Roy M. Neideigh, 92, Army Air Force vet, First Reformed UCC pastor, 50-year Ephrata Mason

The Rev. Roy M. Neideigh, 92, of Sinking Spring, pastor emeritus of First Reformed Church of the United Church of Christ, Hamburg, died Friday, June 16, 2017, at Manor Care, Sinking Spring.

He was the husband of Mildred M. (Palmer) Neideigh. They were wed on Feb. 17, 1946, in New Holland, and were married for 71 years.

Born in Lititz, on Nov. 10, 1924, he was the son of the late Ross J. and Estella (Metzler) Neideigh.

He was a member of First Reformed Church of the United Church of Christ, Hamburg.

Neideigh graduated from Lititz High School in 1942. He received his pre-theological education at Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, and was a graduate of Lancaster Theological Seminary in 1954.

His service to the nation included three years in the Army Air Force (Pacific Theater), and 11 years as chairman of Selective Service Local Board 29 (Draft Board).

A longtime local pastor, Neideigh served 34 years at First Reformed Church of the United Church of Christ, Hamburg, retiring in 1989 as pastor emeritus.

Roy was ordained in 1954 in Calvary Reformed Church, Reading. His first pastorate was Trinity Reformed Church, Shenandoah. After retiring in 1989, he served as interim pastor at St. John’s UCC, Gibraltar, for three years, and as stated supply pastor at First Reformed Church, Wernersville, for 13 years. He was honored by this congregation by being named pastor emeritus.

He was a delegate to the 1957 general synod that created the United Church of Christ as well as a delegate to three other general synods. He served on the board of directors of the Pennsylvania Southeast Conference of the United Church of Christ; moderator of the Heidelberg Association of the UCC; and president of the Hamburg Ministerial Association from 1957 to 1971.

In 1957 he delivered 17 pure-bred heifers to Japan International Christian University, Tokyo, Japan, in the name of Church World Service.

Roy was a 50-year member of Ephrata Lodge 665 F&M and York and Scottish Rite bodies of Reading. He was a well-known Masonic speaker.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son: David R. Neideigh, Wyomissing; a grandson: Zachary David Neideigh; a sister: Ruth M., wife of the late Rev. Lester D. Brown.

Services will be held at 11 a.m., on Friday, June 23, at First Reformed Church of the United Church of Christ, South Third Street, Hamburg. A viewing will be held 10 to 11 a.m., prior to the service, at the church. Burial will be private in Zeltenreich’s Reformed Church Cemetery, New Holland.

Memorial contributions, may be made to First Reformed Church of the United Church of Christ, South Third Street, Hamburg, PA 19526, or to your favorite charity.

Lamm and Witman Funeral Home, Wernersville, is handling arrangements. Online condolences may be made at lammandwitman.com.