Clarence Edgar Leister, 89, of Greencastle, PA, died on Friday, May 17, 2024, surrounded by family at Luther Ridge Retirement Home. Born July 15, 1934, in McAlisterville, PA, he was the son of the late Edgar Clarence and Mary Ellen Leister.
Clarence’s early years were spent on a farm helping with the family business, McAlisterville Hatchery, raising baby chicks for sale. The farm was sold when Clarence was 12. The family spent some time in Florida before finally settling in Maryland. He attended Shenandoah Valley Academy in New Market, VA graduating in 1952. Clarence began his career at The Review and Herald Publishing Association run by the Seventh-day Adventist Church, where he would retire in 1996 after 43 ½ years of service. In 1957, he was inducted into the U.S. Army serving as a medical corpsman and participating in Project Whitecoat. His military service was completed in the US Army Reserves, when he was honorably discharged in 1963. Clarence spent many happy summers taking the family on camping trips. He enjoyed taking pride in his gardening skills, watching trains, and spoiling his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Clarence’s future wife, Jeanne caught his eye when she served him lunch at the Review and Herald. They married in June 1961 and went on to have three children, Virginia, Paul, and John. He devoted his life to being a loving husband and father, serving as a deacon in the church. Surviving is his wife, Jeanne; children, Virginia, Paul, and John; grandchildren, Ashley, Makaylyn, Noelle, and Alex; and great-grandchildren, Savannah and Scarlett. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three sisters, Ruth Mae, Thelma and Eunice and a brother, Donald.
Services and interment are private. Arrangements are entrusted to the Harold M. Zimmerman and Son funeral Home, Inc., Greencastle, PA. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Rescue Hose Co. No.1, 842 S. Washington St., Greencastle, PA 17225.
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