Rev. John Witmer

Rev. John H. Witmer, age 87, of Ft. Loudon, PA, passed away peacefully, entering his heavenly home early Saturday morning, July 29, 2017, at the Chambersburg Hospital after an extended illness. Born June 15, 1930, in Wertzville, PA, he was the son of the late Harry and Esther Waggoner Witmer.
Pastor Witmer was a 1948 graduate of Mechanicsburg High School; and went on to graduate from both Gettysburg College and Dickinson College, majoring in Psychology and Theology. Having already started his career as a pastor, John attended and graduated from Gettysburg Lutheran Seminary in 1962. Pastor Witmer served several churches in the area, to include: Shermansdale Charges 1955-1958, Mt. Tabor Charges 1958-1960, Fayetteville Otterbein United Methodist Church 1960 – 1964, Biglerville Cetenary 1964 – 1971, Second Avenue, Altoona 1971 – 1986, and Hershey First United Methodist 1986 – 1993. Pastor Witmer served on numerous committees and board of directors in the various communities he resided. John continued the Lord’s work at Ft. Loudon, Edenville, St. John’s, and other area United Methodist Churches, after retirement. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, birding, and the great outdoors. He was an avid reader, staying abreast of current events and has a great interest in science, especially astronomy and physics. He will be greatly missed but is now enjoying his heavenly reward. An angel on earth is joining the angels in heaven.
In addition to his wife Betty Hornbaker Bard Witmer of Ft. Loudon, PA, John is survived by his son, John Mark Witmer (wife Darla Moses) of Leamersville, PA; step-son, Denny Bard (wife Melanie) of Ft. Loudon, PA and step-daughter Marcia Miller (husband Robert) of Florida; several step grandchildren and great- grandchildren; sisters, Joanne Eslinger (husband Joseph) of Mechanicsburg, PA and Grace Durin (husband John) of Carlisle, PA; brother, Verle Witmer of Roanoke, VA; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his first wife, Esther, he was preceded in death by three sisters, Leona Judy, Helen Felty, and Pearl Barrick.
Graveside services will be held on Saturday, August 5, 2017, at 9 AM at Flohr’s Lutheran Church Cemetery, McKnightstown, PA, followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 11:30 AM at the Ft. Loudon United Methodist Church 12781 Main St., Fort Loudon, PA 17224, where Pastor Dave Calovi and Rev. Richard Felty will officiate. The family will receive friends for visitation on Friday, August 4, 2017, from 6 – 8 pm in the Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 333 Falling Spring Rd., Chambersburg, PA and one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the above church and address, UMCORE, or Habitat for Humanity.