Born on May 22, 1929, in Palisades Park, NJ, to the late Bruce M. and Ernestina (Carson) Lewis, she completed her high school education in Nutley, NJ. She then attended Centenary Junior College in Hackettstown, NJ, where she led the synchronized swim team. Continuing her education at North Carolina Women’s College in Greensboro, NC, she was a cheerleader and majored in Health and Physical Education. After graduating in 1952, she accepted a position at Grove City College, teaching Women’s Physical Education and serving as the advisor for the Outing Club. That is where she met her husband, Ken, whom she married on July 6, 1954. In 1958, after Ken completed his service as a Navy pilot, they returned to Butler, PA, Ken’s hometown, where they built a home on the family Christmas tree farm.
Ginger dedicated her life to her family and faith. She was a member of Calvary U.P. Church and later joined Community Alliance Church, where she served as a Sunday School teacher and Deaconess. Ginger regularly visited church members who were in hospitals and nursing homes. She served on the committee that brought Young Life to Butler and played a key role in establishing the Christian Women’s Club in Butler.
Ginger and Ken always opened their home to family, friends, neighbors, and missionaries. She was selfless, consistently thinking of others and working hard to create a loving environment for her family. She made homemade cards for her loved ones and had a special gift for making everyone she met feel valued and loved; no one was a stranger for long.
She is survived by her children: Randy (Connie) Cypher of Butler, PA; Ronn (Sue) Cypher of Libertyville, IL; Lori (Bruce) Wilson of Butler, PA; Larry (Cathy) Cypher of Fairport, NY; Lee (Kay) Cypher of Hershey, PA; and LeAnne Graham of Des Plaines, IL; as well as 17 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, her stepmother Thelma (Lawser) Lewis, and husband, she was preceded in death by her brother, Ralph Lewis.
A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, December 1, 2024, at Community Alliance Church, 800 Mercer Road, Butler, PA, with Rev. Dr. Dennis Krajacic officiating. At 3 p.m. immediately following the service, the family will receive friends for a time of visitation. Ginger will be laid to rest at Butler County Memorial Park Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to support two of her missionary grandchildren and their families.
Donations to Timothy and Janessa Cypher, who serve in Uganda, Africa, can be sent to Harvest Alliance International, 3620 Ocean Ranch Blvd., Oceanside, CA 92056. Please indicate “Tim and Janessa Cypher” on the memo line.
Donations to Sarah and Wes Sherry, serving with the Christian and Missionary Alliance, can be sent to Gospel Collective, 1000 Broadway Ave., East McKeesport, PA 15035.
All who knew Ginger are encouraged to share memories and upload photos to her unique Remembrance Page at www.thompson-miller.com.