John Himmelein
John Himmelein, 79, of Guilford, NY, passed away peacefully at his home on June 27, 2025. He was surrounded by the love of his wife, Barbara, and his faithful furry friends, Sheila and James.
Born in Woodbury, NJ, to the late Berneice and Bud Wahl, John’s life was one of purpose and compassion. He was a dedicated journalist for the Burlington County Times from 1960 to 1968 before dedicating himself to social justice with the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) in Philadelphia, PA. With the AFSC, he was trained in leading peaceful demonstrations and non-violent protests, championing civil rights, workers’ rights, and advocating against the Vietnam War.
This profound experience in non-violent action uniquely prepared him for a distinguished career in nursing. John earned his RN degree from the Community College of Philadelphia and went on to work in the demanding environment of the Hahnemann Hospital Level 1 Trauma Center in Philadelphia from 1996 to 2007.
Fulfilling a lifelong dream of country living, John, his wife, Barbara, and his daughter, Riel, purchased land together in Guilford, NY. John and Barbara made the move to Guilford, where he embraced the country life and continued his nursing career at the A.O. Fox Hospital Tri-Town Campus’s stand-alone emergency department from 2007 until 2025. At Tri-Town, John became the heart and soul of the emergency department, a place he considered his second home. His exceptional skill, kindness, and unwavering work ethic earned him numerous accolades, including the prestigious 2022 A.O. Fox Hospital’s Mary Holland RN Memorial Nurse Excellence Award.
Staci Thompson, President and CEO of Bassett HealthCare Network, remembered him as “an outstanding leader as the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded. His team said they could always see his smile through his mask, and it never faltered...John made everyone feel like family, including the patients that came through the doors.”
John was a loving father, brother, husband, friend, and neighbor who was always there to lend a hand. He will be deeply missed by all those who had the privilege of knowing him.
He was predeceased by his eldest daughter, Riel Himmelein, in 2023.
John is survived by his beloved wife of 29 years, Barbara L. Gregson; his children, Mat and Eva Himmelein, and Bianca King; his stepsons, Nico Miceli and Til Manthey; his sisters, Grayle Keeley and Norma Murray; his grandchildren, Chris Burnsed, Tarrah Biltoe, and Noah Himmelein; and his great-grandchild, Charlotte Burnsed.
A memorial and celebration of John’s life will be held at the Sidney Moose Lodge #277 in Sidney, NY, on Saturday, August 2, at 4:30 PM.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Delaware Valley Humane Society or a charity of your choice in John’s memory.