Roy Albert Lehman, 91, of Franklin, passed away at 7:34 a.m. on Friday, May 5th at UPMC Northwest in Seneca, following a lengthy illness.

Born March 3, 1926 in Franklin, Roy was the son of the late Ephraim and Nellie Anne Doerr Lehman.

He was raised on his family farm on Doerr Road, Sandycreek Township, along with his 8 sisters and 3 brothers. He attended the Graham Elementary School, once located on Belmar Road, and graduated from Franklin High School in 1944.

Following graduation, Roy enlisted in the United States Army Air Force, where he remained active until the end of WWII in 1945. While in the military he was the recipient of the American Theater Ribbon, the Good Conduct Medal and the WWII Victory Medal.

After his military service, Roy began working on local oil leases with his father, as well as working for Oil Well Supply. From 1950 until his retirement in 1990, he was employed by Joy Manufacturing in the shipping and receiving department.

On August 27, 1949, Roy married Faye Maxine Smith, who survives, and they have resided in the same residence since 1951, which was once a one-room schoolhouse that his wife attended as a child.

Roy was a longtime active member of the Congress Hill Church of God, and served on the Board, was the janitor, maintained the lawn of the church cemetery, and served as a missionary.

He went to Haiti in 1975, 1977, and 1979 for mission work to assist in building a clinic. Roy, along with his wife, also took mission trips to New Mexico and Arizona for the Navajo Missions in the late 1970s and early 1980s. During the summer, Roy would also assist at Camp Sonrise Mountain.

Since 1946, Roy had also been a longtime member of the Sandycreek Grange, where he held several offices, was the caretaker of the building, and oversaw the sauerkraut dinners for 53 years.

He was also a member of the Venango County Pomona Grange, the State Grange, and also the National Grange.

In his spare time when his health permitted, Roy was an avid deer hunter, enjoyed fishing, and was a handyman to anyone who needed help. He also enjoyed spending time with his family and grandchildren.

In addition to his wife, Roy is survived by his five children: Betty Rae Clarke and her significant other, Cecil Ward; Sharon Robertshaw and her husband, Tom; Lynn Lehman and his wife, Linda; Rodney Lehman and his wife, Janie; and Chris Lehman and his wife, Debbie. He is also survived by his 14 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; and 4 great-great-grandchildren.

He is additionally survived by his 6 sisters: Alice Nuefeld; Lucy Ratzlaff; Gladys Hites; Kathleen Harrington and her husband, Dave; Mildred Cozad and her husband, Albert; and Dorothy Sopher; and his sister-in-law, Carolyn Lehman.

Roy was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Florence Ross and Ethel Orlando; and his brothers, David Lehman, Glenn Lehman, and Paul Lehman; his grandson, Timothy Lehman; and his granddaughter, Shyra Clarke.

Family and friends of Roy will be received at the Gardinier Funeral Home, Inc., 1315 Chestnut Street, Franklin on Monday, May 8th from 3 to 7 p.m.

Funeral Services will be held at the Congress Hill Church of God on Tuesday, May 9th at 11 a.m., with Rev. Johnny Pennington, pastor of the church, officiating.

Interment will be in Graham Cemetery, where military honors will be accorded by the V.E.T.S. Honor Guard.

Roy’s family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the Congress Hill Church of God — 406 Congress Hill Road, Franklin PA 16323 and/or the Venango VNA Foundation – 491 Allegheny Blvd., Franklin PA 16323.

Family and friends of Roy are invited to visit www.gardinierfuneralhome.com to send flowers, cards or online condolences.