1934
Rev.
2013
Rev. Gerald Fennell
October 19, 1934 — May 22, 2013
Youngstown - Reverend Gerald Fennell, 78, of Youngstown, died early Wednesday morning, May 22, surrounded by his family, at his residence, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Rev. Fennell was born October 19, 1934 in Craigsville, PA, a son of Wesley and Lillian Forester Fennell and was raised in Youngstown by his grandparents, Calvin and Elmyra Schreckengost Forester, fondly known as Mum and Pup.
A 1953 graduate of South High School, Rev. Fennell enlisted in the United States Army and served in the Middle East and North Africa from November 1954 until November 1957.
Returning to the area, Rev. Fennell earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from Youngstown College in 1953 and his Masters Degree in Education from Westminster College in 1968. Rev. Fennell taught at Kirkmere Elementary School for six years and then served as Principal at Harding Elementary School for two years. After his teaching career, Rev. Fennell felt called to serve the Ministry and entered into the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. During that time, Rev. Fennell served as Student Pastor of Christ United Presbyterian Church in Youngstown. In 1975 he received his Master of Divinity Degree and was ordained on January 4, 1976 at Christ United Presbyterian Church. He continued on as the Associate Pastor of the Church until the fall of 1979. Rev. Fennell then became Senior Pastor of the Niles First Presbyterian Church, where he served for 20 years. He retired in October of 1999. Four months after retirement, Rev. Fennell became the Parish Associate Pastor for the Poland Presbyterian Church. He permanently retired September 2, 2012.
Rev. Fennell worked in numerous places, enough to obtain a wide range of experiences with people, factories, offices, painting homes, and even as a patrolman for Mill Creek Park.
Rev. Fennell was a "peoples'" Pastor, ministering to church family. He loved God, his country and his family. He and his wife loved the time spent together at Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina. He also adored spending time with his grandchildren, was very involved in their lives, and was their biggest fan. Simply put, Rev. Fennell was a kind, gentle, loving, and compassionate man. His wit along with his laughter was contagious. A selfless man, Jer always put others before himself. He was loved by all who knew him and will be sadly missed, especially by his family.
Jerry leaves the love of his life, his wife, the former Graceanne Wilson, whom he married 53 years ago, on January 23, 1960; three daughters, Susan (Peter) Kalan of Girard, Laurie (Michael) Crisan of Poland, and Amy (Shawn) LaHart also of Poland; and four grandchildren, Emily Crisan, Nicholas and Jacob Kalan, and Samantha LaHart.
Besides his parents and grandparents, Rev. Fennell was preceded in death by his sister, Lynn Bowser.
A Memorial service will be held Saturday, June 1, 11:00 AM at Christ United Presbyterian Church with Dr. Robert Hoover, Dr. Bernard Oakes, and Rev. Ben Graves officiating.
Friends will be received prior to the service from 10:00 AM until 10:50 AM at the church.
Rev. Fennell's wish was that any gifts to his family take the form of contributions to the charity of the Donor's choice.
Condolences may be sent at www.beckerobits.com .
Rev. Fennell was born October 19, 1934 in Craigsville, PA, a son of Wesley and Lillian Forester Fennell and was raised in Youngstown by his grandparents, Calvin and Elmyra Schreckengost Forester, fondly known as Mum and Pup.
A 1953 graduate of South High School, Rev. Fennell enlisted in the United States Army and served in the Middle East and North Africa from November 1954 until November 1957.
Returning to the area, Rev. Fennell earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from Youngstown College in 1953 and his Masters Degree in Education from Westminster College in 1968. Rev. Fennell taught at Kirkmere Elementary School for six years and then served as Principal at Harding Elementary School for two years. After his teaching career, Rev. Fennell felt called to serve the Ministry and entered into the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. During that time, Rev. Fennell served as Student Pastor of Christ United Presbyterian Church in Youngstown. In 1975 he received his Master of Divinity Degree and was ordained on January 4, 1976 at Christ United Presbyterian Church. He continued on as the Associate Pastor of the Church until the fall of 1979. Rev. Fennell then became Senior Pastor of the Niles First Presbyterian Church, where he served for 20 years. He retired in October of 1999. Four months after retirement, Rev. Fennell became the Parish Associate Pastor for the Poland Presbyterian Church. He permanently retired September 2, 2012.
Rev. Fennell worked in numerous places, enough to obtain a wide range of experiences with people, factories, offices, painting homes, and even as a patrolman for Mill Creek Park.
Rev. Fennell was a "peoples'" Pastor, ministering to church family. He loved God, his country and his family. He and his wife loved the time spent together at Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina. He also adored spending time with his grandchildren, was very involved in their lives, and was their biggest fan. Simply put, Rev. Fennell was a kind, gentle, loving, and compassionate man. His wit along with his laughter was contagious. A selfless man, Jer always put others before himself. He was loved by all who knew him and will be sadly missed, especially by his family.
Jerry leaves the love of his life, his wife, the former Graceanne Wilson, whom he married 53 years ago, on January 23, 1960; three daughters, Susan (Peter) Kalan of Girard, Laurie (Michael) Crisan of Poland, and Amy (Shawn) LaHart also of Poland; and four grandchildren, Emily Crisan, Nicholas and Jacob Kalan, and Samantha LaHart.
Besides his parents and grandparents, Rev. Fennell was preceded in death by his sister, Lynn Bowser.
A Memorial service will be held Saturday, June 1, 11:00 AM at Christ United Presbyterian Church with Dr. Robert Hoover, Dr. Bernard Oakes, and Rev. Ben Graves officiating.
Friends will be received prior to the service from 10:00 AM until 10:50 AM at the church.
Rev. Fennell's wish was that any gifts to his family take the form of contributions to the charity of the Donor's choice.
Condolences may be sent at www.beckerobits.com .
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Rev. Gerald Fennell, please visit our flower store.