Richard L. "Leon" Grassmyer
August 26, 1936 ~ July 21, 2017 (age 80) 80 Years OldShare using:
Richard L. ‘Leon’ Grassmyer, 80, of Lewistown, passed away at 1:10 p.m., Friday, July 21, 2017, at Geisinger-Lewistown Hospital.
Born August 26, 1936, in Lewistown, he was a son of the late Robert E. and Ida Mae (Benner) Grassmyer.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by: his stepmother, Louella Grassmyer; his daughter, Jodi Lynn Hartsock, on May 30, 2003; and his brother, John Grassmyer.
Leon is survived by: his wife, Suzanne M. (Hoel) Grassmyer, whom he married
February 3, 1961; a son, Michael J. Grassmyer and his wife, Tina, of Chambersburg; four grandchildren, Erin Glick and husband, Adam, Lindsey Hartsock, Nikki Dyer and husband, Jared, and Paige Grassmyer; and five great-grandchildren, Cole, Grady, and Johanna Dyer, and Jace and Layton Glick.
He graduated from Lewistown High School, Class of 1954, and from Arkansas State University in 1958, with a bachelor’s degree in secondary education.
Leon was an Army veteran who served as an instructor with the 24th Artillery Group Headquarters in Pedricktown, New Jersey, from 1958 to 1961.
He was a member of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lewistown.
Leon played college football while earning his degree at Arkansas State, then returned to Lewistown after his military service and taught social studies/democracy at Lewistown High School for ten years, where he was also an assistant football coach. He worked at Sitkins Smelting and Refining and later, retired as a production manager at Cerro Metal Products in Bellefonte.
He maintained his love of football throughout his life and was an all-around sports fan.
A funeral service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 25, 2017, at Heller-Hoenstine Funeral Homes, Woodlawn, 200 N. Main St., Lewistown, with the Reverend Charles Hershberger officiating.
A viewing will be held from 10:30 a.m. until the time of service, Tuesday, July 25, 2017, at the funeral home.
Interment will take place in Juniata Memorial Park, with military honors provided by VFW Post 7011.
