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J. Harold Summers, 75, of Ephrata, passed away on Thursday, December 7, 2017, at home.

He was born in Ephrata to the late Lester R. and Dorothy (Weidel) Summers and was the husband of June (Wenger) Summers with whom he celebrated 56 years of marriage on August 27th.

He was a member of Ephrata Blue Lodge #665 F. and A.M., Lancaster Lodge of Perfection, Lancaster County Shrine Club, Reading Consistory, Rajah Temple and Shriners International. He was past Exalted Ruler of Ephrata Lodge B.P.O. Elks #1933, past president of Lancaster County Chapter- PA Motor Truck Association, past Chairman of PMTA, former member and president of Ephrata Area School Board, member and past president of Akron Lions Club, former Mayor of Akron, past director of the Ephrata National Bank, past member and past president of the Ephrata Area Recreation Center Board of Directors.

Harold was the second generation owner of Lester R. Summers, Inc. Trucking and grew the company into one of the premier transportation companies in the northeast retiring in 2013. He was currently Chairman of the Board. He graduated from Ephrata High School in 1960 and Juniata College in 1964.

In addition to his wife, Harold is survived by a son, John Harold, husband of Sue (Newman) Summers of Mohnton; 3 daughters, Rebecca Eileen Summers of Mohnton, Susan Lorraine, wife of the late Terry Steffy of Stevens, Sandra, wife of Jeremy Jones of Ephrata; 10 grandchildren, Kyle and Chad Summers, David and Brad Bixler, Chris, Shannon and Paxton Steffy, Sawyer, Wesley and Amaya Jones and 4 great grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Lester "Sonny" Summers, Jr. and a sister, Roberta E. Ravegum.
Harold had a passion for everything he did. He was the consummate family man, employer and community advocate and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
A viewing will be held on Sunday, December 10, 2017, from 6 to 8 PM at the Ephrata Church of the Brethren, 201 Crescent Avenue, Ephrata. An additional viewing will be held on Monday, December 11, 2017, from 10 to 11 AM at the church followed by funeral services at 11AM with Pastor Rob Eshelman officiating. Interment will take place in the Cedar Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Harold's memory may be made to Ephrata Area Education Foundation, 803 Oak Blvd., Ephrata, PA 17522 or Ephrata Area Social Services, 227 N. State Street, Ephrata, PA 17522.

Arrangements by Stradling Funeral Homes, Inc., Akron/Ephrata.

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