Lillie Elizabeth Kohler, 98, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 26, 2026.

Lillie was born in the home on her grandparents' farm on November 21, 1927, the daughter of Vinnie Conley and first grandchild of Jacob D. and Zula M. Conley. Her grandparents raised her during the week as their thirteenth child and her mother returned to Goldsboro on the Friday night bus from York to be with Lille and take over parenting on the weekends.

After her grandmother died in 1946, Lillie chose to stay on as her grandfather’s cook and housekeeper, making delicious dishes like lemon sponge pie. When the farm was sold in 2002, Lillie, then 75, moved to Fairmont Apartments in northern York County. She lived there for twenty years until June 2022, when she became a resident of Traditions Healthcare Allens Cove in Duncannon, which offered skilled nursing. 

Lillie had sixteen first cousins; fourteen are her survivors. In 1716, the Conley family came to the U.S. from Donegal, Ireland, and countless years later, many in the family remain in Lancaster, York, and Franklin Counties.

Numerous local relatives were members of the Order of the Old River Brethern religion, which for decades did not allow owning or driving motor vehicles, including tractors (they farmed with teams of horses). A determined Lillie obtained her driver's license and first car, and soon became a dependable neighborhood chauffeur, providing trips to doctor's appointments, visits with friends in other towns, and shoe shopping, which was necessary because most clothes came from the famous big Sears catalog. For ten years or so, Lillie continued her role as a chauffeur to her new friends at the Fairmont Apartments. Payments were usually in the form of lunches, a garden vegetable or fruit, or a canned item from the rider's own efforts.

Lillie was always known to have a smile for everyone she met. Even when she lost most of her hearing, she still shared that beautiful smile. She enjoyed taking care of the barn and feral kittens, finding treasures at yard sales, visiting Blue Grass Festivals and county fairs, embroidering pillowcases and dresser scarves, and solving hundreds if not thousands of jigsaw puzzles. She had a beautiful singing voice as a young woman and was even invited to join the 101 Ranch Boys country-western band when they were based in York County.

Because of the frigid weather forecasted over the next two weeks, we will gather in warmer weather for a celebration of Lillie's life.  The date and location will be announced in the future. William E. Little Funeral Homes, Inc., 60 South Main Street, Manchester, is in charge of arrangements.