Former Grace Brethren pastor, Howard H. Gelsinger, 64, of Robesonia, Pa., died on Sunday, September 30, 2007, at the Reading (Pa.) Hospital. Click here to see the complete obituary.
Richard Coldren, long-time member of the Grace Brethren Church of Columbus, Ohio, and father-in-law of Bruce Barlow, lead pastor at the Winona Lake, Ind., Grace Brethren Church, died on November 27. Click here to see the complete obituary.
Howard H. Gelsinger
Former Grace Brethren pastor, Howard H. Gelsinger, 64, of Robesonia, Pa., died on Sunday, September 30, 2007, at the Reading (Pa.) Hospital.
He was born in the Reading Hospital on December 29, 1942, son of the late Clarence D. and Esther L. (Forry) Gelsinger. He was a graduate of Conrad Weiser High School. He was involved in dairy farming before the Lord called him into full time ministry. After graduating from Lancaster Bible College, he served an internship at Myerstown Grace Brethren Church and a pastorate at the Echo Valley Grace Brethren Church, Tremont, Pa., and the Grace Brethren Church in Charlotte, N.C. The last several years he was a member of Calvary Bible Fellowship Church in Sinking Spring, where he was involved in teaching Sunday school, Bible Studies and the Sr. Saints Ministry. He was recently employed by Triple M. Farms in Lebanon. He was also a member of the Heidelberg Township Zoning and Variance Board.
Surviving are his wife, Linda M. (Schaeffer) Gelsinger, and daughter, Jackie D., wife of Randy Moomaw; and three grandchildren, Erin, Kyle, and Tyler of Wooster, Ohio. Other survivors include a brother, Melvin C. Gelsinger, Robesonia; three sisters, Lorraine E., wife of Kenneth Kratz, Sinking Spring, Linda M., wife of Paul Cruz, Philadelphia, and Louise M., wife of Allen Houtz, Robesonia.
Funeral services were held at Calvary Bible Fellowship Church. Interment was at Bain’s Church Cemetery, Lower Heidelberg Township.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Missionary Fund of the Calvary Bible Fellowship Church, 4891 Penn Ave., Sinking Spring, PA 19608.
Richard L. (Dick) Coldren
Richard L. (Dick) Coldren went home to be with his Lord on Tuesday, November 27, 2007. He died at his home surrounded by family and friends, following an extended illness.
He was born on December 25, 1929. A native of Columbus, his life was invested in teaching. He graduated from Linden McKinley High School, Capital University, and the Ohio State University. He served a four year hitch in the U.S. Marine Corps as a military police officer during the Korean Conflict. He started his teaching and coaching career in 1957 at Marion Franklin High School. Later, he taught English and speech at his alma mater, Linden McKinley, until 1964. He then became Director of Publications and Public Affairs for the Columbus Public Schools. He held that and other administrative positions until his retirement in 1990.
He became a Christian as a teenager and served God in various ministries to students throughout his life. He was an avid runner, having participated in the first fifteen Columbus Marathons, as well as other races in the region.
He served as a Docent at the Columbus Zoo for thirteen years. He loved educational programs, especially concerning the elephants.
He married Carol (Tolbert) on May 9, 1953, who survives. He is also survived by his three children, Rick (Gayla) Coldren of Shreve, Ohio; Christi (Bruce) Barlow of Winona Lake, Indiana; Lori (Matt) Liston of Worthington; and his brother, Robert Coldren of Delaware. He is also survived by ten grand-children; one great-grand-child; and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at the Grace Brethren Church Columbus, 8225 Worthington-Galena Rd., Westerville, on Saturday, December 1, 2007 at 1 p.m. Calling hours, also at the church, will be from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Schoedinger Chapel of Worthington is handling arrangements. In lieu of flowers, a scholarship fund for needy students has been established in his name at Gahanna Christian Academy and gifts in his memory may be sent directly to the school at 817 N. Hamilton Rd., Gahanna, OH, 43230.
