Croyle

Bishop C. Jay Croyle Jr., 72, of Foxburg, a longtime, well-known Church of God of Prophecy bishop and highly respected pastor, went to be with the Lord early Sunday morning, July 26, 2026, at his home.

Jay was born in Butler on Jan. 18, 1954. He was the son of the late C. Jay Sr. and Isabelle Corbett Croyle.

He was a 1971 graduate of Karns City Area High School and was employed for 14 years in the boiler house and later worked as the ISO coordinator at Penreco, in Karns City.

Bishop Croyle’s ministry began in 1978. He pastored numerous churches in Pennsylvania and Ohio and served as presiding bishop and state overseer of the Church of God of Prophecy of Pennsylvania for 14 years. Bishop Croyle held the role of national and international SharePoint administrator for numerous years; served on numerous committees at the local, state and international level; and was an active participant in the Foxburg community. Bishop Croyle “never met a stranger,” always listening and talking with those he met, often offering wise counsel and biblical truths.

Jay was a devoted family man. He looked forward to spending time with his family, most especially his grandkids, to whom he was affectionately “Poppy,” and was a faithful and caring shepherd to his many brothers and sisters in the church. He looked forward to spending time with them and attending their sporting events. He was a well-known “computer wiz.” He enjoyed spending time at his home in Foxburg, overlooking the Allegheny River and watching the wildlife, and the company of his Yorkiepoo, Toby.

Jay is survived by his wife, Bess E. Kelley Croyle, whom he married at the Karns City Church of God of Prophecy on July 6, 1974. The couple had enjoyed more than 52 years of marriage. He is also survived by three children, Anthony J. “Tony” Croyle and his wife, Diane, of Butler, Michael J. Croyle and his wife, Caroline, of Petrolia, and Heather R. Zediker and her husband, Troy, of Chicora; his grandchildren, Elizabeth and Michael Jay Croyle, Haley and Brody Zediker and Madigan and Ethan Roxberry; one great-grandson; a brother, Charles A. “Chuck” Croyle and his wife, Tammy, of Karns City; a sister, Brenda King and her husband, John, of Karns City; as well as a number of nieces, nephews, cousins, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters and brothers-in-law, Marlene and Leo Burke and Connie and James Highlander.

CROYLE — Friends of Bishop C. Jay Croyle Jr., who died Sunday, July 26, 2026, will be received from noon to 3 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, July 31, at HILE FUNERAL HOME OF CHICORA, 339 Chicora Fenelton Road, Chicora.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 1, at Six Points Church of God of Prophecy, 121 McKees Road, Parker, with Bishop Mark Menke, presiding bishop of the Church of God of Prophecy of Pennsylvania, officiating.

Interment will be in Foxburg Cemetery.

Memorial contributions in Bishop Croyle’s memory may be made to the Six Points Church of God of Prophecy, P.O. Box 153, Parker, PA 16049.

To send a condolence, please visit www.hilefh.com.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.