Cloyd R. Colyer, Jr., 83, of McAlisterville, passed away at 1:28 PM on Wednesday, February 2, 2022 at the Geisinger Lewistown Hospital.

Born on October 23, 1938 in Fayette Twp., Juniata County, he is a son of the late Cloyd R. Sr. and Margaret Lucinda (Smith) Colyer.

On June 28, 1959, he married his late wife Betty L. Colyer, with whom she was blessed to share over 61 years of marriage before she preceded him in death on October 14, 2020.

Surviving are: his children, Sue A. Wagner and her husband Jeffrey, Richard E. Colyer and his companion Brenda Wolfley, and Connie L. Sheaffer all of McAlisterville; foster daughter, Joan Wagner and her husband Jerry of McClure; one sister in law, Nancy Colyer of Mifflintown; seven grandchildren, Emily Brubaker and her husband Matthew, Elizabeth Foreman and her husband Todd, Jedidiah “Jed” Wagner and his wife Ashley, Tiffany Summers and her husband Brody, Megan Colyer, Cerissa “Cis” Herman and her husband Jonnie, and Lacey Dupert and her husband Rickey; thirteen great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Mary Elizabeth, George Amos, Anna Mae, Esther Arlene, Ruth Evelyn, William Smith, Althea Lillian, Albert Floyd, Norman Lawrence, Mildred Gertrude, and Roy Stanley; and one great grandson, Grayson Richard Colyer.

Mr. Colyer honorably served our country in the United States Army and the Army Reserves.

His employment began as a Foreman for Ty Benner in his orchard; next, he was employed as a Cabinet Installer for Pannebaker Cabinets in McAlisterville; then, he worked as a Laborer for Truss Tech in Mifflintown; and last, he was employed and retired as a self employed contractor.

In earlier life, Mr. Colyer was a member of the Church of the Open Door in Evendale and was currently attending the Oakland Mills Evangelical Methodist Church.

Along with his wife, he had co-founded and sang with the Gospel Group, “The Country Gospelaires,” and had a radio show program on 92.5 WJUN and Wheels 106.1 for over 21 years. He also had volunteered, along with his wife, at the Selinsgrove State Center and the Juniata County Prison where they shared their musical ministry. As a means of fellowship, he had co-hosted the annual public pig roast with his family for over 38 years.

Cloyd enjoyed hunting, woodworking, and cross making where many folks in Central PA received one of Cloyd’s homemade crosses.. He will long be remembered for his quick wit, ability to make people smile, and ability to create conversation with anyone he met.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM, Monday,. February 7, 2022 at the Oakland Mills Evangelical Methodist Church, 148 Leonard Road, Oakland Mills with Pastor Nathanael Mowery. Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery, McAlisterville where full military burial honors will be accorded by the Juniata County Veterans Council.

A Viewing will take place from 9:30 AM until the time of the funeral services at 11:00 AM on Monday at the Oakland Mills Evangelical Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Mr. Colyer’s memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to the Disabled American Veterans, 4219 Trindle Road, Camp Hill, PA 17011.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Brown Funeral Homes, Inc., 111 Westfall St., McAlisterville.