Rev. Glea L. Foster, 62, of Chicora, pastor of Chicora and Karns City United Methodist churches, went home to be with the Lord late Tuesday evening, November 29, 2011, at Armstrong County Memorial Hospital in Kittanning following a 21-year battle with cancer.
She was married at Lawsonham United Methodist Church on August 16, 1969 to Kenneth R. Foster. He survives.
In 1977 Rev. Foster became a local pastor in the United Methodist Church. In 1985 she graduated from the course of study at Asbury Seminary and received an associate degree in general studies from Indiana University of PA in 1987. She became a full-time pastor in the United Methodist Church in 1988. In 1994, the REv. Foster became an associate member of the Western PA Conference of the United Methodist Church and received her ordination as a deacon.
She served as pastor in Puntneyville from 1977 - 1988; Callensburg, Perryville, and West Freedom from 1988 - 1996; Sheakleyville North Salem from 1996 - 2002; and she was currently pastor at the Chicora and Karns City United Methodist Churches, a position she held since 2002.
Pastor Glea was an avid photographer and particularly enjoyed photographing nature and wildlife. She also enjoyed painting and fishing.
In addition to her husband and mother, she is survived by a brother, Wade D. Bearfield of Rimersburg; a sister-in-law, Martha Craig and her husband Alan of Humboldt, TN; two brothers-in-law, William C. "Bill" Foster and his wife Geri of Indiana and Frederick W. "Fred" Foster and his wife Jeannie of Clarion, as well as a number of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by her mother-in-law and father-in-law, James and Mae Garris Foster.
Funeral services were held at the Karns City UMC, with the Revs. Dean Zeigler, Butler District Superintendent; Glenn B. Kohlhepp, former Butler DS, and Aimee Twigg, pastor of Otterbein United Methodist Church, officiating. Interment was in Lawsonham Cemetery, Madison Twp., Clarion County. Memorial contributions in Rev. Foster's name may be made to the Karns City or Chicora United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, PO Box 89, Karns City, PA 16041. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.hilefh.com.