Rod Lingenfelter, pastor at Grace Fellowship Church, Juniata Campus, Altoona, Pa., died yesterday, April 17, 2019. Visitation will be 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., Monday, April 22, at the Juniata church, Broadway and 15th Ave., Altoona. Services will be at 11 a.m., Tuesday, at the church.
Pastor Rodney Lynn Lingenfelter, 71, closed his eyes at last in this broken world and opened them again in his eternal home by receiving his promise of eternal life from his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, on Wednesday.
He was born in McKee, Pa., son of the late Charles and C. Pearl (Shaw) Lingenfelter. He was twice married; first on Aug. 23, 1969, he married Mary Elizabeth Diehl, and she died in 2003; then on Aug. 26, 2006, he married Janet Kluk.
Surviving are his wife; four children: Pastor Mark E. (Angie) Lingenfelter, pastor of Grace Fellowship Church, Leamersville, Pa., Michelle E. (Craig) Mauk, Corrie Lingenfelter and Spencer Lingenfelter; five grandchildren: Hannah, Elijah, and Faith Lingenfelter; Lincoln Mauk; and Janessa Lingenfelter; two step children: Renae Kluk (Kraig) Kiehl and John Kluk; and a sister, Barbara (Pete) Brumbaugh.
He was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Mia Grace Mauk; and a brother, Wesley Lingenfelter.
Rodney was a 1965 graduate of Central High School and a 1969 graduate of Juniata College. He was a U.S. Army veteran during the Vietnam War, stationed at Fort Meade. Rodney worked for Windless in Altoona as a controller for 25 years while holding various leadership roles at Grace Fellowship in Leamersville. He served as pastor at Johnstown Grace Brethren Church for seven years, then at Grace Fellowship Church in Juniata, Altoona, for 19 years. He faithfully served in various leadership roles in the West Penn District of Grace Brethren Churches, including Camp Mantowagan from its beginning in 1975. Rodney was currently serving as pastor of the Grace Fellowship Church in Juniata, Altoona.
Rodney’s desire was to help people live Jesus-centered lives and to finish the race set out before him by God with faithfulness; leaving a legacy of a loving and growing ministry.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, April 22, 2019, at Grace Fellowship Church in Juniata, Altoona, where a funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Rodney’s son, Pastor Mark E. Lingenfelter, officiating. Interment will be made in Alto-Reste Park. Military honors will be provided by the Blair County Veterans Honor Guard.
Memorial contributions in Pastor Rodney’s memory may be given to Grace Fellowship Church — Juniata, 15th Avenue Broadway, Altoona, PA 16601.
Arrangements are by Todd T. Thompson Funeral Home Inc., Roaring Spring, Pa.