Daryl Richard Lehman was released from his earthly body on July 21, 2026, at the age of 75, with the comfort of his wife and daughter by his side. He bravely fought a five-year battle with cancer and was optimistic until the very end.
He was the first of five children born to Virgil and Esther (Shank) Lehman, arriving July 8, 1951, in Chambersburg, PA.
Daryl lived his early life in the Chambersburg area, working at local farms and delivering the Grit paper to neighbors, thus developing his early skills as a salesman.
He graduated from Lancaster Mennonite School in 1969.
After high school graduation, he entered voluntary service, which led him to Guatemala. There he served as a missionary to his beloved Guatemalan friends for 10 years. He became fluent in Spanish and the native Mayan language of K’ekchi.
Upon returning home from Guatemala, he helped his brother start ‘Lehman’s Carpet Cleaning’. Following in his uncles’ footsteps, he became an independent sales contractor for Central Petroleum Company. In later years, he became a district and regional manager. While working full-time with Cen-Pe-Co, he also was a pastor at LifeGate Ministries. After retiring from pastoring, he enjoyed filling in at various local churches as pastor duties were needed.
He never retired from Cen-Pe-Co because he enjoyed his work so much that he never felt like he was working. Talking with and getting to know his customers was a favorite part of his job.
He attended Five Forks Church and most recently Gathered By Grace in Mont Alto, PA.
Daryl was an avid runner. He completed various races from 5k’s to Ultra Marathons to 24hr races, including a 5k in Guatemala, the Flying Pig Marathon in Cincinnati, the JFK 50, and the Sole Challenge 24hr races. One of the highlights of his racing career was running and finishing the Boston Marathon in 2012.
Daryl loved the outdoors; taking rides in the mountains to look for deer, planting and admiring beautiful flowers, and especially sharing his love and knowledge of birds with his sisters. It was also an annual tradition in honor of his mother to search the mountain for beautiful Lady Slippers.
He is survived by the love of his life, Jennifer Hovis-Lehman; his loving daughter, Rachel Hovis; and his sons, J. Delton Lehman (Charity) and Daryl Lehman II (Angie). He is also survived by many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, including his grandson Burchell Thomas, with whom he had a special bond. He is also survived by three wonderful sisters, Sondra Funk (Ken), Audrey Swartzentruber (Dan), Joyce Kalous (Paul), one supportive brother, Edwin Lehman (Natalie), and numerous nieces and nephews. He will also be greatly missed by his in-laws Ed and Leah Hovis and his beloved cats Bruce and Tasker.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Virgil and Esther Lehman, and a daughter, Martie Johnson.
A celebration of Daryl’s life will be held at 3:00 P.M., Tuesday, July 28, 2026, in the Auditorium at Five Forks Brethren in Christ Church, 9244 Five Forks Road, Waynesboro, PA, with Pastor Shaun Kipe officiating. Burial will be private.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M., Monday evening, in Grove-Bowersox Funeral Home, 50 S. Broad St., Waynesboro.
Daryl loved bright colors, including clothing. If you are so inclined, please feel free to wear your colorful attire in his honor.
Memorial donations may be made to Gathered By Grace, P.O Box 6, Mont Alto, PA 17237.
