George E. Lightner

George E. Lightner, 83, of Bedford Valley Road, Bedford, died Tuesday, September 1, 2015 at UPMC Altoona Hospital. He was born on January 4, 1932, in Manor Hill, a son of the late Clair and Margaret B. (Harris) Lightner. On August 22, 1959, in Huntingdon, he married Helen (Gates) Lightner who survives along with the following family: two sons, Brian E. Lightner married to Cynthia Atkinson of Mohnton, Bruce M. Lightner married to Karen Keefer of Bedford; five grandchildren, Jonathan, Andrew, Joshua, and Derek Lightner, Nicole Lightner-McDonald and husband Jared; one sister, Grace Baker of State College.  He was preceded in death by a sister, Betty Butler of State College and a brother, Donald Lightner of Manor Hill.

George was an Army Veteran who received his bachelor’s degree from Shippensburg University. He retired in 1990 from the Bedford High School as a Math and Physics Teacher. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and attending to his garden.  He was a 55 year member of the Bedford American Legion Post #113 and also belonged to PSER.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, September 5, 2015, at 12:00 p.m. in the Chapel, at the Timothy A. Berkebile Funeral Home, in Bedford, with Pastor Beverly Swindell officiating.  Full military rites will be conducted by the Fort Bedford Honor Guard.  Friends will be received on Saturday, from 10:00 a.m. until the hour of the service. In lieu of flowers those wishing can make a memorial contribution in George’s name to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 15120, Chicago, IL 60693. Our online guest book is available at www.berkebilefuneralhome.com.