J. Lester Brubaker, 93, formerly of Smoketown, died on June 15, 2017 at Landis Homes Retirement Community. He was born on June 14, 1924 near Rohrerstown, a son of the late Levi H. and Anna G. (Brubaker) Brubaker. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 70 years, Lois E. (Byler) Brubaker, formerly of Pigeon, Michigan who died on January 18, 2017.
J. Lester expressed his faith in Jesus Christ through friendships, active participation in the Witmer Heights Mennonite Church and 50 years of ministry in Christian education. He served at Lancaster Mennonite School, Eastern Mennonite University and the Lancaster Area Council of Mennonite Schools. He was involved in the broader Christian school ministry through the Mid-Atlantic Christian Schools Association, the Association of Christian Schools International, and summer teaching at Grace College and Seminary (IN) and Columbia (SC) International University. He also taught at Hempfield High School and the University of Virginia and was curriculum consultant for the Rockingham County (VA) public schools. He graduated from Eastern Mennonite High School and was awarded degrees from Eastern Mennonite University, Franklin and Marshall College, University of Michigan and University of Virginia.
Lester is survived by his three children, Rose Louise (Christian) Kennel, Anne Marie (Jay) Roth, and Edward D. (Lucy Yoder) Brubaker; five grandchildren, Eric (Beth Hackman) Kennel, Carmen Kennel (Josiah) Garber, Kimberly Roth (Peter) Lehman, Wilson (Brianna Shenk) Roth, and Brandi Brubaker and five great-grandchildren, David Garber, Ruby Garber, Heidi Garber, Paxton Kennel, and Adaline Kennel. In addition, surrogate children and grandchildren include Dennis (Doris) Hertzog, Karen (Jack) Quinn, Dennis (Liz) Hertzog, Jr., Christopher Hertzog and Anna (Keith) Lasher. A sister-in-law, Frances (Goldfus) Brubaker, also survives. In addition to his wife, Lester was preceded in death by a son and his wife, Charles and Joyce (Longacre) Brubaker, who died in 1986, a grandson, Christian David Kennel, Jr. in 1983, and two brothers, Paul Brubaker and Aaron Brubaker.
The family will receive friends from 1:30-3:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 16 at West Bethany Chapel of Landis Homes. A memorial service will follow at 3:30 p.m. Burial was at the convenience of the family at Rohrerstown Mennonite (Old) Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be sent to the J. Lester and Lois Brubaker Scholarship fund at Eastern Mennonite University, 1200 Park Road, Harrisonburg, VA 22802 or to the Caring Fund, Landis Homes, 1001 E. Oregon Road, Lititz, PA 17543. The Groff-High Funeral Home, New Holland is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be posted at www.groffeckenroth.com.