Edmund "Ted" Lesher, Sr.

Edmund T. "Ted" Lesher, Sr., 95, lifelong resident of Chambersburg, passed away on Tuesday, November 9, 2021, in the Menno Haven Memory Unit with his family by his side. Born on October 12, 1926 in Chambersburg, he was a son of the late Frank B. Lesher and Frieda Kieffer Lesher.

Ted grew up in Chambersburg and was a stand-out athlete for the Chambersburg Trojans, both on the gridiron and the basketball court. He left high school during World War II to serve his country with the U.S. Merchant Marines and then continued his military service with the U.S. Army. During his time in the army he continued to play football, a sport and passion that would carry on through to many victorious years with the Chambersburg Cardinals. A true natural athlete, he enjoyed the challenges of competition at every level, including playing tennis, swimming and diving. In November of 2013 he was honored to be inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame with the Meritorious Achievement Award. As for golf, Ted was an avid lifetime player, and could still be found knocking in birdies well into his 80's while playing with treasured friends at the Chambersburg Country Club. A longtime member and former club champion, the golf club and the relationships fostered there were truly important to Ted.

For decades, Ted carried on the legacy of his family business as president, owner and operator of Frank B. Lesher Co. Inc. of Chambersburg. He and Renee are members of the Presbyterian Church of Falling Spring, and his contributions to the Chambersburg Community were many, including serving on the Board of Directors of the Chambersburg YMCA, the former Valley Bank, and the Chambersburg Hospital. He also enjoyed coaching the swimming and diving teams at the YMCA. In later years he and Renee would seek milder temperatures, saltwater fishing, and simple relaxation in Key Colony Beach, FL.

He is now survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Irene "Renee" McCleary Lesher, whom he married on April 26, 1958; two children, Lauran (Robert Jr. "Bo" ) Jacobs and Edmund "Teddy" Lesher II, all of Chambersburg; grandchildren, Abigail and Claire Jacobs, Margo, Maddison, Jackson and Benjamin Lesher, and one great granddaughter, Sophia. He was preceded in death by his brother, Robert Lesher, and sister, Betty Frey.

A memorial service to honor Ted's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 11, 2021 in the Presbyterian Church of Falling Spring, 221 N. Main St.Chambersburg, with his nephew, Rev. Mark Lesher officiating. There will be no visitation prior to the service, however friends are invited to a memorial reception immediately following the service at the Chambersburg Country Club. A private interment will be held in the Falling Spring Presbyterian Church Graveyard. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Chambesburg YMCA 570 E. McKinley St.; or the Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter, 5051 Letterkenny Road W., both of Chambersburg, PA 17201; or the Alzheimer's Association Central PA Chapter, 2595 Interstate Drive, Suite 100, Harrisburg, PA 17110. Arrangements are entrusted to the Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home, Chambersburg.