Rev. David H. Pickett

SUNBURY - The Rev. David H. Pickett, 61, of 339 Walnut St., went home to be with his Lord and Savior at 1:33 p.m. Thursday, April 28, 2005, at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, where he had been hospitalized for eight days.

He was born Oct. 2, 1943, in Watertown, N.Y., a son of the late Roy and Mildred (Look) Pickett. On Nov. 14, 1963, he was united in marriage to the former Virginia C. Henning, who survives. His passing breaks a strong marital union of more than 41 years.

The Rev. Pickett graduated in 1961 from Watertown High School and later from United Wesleyan College, Allentown.

He was ordained in 1986 with the Penn-Jersey District of the Wesleyan Church.

His first charge was Pine Grove Wesleyan Church, where he served for four years; he then served at Paulsboro Wesleyan Church, Paulsboro, N.J., for eight years; and from 1989 until the present, Pastor Pickett served Trinity Wesleyan Church, Walnut Street, Sunbury.

The Rev. Pickett was the coordinator of the chaplaincy program at Sunbury Community Hospital for many years. He was also involved in sales for Orchard Hills Cemetery and Memorial Park, Shamokin Dam, and had been employed by Zartman Construction, Northumberland, as a cement finisher from 2003-04.

The Rev. Pickett was a member of the Sunbury Ministerium.

He served the Lord with gladness as he did with his church and its families. He was a loving and faithful husband, father and grandfather who truly enjoyed socializing with his many friends and associates. The Rev. Pickett had a sincere and ready smile and an outgoing personality.

Surviving, in addition to his beloved wife, Virginia, are two sons and one daughter-in-law, David E. Pickett of Philadelphia and Jonathan D. and Tracy L. Pickett, at home; one daughter and son-in-law, Deborah R. and Kevin Kintzel of Pine Grove; one daughter-in-law, Carol Pickett of Trevorton; seven grandchildren, Skylar Pickett, Zachary Lesher, Joshua and Kerrie Pickett and Eric, Darryl and Latitia Kintzel; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Robert and Darlene Pickett of Traverse City, Mich., and the Rev. Ronald and Betty Lou Pickett of Watertown; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Beulah and Clyde Bellville of Lacona, N.Y., and Beryle and Lewis Carter of Syracuse, N.Y.; and three generations of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by on son, Nathan Howard Pickett, on Dec. 27, 2001, and by one sister, Sally Pickett, in infancy.

Family, friends and others will gather for the viewing from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday at Emmanuel Bible Fellowship Church, Catawissa Avenue, Sunbury. The funeral will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the church by the Rev. Dr. Harry F. Wood, superintendent of the Penn-Jersey District, assisted by the Rev. Timothy J. Moore, senior pastor of Pine Grove Wesleyan Church.

Entombment will be in Orchard Hills Cemetery, Shamokin Dam.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be directed in loving memory of Rev. Pickett to Trinity Wesleyan Church, in care of Sharon Fogle, treasurer, 7 Hillside Drive, Selinsgrove, PA 17870.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the George P. Garman Funeral Home Inc., Mount Pleasant Mills.