Lesta Pearl Barr

Lesta Pearl Barr, age 72, formerly of Unityville and Benton, lost her courageous battle against cancer, surrounded by her family, at the home of her daughter Judy Wills, in Harrisburg, at 8:05 p. m. Saturday, August 6, 2016.

Born at the Bloomsburg Hospital on April 15, 1944, she was a daughter of the late R. Earl and Geraldine (Wertman) Smith. She was a graduate of the former Hughesville High School in 1962.

Lesta resided in Harrisburg with her daughter since February and previously lived in Unityville for 28 years and in Benton prior to that.

She was employed at the former Milco, Industries, Inc., plant in Benton for over 20 years, retiring in 2004 due to her health.

Lesta was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Ft. Rickett’s Post 8317, VFW and the Ladies auxiliary of the Arthur Bardo, American Legion Post, Millville. She enjoyed gardening, canning, quilting and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, William J. Barr on June 30, 1990; by a grandson, Joshua Wills; two brothers: Max Smith and Leslie Smith; and a sister-in-law, Kathy Smith.

Lesta is survived by three daughters: Brenda, wife of David Glidewell, Unityville; Judy, wife of Shawn Wills, with whom she last resided in Harrisburg; Stacey, wife of Robert Dietz, Sr., Harrisburg; ten grandchildren: Amber Alexander, and her boyfriend Kevin; Megan, wife of Robert Reeder; Ashley Glidewell; Daisy, wife of Travis West; Justin Wills, and his wife Mary; Jennifer, wife of Travis McClain; Cody Wills, and his wife Mallory; Robert Dietz, Jr., and his wife Sara; Jonathan Dietz, and his wife Jessica; Rebecca Dietz, and her companion Christopher; 18 great-grandchildren: Paige; Madelyn; Tristan “Billy”; Dominic; soon to be born baby boy Pletz; Landon; Star; Sky; Romeo; Cruz; Sebastin; Miranda Pearl; Marley; Jonathan, Jr.; Remington; Addison; soon to be born Christopher; and Blake.

She is also survived by a niece, Elizabeth, wife Dwayne Watts and a nephew, Leslie Smith, Jr.

Friends and relatives are invited to attend graveside services on Friday at 2 p. m. in the Salem Cemetery, Unityville, with the Rev. Howard W. Leh, pastor of Christ United Methodist Church, Central, officiating. There will be no viewing.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the  Dean W. Kriner, Inc., Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Benton.