Word has been received of the death of former Grace Brethren pastor, Lester Smitley. His obituary appears below.
Lester O. Smitley, 86, of Palmyra, Pa., went home to be with the Lord on Thursday February 26, 2015 at the M.S. Hershey Medical Center. He was the husband of the late Marianne Elsie (Bingaman) Smitley who died on March 20, 2012.
Born on April 2, 1928, he was the son of the late Archie H. and Florence (Bowen) Smitley. Lester graduated from Bob Jones Academy with the class of 1946 and then from Bob Jones University in 1949, he then went on to Grace Seminary in Winona Lake, Ind., and graduated in 1952. Lester was a member of Grace Brethren Church, Palmyra.
A beloved father, now joins His Heavenly Father. Faithful in the Lord’s service and to his family for more than 86 years. Thank you Daddy for your selfless love to us every day and we look forward one day sharing eternity with you and mom. You leave us a godly example to emulate. He is survived by a son, Lawrence J. Smitley and his wife Dottie of Greer, S.C.; daughters, Dawn Smitley of Palmyra, and M. Fran wife of Mark Fortney of Palmyra; sister, Iona, wife of Paul Zuercher of Berne, Ind.; eleven grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.
Memorial service will be Monday, March 2, at 11 a.m. from the Kreamer Funeral Home and Crematory, 618 E. Main St. Annville, PA 17003. Inurnment will be at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Ben Fortney C/O Upper Perkiomen Community Church (his home church) to go to his missions support. Address is 258 Main St, East Greenville, PA 18041.