Ray H. Lesher, 95, of Strausstown, passed away on Saturday, April 11, 2015 in St. Joseph Medical Center, Bern Twp. He was the husband of Helen M. (Stoudt) Lesher, who died February 12, 2005.
Born in Upper Tulpehocken Twp., he was the son of the late Isaac S. and Mabel A. (Gassert) Lesher. Ray was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. He served in the 4th Armored Division during the Battle of the Bulge on the Baum's task force. Ray was a recipient of the Purple Heart, Silver Star, Bronze Star, three Battle Stars, and a Presidential Citation. He was inducted as a member of the Berks County Veterans Hall of Fame.
Ray was a poultry worker for fifty-two years for George M. Anthony and Sons, Strausstown. He was a member of Zion Blue Mountain United Church of Christ, Strausstown, where he was a member of the Consistory. Ray was also a member of the Hamburg School Board; board member of Grundsow Lodsch #12; a lifetime member of Strausstown Lions Club, Berks Firemens Association, Strausstown Gun Club, Bethel Fire Company, Strausstown Fire Company, and Rehrersburg Fire Company, and a seventy-year member of Bernville American Legion.
Ray is survived by one son: Gerald L. Lesher, and his wife Jacqueline, Strausstown; one daughter: Rose M. (Lesher), wife of Richard K. Freed, Bethel; three grandchildren: Andrew (Gretchen) Lesher; Nathan (Adrienne) Lesher; and Allison Lesher; five great-grandchildren: Taylor, Emma, Delilah, Nicholas, and Angela; and one sister: Grace A. (Lesher) Britt, Harrisburg. He was predeceased by one brother: Curtis C. Lesher.
Services will be held on Friday at 11:00 am from Zion Blue Mountain United Church of Christ, 6573 Old Route 22, Strausstown. Burial with military honors will be in Strausstown Cemetery. A viewing will be held in the church Friday 9:30 to 11:00 am. Memorial contributions may be sent to Zion Blue Mountain United Church of Christ, P.O. Box 98, Strausstown, PA 19559, in memory of Ray H. Lesher. Leibensperger Funeral Homes, Inc., Hamburg is in charge of arrangements. For online condolences, please visit, www.leibenspergerfuneralhomes.com.
