Obituary of James A.L. Lentz

James A. L. Lentz, 81, of Ephrata, PA, formerly of Manheim, passed away peacefully with his wife by his side on Monday morning, August 17, 2015, at Bob Fryer and Family Inpatient Center of Hospice and Community Care in Mount Joy following a lengthy illness. Born at Aberdeen Mill in Conewago Twp., Dauphin Co., PA, he was the son of the late Lester S. and Elva M. Gantz Lentz. He was the husband of Betty S. Lentz for 62 years on May 23. Jim was a member of Hernley Mennonite Church and recently attended Speedwell Heights Brethren in Christ Church in Lititz. Following graduation in 1950 from the carpentry program at the former Hershey High School, he was employed by J. C. Snavely in Landisville. Later, he was a self-employed contractor for many years before joining the Conklin Co., Inc. as a salesman for 35 years. He was recognized by Conklin as "Man of the Year." Jim served in 1-W Service at Mount Alto Tuberculosis Sanitarium in South Mountain, PA, for two years. In addition to serving as board secretary for Teen Challenge, he was a former member of the Rotary Club of Manheim and a charter member and past president of Gideons International, Lancaster West Camp. Jim enjoyed making furniture and made a cedar chest for each of his grandchildren. He and his wife also enjoyed extensive traveling, including trips to Hawaii and retracing the mission journeys of the Apostle Paul. Jim also enjoyed engaging in conversations with others. In addition to his wife, he is survived by four children, John L., husband of Judy Hostetter Lentz, of Manheim, Ruth E., wife of Glen Groff, of Lititz, Timothy L., husband of Jolyn Showalter Lentz, of Wallace, WV, and Rhoda A., wife of Ronald Lehman, of Myerstown; 12 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren; two siblings, Anna Jean Dorwart, and Ralph E., husband of Miriam Lentz, both of Elizabethtown; and a sister-in-law, Ruth Lentz of Lititz. He was preceded in death by three siblings, John Henry Lentz, Wilma A. Slaymaker, and Wilbur A. Lentz. A funeral service will be held on Friday morning at 10:00 AM at Hernley Mennonite Church, 746 Lebanon Road, Manheim, PA. Interment will follow in the adjoining cemetery. The family will receive guests at the church on Thursday evening from 6-8:00 PM and on Friday morning from 9:00 AM until the time of the service. Please omit flowers. If desired, contributions may be made in his memory to Hospice and Community Care, 685 Good Drive, PO Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604 or to The Gideons International, Lancaster West Camp, PO Box 184, Manheim, PA 17545. To express a condolence with the family or to watch a webcast of the service beginning the day following the service, visit www.spencefuneralservices.com.