Mr. John Lenkey, lll
08/25/1932 - 12/10/2024
We want to let you know Heaven has a new resident! John Lenkey III “THE GREAT ONE” went to be with The Lord on December 10th 2024. He is survived by his wife Barbara Joan, two daughters Elizabeth Barrett and Victoria Dronsick, three stepsons Brian Shay, John St. Clair, Jr. and Gregory St. Clair, four grandsons Lawrence, Johan, Ivan and Franz Dronsick, 4 grand dogs and two cousins Ron and Rob Panko. John worked in 78 countries and spoke several languages. He was an avid mountain climber planting Rutgers flags on mountains around the world, served three years in the U.S. Army as an instructor, invented Aquatemp water temperature sensing cables, and served as vice-president of Robertshaw Controls. He taught at the University of Virginia, wrote op/eds in newspapers and stories for sports magazines. His first love was baseball and he was quite knowledgeable about the history of the game. He raised funds to rebuild Admiral Byrd’s monument in New Zealand. John credits Rutgers University for lifting him from immigrant Hungarian parents to a well-spoken graduate. A funeral and burial, arranged by his loving daughters with military honors will take place at Westhampton Memorial Park and Cemetery in the mausoleum, 10000 Patterson Avenue in Richmond, VA on Wednesday, December 18th at 12 noon, followed by a casual luncheon. A memorial service, arranged by loving wife Barbara Joan for local friends and family will be held on Saturday, January 11, 2025 at 10 am at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1066 Washington Road, Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania (south of Pittsburgh), followed by a reception at the church fellowship hall. Thank you for your friendship and love for our father over the years!
(This obituary is being posted on our website as a requested courtesy to the Lenkey family)
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About Us
At Crowder-Hite-Crews we’ve always been proud to say that we are large enough to serve and small enough to care. When you choose us, we consider this a sacred trust between your family and ours. We offer a full range of funeral service, whether for a traditional funeral or cremation, and we are able to assist families worldwide. In February of 2004 we installed a crematorium to better serve our cremation families. We now do all cremations in our facility, saving transport to another location for this service. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions about the cremation process.
Family owned and operated since 1972.
Situated on a 3-acre pastoral setting.
1st Place in Reader’s Choice for Funeral Service (17 years running).
Staff members are active in many civic organizations in the area, including Lions, Rotary, Moose Lodge, Masons, Ruritan, and Chamber of Commerce.
Owners are former Presidents of the Virginia Funeral Directors Association and Southside Funeral Directors Association.
We always help you apply for Social Security and Veterans benefits!
We also help with completing life insurance claim forms.
Crowder-Hite-Crews Funeral Home & Crematory
PO Box 422
1504 N. Mecklenburg Ave.
South Hill, VA 23970
Local (434) 447-7171
Fax (434) 447-3212
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Jimmie K. Crowder
John Lenkey was one of the most brilliant people I have ever known. He taught me much. I loved and respected him so very much.
Sorry for your loss amazing person
Friend of the Family
We are so sorry for your loss, Mr.John Lenkey was a incredible man , Heaven received a blessing . My Memeories of John were memorable and very interesting conversations
God Bless your Family thru this time . John will watch over all of you.
The Battaglia Family