John Trout, 84, Was IU 20 Special Education Supervisor

John D. Trout, 84, of Bethlehem, the former supervisor of special education for Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 died Wednesday.

He was the husband of Geraldine (Strickler) Trout for 61 years.

He received his BA is Psychology from Franklin & Marshall College and his Masters from Temple University.

He served in public education in the roles of secondary classroom teacher, guidance counselor and school psychologist. He retired from IU 20 in 1985.

After retirement, he was self-employed and provided psycho educational services on a contractual basis to public schools as well as performing psychological evaluations for the former Pennsylvania Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation and taught general psychology courses for Penn State University at the Allentown Campus.

He was a life-member of the Pennsylvania Association of Retired Teachers, member of the American Psychological Association and Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity.

John was a 32nd degree mason for over 50 years as a member of Chandler Lodge# 227 F.& A.M. in Reading and Scottish Rite Consistory in the Valley of Reading.

He served in the Army as a Chief of Radar for the 337th Anti-Aircraft Battalion.

He was an active member at Church of the Manger, United Church of Christ, Bethlehem.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by daughters, Lori, wife of Bob Diefenderfer, of Virginia and Sandra, wife of Nicholas Gatanis, of Bethlehem Township; grandchildren, Drew, Alyssa, Marianna & Alexis; and great-grandson, Chase. He was preceded in death by his son, Daniel Trout.

Visitation will be held on Saturday from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Connell Funeral Home, 245 E. Broad St. Bethlehem. A funeral service will follow. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Church of the Manger, 1401 Greenview Drive, Bethlehem, PA 18018.