Mary Lehr

Our beloved Mary Louise Lehr, 83, of Lansing, New York, was gently welcomed into her eternal home in Heaven on the morning of November 11, 2025. She passed peacefully and surrounded by love, having faced her health challenges with unwavering courage, strength, and grace. Mary’s journey began on September 10, 1942, in a little house on the outskirts of Ava, Illinois. She was the fifth child—and second daughter—born to Otis and Christine Falkenberry.

Mary’s family later moved from Ava to a farm previously owned by her grandfather, Frank Falkenberry. She lived there until 1963, when she and a college friend left Southern Illinois University to begin new adventures in Urbana, Illinois. Both found employment at Busey Bank and quickly fell in love with their new “family” there, choosing not to return to SIU for their final year. (Mary had attended on a scholarship from Trico High School, majoring in elementary education.)

It was in Urbana that Mary met the love of her life, Frank Lehr. The two were married on September 11, 1965. At the time, Frank was employed by Magnavox Company, and when the facility in Urbana closed, the couple relocated to Fort Wayne, Indiana. In 1973, Frank accepted a new opportunity, and the family moved to Longwood, Florida.

A year later, Frank learned that several former Magnavox colleagues were joining NCR in Ithaca, New York. Soon after, he was hired to help launch a new venture transitioning traditional cash register production into electronic computer operations. Frank and Mary settled in Lansing, where they built their home and raised their growing family. Three of their children—Steve, Doug, and Debbie—were born in Urbana, and their youngest, Michele, was born in New York in 1976.

Mary devoted most of her life to her family as a loving homemaker, though she also cherished her time working at Busey Bank in Urbana and later at Tompkins County Trust Company in Ithaca. She officially retired in 2005 to join Frank in his retirement. For more than 20 years, Mary also found joy, laughter, and friendship as a proud member of two Red Hat Society groups.

Mary had a heart of gold, and her family was the center of her world. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend—always putting the needs of others before her own. Mary treasured her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren above all else. Her selflessness, generosity, and compassion touched everyone she met, and her infectious laughter and radiant smile brought joy wherever she went.

Mary was also an incredible cook, and everyone who knew and loved her also loved her cooking. Some of her specialties included sausage and gravy, banana pancakes, Belgian waffles, meatloaf, and Reuben sandwiches. She had a special gift for turning a house into a home—filling it with warmth, delicious food, and beautiful decorations, especially at Christmastime.

To walk into Mary’s home was to be greeted with a smile, a sweet “hello,” and a plate of cheese, crackers, grapes, and apple slices—because Mary always made sure everyone felt welcomed, cared for, and loved.

Mary is survived by her husband of 60 years, Frank Lehr; son, Steve Lehr (Brenda) of Lansing; daughters, Debbie Harrison (Chris) of Raleigh, North Carolina, and Michele Muzzy (Pete) of San Diego, California; brothers, Greg Falkenberry (Sheree) of Benton, Illinois, and Sid Falkenberry (Kim) of Wheeling, Illinois; eight grandchildren (Marissa, Greg, Lyndsey, Alec, Bradley, Leilani, Sophia, and Eadi) and five great-grandchildren (Evelynn, Benaiah, Ezra, Adalyn, and Gabriel). She was preceded in death by her beloved son, Doug; her parents, Otis and Christine Falkenberry; her brothers, Bill, Charlie, and Kenny; and her sister, Edith.

Honoring Mary’s wishes, the family will hold a private funeral service. We will gather in the summer of 2026 to celebrate Mary’s beautiful life. Donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in Mary’s memory. To make an online donation, please visit: http://events.stjude.org/marylehr. Donations by check can be mailed to:

St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital

Attn: Mary Lehr

4950 W. Kennedy Blvd, Suite 605

Tampa, FL 33609

Memo: In Memory of Mary Lehr