Leroy R. "Lee" Mewherter

Leroy (Lee) R. Mewherter, age 86, of Latrobe, Pennsylvania (formerly of New Derry), passed away peacefully on June 23, 2026, at AHN Forbes Hospital in Monroeville, Pennsylvania. Lee was born September 3, 1939, in Latrobe, PA, a son of the late Ray C. and Catharine Butz Mewherter. As a teenager growing up in New Derry, PA, Lee was active on his family’s small farm and had the honor of being a Keystone Farmer with the Future Farmers of America. Upon graduating from Derry Area Joint High School in 1957, Lee enlisted in the United States Navy. From 1957 to 1962, he proudly served as a submariner on the USS Nautilus in the North Atlantic and as a fire control technician on the USS Essex in the waters of Cuba during the Bay of Pigs invasion. In 1962, Lee began his 30 year career as a sales associate at Sears, Roebuck & Co. Lee loved to share stories of his days at Sears, and one of his favorites was of the time he sold dress shirts to Shirley Jones for her husband, David Cassidy. During his time at Sears in Westmoreland Mall, Lee was recognized as a “million dollar salesman” and had his photo displayed at the entrance of the store. After retiring from Sears in 1992, Lee took some time off and then rejoined the workforce as a sales associate at Frank’s Auto Supermarket in Greensburg, PA. Lee was a dedicated member of the Derry Presbyterian Church, where he served as an elder, deacon, Sunday School teacher, and choir member. He enjoyed traveling with his family to different regions of the United States, visiting friends and relatives along the way. Up until recent years, Lee and his wife, Debbie, were avid bike riders on the local Rails to Trails. Lee loved attending River City Brass concerts and oldies dancing. He had a passion for good beer and Elvis Presley music. Lee welcomed opportunities to spend time with his children and grandchildren. One of his greatest joys was to support his wife, Debbie, in her professional music endeavors. In addition to his parents, Lee was predeceased by his first wife, June Rose McCurdy Mewherter; sister, Susanna Mewherter Weisner Ryan; and son, Adam Mewherter. Lee is survived by his wife of 50 years, Deborah Thomas Mewherter; daughter, Leanne (Collin) Harty of Tenants Harbor, Maine; son, Alan (Lisa) Mewherter of Spotsylvania, Virginia; daughter, Sharon (Mike) Nokovich of Marshall, Virginia; and daughter-in-law, Susan Kraft of Atlanta, Georgia. Lee is also survived by his grandchildren: Hannah (Matthew) Burnside, Andrew Mewherter, Michael Nokovich, and Lily Nokovich. Friends and family will be received at McCabe Funeral Home, Derry, PA, from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM on Tuesday, June 30, 2026. A service will immediately follow at the funeral home, with Reverend Larry Armstrong and Reverend Ron Durika officiating.

The Latrobe-Derry Veterans Honor Guard will present a military service Tuesday at 12:45 pm in the funeral home.