Leon E. Bair

"Papa Bair"

May 14, 1928

April 23, 2003

         Leon E. “Papa Bair” Bair, age 74, of 495 West Main Street, Mountville, Lancaster County, formerly of Reamstown, Lancaster County, died Wednesday afternoon at 12:30 PM in the Essa Flory Hospice Center, East Hempfield Township, Lancaster County, where he was a guest for 2 weeks.  His death followed a lengthy illness.   Born in East Earl Township, Lancaster County, he was a son of the late Leon W. and Alice (Griffiths) Bair.  His wife, Elaine J. (Bowman) Bair, died June 5, 1984.  He retired in 1977 after 26 years with the former Halls Motor Transit, Mechanicsburg, having worked out of their Kutztown Terminal.  Earlier he had been employed by the former Pottstown Paper Box Company, Reading.   A navy veteran of World War II, he was a member of the Ephrata VFW, Fraternal Order of Police, Lancaster County and Pennsylvania State Fire Police, and was a Life Member of the Reamstown Fire Company No. 1.   He is survived by his 17 year companion, Shirley A. (Witmer) Oberholtzer, with whom he resided; a son, Leon E., Jr., married to Carlene J. (Kreiser) Bair, Denver, PA; 3 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; 2 sisters, Mary Auman, Sinking Spring, PA; and Dorothy Bair, Wenachtie, WA; and 2 brothers, George W. Bair, Ellensburg, WA; and Harry L., married to Jean Bair, Reading, PA.   In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by 2 sons, Robin and Rick.

The funeral ceremony will be held from our facilities on Monday morning, April 28, 2003, at 10:00 AM with The Rev. Claude J. Sisler officiating.  Burial with military honors will follow in Salem Union Cemetery, Reamstown, Lancaster County, PA.  

The Red Rose Veterans Honor Guard of Lancaster will conduct the military commendations.

Flowers are welcome or you may remember Leon with your contributions to Hospice of Lancaster County, Post Office Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604-4125.