Lewis E. Burgett

Lewis Burgett, of Carlisle, passed away at UPMC Carlisle Hospital on Friday, December 13, 2024 at the age of 90. Born in Middlesex Township on December 3, 1934, he was the son of the late Charles A. and Mary A. (Darr) Burgett. He was the loving husband of Rita E. (Gerhardt) Burgett, with whom he shared 59 years of marriage. 

Lewis attended Carlisle area schools and later earned his GED. He was a graduate of Philadelphia Wireless Technical School. He proudly served in the US Army and was honorably discharged. Lewis was a member of the First United Church of Christ (UCC) in Carlisle, where he served in many capacities. Following his retirement from P.R. Hoffman Materials Processing Co. he received his Licensed Lay Ministry certification through the Mercersburg Association of the UCC. He served as pastor of St. John’s UCC in Markelsville, PA for 12 years. He also served as an interim pastor and as guest pastor at other churches in the Mercersburg Association. 

Lewis loved to travel, do crossword puzzles, socialize with friends, spend time at the YMCA, and enjoyed keeping busy.

He was a past Master of St. John’s Lodge #260 F&AM, member of the Carlisle Y's Men’s and Women’s Club, chaplain at the Carlisle Elks Lodge #578, member of St. John’s Commandery No. 8 Knights Templar in New Bloomfield, and served as Grand Prelate Emeritis of the Grand Commandry of Knights Templar of PA. He was also a member of Harrisburg Council No. 7 Royal & Select Master Masons, Trinity Conclave Red Cross of Constantine, Erin Council No. 6 Knight Masons, Harrisburg Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, and the Zembo Shrine Past Masters Club. Lewis was a ham radio operator with the call sign K3PTW.

Along with his wife Rita, Lewis is survived by brothers Lee Burgett (wife Edna) of Newville, and Wayne Burgett (wife Gloria of Danville, VA., sister-in-law Gene Anne (Gerhardt) Boyd, of Carlisle, several nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and cousins. Lewis was predeceased by his sister Gladys Vick.

Funeral services will be held at First United Church of Christ, 30 N. Pitt St. Carlisle at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 20 with the Revs. Robert Bistline and Tim Dugan officiating. A viewing will be held at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. There will also be a viewing Thursday, December 19 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. with a Masonic service at 7:30 p.m. at Hoffman Funeral & Cremation, 2020 W. Trindle Road, Carlisle, PA 17013. Interment will be in Westminster Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Lewis’s memory to any of the following: 1) First United Church of Christ, 30 N. Pitt St, Carlisle, PA 17013; 2) Carlisle Family YMCA, 311 S. West St, Carlisle, PA 17013; or 3) Zembo Shrine Capital Campaign, 2801 N. Third Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110.