H. Leon Senft

YORK NEW SALEM - H. Leon “Lonny” Senft, 91, passed away peacefully Sunday morning May 15, 2022 at Country Meadows of York, with his wife and family by his side. He was the husband of Jennifer C. (Britcher) Senft. The couple celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on May 2, 2022. Lonny was born in York New Salem on January 22, 1931, the son of the late Raymond Ezra and Laura Romaine (Henry) Senft. Lonny attended West York High School, where he was a two-time District III Wrestling Champion and a two-time state semi-finalist. He graduated from Millersville State Teachers’ College and then earned his Masters’ degree from Shippensburg University. He spent his 38-year career at Dover High School first as a biology teacher, then as a guidance counselor, but he was most well known as the wrestling coach. He started the wrestling program at Dover High School in 1956 and coached for 19 years. He was elected to the District III Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame in 1978 and to the York Area Sports Hall of Fame in 2020. While at Dover he also established the Fish and Game Club, promoting a love of the outdoors for many students. He also coached Baseball for Boys in the York Recreation Commission. Lonny was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing, and he founded the Susquehanna Shad Club. He was passionate about his fruit and vegetable gardening, and his flowers drew much attention and praise. He and Jenny were active in the ballroom dance community for more than 40 years in various clubs including Syncopation, Cotillion, Latin Satin and USA Dance. Lonny was a charter member of the York New Salem Lions Club which was founded in 1977 and remained a member since that time. He was a lifelong, active member of his church, St Jacob’s UCC in York New Salem, serving on a variety of committees. Lonny leaves behind a family whom he loved dearly and who will miss him immensely. He leaves a daughter, Kathryn Diehl and her husband Kevin; a son, Gregory Senft and his wife Becky. He was blessed with three grandchildren, Connor, Grant, and Andrew Senft, and two step-grandchildren, Ryan Diehl and Jennifer Diehl. He was preceded in death by his siblings, Preston, Oletha, and Mary Jane. Memorial contributions may be made to York New Salem Lions Club, Scholarship Fund in care of Marlin Bollinger at 125 Briggs Circle, York PA 17402. A celebration of life service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 21, 2022 at St. Jacob’s UCC, 100 E. George Street, York New Salem. The Reverend Susan Dheedene will be officiating at the service. Visitations will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, at Heffner Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Inc., 1551 Kenneth Rd. in York and again on Saturday from 10:30-11 a.m. at the church. The service will be webcast live and can be viewed by searching Leon’s obituary at HeffnerCare.com