Michael Joseph Rouse

Michael Joseph Rouse, age 73, well known dairy farmer of Forks Township, Sullivan County, PA, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday morning, March 21, 2024. 

Michael was born on November 15, 1950, in Towanda, PA, the youngest of four children of the late Eugene Julius and Isabell Mae Sullivan Rouse. As a child he attended one room school houses in East Forks and on Shrimp Hill and then went to Lower Estella and graduated from Sullivan County High School a member of the class of 1968. He married the former Jacquelyn Gretchen Dunn on July 14, 1973, in the former St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Overton, PA. They just celebrated their 50^th wedding anniversary last July. 

Michael was a true farmer in all regards. He farmed his family farm which became a Century Farm in 1997 his whole life. He started farming alongside his father until his death in 1980, and then farmed alongside his wife and daughters and then later his three granddaughters. In 1980, he was awarded “Farmer of the Year”. In September of 2018 he transitioned from dairy farming to beef farming. Over the years, he won numerous awards for milk quality. You always knew when it was hay season because you would see all the tractors lined up on the farm. His truck was always clean and all the tractors were waxed. Ever since getting married, there was always a dog on the farm, and its name was Rex. 

In 1968 he started working for Forks Township as a laborer on the roads. He was currently a Township Supervisor for Forks Township, an office he held for the last 40 years. 

He was a member of St. Basil’s Catholic Church in Dushore. 

He enjoyed farming and all it entailed. Aside from his family, farming was his life. He also enjoyed visiting with his neighbors and any good conversation around the hill. However his greatest joy was spending time with his family. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, and will be missed by all who knew him.

Surviving:

Wife:

Jacquelyn “Jackie” Rouse                                 at home

Two daughters and a son-in-law:
 Raylene and Aden Russell                                 Alexandria, PA 

Noreen Rouse Keeney                                       Dushore, PA 

Three granddaughters:

Adria M. Russell                                                Alexandria, PA 

Amelia K. Russell                                              Alexandria, PA 

Maizey E. Keeney                                              Dushore, PA 

Brother and sister-in-law:

Gary E. and Carolee Rouse                               Wyalusing, PA 

Sister:

Donna Newton                                                   Fayetteville, NY

Brothers-in-law:
 John Uszenski                                                    Elmira, NY

Larry J. and Sally Dunn                                    Dushore, PA 

Sister-in-law:

Polly Dunn                                                         Beaver, PA 

He is also survived by several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Besides his parents he was predeceased by a sister Carol Frances Uszenski on March 13, 2000, his father-in-law and mother-in-law Lyle R. and JoAnn Fulmer Dunn, his brothers-in-law: James Newton, Edward L. Dunn, and Lyle J. Dunn. 

A Transferal Service will be held on Monday, March 25, 2024, at 10:30 AM in the Homer Funeral Home, 206 Water St., Dushore, PA, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM in St. Basil’s Church, Dushore, PA, with his pastor, Rev. Thomas J. Major, presiding. Interment will follow in St. Francis Xavier Cemetery, Overton, PA.       

Friends and family may call at the Homer Funeral Home, Dushore, PA, from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Sunday, March 24, 2024, and also on Monday morning, March 25, 2024, from 9:30 AM until the start of the transferal service at 10:30 AM.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Francis Xavier Cemetery Association, 2002 Molyneux Hill Rd, Dushore, PA 18614 or to the Dushore Fire & Ambulance, PO Box 1, Dushore, PA 18614.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Homer Funeral Home, 206 Water St., Dushore, PA.

To send condolences or sign the e-guestbook, please go to www.homerfuneralhome.com