Lt. Col. George M. Lightner

Lieutenant Colonel George M. Lightner, Jr., 87, of Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania entered into eternal rest on Wednesday, April 1, 2026 surrounded by his family at his home in Hollidaysburg.
George was born in Huntington, PA., on October 3, 1938, to the late Helen C. Sassaman and George M. Lightner, Sr.
In addition to his parents, George is preceded in death by his brother Samuel L. Lightner.
George is survived by the love of his life Patricia L. (Turnbaugh) Lightner whom he married on August 30, 1958, at the Juniata United Methodist Church, his loving daughter Tina L.(John) Lightner-Morris of Gaithersburg, Maryland, nieces; Judie Hollen, Cindy Stevens, and a nephew Kenny Hollen.
George was Catholic by faith and a member of Our lady of Mount Carmel Church in Altoona. After Graduating from Juniata Valley High School in High School in 1957, George went on to join the 491st Engineer Battalion, of the Army Reserve in Huntington in 1956. He entered onto active duty in 1957 and advanced to the rank of Staff Sergent before receiving a direct commission as a second Lieutenant. Lightner served in various army intelligence assignments often as a field operative in Vietnam, Thailand, Japan and Panama. Among his military decorations are the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Commendation Medal and the Vietnamese Metal of Honor. He is a graduate of the Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
He received a Bachelor of Science and later a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Arizona Tucson and a Master of Business Administration from Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana. Retiring from the U.S. Army in 1991, LTC Lightner owned and operated a shipping brokerage business in Baltimore, Maryland, before again retiring and returning to his place of birth in Alexandria in 1999.
He was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion and the Army War College Association. He is a Past Exalted Ruler of the Huntington BPO Elks Lodge 976; a director of the Harslog Heritage Museum Board of Directors; and a past member of the Executive Board, Juniata Valley Council, Boy Scouts of America.
George loved all things outdoors, including the trees, flowers, plants and many outdoor activities including hunting and fishing.
Friends and Family will be received on Wednesday April 8, 2026, from 930AM to 1030 AM at Santella Funeral Home until the time of the Funeral Mass.
A Funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church on Wednesday April 8, 2026, at 10:30 AM with interment immediately following at Calvary Cemetery with Full Military Honors.
In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions can be sent in George’s name to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church, 806 11th Street, Altoona, PA., 16601. 

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