Rev. Donald Anders, Jr.

Rev. Donald Anders, Jr., 71, of Charleroi, formerly of Monongahela, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, June 2, 2018 in his home. He was born October 19, 1946 in Monongahela, the son of the late Donald and Alice King Anders Sr.Pastor Don was a graduate of Monongahela High School, class of 1964. After graduation, he worked at US Steel Irvin Works until he was drafted into service with the United States Army on April 13, 1966. He performed his basic training at Ft. Benning, GA, where he placed 1st in proficiency test and ranked 3rd in his company. Following basic training, he completed his advanced training at Ft. Holabird, MD, where he was trained in Image Interpretation Military Intelligence. Pastor Don served in Vietnam from March 1967 to April 1968 with the 131st Aviation Company where he received the Air Medal, 3 Oak Leaf Clusters and the Army Accommodation Medal. After being discharged from military service, Pastor Don married the former Linda Reed. He worked as a pattern maker at the former Combustion Engineering in East Monongahela, as well as owning and operating The Living Word Bookstore in Charleroi for 20 years along with his wife. In 1987, Pastor Don assumed the pastorate of Riverside Tabernacle Church in Sunnyside-Gallatin. In 1998, Pastor Don planted a church, Greener Pasture Christian Fellowship, now known as CityReach Church in Charleroi. Pastor Anders had touched many lives during his life and numerous accomplishments have been accredited to him. A few of those accomplishments include, serving in the Carroll Twp. Fire Department, coaching baseball, football, soccer, basketball and scout leader. He then assumed many responsibilities in the church including teaching youth ministries and adult Sunday school before becoming pastor. Pastor Don  received his Master’s Degree in Biblical Theology from the Cornerstone Bible College in Fairfax, Virginia and was instrumental in the founding of the Mon Valley Bible Institute in Belle Vernon, where he taught classes. The family would like to thank all of the friends, family and church associates that have stood beside Pastor Don over the past several years.He is survived by his wife, Linda Reed Anders  with whom he would have celebrated fifty years of marriage on June 29, 2018; two sons, Paul Reed Anders and wife Julie of Charleroi, Pastor Gregg Anders and wife Joyce of Fallowfield Township; five grandchildren, Jacob Anders and wife Amanda, Emily Roberts and husband Everett, Victoria, Samantha and Tyler Anders; six great grandchildren, Brinnleigh and Everett Roberts, Antonio and Lilliana Martin, Max and Benjamin Anders; two sisters and a brother, Diane Santina and husband David of Carroll Township, Steve Anders and wife Diane of New Eagle, Paula Wukovich and husband Phil of Monongahela; several nieces and nephews.Friends will be received on Wednesday, June 6, 2018 from 2-8 PM in the CityReach Church, 1006 Fallowfield Avenue, Charleroi, PA 15022.  A funeral service will be held on Thursday, June 7, 2018 at 9:30 AM in the Christian Center, 130 Charity Lane, Belle Vernon, PA 15012 with the Rev. Tom Harding officiating. Committal services and interment with the Rev. William Lusk,  will follow with full military honors at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, Bridgeville. Memorial contributions may be made to the CityReach Church,1006 Fallowfield Avenue, Charleroi, PA 15022.