Obituary for Lyman E. Pelkey
Lyman Edward Pelkey, of Perkasie, passed away from vascular dementia on Tuesday, December 11, 2018, at Manor Care Health Services, Montgomeryville. He was 81.
He was the beloved husband of Alta Jean (Foss) Pelkey for 50 years.
Born in Malone, NY, he was the son of the late Stanley C. and Lyma May (Strong) Pelkey. He was a graduate of Massena High School. As a teenager, he also studied organ for a year at the Crane School of Music, Potsdam, NY.
Lyman earned his B. A. and M.S. from Syracuse University. After a 31-year teaching career with the Syracuse City School District, he earned his M. Div. at Colgate Rochester Divinity School in 2000.
He became a licensed local pastor and served United Methodist churches in the Living Waters Parish and St. Johnsville in the Upper New York Conference. Lyman had also begun serving as a church organist by the age of 15.
After relocating from New York, he was a member of St. Andrew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Perkasie.
Mr. Pelkey was also a member of the American Guild of Organists, the New York State Grange, the New York State Retired Teachers Association, and the Onondaga County Retired Teachers Association.
Lyman will be remembered for his passionate love for the pipe organ and, especially, as a devoted husband, father, family member, teacher, and friend.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his two children, Tana (Craig) Pelkey-Landes, of Perkasie, Stanley (Heidi) Pelkey, of Lexington, KY; four adult grandchildren, Elena, Nathan, Madison, and Corina; a sister, Fortana Walsh, of Canton, NY; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by a brother, LTC Dwight F. Pelkey.
His funeral service will be held at 12 p. m., Tuesday, December 18, 2018, in St. Andrew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 20 Dill Avenue, Perkasie, PA 18944, where a visitation will be held from 11 a.m. until time of service.
Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, December 20, in Pine Plains Cemetery, 8686 Henry Clay Boulevard, Clay, NY 13041.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Capital Campaign Fund, St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church at the address above or to the United Methodist Church, c/o Sally Knapp, 225 Madison Lane, Hamilton, NY 13346 or to a charity of one’s choice.
He was the beloved husband of Alta Jean (Foss) Pelkey for 50 years.
Born in Malone, NY, he was the son of the late Stanley C. and Lyma May (Strong) Pelkey. He was a graduate of Massena High School. As a teenager, he also studied organ for a year at the Crane School of Music, Potsdam, NY.
Lyman earned his B. A. and M.S. from Syracuse University. After a 31-year teaching career with the Syracuse City School District, he earned his M. Div. at Colgate Rochester Divinity School in 2000.
He became a licensed local pastor and served United Methodist churches in the Living Waters Parish and St. Johnsville in the Upper New York Conference. Lyman had also begun serving as a church organist by the age of 15.
After relocating from New York, he was a member of St. Andrew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Perkasie.
Mr. Pelkey was also a member of the American Guild of Organists, the New York State Grange, the New York State Retired Teachers Association, and the Onondaga County Retired Teachers Association.
Lyman will be remembered for his passionate love for the pipe organ and, especially, as a devoted husband, father, family member, teacher, and friend.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his two children, Tana (Craig) Pelkey-Landes, of Perkasie, Stanley (Heidi) Pelkey, of Lexington, KY; four adult grandchildren, Elena, Nathan, Madison, and Corina; a sister, Fortana Walsh, of Canton, NY; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by a brother, LTC Dwight F. Pelkey.
His funeral service will be held at 12 p. m., Tuesday, December 18, 2018, in St. Andrew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 20 Dill Avenue, Perkasie, PA 18944, where a visitation will be held from 11 a.m. until time of service.
Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, December 20, in Pine Plains Cemetery, 8686 Henry Clay Boulevard, Clay, NY 13041.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Capital Campaign Fund, St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church at the address above or to the United Methodist Church, c/o Sally Knapp, 225 Madison Lane, Hamilton, NY 13346 or to a charity of one’s choice.