MIDDLEBURG, OHIO — The Rev. Maynard G. Tittle, 83, of 127 Dinius Ave., went home to be with the Lord on Monday morning, Feb. 6, 2006, at his home after battling several serious health problems since 2000.
He was born May 14, 1922, near Penns Creek, a son of the late Arthur and Bertha Grubb Tittle. On July 6, 1947, he married the former Kathleen “Kay” Graybill, who survives.
The Rev. Tittle was a graduate of Middleburg High School; Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, where he earned his bachelor of arts degree; and Grace Theological Seminary, Winona Lake, Ind., where he earned his master of theology degree. He also studied Christian school administration at Wheaton College, Wheaton, Ill.
He served in the Air Force during World War II, until air superiority was achieved, at which time he was transferred to the infantry, where he served as communications sergeant with duty in France, Belgium, Germany and Luxemburg, where he was gravely wounded in the Battle of the Bulge, spending eight months in army hospitals. He received two Purple Hearts and two battle stars.
The Rev. Tittle’s first pastorate was from 1952 to 1960 in Culver, Ind., followed by five years as administrator of Marshall County Christian Schools in Plymouth, Ind.
He served two churches in Ohio: in Defiance and his final pastorate of 18 years at Grace Brethren Church in Galion. While in Galion, he was a member of the advisory council of a day care center and a member of the ministerial board of the Northcentral Ohio District of Grace Brethren Churches, serving one year as district moderator.
On the national level, the Rev. Tittle served one year as chairman of the National Executive Committee of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches and 21 years on the board of trustees of the denomination’s publishing house, serving part of that time on the editorial board and one year as vice president.
Since retirement and his return to Snyder County, the Rev. Tittle filled the pulpit as needed in 20 different churches and served three interim pastorates.
He was a member of Kish Valley Grace Brethren Church, Reedsville.
Surviving, in addition to his wife, are one son, Philip of Baton Rouge, La.; one sister and brother-in-law, Marion and Bill Hackenberg of Beavertown; as well as nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by one son, David, in infancy; two sisters, Phyllis and Arla; and one brother, Orval.
Friends and family may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Hummel Funeral Home, 574 Hill St., Middleburg, where the funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday with his pastor, the Rev. Douglas Sabin, officiating, assisted by the Rev. Dr. Denton Mallonee.
Burial will be in Union Cemetery, Penns Creek.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in the Rev. Tittle’s memory may be made to Child Evangelism Fellowship, PO Box 38, Middleburg, PA 17842; Kish Valley Grace Brethren Church, 99 Taylor Road, Reedsville, PA 17084; or Faith Baptist Church, P.O. Box 119, Beaver Springs, PA 17812.
