Dr. Edward Lewis (1929-2024)

Dr. Edward B. Lewis, D.D.S.

Edward B. Lewis, Jr., 95, of Hershey, peacefully passed away in his sleep on June 10, 2024 at the Lebanon Valley Home in Annville. He was born April 24, 1929, in Lebanon, the son of the late Edward B. Lewis, Sr. and Dorothy L. (Rogers) Lewis.

Edward was raised in Hershey and graduated from Hershey High School in 1946, Hershey Junior College in 1948, and The University of Pennsylvania Dental School in 1952. After graduation, he enlisted in the Navy and served as a dentist during the Korean War. He continued his military service in the Navy Reserves for 11 additional years while establishing a dental practice in Hershey in 1954.  He was a generous and well-respected dentist for 55 years, who always put his patients first.  He was a member of several local and national Dental Associations and, in 1982, was inducted into the International College of Dentists.

His faith was very important to him, and he was an active member of the St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Hershey, where he served as an Extraordinary Minister and sang in the choir. He was a founding member of the Knights of Columbus at St. Joan of Arc. Other local organizations that he belonged to include American Legion Post 386 and the Hershey Lion’s Club.  

Dr. Lewis was a founder of the Hershey Baseball Association as a member of the board of directors in 1969. He served on the board until 1977 and was president for several of those years.  Recognizing the need, he was a founder of the area’s Senior Teener Baseball Program, which provided an organized league for those teenagers who did not play American Legion Baseball. 

Edward was passionate about gardening, landscaping, oil painting, and music.  From the time he was a young boy, and well into his adult life, he enjoyed playing the cornet. He participated in the high school band, dance bands, and several local and state competitions.

He as a loving and supportive husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and brother. Surviving are his four children; Maureen E. Buckfelder of Hershey, Suzanne (Edward) Wildman of Hummelstown, Frederick Lewis of Manassas, VA and Lorraine Smith of Hershey; eight grandchildren, Kathleen (Kristian) Sullivan, Diana (Stephen) Seiger, Jennifer (Mark) Cook, Lisa (Kole) Reist, Thomas Buckfelder, Ryan Smith, Edward (Carolyn) Wildman II, and Christopher (Laura) Wildman; eleven great-grandchildren, and his two sisters, Joanne (Lewis) Curry and Kathleen Lewis, both of Hershey.

Sadly, after 54 years of marriage, he became the widower of Mary (Graeff) Lewis in 2004. His second wife, Elsie E. (Curry) Lewis, also predeceased him in 2022.

Recitation of the Rosary will begin at 4:30pm with a viewing being held from 5-7pm on Tuesday, June 18, 2024 in the Hoover Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. in Hershey. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, June 19, 2024 at 11:00 am in the St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 359 West Areba Avenue, Hershey PA 17033. Interment with military honors will be in the Hershey Cemetery following the Mass.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society or St. Joan of Arc Church. Share condolences at www.hooverfuneralhome.com.