On October 2, 2018 all of the mysteries of life were revealed to Rev. David Youngdahl Sr., as he passed away quietly in his sleep. He began his journey through this life on January 12, 1932 in Robindale, PA. His parents were Sarah and Arthur Youngdahl. He was one of five children, three of whom lived to adulthood.
He was a graduate of United high school in Armagh, PA and served in the Navy during the Korean conflict. David went on to attend Indiana State Teachers College graduating with a B.S. degree in education in 1959. He then received the Master of Divinity degree from Wesley Theological Seminary in 1962.
David was married to the former Dorothy Brubaker of Seward, PA on March 29, 1952. They were married for more than 66 years.
Rev. Youngdahl began his ministerial career in 1956 riding the Cloe circuit. He then served the Beallesville-Mt Zion circuit in 1961. In October of 1963 he moved to Pitcairn. From there it was off to Latrobe: Bethany as one of the first former Methodist pastors to serve a former EUB church, in February of 1970. In 1975 David transferred to Wesley Church in Connellsville. In 1978 he moved to Bethel Church in Lower Burrell. 1984 saw a move to Bethany Church in Johnstown. In 1994 David moved to his final parish at Rosedale Church in Penn Hills. In October of 1997 he was placed on disability leave and then retired at the close of annual conference in 1997.
David was preceded in death by his parents, one brother who died in infancy, a sister who was killed in an accident at home at the age of 14, and another brother, Jim, who passed away in 2013.
He is survived by his wife Dorothy, his children David Jr., Lynne, Ronald and Marc. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Brian, Deborah, Alexander and Sarah, as well as two great grandchildren, Eleanor and Lucas. Also surviving is his sister Arlene Green and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorial and interment were private. Memorial contributions can be made to the First United Methodist Church of Rochester, Pa