Obituaries

Dixie Rose Welker, 75, of Springboro, a retired local pastor, passed away Saturday, March 30, 2019, at home, surrounded by her loving family. Dixie was born in Fremont, Ohio, on October 7, 1943, the daughter of the late Cyrus and Helen (Merryfield) Berkheimer. Dixie graduated from Linesville High School in 1961. Upon graduation, she worked in Washington, D.C. as a court stenographer. Dixie moved back to the Conneautville area in 1968, where she worked in numerous secretarial positions, while ...

Sharron Virginia (Grubb) Philpott, 73, of Smithfield, Pa. passed away on Wednesday, March 13, 2019 with her loving family by her side as she went to be with her loving Heavenly Father. Sharron was a loving wife, sister, friend and neighbor. Surviving are her loving husband of 57 years, Reverend Frank M. Philpott, who serves as pastor of South Brownsville and West Bend UMCs; sisters and brothers, Linda Thomas, Bruceton Mills, W.Va., Pamela Carlson, Cumming, Georgia, Kenneth Buchanan, Oak Hill, ...

Pastor Robert D. “Bob” Zimmerman, 90, of Geistown, who served as pastor of Johnstown: Mt. Olive UMC from 1987 to 1999, passed away on March 13, 2019, at Harmony House. Born October 11, 1928, in Harrisburg, son of Blair R. and Ann H. (Napotnik) Zimmerman, he was preceded in death by parents; loving wife Genevieve M. (Lehman) Zimmerman, five brothers and two sisters. He is survived by his children: Linda K. Weaver and husband Daniel of Johnstown, Ann R. Wolfinger and husband Robert of Johnstown, ...

Edith Florence Rothwell, 90, formerly of Conyngham, passed away, Monday, March 11, 2019 at the home of her daughter in Beaver Township, following a short illness. She was the surviving spouse of the Rev. Wayne H. Rothwell. Born in Jamestown, NY, January 6, 1929, she was the daughter of the late Fernando and Nancy (Wright) Smith. She had resided in the Conyngham Valley since 2005, She had also previously resided in Florida, and Diamond Avenue, Hazleton. Edith had worked as a Nursing Home ...

Rev. Ronald C. (Ron) Lindahl, 72, of Williams St., Bradford, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Saturday, March 9, 2017, surrounded by his loving family, at Bradford Regional Medical Center. A retired elder, he was the husband of the Rev. Majorie Lindahl and father of the Rev. Craig Lindahl.  Born September 2, 1946 in Bradford, he was a son of the late Carl H. and Betty L. (Bruner) Lindahl. He enlisted in the United States Navy in November of 1965. He served aboard the USS Ranger Air Craft ...

Mary Ann (Kelso) McConnell, 67, a licensed local pastor and lawyer, died Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, at home in Coolspring Township. Her husband Findley passed away on Jan. 27, 2019. Born June 16, 1951, to Robert A. and Lucille (Baer) Kelso, Mrs. McConnell was the oldest of three siblings. She graduated from Mercer Area High School in 1969, Dickinson College in 1973 and University of Pittsburgh School of Law in 1976. Mary Ann had practiced law in Mercer since 1976 and was active in the United ...

Rev. Thomas A. Blackburn Sr. 72, of Bedford, who was serving with his wife as pastor of First United Methodist Church in New Paris, went to his heavenly home on Tuesday, February 12, 2019 at his residence. He was born on April 1, 1945 in Lovely, a son of the late Orville and Alma Ruth (Imler) Blackburn. On July 12, 1986 in Biloxi, MS he married Joy (Newbaker) Blackburn, who survives.  Thomas was 1964 graduate of Chestnut Ridge High School, and went on to serve in the United States Army. He ...

Findley L. McConnell, 76, of Coolspring Township, died Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019, at home. He was the husband of Mary Ann Kelso McConnell, who served as a part-time local pastor  He was born on May 29, 1942, to Mont and Margaret McConnell, the oldest of five boys. He graduated from Mercer Area High School in 1960 and served in Vietnam as a demolition engineer. He loved to play basketball, whether in high school, Vietnam, Brandy Springs Park or Buhl Club, where he played several years in both the ...

The Rev. Gary Utz, a retired associate member who served congregations in the Johnstown and Indiana districts, passed away Jan. 29, 2019 in Hiddenite, NC.  Born January 11, 1944, he was married for 49 years to Karen Marie Utz, who passed away at age 71 in Statesville, North Carolina after a long illness in December, 2014. She was survived by a son Victor E. Utz of PA.; a daughter Elizabeth Korte (Kent) of Hiddenite; six grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Rev. Utz transferred his ...

Lois Maxine Weible, 85, of Boswell, the surviving spouse of the Rev. Samuel Weible and former Connellsville District President of United Methodist Women, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019. Born July 12, 1933, in Ursina, she was the daughter of Lloyd and Edna (Meyers) Younkin. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, who passed away in 2013; grandson Christopher Tressler, and brother Denzel Younkin. She is survived by children Sheila (Jake) Tressler and Kimberly ...

Pastor Robert B. Stultz, 79, of Fishertown, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2019, and is finally free from this world of sin and is finally with Jesus. Born on Nov. 8, 1939, in Wilkinsburg, he was the son of the late Robert and Gladys Stultz. In 1959, he married Patti (Oravec) Stultz from Somerset County. His passing ended nearly 60 years of marriage.   They raised five children and 11 grandchildren (six married), eight great-grandchildren, and grandson Joshua in heaven, and many nieces and ...

The Rev. Dr. Rodney Craig Bennett, 68, of Churchill, who served as a pastor in the Erie-Meadville District and Jeannette and with community organizations, passed away Sunday, January 27, 2019 in Monroeville. He was the beloved husband of 41 years to Rev. Dr. Suzanne Bennett, a retired elder; brother of Allen Bennett of Ankeny, Iowa; uncle of James Paul Bennett (Rachel) and Rebecca Bennett, both of Iowa; great-uncle of Mark and Avery. He is also survived by his little dog, Lily. Craig was born ...

Pastor James William Martin Jr., 94, of Dawson, passed away at 5:28 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019 in Westmoreland Manor, Hempfield Township. Jim was born Dec. 9, 1924, in Pittsburgh, a son of the late James William and Dorothy Belle (Reed) Martin. He married Mildred Jean "Millie" (Toplis) Martin on Sept. 3, 1948, in Sheraton Methodist Church, Pittsburgh. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, he served as a pastor in the Western PA United Methodist Conference for 15 ...

Lois I. Rippin, wife of the Rev. Dr. Kenneth Rippin, entered into the Light of God on Sunday, January 6, 2019. Lois was born September 20, 1940 to Jack and Irene Stutzman of Johnstown, PA where she grew up. In December 1960, she married Rev. Dr. Kenneth Rippin. She worked as a legal secretary in Johnsonburg, PA, and more recently for the firm of Klett, Rooney, Lieber and Shorling in Pittsburgh, PA. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Robert Morris College in her ...

 Rev. Mearl Everett Henley, 90, of Greenville, PA passed away at 1:55 a.m. on Monday, December 17, 2018 at The Heritage at St. Paul's in Greenville. Born in Ernest, Pennsylvania on September 4, 1928 to the late Delaus Arthur and Grace Alta (Cramer) Henley,   Mearl graduated from Reynoldsville High School in 1947. He received his BS of Education from Edinboro University in 1959, a Bachelor and Master of Sacred Theology in 1962 and a Doctor of Divinity in 1977, all from Wesley Theological ...

The Rev. Fredrick Charles Vanderhoff, 74, went to heaven Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018. Born March 19, 1944, in Titusville, Pa., a son of the late G. Stanley and Milly Ensle Vanderhoff, he graduated from Rocky Grove High School, Cleveland State University with a degree in electrical engineering and Ashland Seminary with a master of divinity degree. Rev. Vanderhoff worked at Westinghouse and General Electric before answering a call to ministry. He served as a pastor for 32 years, retiring from ...

Rev. Victor LeRoy Redfoot, 89, passed from this life on November 30, 2018, at Passavant Retirement Community, surrounded by his family. He was born on April 6, 1929, to Raymond and Marguerite Redfoot, the first of eleven children. On June 15, 1951, he married the love of his life, Stella Jane Ansell, an event that he described as "the greatest thing that ever happened to me." Victor and Stella were married for 54 years, until her death in 2005. He is survived by three of their four children, ...

Linda Grace Harrison, 57, pastor of Jeannette: Gethsemane and Middletown United Methodist churches in the Greensburg District, died unexpectedly at home in Munhall on November 25, 2018 due to chronic medical conditions. Born April 29, 1961, Linda grew up in Pittsburgh and graduated from Taylor Allerdice High School and the University of Pittsburgh. She taught for 22 years in parochial and public schools, was a music teacher and keyboardist before answering a call to ministry. She began serving...

Randall Walter Headley, 70, of Port Allegany, died Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018 at UPMC-Cole, Coudersport. He was an associate clergy member of the Western PA Conference who served churches in the Kane District from 1991 until his retirement from active ministry in July, 2017. He was born March 9, 1948, in Tarentum, a son of Rev. William N. and Lois M. McLaughlin Headley. On Aug. 31, 2002, in Shinglehouse, PA, he married Barbara S. Perkins, who survives. Randy was a 1966 graduate of Kiski Area ...

Nancy K. Starr Brickner, 77, of Patterson Township, died Tuesday, November 13, 2018. She served three churches as a Student Local Pastor. Born April 30, 1941, in Rochester, she was the daughter of the late William L. Starr and Lilly Corless Starr Rieth and stepdaughter of the late William J. Rieth. A Registered Nurse, she earned a Master of Divinity degree from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and served as a student pastor at Christ Community Church in McKees Rocks, Brush Run United Methodist ...

Jane Kunkle Rulong, 87, wife of the Rev. Roger Rulong, of Mt. Lebanon, passed away peacefully surrounded by family, on Monday, November 12, 2018.  She was 87 years old. Jane and the Rev. Roger Rulong, a retired elder who survives, recently celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary. Born Dec. 19, 1930 in Homer City, PA, she met and married her college sweetheart at Asbury College in Wilmore, Kentucky. She was a partner in ministry with him, serving United Methodist congregations in Western ...

Rev. Patti Fuller, 55, of Lawrence Park, PA entered eternity on Tuesday, October 9, 2018, after a two-year battle with cancer. She was an ordained deacon who served churches and as a chaplain in the Erie-Meadville District.  Born March 15, 1963 in Erie to Ruth Moody Lewis and the late Robert Harry Lewis, she was a member of the Iroquois High School class of 1981 and a graduate of Slippery Rock University and Asbury Theological Seminary, where she earned her M.Div. degree. She worked in various...

Grace A. Halula, 85, (formerly of Greensburg), died Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018, in Livermore, CA, where she lived. She was the widow of the Rev. Raymond A. Halula, a retired elder of the Western PA Conference who died in 2002. Born Dec. 27, 1932, in Greensburg, to Harry B. and Margaret M. (Johns) Myers, Grace was raised in Marguerite and graduated from Greensburg High School in 1950. She was a member of Charter Oak United Methodist Church, Greensburg, and a former member of Bradenville United ...

Beverly Ruth Webb, 84, the surviving spouse of the Rev. James R. Webb, went home to be with the Lord she loved and dedicated her life to serving on Monday, October 1, 2018 with her family by her side. Born on April 12, 1934 in Sharon, PA, she was the daughter of Ethel (Bell) and Arthur King and grew up on Curtis St. in Sharon, Pennsylvania, where she learned about the love of family, animals, music, and her Lord. Beverly graduated in 1952 from Sharon High School and from the Sharon General ...

The Rev. Harold L. "Sammy" Knappenberger Jr., 93, of Washington,PA, died Sunday, September 2, 2018, in Washington Hospital, following a brief illness.  Born March 14, 1925, in Warren, a son of the late Rev. Harold L. Sr. and Ruth Rosebud Smith Knappenberger, the Rev. Knappenberger graduated from Warren High School and earned a bachelor of arts degree from Allegheny College and a master's of divinity from Drew University. He later was honored with a doctor of divinity from Allegheny College. He...

Rev. Jack Eugene Elder, of Edinboro, a retired associate clergy member of the Conference, went to be with the Lord on August 19, 2018. Born on August 17, 1934 in Sligo, PA, Jack graduated from Sligo High School in 1952. He attended Clarion University, then worked odds-and-ends jobs while attending Grove City College, where he later was received as an associate clergy member of the Western PA United Methodist Conference. He served numerous churches, including Stanton UMC, Fredonia UMC, ...

Charles James Kutz "Jim", 79, of St. Johns, Fla., a retired associate member of the Western PA Conference, died Sunday, August 19, 2018 after a difficult battle with cancer of the throat caused by smoking.  Born June 2, 1939, in Pittsburgh, Pa., he was the son of the late Charles and Virginia Kutz. He attended Brookville High School, Mercersburg Academy and Allegheny College.  Following his graduation from Allegheny College, Jim served as an officer in the U.S. Navy where he met his wife ...

A memorial service was scheduled for 2 p.m., August 25, 2018 at Asbury Heights for the retired Rev. William F. Rautner, who passed away on Saturday, Aug. 11 at the age of 81.  Born Feb. 9, 1937 in Pittsburgh to William and Esther Rautner, Bill married Nancy Ann Bosely, in Tacy, WV, on December 20, 1958. They were married almost 60 years. He was the devoted father of James Rautner of Sterling, VA, Stephen Rautner of Belington, WV and the late David Allan Rautner and the brother of Barbara ...

Pastor Donald E. Rudge, 63, of Oil City, died unexpectedly, Friday, August 10, 2018 at UPMC Northwest in Seneca. Born June 26, 1955 in Johnstown, he was the son of Donald E. and Dorothy J. Young Rudge. After graduating from high school, Don worked for several years at Fisher Auto Parts in South Fork, and while working there was called to the ministry and began his ministerial studies. Pastor Rudge served as the pastor of Trinity and Bethel UMC. Before moving to Oil City in 2013, he served as ...

The Rev. Dr. Harold H. Hinderliter, 90, of New Wilmington, formerly of Ada, Ohio, died on Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, at UPMC Jameson, New Castle. The son of Delbert and June Johnston Hinderliter and was born on March 5, 1928, in Timblin. On June 9, 1956, he married Nancy Odil. They were the parents of three children, Joel (Paula) of Dayton, Ohio; Diane (John) Wendlandt of Anchorage, Alaska; and Eric (Susan) of Van Buren, IN. After Nancy's death, he married a college classmate, Helen Orr Rawski, ...

A celebration of the life of the Rev. John Vickers Spahr, Sr, a retired member of the Western PA Conference of the United Methodist Church, will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 15 at Grace UMC in Warren, PA. He died at home in Mt. Vernon, OH, on Aug 7, 2018. Born December 3, 1947 in Natrona Heights, Pastor John was raised in Tarentum, PA. He is a graduate of Tarentum High School, Heidelberg College and the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. He was ordained a deacon in 1971 courtesy of the ...

Carolyn A. Brown, 86, passed away peacefully Friday, July 27, 2018 in Elyria. She was the surviving spouse of the late Rev. William Brown who passed away Nov. 27, 2017. Carolyn was born January 19, 1932 in Cleveland, daughter of Chester W. and Olive L. Blank Neuberg. She married William L. Brown on August 1, 1975. and he preceded her in death on November 27, 2017. Carolyn was a 1950 graduate of John Marshall High School, Cleveland. In high school, Carolyn was active in music, drama and ...

Rev. Giard “Gi” Sayre, Jr., (Retired), 89, of Washington, Pa. and formerly of Claysville, Pa., passed away Wednesday, July 25, 2018 in the Washington Hospital. Born January 21,1929, in Pittsburgh, Pa., he was a son of the late Giard Martin and Mildred May Jones Sayre and had resided in Clarion County and Monroeville area prior to moving to Claysville. Rev. Sayre was a 1948 graduate of Westinghouse High School and later attended Boston University Seminary. He served the United Methodist Church...

Patricia Louise "Pat" Janacek, widow of the Rev. Robert N. Janacek, died July 3, 2018, from complications of Alzheimer's.  Pat was born January 20, 1931, to Nanny and Bruce Bonner in Atlasburg, Pennsylvania, a hardscrabble town of oil drilling and coal mining. Upon graduating from high school, Pat moved to Cleveland with one of her sisters, Marie Bonner, to work and save for college, later enrolling in Eastern Nazarene College in Quincey, Mass., intending to become a social worker.  While she ...

Marilyn (Wickerham) Morris, of Brooksville, Fla., wife of the Rev. James J. Morris, passed away Tuesday, June 19, 2018, at the age of 84. Born Oct. 7, 1933, in Monongahela, to Joseph and Aline Wickerham, Marilyn is survived by her husband of 62 years; daughters, Lynn (Malcolm) Andrews of Mt. Lebanon, Barbara (GH) Trumbo of Brooksville, Fla., Beverly (Joseph) Yakubisin of Level Green, and Robin (Robert) Zang of Penn Hills; and son Robert (Kathy) Morris, of Barboursville, W.Va. She is also ...

Bonnie Lou Williams Critchlow, 73, of Castle Shannon, passed away suddenly on Friday evening, June 8, 2018. She was the beloved wife of the late Rev. Robert L. Critchlow and the devoted mother of Geneva M. Exler (Michael) and Blair R. Riley (Shannon); stepmother of Deborah Dougherty (Stan), Paulette Crisman (Robert) and Thomas Critchlow (Dee); loving grandmother of Anna, Emily and Louis Sheridan; Mackenzi Goebel and Daniel Riley (Lexi); Ian Dougherty and Amanda Obusek (Ken); also survived by 3 ...

Rev. Jackson Harold Parsons, Sr., 95, was born in Cherry Creek, NY on August 23, 1922 and went to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday May 23, 2018. He was the son of the late Harold B. Parsons and Edith Abbey Parsons and the second oldest of 14 children. Jackson graduated from Cherry Creek High School in 1940, and after training in welding, worked for the American Locomotive Company in Dunkirk, NY through the fall of 1942. Then with World War II in progress, he enlisted in the Army Air ...

Reverend Randall “Randy” Roda, 52, of Lawrence Park Twp., passed away unexpectedly on Friday, May 11, 2018 at Millcreek Community Hospital. He was born in Cleveland, OH on June 30, 1965, the son of Rosemarie Testa Roda and the late Robert Roda. Randy graduated from La Roche College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree and from the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity Degree. Randy was ordained in the United Methodist Church in 1997, having served most recently in the Lawrence ...

On May 3, 2018, at the age of 72, Jim went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He was a resident of Franklin Park. Ordained an elder in The Western PA Conference of The United Methodist Church in 1975, Rev. Kramer served as associate pastor of Warren: First 1975-1978; and Mount Lebanon UMC1978- 1982. He served as director of Metowers senior highrise community in Bellevue Director: Metowers April 29, 1983-January 1, 1990; then served as pastor of Canonsburg: First UMC before moving to ...

Lois Maxine Dunn, 78, of Frederick, Md., passed away Saturday, April 7, 2018. She was the loving wife of the late Rev. Paul (PD) Dunn for over 50 years. Born Jan. 29, 1940, she was the devoted daughter of the late Howard and Mary Jane Beisel. Lois always loved Jesus and is now resting in his loving arms. Rev. Dunn was ordained an elder in 1971 and the couple served the following churches in Western PA:  Scenery Hill/Davidson 1970-1971; Boston 1971-74; New Castle: Savannah 1974-1976; Johnstown:...

S. James Schmittle, Sr., 88, of Erie, passed away Palm Sunday, March 25, 2018, at Sarah Reed Retirement Center. He was born in Johnstown, Pa., on August 31, 1929, son of the late Sherrill Wellington and Edith Caldwell Schmittle. A graduate of Strong Vincent High School, Allegheny College, and Garrett Theological Seminary, Rev. Schmittle served as pastor of Kingsley Church in Erie, Grace UMC in Albion, Grace UMC in Warren, as well as Methodist congregations in Corry, Edinboro and McKean. Jim was...

Rev. Earl C. Killian, II, of Castle Shannon, died peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Thursday, March 15, 2018 at the age of 67. Born Feb. 1, 1951 to the late Earl C. and Mary Pepper Killian, he was the beloved husband for 29 years of the Rev. Deborah Ackley Killian and the devoted father of Grace E. Killian. Other survivors include his sister Elizabeth Caldwell (David); sister-in-law Pamela Bright (Stephen) and nieces and nephews Patricia Dee; Joyce Crofutt; and James, Jeffrey and ...

Rev. Ray E. Gnagey, 99, of Meyersdale, went to be with the Lord on March 10, 2018 at In Touch Hospice House in Somerset.  Born May 29, 1918 in Summit Twp. the son of Alvin and Elsie Gnagey, he was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Glenn, Bruce, Max, and Clay Gnagey, Merle Murphy; and sister Helen Fike. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Marie; daughters Carolyn Sharkey and husband Tim of Virginia Beach, VA and Amy Dickson and husband Ernest of  Houston, TX; grandchildren Lee ...

Mearle H. Jay, 93, formerly of Corry, Pa., died Monday, March 5, 2018, at UPMC Passavant Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pa. He was a retired elder who had served as a U.S. Navy chaplain and later as an Air Force chaplain.  He was born March 29, 1924, in Everett, Pa., a son of the late Earl S. and Mary Effie Clingerman Jay. Mearle was raised and educated in New Castle, Pa., where he graduated from high school in 1942. He attended Waynesburg College graduating in 1948. He then attended Boston ...

On February 28, 2018, Shirley Burson Hauck, 86, of Ingomar, beloved wife of 51 years to the late Rev. Larry Bartlett Hauck, passed away peacefully.  She was born on April 18, 1931, in Ellwood City, PA.   A memorial service was scheduled for March 24, 2018 at Ingomar United Methodist Church with a service at 11 a.m. and a lunch reception to follow. "I did the best I could to love and care for others by visiting them. I tried to shine for God." Shirley was dedicated to helping others throughout ...

Doris L. Myers, 88, of Seneca, died peacefully, Thursday, February 15, 2018 at Oakwood Heights in Oil City.   Born August 2, 1929 in Rockland, she was a daughter of the late Joseph and S. Irene Martz Hetzler. Doris loved baking, her artwork, and was an avid seamstress.   Doris and her husband Donald E. Myers owned the only Montgomery Ward Catalog Store in Seneca from 1971 to 1977. After the store closed, Mrs. Myers worked and supported her husband as he pastored four Methodist churches in ...

Pastor W. Craig Smith, 79, who was passionate about his ministry at the Mt. Jewett and Hazel Hurst UMCs and reached many others through his Light on the Hill radio show, died Monday, February 12, 2018 at St. Vincent Hospital in Erie following a brief illness. Born June 25, 1938 at his family farm in Limestone Twp., he was a son of the late William and Margaret McLaughlin Smith.  On September 22, 1988, at Kingsville United Methodist Church, he married Roberta "Bobi" Schrubb, who survives. ...

The Rev. Richard H. Sanford, 79, a retired elder who served as Indiana District Superintendent and President of Wesley Woods, died on Sunday, February 4, 2018 at Wesbury United Methodist Community due to complications from hydrocephalus. Born on Sunday, April 3, 1938 in Titusville, PA to Frank H. and Alice McKinney Sanford, he married his high school sweetheart, Myrna Ellis, in 1959. He was always her anchor and her sail. He was preceded in death by his parents, two grandsons, Charles & Randy ...

Mary E. "Betty" (George) Ammon, 95, was called home to our Lord Friday, Feb. 2, 2018, at Florida Hospital Altamonte Springs, after a short illness. She was the widow of the Rev. Jack Ammon. Mrs. Ammon was born Feb. 7, 1922, in Donora, to Harry and Mary George, and graduated from Donora High School, along with Stan "the Man" Musial. She lived for 27 years in Deland, Fla., with her husband Jack, a United Methodist Church minister, who died in 2012. The couple enjoyed nearly 70 years of marriage....

The Rev. Jay F. Shaffer of Greensburg passed away Wednesday Jan 31, 2018 at the age of 92.  Born December 3, 1925 at the family farm in a community called Beautiful Lookout, New Bethlehem, PA, he was the son of the late Albert King and Grace Rugh Shaffer.  Pastor Shaffer was a graduate of New Bethlehem High School, Clarion University and the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.  He was ordained in the former Evangelical United Brethren Church in 1961.  In the E.U.B. Church, he served Lickingville ...