Maynard Boop

Maynard C. Boop, 99, of 1435 Grand Valley Road, Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania, entered into rest on December 24, 2019 at Evangelical Community Hospital, Lewisburg.

Born August 28,1920, in Glen Iron, he was the son of the late Foster E. and Bessie M. (Keister) Boop.  On June 1, 1946, he married the former Mary C. Benfer, who preceded him in death on January 23, 1984, ending a marriage of 37 years. On June 20, 1992, he married the former Vivien R. Aumiller, who survives.

Maynard began his working career at the Laurelton Foundry, and then continued at the Watsontown Foundry. In 1955, he and his wife Mary established Boop's Aluminum Castings in Millmont, which they operated for 28 years.

Maynard was a World War II veteran, a sergeant in the 83rd Chemical Mortar Battalion U.S. Army. He served in North Africa, Italy, France and Germany. Maynard received the Purple Heart resulting from a glider crash landing while flying into France from Italy. He received the Good Conduct Medal. Maynard also participated in the infamous Battle of the Bulge which ultimately helped to end the war.

He enjoyed hunting, trout and bass fishing, his winter trips to Florida, the Phillies and the Pirates, and Sprint Car Racing. Becoming an owner of a sprint car in 1976, the Boop's Aluminum Special No. 1 instantly became a top competitor on the local and national scene with driver Lynn Paxton and mechanic Ralph Heintzelman. During his seven years of car ownership, which included mechanics Davey Brown, Sr. and Davey Brown, Jr. and drivers including the likes of Keith Kauffman, Randy Wolfe, Gary Howsare, Toby Tobias and others; Maynard's teams won 111 feature races. His cars won championships for KARS, Florida Sprint Nationals, Port Royal, Selinsgrove, and Williams Grove Speedways. The Boop's No. 1 won the Port Royal Labor Day Classic four times, Tuscarora 50 twice, Williams Grove National Open and beat the World of Outlaws six times. His cars also raced with United Racing Club, All Star Circuit of Champions and USAC. Maynard was inducted into the York County Racing Club Hall of Fame.

He was a member of the Mifflinburg Presbyterian Church, Mifflinburg Masonic Lodge No. 370, Williamsport Consistory (32nd Degree), VFW, and the American Legion.

In addition to his wife Vivien, he is survived by two sons and one daughter, Donald (Jan) Boop of Bloomsbury, NJ, Richard (Susan) Boop of Laurelton, and Cathy (Bill) Landis of Mifflintown. Also, two step-children, Brenda Flinn (companion Ron), and Tammy Spangler. Grandchildren include Donna (Michael) Bellfy, Tanya (Chris) Best, Leighette (Greg) Sechrist, and Josh (Tasia) Landis. Step grandchildren include Michael (companion DelAnn) Flinn, Marcus (companion Keenan) Flinn, and Megan (Zachary) Heeter. Great-grandchildren include Lily and Hayleigh Sechrist, Cadence and Claire Landis, and Emily and Ben Bellfy. One Step great-grandchild, Caleb Coker.

He was preceded in death by one brother; one sister; and one grandson.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, P.O Box 89, 507 Green Street, Mifflinburg, PA 17844.

Family and friends are welcome from noon to 1 p.m., Saturday, December 28, 2019, at the Roupp Funeral Home, Inc., 8594 Old Turnpike Rd., Mifflinburg, where the funeral will be conducted at 1.

Burial will be in the Hartleton Cemetery with military honors accorded by American Legion Post 410 and VFW Post 1964, both of Mifflinburg.