Lehman LeRoy Hakes Sr., 89, a resident of Elimsport Road, Montgomery, entered the new life eternal on Tuesday, May 24, 2011.

Born in Elimsport, Lycoming County, Pa., on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 1921, he was the son of the late Harry E. and Alice (Bird) Hakes.

He was the widower of Dorothy Marie (Trye-Steele) Hakes who preceded him in death on May 31, 2002. Her death broke a marital union of over 55 years.

Lehman attended South Williamsport High School. He honorably served during World War II from 1943-1946 with the U.S. Army in the 505th Anti-Aircraft and then the Army Infantry where he participated in invasions in England, Italy, Algeria, North Africa and Southern France.

Lehman was self employed as a farmer at Montgomery. He retired from Bethlehem Steel in 1983 as a foreman where he had been employed for 43 years.

He was a member of St. John's United Methodist Church at Elimsport where he had formerly served as Sunday School superintendent.

He was a member and past master of the former White Hall Grange, a 50 year member of Muncy Lodge No. 299 F. & A.M., a former member of the Montgomery Area School Board, a member and past president of the United Steelworker's of America Union of which he served as chairman of the grievance committee. He was a member of the Wyrope Federal Credit Union of which he was the last surviving of six charter members. Lehman was a former assistant coach of Elimsport Little League Baseball, Pop Warner Football and American Legion Baseball. He was a member of Bower-Decker American Legion Post 251 at Montgomery and a charter member of the Washington Twp. Volunteer Fire Company and a past president of the Elimsport Community Hall.

He is survived by six daughters and sons-in-law, Carol Wert (Wayne) Walker, Lock Haven, Mary Ruth (Ronald) Barner, Bonnie Jean (Thomas) Cromley, Sandra Lee (Kenneth) Tupper, Linda Louise (Jerry) Kennedy, Vicky Marie (George) Nash; one son, Lehman LeRoy Hakes Jr.; one brother, Harry W. Hakes; two sisters, Elizabeth (Ted) Bennett and Minie (Edwin) Sampsell, all of Montgomery. Lehman is also survived by 22 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by three brothers and four sisters.

Funeral services will be conducted from St. John's United Methodist Church, 715 Pikes Peak Road, Allenwood at 9 a.m. on Friday, May 27, 2011, with Michael Hill, his pastor, officiating. Interment will be in the Green Lawn Memorial Park. Graveside military services will be conducted by the Jersey Shore Honor Guard. Friends may call on Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the church. A Masonic memorial service will be conducted by Muncy Lodge No. 299 F.& A.M. on Thursday at 9 p.m. at the church. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to St. John's United Methodist Church, C/O Becky Burrows, 1458 Petersburg Road, Allenwood, PA 17810. Please visit www.betzerfuneral.com to sign the guest book or send an e-condolence.