Pastor Harlan A. Nefstead

Pastor Harlan A. Nefstead, 77, of Canadohta Lake, went to be with his Lord and Savior at home surrounded by his family, Sunday, October 18, 2015.

He was born June 16, 1938, in Wauwatosa, Wis., a son of Harlan E. and Roselie Kuban Nefstead. He married Verna Murphy December 19, 1959, and she survives.

Harlan served in the U.S. Army from 1956-1959 during which he spent time stationed in Germany. After his discharge from active duty, he served three years in the Reserves and returned to Wisconsin and started working for the Ladish Forging Co. in Cudahy, Wis., where he worked in the forging shop for 18 years. He then worked as a self-employed contractor for many years until he retired and heeded the call to ministerial work. He studied through the former CLI School through the American Baptist Association, becoming a Baptist pastor in 1990. He pastored at the Central Towers in Titusville, Titusville First Baptist Church, American Baptist Church in Dorset, Ohio. He retired from Wayland Baptist Church in Meadville. He had also pastored at Camp Judson in West Springfield.

He was a member of Mt. Pleasant Chapel in Union City, the American Baptist Association and a life member of the North American Fisherman's Association. He enjoyed woodworking, hunting, fishing, trapping and his main passion was teaching people about the Lord.

Survivors, in addition to his loving wife Verna of 55 years, include three daughters, Vicky Conner of Cambridge Springs, Lory Nunemaker and her husband Micheal of Centerville and Jo Lynn Cerepani and her husband David of Melbourne, Fla.; a son, Harlan M. Nefstead and his wife Dawn of Corry; a brother, George Nefstead and his wife Pat of Wisconsin; five grandchildren, James, Jessica and her husband Dr. David, Marie, Trisha and Tony; five great-grandchildren, Skye, Jaden, Micheal, Thomas and Colten; and nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a granddaughter, KC and a sister, Ruth Ann Tavidian.

Calling hours will be Thursday from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, 581 Chestnut St., Meadville. The funeral service will follow at 1 p.m. at the funeral home with Pastors Jerry Alsdorf and Donald Hess, officiating.

Interment with military honors will be in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Union City.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mt. Pleasant Chapel, 34713 Mt. Pleasant Rd., Union City, PA 16438

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.waidfuneralhome.net.

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