Pastor Raymond Joseph Lefebure, 86, of Hastings, Pennsylvania went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on May 2, 2021 at UPMC Altoona.  Born October 27, 1934 in New York to the late Joseph and Bernice (Lydic) Lefebure, Raymond was the third of four children.

Raymond married the love of his life, Virginia Ellen Lefebure, on June 8, 1957 at the Liberty Baptist Church in Ponca City, Oklahoma.  They enjoyed 51 years of marriage together before Virginia was called home to glory on July 2, 2008.

Raymond enlisted in the Air Force in 1958 and faithfully served his country until his honorable discharge in 1964.  During his time in the Air Force, Raymond served as First Officer to President Eisenhower, and also trained service dogs for the armed forces.

Following his discharge, Raymond and his family moved to Hastings, Pennsylvania.  Raymond worked in a tannery and then worked in the coal mines until he was injured.  After leaving the coal mine, Raymond spent time hunting and fishing.  He thoroughly enjoyed being outside, and spending time at Glendale.  Raymond was also a talented wood carver, and a member of the National Wood Carver’s Association.  He would carve beautiful and intricate pictures into pieces of wood.  Raymond was well known at local craft shows where he would sell his pieces.

Later in his life, Raymond answered the call to ministry and became an ordained pastor in 1996.  He faithfully served the Lord for the remainder of his years at the Pleasant Hill Church of God, taking the position of Head Pastor after the passing of his second mother, Chloe Lefebure.  Raymond enjoyed studying the Scriptures and spent many hours on the phone ministering to others.  He awaited Heaven with great anticipation, and was looking forward to his arrival there.

In addition to his parents and wife, Raymond was preceded in death by his brother Ronald Lefebure, and his second mother, Chloe Lefebure. Left behind to cherish his memory are: sister Jeannette King and her husband Tom, brother Leonard Lefebure and his wife Kay; three children: Dennis Lefebure and his companion Heather; Larry Lefebure and his wife Kathy, and Laura McCracken and her husband Bill; two granddaughters: Melissa Daniel and her husband John, and Danielle Cessna and her husband Kurt; three great-grandchildren: Alex Daniel, and Cecilia and Connor Cessna; his two dear friends who became family: Ernie and Dawna Gibbons; as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and friends.

The family would like to thank Ernie and Dawna Gibbons for all of the kindness and compassion they showed to Raymond over the years.  Their selfless love and caring nature enabled Raymond to maintain his independence, and continue to live in his home.

A celebration of Raymond’s life will be held at the Kinport Assembly of God Church (5658 PA-240, Cherry Tree, PA 15724) on Saturday, June 5, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Melissa Daniel presiding.  In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the Bernard A. Rosch Palliative Care Suite of UPMC Altoona for the extraordinary care they provided to Raymond in his final days.

Arrangements in care of the Easly-Hindman Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., “Exclusive Provider of Veterans and Family Memorial Care.”  Condolences may be made at HindmanFuneralHomes.com