Obituary of Fred J. Lewis

Fred Lewis, Sr. 90, WWII Veteran Fred J. Lewis, 90, passed away September 25, 2015 in Honesdale, PA. The eldest of five children, he was born, 1925 in Meadville, PA, the son of Theresa Keckeisen Lewis. He graduated from Meadville HS and Vo- Tech and was a star athlete in several sports. He served in WWII in the Army in the North Africa and Italy campaigns. He graduated from Franklin College in Indiana in 1953 while working, raising two children and competing as the football team Q-Back and baseball team Catcher. He was offered a pro baseball contract but decided to stay home with his family and began a career with Beneficial Finance in Meadville. He was the last surviving member of Meadville’s State Championship Softball Team. He rose through the ranks of finance relocating to the Philadelphia Area. After 10 years he started a new career as an educator in the Bristol Township School District, retiring after 25 years teaching elementary and high school Health & PE. His passion was coaching beginning with Bristol Township Little League and Babe Ruth. He continued coaching many sports including football and baseball, gymnastics and swimming. Although not his sport, he coached girls’ softball and boys swimming so as to share a bond with his children. His Gymnastics, Swimming and Softball teams at Delhaas High School and Woodrow Wilson HS were highly competitive. He was named Courier Times Coach of the Year for Woodrow Wilson Girls Softball. As an educator he stressed the value of hard work, service and aspiring to college, with many of his athletes earning scholarships. He served as a PIAA gymnastics, track & field and swimming official in both league and state championships in PA, NJ and colleges. In his early years Fred volunteered with the YWCA, Jaycees and taught Sunday school. Fred was the President of Bristol Township’s 3rd District Fire Company building their new station. After retirement he and first wife Betty J. Norton, d.1990, relocated to Lake Wallenpaupack where Fred was active with the Woodlyn Shores Community & Hawley Lions Club. He married Doris Schweighofer Smith in 1991 and relocated to Tyler Hill in Wayne County and wintered in Bradenton, Florida. He was active many years with the Damascus Manor United Methodist Church of Damascus and the Fair Lanes Acres in Florida. He was a lifelong member of the American Legion and the VFW. In his leisure he loved playing with grandchildren, fishing, gardening and cooking civic dinners. Fred was preceded in death by his mother Theresa Keckeisen, brother, Bob and sisters Betty Mitrich and Rita Bruce and his wife of 42 years, Betty Joan Norton Lewis. He is survived by second wife of 24 years, Doris Schweighofer Smith Lewis, a brother Paul (Angie) Lewis of Meadville, two children, Kathy (Paul) Horwatt of Langhorne and Lake Wallenpaupack and son Fred Lewis Jr. of St. Petersburg, Fla., Step sons, Ralph (Annie) Smith, Tyler Hill, Rod (Chris) Smith, Tyler Hill and Jeff Smith of Montana. He will be missed by grandchildren Lance (Stace) Horwatt, LeeAnne Horwatt (Ed) Hitty both of Langhorne and great grandchildren, Gage & Liam Horwatt, Lanna and Ashley Hitty. Also step grandchildren Josh (Nicole) Smith and greatgrandchildren Dominic and Lucas of Allentown, Will (Sylann) and daughter Alexis Smith of Montana and Alysia (Chris) Frank of Florida. He is also survived by many close nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the staff of Ellen Memorial Health Care Center for their care and support. The funeral service will be held Monday October 5 at the Damascus Manor United Methodist Church, SR#371 in Damascus Township with visitation at 10 to 11 followed by service led by Pastor Jean Blackie and a luncheon hosted by the Methodist Women. Interment will be at a later date. The funeral is under the direction of Bryant’s Funeral Home. Contributions in memory of Fred Lewis Sr. may be made to the Damascus Manor United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 220, Damascus, PA. 18415 or the Bristol Township Foundation for Educational Excellence, 6401 Millcreek Rd, Levittown, PA. 19056.