Rev. Howard Souder

1921 - 2016

Rev. Howard Souder
FRIEDENSBURG
The Rev. Howard R Souder, 95, of Long Run Road, Friedensburg, went to be with his Lord on Friday, April 8, 2016, in the VA Hospital, Lebanon.
Born on January 22, 1921, in Soudertown, he was a son of the late Harry K. and Anna Rosenberger Souder.
He was a 1938 graduate of Palmyra High School and later took courses at Hershey Jr. College, Lebanon Valley College, Penn State, and the United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. He was ordained into the Christian Ministry in 1960 and served churches in Halifax, Pine Grove, and Friedensburg, where he retired in 1986 and was named their Pastor Emeritus. Since that time he also ministered in Rehrersburg, Tremont, Pottsville, Landingville, New Ringgold, and Pine Grove.
Rev. Souder served his country proudly during WWII in the Army Air Corps, having served with the 73rd Wing 498th Bomb Gp 874 Bomb Sq. While serving as top gunner and assistant engineer on a B-29, he was awarded the American Theater Ribbon, Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon w/ 3 bronze stars, Air Medal, Distinguished Unit Badge, and the Good Conduct Medal.
He was a member of St. Peter's United Church of Christ, Pine Grove. He was a life member of Friedensburg Fire Co #1, where he served on the Board of Directors and was Assistant Fire Chief; member of Bethel Blue Mountain Memorial VFW Post #9234; and Grundsow Lodge #5 of Pine Grove. Fraternally he was a member of the Pine Grove Masonic Lodge #409 F & AM; Harrisburg Consistory and its Schuylkill Co. Scottish Rite Club, for which he served as president and for many years membership chairman; Zembo Temple A.A.O.N.M.S; Schuylkill Shrine Club; as well as the Mountain City Royal Arch Chapter No 196 of Pottsville. He served as Sovereign Prince of the Council of Princes of Jerusalem in 1974-75 and was coronated a 33rd degree mason in September 1979. In addition, he was involved in numerous civic organizations throughout the region including the Boy Scouts, Red Cross, Civil Defense, and Children's Fresh Air Program .
Preceding him in death were a daughter, Jacqueline J. Wilkinson Weaver; five brothers, Joseph, Claude, Carus, Robert ,and John Souder; and five sisters: Amanda, Verna, Florence, Ruth, and Shirley. Surviving are his wife of 48 years, Sonia L. Schell Souder; two sons, H. Douglas and wife, Karen Souder of Cornwall, and James and wife, Jan Souder of Tomball, Texas; three daughters, Patricia S. and husband, Dave Jordan of Baker, W.Va,, Shelly and husband, Harry Callaghan of Pottsville, and Pamela Souder of Pine Grove; 19 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, April 13, 2016, at 11 a.m.. from St. Peter's United Church of Christ, 277 S. Tulpehocken St., Pine Grove, with Pastor Jason Stump officiating. There will be a viewing on Tuesday, April 12, 2016, from 5 to 8 p.m. with Masonic Services at 7 p.m..at St. Peter's United Church of Christ, and Wednesday from 10 a.m. until time of service at the church. Interment will follow in the St. John's Reformed Cemetery, Friedensburg. Additional parking for the church is available at St. Peter's Lutheran Church, 312 S. Tulpehocken St., Pine Grove.
In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer contributions be made to the Alzheimer's Disease Assoc., Inc., 2595 Interstate Drive, Suite 100, Harrisburg, PA 17110 in his memory.
The H. L. Snyder Funeral Home, Inc., Pine Grove is in charge of arrangements.