In Memoriam

We remember those who have left us during this Lion Year.

Lion Lloyd Adams -- Dahlgren
Lion Lloyd passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, September 18, 2025. He joined the Dahlgren Club on March 1, 1988. Throughout his Lions career he held 12 official positions; guiding our club with never ending energy, introducing new ideas, promoting fundraising, helping with the growth of the LEO Club and always a faithful servant to the community. He was a Melvin Jones Fellow.

Lion Henry Altman -- Lake of the Woods
Lion sonce 1989

Lion William Harry Austin III (Trey) -- Montclair
December 6, 1956 – January 3, 2026

William H. Austin III (Trey) passed away peacefully on January 3, 2026, at the age of 69, following a courageous battle with brain cancer. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Elizabeth “Betsy” Austin, along with extended family and many friends within the Lions community.

Trey joined the Montclair Lions Club in June 1998 and devoted 28 years of dedicated service to the club and the greater Montclair community. He exemplified the Lions motto, “We Serve,” through his leadership, vision, and unwavering commitment to helping others.

A Melvin Jones Fellow (2008), Trey served as President of the Montclair Lions Club during the 2003–2004 Lions year. He was instrumental in establishing and preserving the Club’s history as it exists today on the Montclair Lions website, ensuring that the legacy of service by Montclair Lions would be documented and shared for future generations.

Trey also served as Chairman of the Montclair Lions Scholarship Committee, where he helped support and encourage students in our community. Alongside his wife, Betsy, also a Montclair Lion, Trey was the visionary and driving force behind one of the club’s primary fundraisers, the annual sale of White House Christmas ornaments.

Over his years of service, Trey sponsored eight new members into the Montclair Lions Club, leaving a lasting legacy of leadership, mentorship, and service.

Beyond his Lions involvement, Trey served as President of the Friends of the Montclair Community Library. In that role, he organized numerous multi-day book sales, generating funds that supported library programs not covered by county funding, including Storytimes, the Gaming Lounge, and educational programs for children and adults.

Trey’s commitment to service extended throughout his life. He was an Eagle Scout, a civil engineer by education, and spent much of his professional career in public service with the U.S. Navy and NAVSEA, retiring after decades of distinguished government service.

Most of all, Trey believed deeply in giving back to the community. His kindness, leadership, sense of humor, and dedication will be remembered by his fellow Lions and all those whose lives he touched.

Services will be held on Wednesday, January 14^th at the Mountcastle Turch Funeral Home. Interment on January 15^th at Stonewall Memory Gardens, Manassas, VA. See: Obituary information for William Harry Austin, III.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Trey’s memory to the Montclair Lions Club Scholarship Program, P.O. Box 246, Dumfries, VA 22026, or to a charity of your choice.

Lion John C. Baker -- Manassas Host
Lion since 1966.

Lion James C. Barnes -- Leesburg Host
Lion JC Barnes, a longtime member of the Leesburg Host Lions Club, passed away on Saturday, January 24, 2026. Read Obituary.

Lion Thomas C. Balch -- Lovettsville
Lion since 2006.

Lion Diana H. Blackmer -- Warrenton
Lion since 1986.

Lion Ray Emory Ewing -- Stephens City
1933 -November 12, 2025
Lion since 1960.
Lion Ray's family roots in Stephens City stretched back to 1737. He graduated from James Wood High School in 1952 and enlisted in the US Navy during the Korean War, serving aboard the USS Savage. Following his naval service, Ray married Mary Anna Layman, his partner for 50 years. He began his civilian career at the Viscose Plant in Front Royal before joining the US Postal Service working as a rural route carrier and then Postmaster in Stephens City.

Lion Ray was elected Mayor of Stephens City in 1994 and served the town until 2010. He was a lifelong member of Stephens City United Methodist Church and an active member of the Korean War Veterans, Chapter 313. He joined the Stephens City Lions Club in 1960 and remained a member for 65 years, earning the Melvin Jones Fellowship.

Lion Leon H. Feldstein -- Greater Falls Run
Lion since 2013.

Lion Michael Eugene Grant -- Culpeper Mid-Day
Lion since 2016.

Life Member Lion Joe Imler -- Sterling
With deep sorrow, we announce the loss of Joseph Q. Imler of Sterling, VA who died January 29, 2026. He was 81.Joe was born March 28, 1944 in Imler, PA to Darl S. & Marie Imler. Following his graduation in 1965 from Central Missouri State University, Joe began his career at Blue Cross & Blue Shield in DC & then Geico in Bethesda, MD, in thesystems education department.

He was a Melvin Jones Fellow and a Life Member of the Sterling Lions Club, as well as serving the Community Lutheran Church, the Sterling Park Jaycees, Loudoun Parks & Rec, the Transportation Federal Credit Union, the Lots of Luck Bass Club, Loudoun County Bassmasters, and TBF Region 1.

Joe is survived by his beloved wife Linda “Hengst” Imler of 58 years, his children Joseph Q. Imler II (and wife Mary) of Sterling VA and Nicole (husband Alex) of Charles Town WV, seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren, a sister, sisters-in law, and many nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, February 4, 6:00-8:00pm at Adams-Green Funeral Home in Herndon VA and on Friday, February 6 from 6:00-8:00pm at Blackburn Funeral Home, 4305 Quaker Valley Road, Pleasantville PA. A funeral service will take place on Saturday, February 7 at Saint Paul's Church, 1338 South Imler Valley Road, Imler, PA 16655, with interment to follow at Imler Valley Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please donate to the American Diabetes Foundation.

Lion James J. Kelly -- Clarke County
Lion since 1996.

Lion Anne King -- Falls Church-Annandale
Lion since 1990.

Lioness Lion Carol Lee -- Lake of the Woods Lioness Lions
Carol became a Lioness in 2000. She was an active member and held many positions, including President from 2012-2013. Carol passed away on December 16, 2025 at the age of 81. There will be a Memorial Serviceon Saturday, January 17, 2026, 11:00am-12:00pm at Lake of the Woods Church, 1 Church Lane, Locust Grove, VA 22508. Read Obituary.

Lion Maurice C. Loveland Jr. -- McGaheysville-Massanutten
Lion since 2022.

Lion Guillermo A. Montes De Oca -- Falls Church-Annandale
Lion since 2016.

Lion Mattie Palmore -- Engleside
Lion since 2001

Lion Don Short -- Waynesboro
May 3, 1928 - July 17, 2025
Lion Don was an active member of the club since 1964, holding positions of President and Treasurer. He also served as a Zone Chair. He served two years with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Lion Halbert V. Smith, Jr. -- Winchester Shawnee

Life Member Lion James W. Tait -- Alexandria Lincolnia
October 17, 1932 - September 27, 2025
Lion Jim passed away peacefully on September 27, 2025, after suffering from Parkinson’s Dementia for many years. He was 92. He grew up in Fairfax, VA, the son of a farm and was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Sandra Jean Tait (née Shaffer), his best friend and true love. He is survived by his five children, fourteen grandchildren, and twenty-four great-grandchildren.

Lion Michael D. Terry -- Clarke County
Lion since 2023.

Lion Theresa Wielga -- Baileys Crossroads Host
Lion since 2010.

Lion William Zenner -- Lovettsville
Lion since 2011.