J. Clair Leister, a lifelong resident of Sellersville, passed away Thursday, March 27, 2014, in Genesis HealthCare, Quakertown Center. He was 85. He was the beloved husband of Alice (Fell) Leister. They would have celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary in June.

Born in Sellersville, he was the son of the late Raymond and Annie (Schoch) Leister.

Mr. Leister was a U.S. Army veteran, having served during the Korean War.

Clair had been employed as a die maker for the former EMICO Co. and the former U. S. Gauge Division, Ametek, Inc., both of Sellersville. He had also worked for the former Weidemoyer Home Improvements, of Sellersville, and done lawn work on the side.

He was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Sumneytown.

In 1974, Mr. Leister submitted the winning drawing in a contest to design the official Sellersville Borough flag. He was later asked to design the new Borough seal. His flag and seal were officially adopted by Sellersville Borough in 1975.

Clair had played softball for Jerusalem Lutheran Church, Almont and for the Naceville Hotel. He had also enjoyed hunting, camping, shuffleboard, and bowling.

In more recent years, Clair had enjoyed cribbage, pinochle and supporting his favorite teams, the Philadelphia Phillies, Eagles, and Flyers, and Penn State football. An avid walker, he loved to spend time outdoors.

A generous, kind man, Clair was always helping others.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children: Wayne S. Leister and his wife, Donna, of Sellersville; Rodney G. Leister and his wife, Diane, of Center Valley; Deanna Payton, of Mechanicsville, MD; six grandchildren: Melinda Wheeler and her husband, Phil, of Temple, PA; Courtney Konyk and her fiancé, Lorenzo Ayala, of Owings Mills, MD; Danica Konyk, of Milton, FL; Alyssa Leister, of Lancaster; Taylor Konyk and Delaney Payton , both of Mechanicsville, MD; and a great-granddaughter, Zooey Claire Ayala.

Mr. Leister is also survived by two brothers: Paul Leister, of Telford; Rosell Leister and his wife, Arlene, of Perkasie; and two sisters: Perma Hibbs and her husband, Clarence, of Telford; and Mazie Seachrist and her companion, Walt Kolb, of Sellersville.

He was preceded in death by two sisters, Myrtle Oberton and Geraldine Klinger.

His Celebration of Life Service will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 5, 2014, in the Betty Meier Steeley Funeral Home, 87 North Main Street, Sellersville, PA 18960, where a visitation will be held from 2 p.m. until time of service.

Interment will be private at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial contributions to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, Grand Central Station, P.O. Box 4777, New York, NY 10163 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

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