Edwin F. Lessner

Edwin Frank "Ed" ("Poppop") Lessner, 102, was born on January 27, 1924, and passed away on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, leaving behind a remarkable legacy shaped by more than a century of history, service, curiosity, and character. He was the devoted husband of Lois Good Cawley Lessner, whom he married on November 6, 1943. Lois passed away in January of 2012 after nearly 70 years of marriage. Living through an extraordinary era, Edwin witnessed events that shaped both the nation and his perspective. He often reflected on Prohibition, the Great Depression, and two World Wars- experiences that, as he said, "opened my eyes at an early age." Though young during some of these times, he understood the lasting effects of hardship and carried that awareness with him throughout his life. Edwin was born in Hamburg, New York. As he once wrote, "I was born in and around the hotel and restaurant business all my life," learning his way around a kitchen from an early age. He attended school in Hamburg through the tenth grade before moving to Milton, where he completed high school, participated in varsity sports, and appeared in class plays. After graduating, Edwin began a long career with the Reading Railroad, working in the office for 23 years. He later joined the United States Navy, serving as a radioman. During his service, he studied German at the University of Wisconsin before being stationed aboard the USS DeLong, based in Miami, Florida. Following his military service, Edwin began another 23-year chapter with Chef Boyardee, continuing his lifelong connection to the food industry. Retirement did not slow him down-it opened new doors. At age 61, living near riding stables, he decided to try horseback riding. What began as curiosity quickly became a passion, leading him to purchase a thoroughbred gelding who became his pride and joy - General Rochambeau. He rode and trained regularly, later joking that the horse may have been "the more intelligent of the two." Ed's sense of adventure continued well into his later life. He served with the American Red Cross as a supply officer, reaching a Class 4 position and traveling across the country responding to major disasters. He loved to tell the story of casually mentioning he might be heading to Hawaii on short notice, only for Lois to immediately reply, "I can be ready in 15 minutes." That trip marked the end of his Red Cross service. Never one to stop trying something new, Edwin began voice lessons at the age of 90. He went on to perform in multiple recitals, often echoing the styles of his favorites, Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra-adding yet another unexpected and joyful chapter to his life. Edwin was a respected and devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was active in the Lewisburg Ward, where he volunteered generously and maintained strong ties with his Church community. Edwin was a man who never stopped evolving-someone who welcomed new experiences, held tightly to his sense of humor, and found meaning in the most unexpected places. In a handwritten note to his granddaughter, he wrote about life's "little gems"-those small, easily overlooked moments that bring a quiet kind of joy. In that letter, he shared the story of discovering a butterfly sticker she had pasted inside the front cover of his beloved dictionary, along with her three-year-old signature. Each time he opened his dictionary, he reminisced and felt a little better. Edwin's life was both long and deeply lived. His story is one of resilience, curiosity, and a willingness to keep beginning again. He is survived by his children: Norma "Gay" Wands, Joy (Norman) Henry, and Lori (Andrew) Zerbe; his grandchildren, Gerald Wands Jr. (Kathy), Ethan (Sherry) Wands, Heather Henry-Pugh (John), Jillian (Ryan) Zerbe Lepi, and Nicholas Zerbe; his great-grandchildren, Spencer, Ryder, Ethan Jr., Koby, Jack, Hailey, John, and Leilani; his niece Sherrie Hidalgo and his nephew Jim Piccolo. Special thanks to his caregivers Lisa Kreamer, Charlene Strong, Jodie Bowers, and Doris Holliday.

Friends and relatives will be received from 10-11 a.m. on Thursday April 30 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2294 Ridge Rd, Northumberland, PA 17857 where funeral services will follow at 11. Burial with military honors will be in Milton Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages honoring Edwin's memory by pausing to appreciate one of life's "little gems."