Lelia Marie (Minich) Males

     Lelia Marie Males, age 92, of New Bethlehem, passed away peacefully in her sleep early Wednesday morning, February 21, 2018.

     Born April 29, 1925 on the family farm in Porter Township, Clarion County, she was the daughter of the late Carson L. and Faye E. McMaster Minich.

         She was a homemaker and a loving wife to her devoted husband of 71 years, Julian A. Males, who she married on April 25, 1946 in New Bethlehem.

    Lelia was a member of the Oakland Church of God in Distant. 

     She loved to laugh with her family and enjoyed apple butter making, Christmas bingo, quilting, baking, canning and reading.  She also enjoyed birdwatching and living the country life, sitting on the deck with her husband while watching the seasons change.

    Lelia’s greatest blessing was her family and she will be deeply missed by her husband, Julian;

 daughters: Elaine Sherry and husband, Clifton, of New Bethlehem and Lori Wassum Neiswonger and husband, Jerry, of Sligo; sons:  Randy Males and wife, Deby, of New Bethlehem and Jody Males and wife, Michele, of Kittanning.

    She will also be missed by her grandchildren, who affectionately called her “Nanny”; Scott Sherry and wife, Nicole; Sally Ryan and husband, Scott; Mandy, Bucky and Lucas Males; Caleb Wassum and wife, Jessyka and Mackayla and Kendall Males; Great grandchildren: Kate and Sam Alsaihati, Micah and Eric Sherry, Cierah Manross, Nico and Mathew Kozma, Aydan Wassum and Rebecca and Madeline Sherry; three sisters-in-law: Dorothy Minich, Ruth Ann Minich and Pearl Minich and numerous nieces and nephews.

    In addition to her parents, Lelia was preceded in death by brothers, Robert, Gale and Darl and infant brother, Dale; a niece and nephew, Beth Minich and Don Minich and a son-in-law, David Wassum.

     Family and friends will be received from 1-8 p.m. Friday, February 23, 2018 at the Oakland Church of God, 122 Kohlersburg Road, New Bethlehem (Distant).

     Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 24, 2018 in the church with the Reverend Jimmy Swogger, church pastor, officiating.

    Interment will follow in the Leatherwood Cemetery, Porter Township, Clarion County.

     Memorial contributions may be given in the name of Lelia Marie Males to the Oakland Church of God, P.O. Box 40, Distant, PA  16223

     Online condolences may be sent to Lelia’s family at www.rupertfuneralhomes.com

    Arrangements are under the direction of the Rupert Funeral Home and Cremation Service of New Bethlehem.

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