L. Margaret (Steckley) Eyer

      L. Margaret (Steckley) Eyer, 91, of Palmyra, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 26, 2022, at Londonderry Village, Palmyra, PA.  Born Thursday, March 19, 1931, at home in Gormley, Ontario, Canada, she was the daughter of the late Levi and Mabel (Cober) Steckley.  She was married to John R. Eyer on August 17, 1957.

      Marge (as she was fondly called), was born & raised on a farm in Gormley.  She emigrated to the USA in 1956 to pursue a biblical studies course at Messiah College. During this time she met her husband, John Eyer, from Elizabethtown with whom she would embark on a 64 year love affair of marriage and family, making Pennsylvania her new home.  She worked a variety of secretarial positions, among those working at Millersville University and Engle Printing. 

      Marge lived a full life as a wonderful mother, homemaker and wife. She was deeply involved in her church as the wife of a Minister of Music.  Sacred music was in fact the sonic thread which was woven throughout the tapestry of her life.  From her childhood years in Canada, singing with her brother and sisters as the “Steckley quartet from Gormley” to performing in choral groups in college and singing in many church choirs, Christian congregational praise and music ministry were at the forefront of her life. She instilled this love of music and God into her children through children’s choruses such as “Jesus Loves Me” which was on her lips throughout the 91 years of her life.. and was the celestial melody that finally accompanied her home. 

       Marge was multi-talented and very creative in both the kitchen and at the easel as well, producing many beautiful landscape oil paintings She applied her creativity as a baker, carrying on her Canadian mother’s gift for preparing for pies, cakes and cookies.  Marge loved to travel with her family, taking a road trip across the USA, admiring the beauty and splendor of  God’s handiwork along the way. She remained highly patriotic to her native land Canada, maintaining Canadian citizenship throughout her life, and returned frequently to visit family and speak “Canadian English.” As she crossed over the USA/Canada border she would proudly submit her green-card, which declared her still as a Canadian with permanent residency status in USA.  In her golden years, she traveled with John throughout Europe, the Canadian Rockies and Alaska. 

        In addition to her husband of over 64 years, she is survived by three children: J. Randall Eyer, of Mount Joy, Bruce E. Eyer, married to Karen, of Mount Joy, and Dr. Janice Protopapas, married to Scott Reynolds, of Manheim.  Also surviving are her grandchildren: Helena Protopapas and Yiorgo Protopapas. She is also survived by her sisters: Mary Green and Carol (Steckley) Harrison, married to Clarence.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her eldest brother, J. Bruce Steckley, and two of her sisters, Alma MacTaggart and Reatha McFadden.  She will be dearly missed and forever in our hearts.

        A Funeral Service will be held at 11 AM on Thursday, May 5, 2022, at Elizabethtown Brethren in Christ Church, 996 East High Street, Elizabethtown, PA  17022, with Pastor Adam Forry officiating.  Burial will follow in East Donegal Cemetery (Reich’s), Marietta.  Closed casket visitation will be held from 10 AM until the time of the service on Thursday.  Live streaming of the service will be available through the Funeral Home website. Arrangements have been entrusted with the Miller-Finkenbinder Funeral Home, 130 North Market Street, Elizabethtown, PA  17022, 717-367-1543. 

       In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Margaret’s honor to The Gospel Tide, PO Box 399, Chambersburg, PA  17201, www.thetide.org

       Memories and condolences may be shared at: www.FinkenbinderFamily.com

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