returned from World War II, and the late Louis (Toni) Zaher. Rumble had a special relationship with his father-in-law, the late James Buttermore and his mother-in-law, the late Mary Buttermore, who were both undoubtedly standing at the gates to welcome him. Rumble is also survived by and dearly loved by his sisters-in-law: Bertha Fisher, Rosemary (Ed) Helmick, Nancy (Mike Martin) Baily and Vickie (Sam Williams) Wade. He is also survived by his brothers-in-law; Jim (Becky) Buttermore, Rick Buttermore, David Butter more. He had a special nephew, Tommy Baily, who made his home with the Rumbles for many years and held a special place in Rumble’s heart. Rumble also had two very special friends, Rick Jordan and Dakota Swearingen. Rumble loved his many nieces and nephews, and was so proud of all their accomplishments. Throughout his life, Rumble has had a hand in raising and caring for many people, all of whom he treats as his own. He has a large number of family and friends who think the world of him and love him very much. Rumble will be sorely missed. Please join us in dignifying his well-lived, purposeful and meaningful life on Tuesday, October 30th, at the Mapletown United Methodist Church, 926 Mapletown Road, Greensboro PA, from 1 - 6 PM. Services, and a time to reminisce and memorialize Rumble’s beautiful, blessed and accomplished life, will begin at 6:00 PM, with Pastor Dave McElroy officiating. Arrangements are in the care of the Richard R. Herod Funeral Home, Philip S. Rishel, Owner.