Edwin Leister

Edwin Leroy Leister, Jr., 89, of Merritt Island, Florida passed away peacefully in his home at Cedar Creek Life Center, Tuesday, February 25, 2014. Rusty was born on February 9, 1925 in Quakertown, PA, the son of the late Iona (Snyder) and Edwin Leister, Sr. A 1942 graduate of Quakertown High School, he was inducted into the Army's 179th Field Artillery Battalion in 1943 where he engaged in the D-Day invasion on the beaches of Normandy and in the Battle of the Bulge. He received the Meritorious Unit Award, Good Conduct Medal, WWII Victory Medal and the European African Middle Eastern Service Medal with 5 Bronze Stars. He was discharged in December, 1945. Upon returning from military service, he was employed by the former W. M. Moyer Co., Quakertown, until his retirement in 1987. He married Gilda Harner in May of 1950 and they resided in Quakertown. Rusty married Nonna Bull in 1992 and they took permanent resident in Cocoa Beach, Florida in 1995. Rusty was an avid golfer and a member of the Masonic Lodge. He enjoyed dancing, cruises and fishing off the Cocoa Beach pier. Survivors: Son, John Leister (wife Tamara), and daughter, Joan Leister Ocamb (husband Randall), Quakertown; daughter-in-law Paige Miller Leister, Scottsdale, AZ; grandchildren, Elizabeth, Adam and Jacob Leister, Madeline and Benjamin Ocamb; stepchildren Frank Bull, Ilona Kahl, Peter Bull, and Yvonne Myers; six step grandchildren and two step great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his first wife, Gilda Harner Leister; second wife, Nonna Bull Leister; and son, Joseph Cary Leister. Services: Relatives and friends are invited to attend his memorial service at noon on Saturday, April 5, 2014 at Jeffrey A. Naugle Funeral & Cremation Services, Quakertown. Visitation from 11:00 a.m. - noon. Interment will follow the service at Quakertown Union Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his name may be made to: VITAS Innovative Hospice Care, 4450 W. Eau Gallie Boulevard, Suite 250, Melbourne, FL 32934