Rev. Herbert A. Peterson
Rev. Herbert A. Peterson, 91, of Smithton, South Huntingdon Township, died Monday, June 28, 2010 in Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital, Greensburg, Pa. He was born July 20, 1918 in East Huntingdon Township, a son of the late Herman and Anna (Nylander) Peterson, who were Swedish immigrants.
Herbie, as he was fondly called, was a man of many vocations; from working as a construction worked at the famous Frank Lloyd Wright Fallingwater to being an ordained Methodist Minister.
He worked in railroad track maintenance for the Pittsburgh-West Virginia railroad, a coal miner at the H.C. Frick Crabtree coal mine, driving truck for Pritts Feed and Supply in Smithton and later in Johnston Construction.
He was a retired United Methodist Minister, being licensed to preach in 1956, ordained as an elder in 1970 and retired in 1982 from Barron Run, Banning and Smithton churches. Even after retiring, he continued to serve local churches on occasions, performing weddings, baptisms, and funeral services, reciting poems and scriptures “word for word” to the amazement of many.
He was instrumental in the development of the Smithton-South Huntingdon Ambulance Service in 1987, volunteering his time during construction and as a driver/attendant. He was a member of the former Smithton Lions Club, where he was recognized as Man of the Year in 1977 and a Melvin Jones Fellow recipient in 1994. He was 2004 Smithton Borough Citizen of the Year and for many years helped put flags on Veteran’s graves for Memorial Day.
He was a World War II Army veteran, serving as a Private in the HDQ 2nd Battalion, 313 Infantry, 79th Division in the European Theater.
He was a member of the East Huntingdon Lions Club, a member of the Winnett Methodist Church in Smithton and served on the Wesley Chapel Cemetery Board.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his faithful and loving wife of 72 years, Sarah (Mullen) Peterson, July 20, 2009, one grandchild, a great-grandchild, and the following brothers and sisters: Robert, Ernest, Ralph and Charles Peterson, Helen Danner and Ester Keffer.
He is survived by the following children: George (Alma) Peterson of Bethel Park, Mary Ann (Duane) Nagy of Scottdale, Martha (Victor) Lukas of Connellsville, Roger Peterson of Smithton and Darlene Govern of Mt. Pleasant; 13 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and five great great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Clarence Danner and a sister-in-law, Grace Galley.
Family and friends will be received today from 7 to 9 p.m. and Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the L.L. BARTHELS FUNERAL HOME, Second Street, Smithton, Pa., Additional viewing will be from 10 a.m. on Friday until the time of service at 11 a.m. at Winnett United Methodist Church, Third Street, Smithton with the Rev Frank Sherman, Rev. Mildred Martin, Rev D. Keith Solomon, and Rev Thomas Shirer officiating.
Burial will be in the Wesley Chapel Cemetery, East Huntingdon Township.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Winnett United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 390, Smithton, PA 15479.