MIFFLIN, Roy A. Leister, Sr., 89, formerly of the Northridge Center, McAlisterville died at 10:23 p.m., on Monday, November 17, 2014, at the Locust Grove Retirement Village, Mifflin.
Born on February 4, 1925 in Fayette Twp., Juniata County he was a son of the late Newton C. and Carrie (Gingrich) Leister. His first wife, Caroline (Neitz) Leister, whom he married on December 25, 1949, preceded him in death on June 14, 1991. His second wife, Elsie (Landis) Smith-Leister, whom he married on May 1, 1992, survives.
In addition to his wife he is survived by two sons, Roy A. Leister, Jr. and his wife Susan, of East Salem, Edward L. Leister and his wife Marcia, of Harrisburg, a step son, Edward Smith and his wife Jennifer, of McAlisterville, grandchildren Heidi Leister-Tebbe and her husband Brian, Patrick Leister, Charles Leister, Michael Leister and Rachel Leister and 3 great granddaughters.
He was the last of his generation having been preceded in death by a brother, Earl G. Leister.
During WW II, he proudly served his country with the U.S. Coast Guard.
Mr. Leister was a 1942 graduate of Fayette High School, McAlisterville, and a member of the Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Thompsontown, where he had served on the Church council, as Treasurer and on the Emmanuel Lutheran Cemetery Board. He was also a member of the Mifflintown Rotary Club, Tennis Lodge 371, F&AM, Thompsontown, the Tall Cedars of Lebanon Juniata Forrest #88, Harrisburg Consistory A.A.S.R. and the Zembo Shrine, including the RV unit. Roy also served as President of the East Juniata School Board and assisted in the creation of both, Juniata Business and Industry association and the Locust Grove Retirement Village.
Until retiring in 1987 from Omega Bank/Russell National Bank, Roy spent most of his career in the banking industry. After retiring he continued to work for Omega Bank as a consultant.
Roy’s hobbies included traveling, hunting, camping and spending time at his cabin. He also volunteered delivering meals for the Juniata Meals on Wheels, and transported donors for the American Red Cross Blood Drives.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, November 24, 2014 at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Thompsontown with the Rev. Michael Sigler officiating. Interment will follow in the Emmanuel Lutheran Cemetery, Thompsontown where full military burial honors will be accorded by the Juniata County Veterans Council.
There will be no viewing; however, a visitation will be held at the church, on Monday from 10 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. when public masonic services will be accorded by Tennis Lodge 371, F&AM, Thompsontown.
The family will provide all flowers and kindly ask that memorial donations in Mr. Leister’s memory be made to the Emmanuel Lutheran Cemetery Association, c/o Donald Fry, P.O. Box 241, Thompsontown, PA 17094.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Brown Funeral Homes, Inc., 111Westfall St., McAlisterville.