Samuel George Deeter

Samuel George Deeter, 79, passed peacefully on November 12, 2025, surrounded by the love of his family. Born on September 24, 1946, in Meadville, Pennsylvania, Sam was the son of Martin George Deeter and Ethel Elizabeth Rhoades Deeter. In October 1985, he married Sherlyn (Sherry) Sayers Deeter and resided in Bradford, PA, for many years. Sam's kindness, humor, courage, and unwavering commitment to the Lord and his family touched everyone he encountered.
A 1965 graduate of Franklin Junior Senior High School, he went on to serve in the US Air Force for eight years, including a tour in Vietnam from 1968 to 1969. Sam believed deeply in serving others and giving back to the community. He was a member of the Randolph/East Mead Volunteer Fire Department (Guys Mills, PA) as a fireman and EMT. Sam continued his volunteer service in Bradford, PA, at the Derrick City and Lewis Run fire departments, where he proudly chaired or co-chaired the Bradford Area Volunteer Firemen of the Year banquet for many years.
After 20 years, he retired from Ed Shults Toyota/Edmunds Chevrolet and continued serving families in the community through his work at Hollenbeck Cahill Funeral Home. An active and devoted member of the Bradford Rotary Club, he served as President, was on the Board of Directors, and was honored as a Paul Harris Fellow. He and Sherry were active in the club's foreign exchange program, hosting seven international students in their home.
Faith was the foundation of Sam's life, and he served on several committees at Evans Memorial United Methodist Church in Bradford, was a lay speaker, and taught Sunday School for 25 years. One of his greatest joys was mentoring youth at Wesley Woods Christian Camp. And in 2017, Sam was inducted into the Wesley Woods Volunteer Hall of Fame. Throughout the years, he also poured his heart into coaching girls' softball and umpiring youth baseball, always inspiring young people with his patient guidance and gentle encouragement.
Sam is preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Pauline Breakstone, Margaret Mullen, Pearl Ferry, and Joan Smith. He is survived by his wife Sherry, and six children Shelley (John) Moreau (Jasper, GA), Mona Passmore (Raleigh, NC), Mark (Michelle) Deeter (Lebanon, OH), Valerie (Kevin) Hubard (Raleigh, NC), Damon (Rachel) Ritz (Fayetteville, NC), and Kevin Deeter (Charleston, SC).
Sam was papa/grandpa to ten grandchildren, Victoria Passmore, Claire (Gates) Ledbetter, Ethan (Alexis) Schreiber, Elizabeth Passmore, Annabelle Ritz, Cameron Deeter, Meghan Deeter, Lillian Hubard, Kaiden Hubard, and Benjamin Ritz; and three great-granddaughters, Nora, Ivey, and Josie Ledbetter.
A Celebration of Life will be held on December 6, 2 pm at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 7506 Falls of Neuse Road, Raleigh, NC 27615.
In lieu of flowers, consider donating to Sam's beloved Wesley Woods Christian Camp, 1001 Fiddlersgreen Rd, Grand Valley, PA 16420.