Rev. Edwin D. Emmel

Rev. Edwin D. Emmel, 94, formerly of Meadville and a resident of Manchester Presbyterian Lodge, Erie, died Saturday, March 1, 2008 at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Erie following a period of declining health.

He was born in West Mead Township June 27, 1913, a son of the late John G. and Ada E. Peterman Emmel.  He married F. Virginia Hood December 16, 1950 and she preceded him in death December 9, 1985.

Rev. Emmel was a 1930 graduate of Meadville High School and attended Meadville Commercial College from 1931 to 1932.  He worked at the J.C. Penney Co., Talon, and McCrosky Tool.  A U.S. Army Veteran of World War II, he served from 1943 to 1945 in the Signal Corps. European Theater of Operations and was discharged as Sergeant.  He subsequently graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1949 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education and briefly taught mathematics at Dormont High School, Dormont.  He graduated from Pittsburgh-Xenia Theological Seminary in 1952 where he received his Master of Divinity Degree and was ordained June 20, 1952 by the Beaver Valley Presbytery.

Rev. Emmel served at numerous churches including Wurtenberg United Presbyterian Church, Ellwood City area from 1952 to 1954, Columbus City United Presbyterian Church, Columbus City, Iowa and Columbus Junction Presbyterian Church, Columbus Junction, Iowa from 1954 to 1958, Forest Avenue United Presbyterian Church, Bellevue Pittsburgh from 1958 to 1962, Hartstown and North Shenango United Presbyterian Churches from 1962 to 1974, and Calvary United Presbyterian Church, Donora from 1974 to 1979 until his retirement December 31, 1979.  Following retirement, he held interim and supply pastorate positions at Hasson Heights Presbyterian Church, Oil City, United Presbyterian Church of the Redeemer, Meadville, United Presbyterian Church of Mill Village, United Presbyterian Church of Wattsburg, and Harmonsburg and Watson Run United Presbyterian Churches.

He subsequently served as Minister of Visitation at the First Presbyterian Church, Meadville from 1989 to 1998 and the United Presbyterian Church of the Redeemer, Meadville where he continued to attend for several years.

Rev. Emmel enjoyed reading, bowling, listening to classical and turn of the century ragtime music, bus trips, stage productions at Allegheny College, and briefly oil painting.  He leaves the world in humble and confident faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and with the fervent hope that all those who survive him will avail themselves of the saving grace of Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father.

Survivors include a son, David L. Emmel and his wife Kathleen of Tucson, AZ; a grandson, Michael Emmel and his wife Christine of Columbus, OH; a great-grandson, Gabe Emmel; long-time friend, Helen I. Miller of Meadville; and many nieces and nephews.  In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a brother, William L. Emmel and 3 sisters, Jessie Krueger, Althea Burns, and Myrtle Krueger.

Calling hours will be Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, 581 Chestnut St., Meadville.

A funeral and committal service will be Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. David Oyler, General Presbyter of the Presbytery of Lake Erie officiating and assisted by Pastor John Swindlehurst of Providence Reformed Baptist Church, Erie.

Interment will be in Greendale Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the United Presbyterian Church of the Redeemer, 16864 Conneaut Lake Rd., Meadville, PA 16335 or to a charity of the donor’s choice.