Bishop C. Jay Croyle, Jr.

Bishop C. Jay Croyle, Jr.

Bishop C. Jay Croyle, Jr., 72, of Foxburg, a long-time 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 January 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 and 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 council 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 several 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.

Friends will be received at the Hile Funeral Home of Chicora, 339 Chicora Fenelton Rd., Chicora, from 12 - 3 pm and 6 - 9 pm Friday, July 31, 2026.  A funeral service will be held from the Six Points Church of God of Prophecy at 11 am Saturday, August 1, 2026, with Bishop Mark Menke, presiding Bishop of the Church of God of Prophecy of Pennsylvania, officiating.  The 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.