Lois E. Peaster

Lois Eleanor Peaster, 96, a lifelong resident of the Franklin area, a beloved wife and mother, and an endearing figure to many, died Friday, Dec. 9, 2011, at Presque Isle Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Erie, Pa.

Born Feb. 10, 1915, she was the daughter of Elbert Peeples and Lily (Pryer) Peeples of Bredinsburg Road, Cranberry Township. Her elementary education was at the Bredinsburg School that existed at the time. She graduated from Franklin High School in 1933. Before she married and became a homemaker, she worked at the General Manifold and Printing Co. in Franklin.

She was married June 26, 1948, to Edwin J. Peaster of Bredinsburg, formerly from New York State. Residing at Bredinsburg, they had 50 full and happy years of marriage until he preceded her in death in 1999.

She is survived by two sons, Max Peaster of Erie, and Mark Peaster and his wife, Lisa, of the Franklin area, all three of whom faithfully attended to Mrs. Peaster after her robust health fell victim to a disabling stroke at the end of summer 2009. For several months between stays at nursing facilities, she was in the care of the local son and daughter-in-law at their home.

Mrs. Peaster attended Franklin First United Methodist Church. She was a member of the congregation since 1930, and a regular presence at worship services, Sunday school and fellowship events.

She also was a member of the Y-Gradale women?s club in Franklin for nearly her entire adult life and supported that sorority?s religious, service and social activities. For some years, too, she was active in a local chapter of the women?s Aglow non-denominational Christian fellowship.

During the widowed years of her late 80s and into her 90s, she enjoyed new friendships through the ?Frisky Firecrackers of Franklin? chapter of the Red Hat Society. Her diminutive build, graceful white hair, fun personality and flamboyant outfits befitted her title of ?Lady Lois.?

Mrs. Peaster enjoyed antiques, decorating, cooking, flower gardening, trips with family and bus groups, clothes shopping at thrift shops, Bible and devotional reading, Dennis the Menace comic strips, and gospel music.

She had a wide appreciation for natural and manmade beauty, from birds and seashells to patchwork quilts and Victorian furniture.

Outgoing and social, she valued human relationships at all levels. She was welcoming to strangers, made acquaintances easily, kept lists of people to visit or call, and invariably saved letters, cards, recipes, wedding write-ups, obituaries and other items relating to relatives and friends.
Mrs. Peaster had a simple yet deep faith, marked by an abiding trust in God to guide and care for her life.

During her last 28 months, when she was unable to speak and had lost much of her mobility, her sweet and strong inner self continued to shine even to those who did not know her before. A pre-burial note she had jotted before her illness, recently found by one of her sons, said: ?My happiness came from knowing Jesus and following Him, also my very loving family and friends.?
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a brother, Claude O. Peeples, of Cleveland.

Besides her two sons and daughter-in-law, Mrs. Peaster is survived by several close cousins, nephews and nieces.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until 12:00 P.M. , Friday, Dec. 16, at Huff Chapel Inc., 312 W. Park St., Franklin. A funeral service will follow at 12:00 P.M. in the funeral home, officiated by the Rev. Jeffrey Little, pastor of First United Methodist Church, Franklin.

Interment will be at Rynd Farm Cemetery, Rouseville.

Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 1100 Liberty St., Franklin, PA 16323.

Online condolences, flowers, and sympathy cards may be sent to the family by visiting www.huffchapel.com.