Promoted to Glory: Major Lois Semler

Major Lois Semler was Promoted to Glory on October 17, 2026, at the age of 92. 

Eloise Faye Lynn was born on July 16, 1934, in Hagerstown, MD, to her parents, Milton and Mary Lynn. She married Daniel Semler on March 14, 1955. They were married for nine years before his death in 1964. 

Cadet Lois Semler was ordained and commissioned as a Salvation Army officer on June 11, 1972, as a member of the Lightbringers session. She faithfully served over 27 years as an active officer in appointments in the Maryland-West Virginia and Arkansas-Oklahoma Divisions. She retired from active service on August 1, 1999. Major Lois went on to serve another seven years in post-retirement. 

Incredibly, Major Lois spent 16 years in one appointment (probably her favorite, but also most stressful), serving as administrator of Booth Tower in Cumberland, MD. 

She lived with her daughter, Pam, from May 2006 until January 2019. She spent the remaining seven-plus years in a nursing facility with Alzheimer’s, where she passed peacefully into the arms of her Savior. 

Major Lois Semler is preceded in death by her husband; her parents; two sisters, Jean Semler and Barbara Wilson; and a brother, Milton Lynn III. 

She is survived by her two children, Daniel Semler and Pamela Kitchen; and seven siblings: Charles Lynn, Major Sharon Smith, Dorothy Murphy, Mary Burlock, Judy Ridgell, Loretta Layman, and Patricia Brigham. 

Two Celebrations of Life will occur—Sunday, November 8, 2026, at The Salvation Army Kroc Corps in Greenville, SC, and Friday, November 20, 2026, at The Salvation Army Hagerstown Corps in Maryland. Interment to follow at Beautiful View Cemetery in State Line, MD.