Leonard J. McFeaters, 85, beloved husband of Eva and father to Chris, Connie, Cathy, and Nancy, died peacefully and walked into the arms of Jesus on Feb. 6, 2024. Leonard was the son of the late Leroy and Marie McFeaters.
He was born on March 14, 1938, in Armagh, Pennsylvania, and lived in Annville, Pennsylvania.
Known to his family and friends as “Mac,” he spent his life being passionate about farming. Farming was in his blood, and he loved every minute of caring for his dairy herd, and later in life, driving a milk truck and working at Mark Hershey Farms grain mill. Mac enjoyed his time driving a school bus for the Annville-Cleona school district. Mac was also an avid hunter and outdoorsman who loved spending time at his hunting cabin in the mountains of north-central Pennsylvania.
Mac was a member of the Ono United Methodist Church and lived out God’s great commandment, “Love your neighbors as yourself.” He was a founding member of the Bellegrove Life Squad, a volunteer firefighter, assistant chief, and lifetime member of the Bellegrove Fire Company, a founding member of the North Annville Lion’s Club, and was the Emergency Management Agency Director of North Annville Township in Lebanon County. Those who knew him would tell you that he was always ready to help others in need.
Mac and Eva always surrounded themselves with family and friends. Their door was always open, and they welcomed so many individuals over the years to sit and chat around the kitchen table, enjoying cups of coffee and baked goods. For this reason, they knew the joy that comes from sharing in others’ lives.
Mac’s greatest joy in life, however, had to be his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was an active and engaged “Grandad” to his grandchildren, Nicole (and Patrick O’Connors), Erin (and Brandon Ellis), Sean (and Ashley Renshaw), Ashley (and Marshall Keene), Matthew McFeaters, Caitlin (and Jason Herman), Courtney (and Josh Christman), Travis McFeaters, Stefanee (and Ernest Medesi), Mackenzie (and Nick Bechtold), and Cassy (and Eric Reiner); and proud “Pap” to his 18 great-grandchildren, Lindsay and Melanie McFeaters, Kaeden, Adalyn, Kylah, and Micah O’Connors, Sydney, Beckett, and Knox Ellis, Jackson and Sawyer Keene, Tristan and Claire Renshaw, Lincoln and Allister Herman, Nolan, Delaney, and Warren Christman.
They all have wonderful memories of farm life, tractor rides, gardening adventures, feeding animals, going on hayrides, and roasting hot dogs around a campfire, all because he wanted them to experience his joys in these simple pleasures, sharing his love with the ones he loved most.
Mac is survived by his devoted wife of 65 years, Eva L. (Adams) McFeaters; his children, Chris, and his wife, Nancy (Annville, PA), Connie Williams, and her husband, David (Newtown, CT), Cathy Renshaw, and her husband, Patrick (Mertztown, PA), and Nancy Smith, and her husband, Cameron (Williamstown, PA); his brother, Ronald McFeaters, husband of Linda (Jonestown, PA).
Mac was preceded in death by four siblings: a brother, Donald McFeaters; and sisters, Delores Pyles, Marion Parker, and Caron McFeaters.
Mac had a gentle, quiet spirit and a humble servant’s heart. He put others before himself. He lived out his Christian faith and accepted the promise and assurance that he would spend eternity in Heaven. He leaves behind a beautiful legacy of love.
A public viewing will be held on Monday, Feb. 12, 2024, from 6-8 p.m., at Kreamer & Lum Funeral Home & Crematory, Rte. 72 and Campmeeting Road, Jonestown. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024, at 11 a.m., at Ono United Methodist Church, 9 Main St., Ono, PA 17077. There will be a viewing one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be held in Ono Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Bellegrove Fire Company, 1447 Blacks Ridge Road, Annville, PA 17003, or to Ono United Methodist Church, 9 Main St., Ono, PA 17077, in his memory.
