Lester Bachman

Lester William Bachman, 93, former IBEW electrician, and a life-long problem solver, dabbler in the stock market, and lyrical whistler, died October 29, 2009, of age-related complications in Stuart, Florida. Les was born Aug. 29, 1916 in Jonestown, PA to Franklin and Myrtle (Glick) Bachman. His mother died when he was ten, and he and his five siblings were ushered into adulthood by their father, aunts, and other family members. As a teenager in the early 1930’s, Les trained with the Civilian Conservation Corps in Ft. Meade, MD and later worked as a driver for Joe Sprecher Transportation. When WWII began, he enlisted as a Navy Seabee, experiencing typhoons and rebuilding on Okinawa. He worked as a lineman for Metropolitan Edison before joining the IBEW Local 361. In 1936 Les married his high school sweetheart, Elizabeth Wood, and together they had four children. In 1965 when construction work was sparse locally but booming in State College, the family moved and established a new home there. As retirement neared, Les and “Sis” made several camping trips to Florida to choose their “spot” in paradise, finally deciding on the Palm City/ Stuart area. Never one to confuse retirement with idlensss, Les had several passions that kept him busy in Florida. He kept an eagle eye on the stock market, buying and selling based on his own research. He bought small lots, built affordable houses on them, and then sold them for small profits. He also capitalized on his love for driving by moving cars for Hertz and for people who didn’t have the time or inclination to move their own cars back and forth from Florida twice a year. Les loved being in a car, on the road, taking the Blue Highways, sometimes traveling across many states just to drop in on an old friend or family member. He was a member of the Mount Lebanon Lodge #226 F&AM; the Harrisburg Consistery; the Zembo Shrine; The Perseverence Fire Company; St. John’s United Church of Christ; and a former president of IBEW Local 361. He was predeceased by his wife, Elizabeth, his sister, Josephine, brothers Herbert and Richard, and grandsons David Bachman and Eric Kohr. He is survived by daughters Jackie Bachman and her husband, Andy Horner of North East Harbor, Maine, and Sydney Bachman and her husband Michael Barclay of New York, NY; sons Mike Bachman and his wife, Kelly of Lebanon and Oren Bachman and his wife Pat of Palmyra; grandchildren Bronwyn, Jarod, and Jason Kohr; Stephanie, Paige, and Dustin Bachman; Peter, Sarah, and Jake Bachman; great-grandchildren Ethan, Emma, and Elizabeth Kohr; sister Anna Mae Luciotti of Lebanon and a brother Franklin I. (Bickel) Bachman of Jonestown and The family invites friends to join them in at a graveside Masonic Service and interment at the Zion’s Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery, Jonestown, on Friday, November 6, 2009, at 2:00 p.m. followed by a memorial service at 3:00 p.m. at the St. John’s United Church of Christ, Jonestown. Those wishing to remember Les in a special way may make gifts in his memory to Treasure Coast Hospice, 1201 SE Indian Street, Stuart, FL 34997, or St. John’s United Church of Christ, P.O. Box 688, Jonestown, PA 17038. We send our heartfelt thanks to Dad’s compassionate and loving caregivers, Maureen Hall and Wendy Wallace/ Phil Arndt, who enabled him to remain comfortable in his own home. Dad, we hope you’re cruising heavenward on scenic by-ways in a vintage Mustang. Happy Trails. Kreamer & Lum Funeral Home, Jonestown, is in charge of the arrangements. www.kreamerlumfh.com PDF Printable Version

Lester Bachman

August 29, 1916 - October 29, 2009