Elsie A. Smith-Leister, 84, of the Bridges at Brookline, Mifflintown and formerly of Thompsontown, died at 6:07 a.m. on Friday, June 12, 2015 at Brookline.
Born on December 14, 1930, in Delaware Twp., Juniata County, she was a daughter of the late Amos I. and Pearl (Strawser) Landis. Her first husband S. Edward Smith, whom she married on July 14, 1949, preceded her in death on August 16, 1989 and her second husband, Roy A. Leister, Sr., whom she married on May 1, 1992, preceded her in death on November 17, 2014.
Surviving are her son, Edward L. Smith and his wife Jennifer, of McAlisterville, step sons, Roy A. Leister, Jr. and his wife Susan, of East Salem, Edward L. Leister and his wife Marcia, of Harrisburg, son-in-law, John Barry Reichenbach, of Thompsontown; sisters, Alice Fealtman and her husband George, of the Bridges at Brookline, Mifflintown, Esther Hart, of McAlisterville, Barbara Shelley and her husband Robert, of East Salem, Miriam Beasom and her husband Gerald, of Mexico; grandchildren, Levi Smith, Carter Smith, Ryan Reichenbach and his wife Heather, David Reichenbach and a great grandson, Bryn Reichenbach.
Preceding her in death were a daughter, Judith A. Reichenbach and a brother, Bruce Landis.
She was a 1948 graduate of Thompsontown High School, a member of the Otterbein United Methodist Church, where she taught Sunday school, and a member of the Wednesday Club.
In earlier life, Elsie was employed at the Thompsontown Sewing Factory and later, along with her late husband, Ed, owned and operated Smith Furniture, Thompsontown. She continued to work at the furniture store after her son Ed took over the business.
Spending time with her grandchildren, collecting peanut butter glasses and working in the yard were things Elsie loved to do. She also enjoyed camping and traveling, especially to St. Myers, FL and Fernandina Beach, FL.
A funeral will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 16, 2015 from Otterbein United Methodist Church, East Salem with Rev. Joseph Yorks officiating. Interment will follow in the East Salem Cemetery.
Viewing will be from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. with the family present from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Monday, June 15, 2015 at the Brown Funeral Homes, Inc., 111 Westfall St., McAlisterville and from 10 a.m. until the time of service, on Tuesday at the church.
For those who wish, memorial donations may be made in Mrs. Smith-Leister’s memory to the Otterbein United Methodist Church, 7398 Rte. 235, Mifflintown, PA 17059.