Almeda Jane Harner

The Rev. Dr. Almeda Jane Harner, 83, of Reading, Pa., died Tuesday, September 16, at Cornwall Manor in Cornwall, Pa. She was predeceased by her husband of 54 years, the Rev. William E. Harner, who died June 10, 2007. Born August 9, 1925, in Crag, W.Va., she was the daughter of the late Lonnie B. and Bertha A. Sayger. She grew up in Hambleton, W.Va., and graduated from Parsons High School. She earned degrees from Asbury College (A.B.), Asbury Seminary (M. Div.), Millersville University (M. Ed.), and Moravian Theological Seminary and Drew University (D. Min.). The Rev. Harner taught bible in the Martinsville, Va., public school system in 1951. After moving to Pennsylvania, she taught reading in the Panther Valley and Williams Valley school districts for many years. She was also a substitute teacher in numerous schools in Lancaster, Chester and Schuylkill counties. The Rev. Harner received her initial license to preach in Kentucky in 1951. She was the first woman to be ordained in the former Philadelphia Annual Conference of the Methodist Church (now part of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church). She was ordained a deacon in 1957 and an elder in 1961. At that point, she and her husband also became the first clergy couple in the conference. She served churches in Schoeneck, LancasterBethany UM and Covenant UM, Springtown, Hellertown, Palmerton, and ReadingFaith UM. The Rev. Harner had been a member of PCAP (Pennsylvania Council on Alcohol Problems), serving on the board of directors as a trustee, and as vice president. She was honored for her work as Person of the Year in 1995. She also served as director of a Girl Scout Day Camp, and as troop leader for Brownie and Cadet troops. She was a member of the Order of Eastern StarCochranville chapter. The Rev. Harner is survived by two daughters and a son-inlaw, Cynthia Jane (Harner) and Steven Karr of Yeadon and Almeda Louise Harner of Reading. She is also survived by two grandchildren, KallieSue Karr of Southampton and William Samuel Karr of Yeadon. Additional survivors include a sisterin-law, Helen Harner of Downingtown; a brotherin-law, Carl Schoonover of Parsons, W.Va.; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins plus their families. Her sister, Florence Marie Schoonover, preceded her in death. On Saturday, September 20, there will be a viewing starting at 2 p.m., followed by a service at 3 p.m. in the Levi H. Zerr Chapel at Cornwall Manor, Cornwall, Pa. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory may be sent to Asbury Seminary, 204 N. Lexington Drive, Wilmore, KY 40390; Holy Cross UM Church, 329 N. Fifth St., Reading, PA 19601; or Berks County Association for the Blind, 2020 Hampden Blvd., Reading, PA 19604. Arr: Doyle-Stonelake of Lansdowne.