Jay Allen Felty, 89, of Lebanon, died peacefully in his sleep Thursday, August 27, 2020 at Rosewood Rehabilitation and Nursing Center. He was the husband of Maria Frances (Serba) Felty, with whom he celebrated 63 years of marriage on July 13.
Born in Lebanon, PA on July 21, 1931, Jay was the son of the late Allen and Thelma (Whittle) Felty. Jay graduated from South Lebanon High School in 1949, and obtained a Bachelor’s degree from Lebanon Valley College in 1954. He earned his D.D.S. at Temple University in 1958, inaugurating three generations of family dentistry. He was awarded a Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry in 1984. “Dr. Jay” practiced dentistry for 59 years, treating multiple generations of patients who became like family.
Jay was an active member of the following organizations for many years: Lebanon County Dental Society, Lebanon Valley Wine Club, Polka Pals, Quittapahilla Audubon Society, Izaak Walton League. He was on the Board of the Lebanon County Historical Society for many years, and an original member of the Friends of the Union Canal Tunnel, serving as Vice-President for over 16 years. Jay was instrumental in the creation of what we now call the Union Canal Tunnel Park. He was an indispensable resource for local history. A lifelong, devoted member of the Lebanon Moravian Church, he was especially active in the Men’s Brotherhood, enjoyed maintaining the cemetery and church grounds, and loved decorating the sanctuary for Easter. Jay’s love of nature and the outdoors kept him busy all his life, from hunting with family and friends, feeding wildlife, and camping, to winter sports, gardening, and many varied vacation trips with his children and grandchildren.
In addition to his wife, Jay is survived by three children: Dana S. Felty, husband of Joyce, Paul W. Felty, husband of Gina, and Janine M. Jonovich, wife of Christopher; 10 grandchildren: Nathan Felty, Justin Felty, Emily Felty, Wade Felty, Christina Felty (Stuart Knox), Schuyler Felty (Angela), Kevin Felty, Chase Felty (Andrea), Christa Felty, Levi Felty; and honorary great-grandson, Evan Keller. Jay was preceded in death by sisters Joyce Felty and Linda Carol Earp.
Funeral services will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jay’s name can be made to the Lebanon Moravian Church. Thompson Funeral Home, Inc. has been entrusted with arrangements. Please share your memories with the family at our online guest book at thompsonfuneralhomelebanon.com
