George Dewees Lumis

George Dewees Lumis, 96, beloved husband, father and friend, of Punta Gorda, Florida and originally from Byers, Chester County, PA, passed away Tuesday, April 17, 2012 at this home in Punta Gorda. He was born March 19, 1916 in Anselma, West Vincent Township, Chester County, PA to Oscar Mosteller Lumis and Margaret Dewees Lumis. He graduated from West Chester High School and with his mother, Margaret, owned and operated M.D. Lumis and Son, a farm supply, feed, coal, fertilizer and hardware business. He married Ruth Peirce, of Paoli, PA, a teacher, and they had one son, Glen Peirce Lumis, and were married for 34 years. George was a member and Past Master of Mount Pickering Lodge, #446, F&AM, Upper Uwchlan, PA, for almost 75 years. He served the Chester County Court System as a member of the Jury of View. He served Upper Uwchlan Township as a member of the School Board and of the Planning Commission. He was on the Board of Directors of the American Automobile Club (AAA) for many years.

He married Hope Bates Guild in 1976 and together they carried on the family business until 1985, when they retired to Punta Gorda, FL. George and Hope became active Master Gardeners, specializing in roses, orchids and citrus and conducted a monthly Master Gardener Plant Clinic. They owned Sunshine Growers Supply and for the past 12 years they have owned and operated Sunshine Gardens, an online store and mail-order garden supply business.

George is survived by his wife, Hope G. Lumis of Punta Gorda, FL; son, Glen P. (Peggy) Lumis of Carlisle, Ontario, two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, step-daughter Mary Anne (James) Leader of Kennett Square, PA and step-son, Steven G. (Adrienne) Clark of West Palm Beach, FL and five step-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 am till 11:00 am, Saturday, April 21, 2012 at the Kays-Ponger & Uselton Funeral Home, 635 E Marion Ave. Punta Gorda, FL. A Memorial Service at Saint Matthews Lutheran Church in Chester Springs, PA will be held at a later date. Interment will be in the family plot in Saint Matthews Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Tidewell Hospice at tidewell.org.