Lester "Les" Eugene Reed

Lester “Les” Eugene Reed

Lester “Les” Eugene Reed, age 92, of Mechanicsburg and living in Speedway, IN, joined his wife of 72 years in heaven on Saturday, December 24, 2016.  Les was born in New Kingstown, PA on Friday, February 8, 1924 to the late Parker Lerew Reed and Loyle Gertrude (Brenneman) Reed.  Les was the widower of Ruth Elizabeth (Knisely) Reed, whom he married on August 23, 1944 in Hagerstown, MD, and who died just three months ago on Saturday, October 1, 2016.  In addition to his parents and beloved wife, Les is preceded in death by his brother, Robert L. Reed.

Les’s survivors include his son, Terry E. Reed and his wife, Dianne, of Speedway, IN; his three grandchildren: Matthew and his wife, Elisabeth, of Bloomington, IL, Samantha Mummert of Speeedway, IN, Alycia Goss and her husband, Arron, of Speedway, IN; his five great-grandchildren: Evan William Reed, Dylan Mathew Reed, Isaac Reed Mummert, Ainsley Grace Mummert, Madelyn Ruth Goss; and his brother, Jack B. Reed of Mechanicsburg, PA.

Les graduated from Mechanicsburg High School as part of the class of 1941, participated in baseball, basketball, football and was voted as the best athlete in the class. Les was a proud Navy Veteran who served in the Pacific Theater during World War II.  After the war he pitched in the West Shore Twilight league from 1946-55 and also played semi-pro football for several years.  He coached little league baseball for 25 years (1955-1979) sponsored by the Northside Playground Association.  His NSP teams were always competitive, winning 7 league championships despite often picking last based on the previous season standings.  Two of his players went onto professional baseball.  In 1993 he was inducted into the West Shore Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.  Les worked for Central Storage & Transfer in Harrisburg as a truck driver and later dock foreman.  He lived in the Mechanicsburg area for nearly all of his life.  He was a long time member of First United Methodist Church in Mechanicsburg.

All are welcome to join Les’s family at his viewing on Friday, December 30, 2016, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Myers - Buhrig Funeral Home and Crematory, 37 East Main Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 and on Saturday, December 31, 2016, from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. with funeral services beginning at 11:00 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 135 West Simpson Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055; with Reverend Dr. David L. Reed officiating.  Burial will follow in Mechanicsburg Cemetery.

Contributions in celebration of Les’s life can be made to First United Methodist Church, 135 West Simpson Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055.

Les’s family has entrusted his care to Myers – Buhrig Funeral Home and Crematory in Mechanicsburg, (717) 766-3421.  Read Les’s full obituary, view his memorial video and portrait, and sign his official guest book at www.Buhrig.com .