Rev. Lester “Wayne” Stiffler, 90, of Duncansville, PA (formerly of Patton, PA) died on Monday, March 2, 2020 at The Winds At Mattern Orchard Assisted Living in Duncansville, PA.
The son of Arthur “Jack” W. Stiffler and Margaret (Guidash) Stiffler Evans, he was born on June 15, 1929 in Punxsutawney, PA.
Wayne was very active in sports growing up in Green Twp., Indiana Co., PA.
He served in the US Army overseas during the Korean Conflict. Earning the rank of Sgt., he was awarded the Korean Service Medal with 3 Bronze Stars.
He married Mildred (Galla) on July 1, 1950 and they shared over sixty-nine years of marriage together.
Wayne worked for thirty-seven years in the deep coal mines for CBC and Bethlehem.
In 1966 he entered the ministry and was ordained in 1979 in The Allegheny Wesleyan Methodist Conference. He was the founder and pastor of the Allegheny Wesleyan Methodist Church in Altoona, PA until 1985. Wayne then continued with his ministry as an evangelist. He joined the Evangelical Wesleyan Conference on July 3, 1993. As of his death, he was the oldest ordained elder in that conference.
His enjoyment of travelling led him to evangelism work with the Cree First Nation in Quebec, Canada.
Surviving are his wife: Mildred Stiffler of Duncansville, PA and his son: Mark W. Stiffler of Patton, PA.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his siblings: Rosemary Perko, Betty Bolinger; Dorothy Slovinsky and Arthur Stiffler, Jr. He was the last surviving member of his immediate family.
Family and friends will be received from 2-4:00 p.m. and 6-9:00 p.m. on Friday, March 6, 2020 at the Rairigh Funeral Home, Ltd., 18944 Rte 286 Hwy E, Hillsdale, Indiana Co., PA. Visitation will continue Saturday, March 7, 2020 at the Pleasant View Allegheny Wesleyan Methodist Church, 106 Fern St., Cherry Tree, PA from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m., the time of the 11:00 a.m. funeral service, with Rev. D.D. Snedeker, Sr., Rev. D.D. Snedeker, Jr. and Bishop T.J. Yauger officiating. Interment with military honors to follow at the Union Cemetery in Hastings, PA.
