Rev. Herman F. Roney

Rev. Herman F. Roney, 92, of Mercer Pike, Meadville died at home Thursday, September 6, 2007.

He was born in Beaver Falls, PA October 11, 1914 a son of Fred C. and Malinda Irene Roney.  From the age of five, he was raised by his grandparents in College Hill where he attended the public schools.  He graduated from Beaver Falls High School in 1932 where he was president of the Student Council and member of the National Honor Society.  During the depression years, he worked his way through college and graduated from Geneva College with a B.A. degree in 1937.  While in college he served on the varsity Debating team and was supply pastor at Homewood Methodist Episcopal Church.

He spent the next three years in Madison, NJ, graduating from Drew Theological Seminary with a B.D. degree in 1940.  Later he received an M.Ed degree from the University of Pittsburgh.

On October 24, 1940 he married Pearl Evelyn Dice of Bridgeville, PA, who was his faithful companion and co-worker until her death on February 22, 2001.

In 1939, he was ordained Deacon in the Pittsburgh Annual Conference of the Methodist Church and ordained Elder in 1941.  He served pastorates in Bridgeville; California Ave., Pittsburgh; West Side – Port Vue, McKeesport; Belle Vernon; Fairhaven, Pittsburgh; Baden; Crafton; Murrysville and Trinity, Oil City.  From 1973-1979, he served as Superintendent of the Erie-Meadville District.  Bishop Roy Nichols appointed him as Dean of the Bishop’s Cabinet in 1978-1979.  He retired in 1979 after 41 years in ministry.  For at least 25 years, he was assistant Secretary of the Annual Conference and for five years, Secretary of the Conference.  For numerous years he served as Dean of Youth Institutes at the Jumonville United Methodist Summer Camp.  He wrote the Jumonville song “Thanks for Jumonville.”  He is the author of “The Purpose of Living” a book of poems and numerous unpublished poems.  He was also a veteran of World War II serving as Chaplain in the US Navy.

For the past 25 years, he was interested in wood crafts and participated in hundreds of craft shows in Western Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio and West Virginia.  He was a member of the Erie Guild of Craftsmen and the Forest Area Craft Assoc. where he served as President for five years.

Survivors, include: two sons, Herman Fred Roney, Jr. of Cranberry Twp. and Jeffrey Alan Roney of Columbus, OH; a daughter, Judith Kay Kelly of Escondido, CA; five grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

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

The funeral service will be Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Stone United Methodist Church, 956 S. Main Street, Meadville with the Rev. John Spahr, Pastor, officiating.

Burial will be in Greendale Cemetery.

The family suggests memorials be made to Stone United Methodist Church, 956 S. Main Street, Meadville, PA 16335.