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Table of Contents
Gretchen Presnell Simpson
Major Gretchen Lee Presnell Simpson retired on June 30, 1998, in Lewistown, Pennsylvania and attended the corps there until her death.
| Major Gretchen Simpson | |
|---|---|
| Rank | Major |
| Birth Date | June 10, 1938 |
| Death Date | August 20, 2022 |
| Relations | Major Raymond Simpson (husband) |
| Simpson Family | |
Appointments
| Appointment | Rank | From | Until |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cadet - College for Officers Training - Eastern Territory | Cadet | September 12, 1956 | June 10, 1957 |
| Assistant Officer - Carlisle, Pennsylvania | Probationary Lieutenant | June 10, 1957 | September 30, 1958 |
| Assistant Officer - Homestead, Pennsylvania | Second Lieutenant | October 1, 1958 | June 30, 1959 |
| Corps Officer - Latrobe, Pennsylvania | Lieutenant, Captain | July 1, 1959 | June 13, 1961 |
| Corps Officer - Connellsville, Pennsylvania | Captain | June 14, 1961 | September 3, 1963 |
| Corps Officer - Pittsburgh East Liberty | Captain | September 4, 1963 | August 28, 1966 |
| Without Appointment | August 29, 1966 | June 27, 1967 | |
| Assistant Officer - Wilmington, Delaware | Captain | June 28, 1967 | August 8, 1967 |
| Corps Officer - West Chester, Pennsylvania | Captain | August 9, 1967 | June 26, 1973 |
| Corps Officer - Shamokin, Pennsylvania | Captain, Major | June 27, 1973 | June 27, 1978 |
| Corps Officer - Lewistown, Pennsylvania | Major | June 28, 1978 | July 1, 1986 |
| Corps Officer - Reading, Pennsylvania | Major | July 2, 1986 | June 29, 1993 |
| Corps Officer - Lima, Ohio | Major | June 30, 1993 | June 30, 1998 |
Obituary
Gretchen Lee (Presnell) Simpson, of Lewistown, was promoted to glory at the age of 84 on August 20, 2022. At her home, she was surrounded by her children and grandchildren as she peacefully entered Heaven's gates.
Gretchen was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Major Raymond Simpson. As well as her parents and siblings. She is survived by her six children, Kathleen (Steve) Long, Waynesboro PA; Nancy (Daniel) Yoder, Lewistown PA; Gretchen (Francis) Peters, Mifflinburg PA; Major Joshua (Sunny) Simpson, Suffern NY; Raymond (Michele) Simpson, Aquasco MD; and Christine (Robert) Gross, Fremont OH. She also left the growing legacy of her nineteen grandchildren and four great-grandchildren and her enduring hopes of many more to follow.
Gretchen was born in Lochgelly, West Virginia on June 10, 1938, to Albert and Allene (Maynor) Presnell. She moved to Delaware in her early years where as a teen she was invited to a Salvation Army service and quickly realized her need and desire to serve the Lord, Jesus Christ. At the age of eighteen, she was accepted into the Salvation Army School of Officer Training in Suffern NY, where she studied and became a Lieutenant of the Salvation Army and an ordained minister. She married Ray on June 12, 1959, and they served the Lord faithfully together in many communities for forty years. They retired as Majors in June of 1998. Returning to the Lewistown area, where they still enjoyed ministering and worshiping together with their church family at the Lewistown Salvation Army Corp.
Gretchen Cherished and soaked in the time with family and friends. She ensured that all her family had a place to come home to and that all who entered her home were welcomed with open arms. She valued the importance of celebrating achievements no matter how big or small. She never missed an opportunity to say “we should go out and celebrate” and that was typically at the local OIP in Burnham. In recent years she started to meet with a lovely group of women on Mondays for lunch. This fellowship with sisters in the faith was a beautiful bright spot after the loss of her husband. Their friendship and support for each other was something she valued and spoke of often. She also expanded her definition of family to a great many and variety of pets that have come and gone through the years. Her recent companion Miss Kitty helped to fill some empty spots in her heart and home.
Her beautiful example of grace, wisdom, and strength was a guiding presence for her family. Her quick infectious smile and laugh would lighten a room wherever she was. Her steadfast commitment to her prayer life and concern for others was an inspiration to us all. She exemplified what it meant to be a Provers 31 woman.
The services will be held at Heller Hoenstine Woodlawn at 200 N Main St. Lewistown Pa 17044.
Public viewing will be Friday evening from 6 pm-8 pm and Saturday morning starting at 10 am.
Celebration of Life service will begin at 11 am with a graveside ceremony at Church Hill cemetery immediately following service. A small reception will be held at the Lewiston Salvation Army following the graveside service.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to her church, the Lewistown Salvation Army located at 9 S. Dorcas St. Lewistown Pa.