Henry L. Lesher, Sr.

Henry L. Lesher, Sr., SGT USAF (Ret) 78 of Pottsville, died peacefully Sunday surrounded by his family.

He was born February 12, 1947, in Pottsville a son of the late Kenneth and Jean Lesser Lesher

He was a 1967 graduate of Pottsville Area High School and a graduate of Schuylkill Business Institute with associate's degree in business administration and accounting.

Henry served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War in Air Force Security retiring at the rank of Sergeant. Henry was also wounded in action during his service and was awarded the Purple Heart Medal.

Prior to retiring in 2008, Henry was Assistant Director of the Schuylkill County Veterans Affairs Office.

Henry was a member of Grace Evangelical Free Church, Orwigsburg, where he served on the Praise and Worship team and was church treasurer. Pulaski Lodge No. 216 F&AM where he was Past Master, Grand Lodge of PA serving as Past District Deputy Grand Master of District 11 and 35; Mountain City Royal Arch Chapter No. 196 where he was Past High Priest and Past Secretary; Regal Council No. 65 where he was past Thrice Illustrious Master, Past Recorder, Past Treasurer, and served of the Grand Council of PA, and was Awarded Cryptic Master of the Year of District 7 and Past Puissant District Deputy Grand Master. A member of Grand Commandery No. 41, where he was Past Commander, Illustrious Knight of the Triangle, and Knight Commander of the Temple; Grand Commandery of PA, where he was Past Grand Warder, Trustee of Grand Commandery; Tall Cedars of Lebanon, Schuylkill Forest No. 50, where he was Past Grand Tall Ceder; the Scottish Rite-Valley of Bloomsburg, where he was Past Thrice Potent, Past Commander-In-Chief, 33rd Degree, and Past Secretary. A member of the Pennsylvania York Rite College No. 11, where he was Past Governor, and the Order of the Purple Cross; Red Cross of Constantine St. James Conclave where he was Past Puissant Sovereign, Knight Commander of Constantine; United Grand Imperial Council of the Knights of the Red Cross of Constantine and Appendant Orders for the U.S. Mexico and Philippines where he was Intendant General PA Central. A member of York Cross of Honour Penn Priory No. 6 where he was Past Eminent Prior; Knight Masons of Erin Council No. 6 where he was Past Excellent Chief. Keystone Frei Mauer Mark Lodge No. 400 where he was Worshipful Master in 2014; Veritas Council No. 64 Allied Masonic Degrees, where he served as Past Sovereign Master; Royal Order of Scotland; PA Lodge of Research, F&AM where he was a charter member; Anthracite Joshua Association where he was Past President; Council of Anointed Kings; Seventh Division Past Commanders and Line Officers Association, where he was Past President; Royal Ark Mariner North Star Lodge No. 12 where he was Past Master. Henry was also a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Lehigh Valley Chapter 190, Allentown; the former Robert B. Woodbury American Legion Post No. 67 where he was Past District Service Officer, Pottsville; AMVETS Post 227; Disabled America Veterans Chapter 77; Schuylkill County Veterans of the Vietnam Post 29; Vietnam Security Police Association; Air Force Security Police Association; Independent Order of the Odd Fellows; Odd Fellows Cemetery Association where he was Secretary/Treasurer; Mineral Lodge No 285 Independent Order of the Odd Fellows, St. Clair, where he was Noble Grand and Secretary Treasurer; American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees of Schuylkill County where he was Past President and Vice President; He was also a former member of the First United Methodist Church, Pottsville.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Susan Drobnick

Surviving are his wife of 55 years of marriage Kathleen Felker Lesher; 2 sons, Henry L. "Hank" Lesher, Jr. and his wife Becky, Lake Wynonah; Aaron Lesher and his wife Emily, Stonewall, LA; a daughter, Amy Gherghel and her husband Jason, Mount Verde, FL; 9 grandchildren, Bryce Lesher, Connor Gherghel, Kayla Gherghel, Elijah Lesher, Ezekial "Zeke" Lesher, Jovie Lesher, Jordan Lesher, Jett and Ensley Blakley; Nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services will be held 11AM Friday at the James E. Humphrey Funeral Home, Pottsville. Family and friends are invited to a viewing from 9AM until the time of services at the funeral home. Interment with Military Honors follow at Schuylkill Memorial Park, Schuylkill Haven. The family would prefer remembrance in the form of contributions in memory of Henry be made to Grace Evangelical Free Church, 10 Hollenbush Lane, Orwigsburg, PA 17961.  

Please share your memories and condolences with Henry's family by signing the guest book at www.jehumphreyfuneralhome.com