Lester Kriner

Lester E. Kriner, 88, of Shippensburg, went home to be with the Lord on the afternoon of Monday, June 27, 2022.

He was born on October 27, 1933, in Chambersburg, a son of the late Lester S. and Anna C. (Ricker) Kriner.

Lester was a United States Air Force veteran of the Korean/Vietnam era, retiring on 1 May 1971, as a Master Sergeant. He had 20 years, 3 months, and 15 days on active duty and 10 years of reserve status, being honorably discharged on 15 January 1981. His duties were manager, distribution, and warehouse specialty. His decorations and medals were NDSM (W BSS), AFLSA (W 3 OLC), AFGCM (W 1 OLC), VSM (W 1 BSS), RVCM, AFGCM (W 2 OLC), and AFOUA.

After his lengthy career in the Air Force, Lester continued to work for sixteen years at Shippensburg University as a store keeper until July of 1987. He then spent 10 years as the Property Book Officer with the U.S. Army Department of Military Science (ROTC), also at Shippensburg University, retiring in October of 1995, and was awarded the Department of the Army Civilian Service Commendation Medal.

Lester was a member of the Burt J. Asper American Legion Post #46, VFW Post #1599, AmVets Post #224, and the Landis-McCleaf Marine Corps League, all of Chambersburg. He was also a member of the Disabled American Veterans, USAF Sergeant’s Association and Special Air Mission (SAM) FOX Association at Andrews AFB, and served with the USAF Honor Guard at Bolling AFB. Lester was a member of Hope Reformed Presbyterian Church, Shippensburg.

He is survived by his wife of forty-three years, Joan (Long) Kriner, whom he married on October 27, 1979; four sons, Robert J. Kriner and wife Gloria of Ft. Myers, FL, John E. Thomas and wife Virginia of Silverdale, WA, James H. Thomas and wife Linda of Derwood, MD, and Joseph H. Thomas and wife Stacy of Shippensburg, PA; two daughters, Theresa L. Hague of England and Peggy Anne Barnes of Auckland, New Zealand; twelve grandchildren; twenty-four great grandchildren; three brothers, Leonard B. Kriner and wife Connie and Richard R. Kriner and wife Bonnie, both of Chambersburg; and Thomas L. Kriner and wife Gail of Haines, FL; two sisters in law, Blanche Kriner and Joan D. Kriner, both of Chambersburg; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Lester was preceded in death by five brothers; Charles, John, Herbert, Joseph, and Russel; and one sister, Herthel C. Raia.

His funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., on Saturday, July 2, 2022, at the Hope Reformed Presbyterian Church, Shippensburg. Pastors Brent Anderson and Joseph Thomas will officiate. Viewing will be Friday, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., at the church. Interment with military honors will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Wednesday, July 6, 2022, in the Ft. Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, PA.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Hope Reformed Presbyterian Church at 123 Walnut Bottom Road, Shippensburg, PA 17257 or the Local Gathering at 611 Shippensburg Road, Shippensburg, PA 17257.