Obituaries

Peter E. Kingsley, 84

October 17, 1940 - March 05, 2025

Peter E. Kingsley of Strasburg, Pa went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Ash Wednesday, March 5th, 2025.

Pete was born in Bar Harbor, Maine on October 17, 1940, the son of Phillip W. Kingsley and Eleanor Kingsley Ryan. Pete married the love of his life, Janet, for almost 64 years and raised a beautiful family including two sons; Peter T. Kingsley, wife Kim, and Jon Kingsley, wife Cindy, and one daughter; Kim Ingram, husband Stick. Pete was very proud of his children and their spouses and all of his grandchildren; Brandon Sheaffer, wife Julia, Darren Sheaffer, wife Casey, Ben Kingsley, wife Jackie, Zack Kingsley, Ellie Kingsley, Samantha Ingram, Cassidy Ingram, and Jack Ingram. He was also blessed with four great-grandchildren: Hayden and Harlow Sheaffer, Blaine and Delaney Sheaffer. He and Janet supported them all in so many ways, and attended sporting events, music recitals, and theatrical events with equal enthusiasm.

Pete is also survived by his youngest sister, Barbara Hirtle, whom he loved more than you can imagine.

Pete was proceeded in death by two sisters Joan Kingsley and Nan Stansbury.

Pete graduated from AB Davis High School in Mount Vernon, NY. He immediately went to work (for those of you who knew Pete, you know that is so true) for AT&T. In 1967 he started his own business – Pete Kingsley Building & Excavating which he continued to run for over 30 years. Many developments in our area are blessed with a custom home built by Pete. After he retired from the building industry, Pete kept up his CDL license and started a new adventure – he and Janet drove his big rig loaded with Amish goods across the United States to attend Amish Guild and Craft shows. He continued driving, working for Ryder, and transporting Amish until just a few days before he passed.

Pete had a special place in his heart for his community. He was an active member of the Strasburg Jaycees beginning in 1967. He was a JCI Senator and during his presidency, the Jaycees were instrumental in initiating the football programs started in our area. If you grew up in the area, you have fond memories of attending the great Jaycee Park festivals that were a staple for years. Pete was a driving force in the purchasing of the land on Miller Street that is now The Strasburg Jaycee Park. In 2023, the park dedicated the basketball courts in his name. Until his passing, Pete was an active board member of the park where he helped with too many events to list.

Pete was also an active member of Wesley United Methodist Church along with Janet. He served in many capacities including the head of the board of trustees, and he loved helping to organize the maintenance of the buildings and grounds. Perhaps his most memorable role was as a wise man in the annual church Christmas Pageant, in which many of his children and grandchildren were a part.

Pete loved hunting, fishing, and the great outdoors. He and Janet served as treasurer of The Unified Sportsman of Pennsylvania for many years. Pete was an advocate for hunters as well as wildlife. He and Janet shared a hunting camp in the mountains of Pa, which took him through the small town of Renovo. In 1986, Pete and Janet purchased the old YMCA in that town and renovated it to its former glory. They started a youth center in which they were active for almost ten years. After the main building was sold, Pete and Janet donated a section to become the Western Clinton County Youth Center.

Pete will be missed by so many. He touched more lives than we can imagine. So, when you walk through the woods, eat a good meal, take a buck, catch a fish, watch a great basketball game or witness a Red Sox win, think of him and smile.

On Saturday, June 21, 2025, his family will receive visitors at Wesely United Methodist Church, from 9-11 am, with the memorial service at 11am. Friends are invited to The Strasburg Jaycee Park at 218 Miller Street, from Noon to 4 PM for food & fellowship at one of Pete’s favorite places. The family will provide the main course, if you are able, please bring a side to share, a lawn chair, & your stories about Pete for the celebration picnic.

Please omit flowers and kindly consider a contribution in Pete’s memory to Wesley U.M. Church, 40 W. Main St, Strasburg, PA 17579
Wesley United Methodist Church
or Jaycee Park, P.O. Box 45, Strasburg, PA 17579
Jaycee Park
or Unified Sportsmen of Pennsylvania, P.O. Box 103, Bainbridge, PA 17502
Unified Sportsmen of Pennsylvania

Matthew 25:21 – Well done, good and faithful servant.

Leave a condolence on this Memorial Page

Condolences to the Family

March 25, 2025

Pete, Jr., Our condolences to you on the loss of your father Pete. We’re praying for God’s peace and assurances to you and your family in this time of loss. We are continually reminded of you and Pete in this same house you built for us, and thank you for your work in getting us settled in some 32 years ago.
Thank you for everything,
Craig and Linda Ferich

March 19, 2025

Dear Janet,
My deepest condolences to you and your family. I have fond memories of both of you and your kindness to me so long ago. I always remember Pete as a kind and honest man and after reading his obituary, it looks like you two had a full and rewarding life together. May you find comfort in all your memories and in the hearts of the family you and Pete created.
With much sympathy,
Nancy

March 15, 2025

I would like to say thank you to all who have contacted us in one way or another concerning my dad’s passing, I was so blessed to have had him as my father and role model, his belief in God, family and community will always stand out to me and hopefully to all of you. I can’t say enough about how great is is to hear from all of you and I hope to see you on June 21st. I know he is in the greatest of places waiting to see all of us again. Thank you to all
Pete Kingsley jr

March 14, 2025

So sorry for your loss Janet. Praying for you as you trust in the Lord for peace and comfort! Blessings
Lynn Long

March 14, 2025

My sincere condolences to the family and friends
Mike Bachman

March 13, 2025

My deepest sympathy to the Kingsley Family! Pete was a presence in Strasburg and I remember him always being there at our softball games and at the Jaycee Festivals. He and my dad spent many hours together at the Park and in the Jaycees planning fun and creating a great place for the community to come together. Praying for you all as you celebrate his life and legacy and may he forever live in your hearts! Sincerely Beth (Penatzer) Figliola

March 13, 2025

My deepest sympathies as condolences go out to the Kingsley family and all of Pete’s friends and loved ones. I have fond memories of Pete and all he did for the Strasburg community. He was a close friend of my parents and built some amazing additions to our Strasburg home. I remember him being one of the funniest guys to ride the dunk tank at the Strasburg Festivals growing up. He and the Jaycee’s built an amazing park/sports complex which was completed about the time I was in little league baseball and football. He really made a difference in so many lives in so many ways. My Dad was so excited that the cornfields on Miller Street really became the home town “Field of Dreams” back when we were eating, sleeping and breathing baseball. I pray that all of these and many more fond memories bring his family and friends comfort at this time.
Robert G. Cummings

March 12, 2025

Our deepest condolences to you and your family at this sad time. Kind, generous, and admirable, Pete will certainly be missed by anyone who has ever known him.
Jamie and Scott Beyerle

March 12, 2025

What a kind and gentle soul, moving on from this life to his eternal life. We are thinking of everyone with love and prayer. The Koebley’s.

March 11, 2025

Rest easy Pete. Thank you for so many wonderful memories pushing bear through the mountains. You always had a smile and a handshake for me when I arrived at camp. I truly enjoyed the time I spent with you. I will see you again some day.
Erik Wunder

March 11, 2025

My sincere condolances, sympathies and love to you Janet, and all of your family. I will keep you all in my prayers as you journey through your grief.
Blessings, Mary Burger

March 10, 2025

to the family of Pete Kingsleya more generous, kind, loving, and faithful man couldn’t be found. We all looked up to Pete respected him and will feel his loss for a long time to come. He will be forever in our thoughts and there won’t be a hunting season again that he won’t be missed. Well done, my good and faithful servant, truly fits him
He was my brother and faithful friendI will never thing here forget Him
Jim Joint

March 10, 2025

Pete was a wonderful man. My husband and I got married right out of high school and built our first house with Pete on Turnbridge Drive. He put in a bow window that I wanted for a wedding gift. Prayers for comfort for his family during this difficult time.
Cheryl Gaynor

March 09, 2025

Janet and family, I am very sorry to hear about Pete’s death. Please accept my condolences. Pete is a major loss to all of us.
Blaine M. Toy

March 09, 2025

Kingsley,
Sorry to read about your dad. He had a good run. Hope you are well.
Kevin Urbansky

March 09, 2025

Truly saddened over the news of Pete passing. He was a great man and it was a pleasure to know him.
Much love to Janet and Kim, John and Pete and families.
So sorry for your loss.
Rest in Peace Pete.
Jim Kelley

March 09, 2025

My son in law grandsons and Phil and Linda Pete and his wife Janet and I went fishing at Rock Hall for 5 years in June we always had a great time and we ate good Pete and his Wife are what makes our country great I just knew him from the fishing trips but the world would be a much better place with people like Pete and Janet and their families I feel privileged to have shared some time with him and his wife
Merv Keener

March 08, 2025

Tricia Bortzfield! Love to my second dad growing up! You were a hero and a great teacher! I am so fortunate to get the pleasure of growing up with you and family! You truly are the G.O.A. T!!
Tricia Simmons

March 08, 2025

Such a good man. He will be greatly missed.
Virginia Gardner

Visitation: Saturday, June 21, 2025; 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM; Wesley United Methodist Church; 40 West Main Street; Strasburg, PA 17579
Map and Directions: Get Maps and Directions >
Services: Saturday, June 21, 2025; 11:00 AM; Wesley United Methodist Church; 40 West Main Street; Strasburg, PA 17579
Map and Directions: Get Maps and Directions >