Rev. John A. Lefler Sr.

Rev. John A. Lefler, Sr., 86, of Evansville, passed away Friday, March 7, 2014, at Pine Haven Health and Rehabilitation Center. He was born January 30, 1928, in Sturgis, Kentucky to Edward Leo Lefler and Ethel Lorraine Brashear. He moved to Evansville at 16 years of age. On December 6, 1946, he married Lucille Simpson.

He was a salesman for Snow Crop Frozen Foods and then entered the ministry and pastored for 60 plus years. Pastoring in Decker, IN; Terre Haute, IN; Lawrenceville, IL; Washington, IN; Kokomo, IN; Olney, IL; Mt. Carmel, IL; and St. Francisville, IL for Free Methodist Church U.S.A. – Wabash Conference. After retiring he filled in for many churches.

Rev. Lefler was preceded in death by his first wife, Lucille Lefler (1999); daughter, Mary Beth Lefler Jones (2005); sister, Corine Gonterman-Elwood; brother, James Lefler; and sister, Elizabeth Pearl Wedyck.

He is survived by his wife of 12 years, Joann Phillips Lefler of Evansville; son, Rev. John A. Lefler (Sandy) of Plainfield, IN; daughter, Cynthia Lefler of Flora, IL; son, Rev. Mark E. Lefler (Jennifer) of Kokomo, IN; daughter, Lori Lefler Butler of Smyrna, GA; step-son, Rick Phillips (Treva) of Evansville; step-daughters, Debbi Robbins of Edison, NJ and Karla Dupont of Evansville; and step-son, Rev. Ron Phillips (Susie) of Evansville; 12 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; 14 step-grandchildren; 18 step-great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Services will be 10:00 AM Tuesday, March 11, 2014, at Melody Hill Free Methodist Church, 5600 Ward Road, officiated by the Lefler Family, with burial in Sunset Memorial Park. Friends may visit Monday from 2:00 to 8:00 PM at Alexander North Chapel and Tuesday from 9:00 AM until service time at the church.

Special thanks to Dr. Robert Rusche, Deaconess Hospital, Deaconess Home Care, Pine Haven Health and Rehabilitation Center and Heritage Hospice.

Memorial contributions may be made to Melody Hill Free Methodist Church.