John ?Jack? Palmer Croneberger

The Right Reverend John "Jack" Palmer Croneberger, 84, of Reading, Pennsylvania died on February 23, 2023, at Berks Heim Nursing and Rehabilitation Center surrounded by the love of his family. Jack was born in Pottsville on August 25, 1938, to Robert Bruce Croneberger and Ethel Palmer Croneberger. He graduated from Schuylkill Haven High School in 1956, Lehigh University in 1960, and the Virginia Theological Seminary in 1964. He was ordained on March 6, 1964 by The Right Reverend Frederick J. Warnecke. Jack began his journey as an ordained Priest in the Episcopal Church at St. George's, Olyphant and St. Mark's, Dunmore. St. Mark's was then moved to Moscow, PA. On the Sunday after Easter 1965, also called "Low Sunday," Jack was a guest preacher at St. James Church, Jermyn, where during his sermon, he noticed a beautiful widow and her three little girls looking up at him from the front pew. Thirteen weeks later, he asked Marilyn Muehleisen Carey to marry him and legally adopted Amber, Judy, and Rebecca. One year after their wedding, Marilyn gave birth to their only son Timothy, and seven years later, she gave birth to their daughter Jennifer. Jack was then called to be rector at St. Mary's Church, Reading, where he spent seven years before being called to The Church of the Atonement, Tenafly, NJ. He spent 18 years in service to the congregation there and along with Marilyn, started the first "Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays" (PFLAG) chapter in Northern NJ. In 1998 Jack was elected as the ninth bishop of The Diocese of Newark, NJ, and was consecrated by The Right Reverend Arthur Benjamin Williams, Jr. on November 21. Jack served as Bishop Coadjutor until his predecessor retired in 2000 then he became the Bishop of the Diocese until he retired in 2007 due to his wife, Marilyn's illness. It was at that time that Jack and Marilyn moved in with their daughter Judy and her family in Reading where they resided in her care. There, Jack spent some time as the Assistant Bishop of The Diocese of Bethlehem, PA to The Right Reverend Paul Marshall. Throughout his career, Jack was bestowed many honors which included becoming a Canon to the Bishop, being awarded a Canterbury Scholar where he traveled to Oxford to study, and an Honorary Doctorate from the Virginia Theological Seminary. In his spare time, Jack loved to play golf, racquetball, and softball and was an accomplished bridge player. He was an avid movie-goer and loved all kinds of music from Broadway to Peter, Paul and Mary, to his all-time favorite Barbra Streisand. In his younger years, he played the alto saxophone in a band called the "Swing Kings" and later had a softball field in the Diocese of Newark named after him. Bishop Jack was steadfast in his faith, in his politics, and in his compassion. He was instrumental in the ordination of women and openly gay clergy. As Diocesan Bishop, he continued his predecessor's agenda of inclusion of all God's children. Jack directed the creation of an established liturgy for the blessing of same-sex relationships, oversaw the massive diocesan response to the September 11th attacks (which his daughter Rebecca survived), and brought Christ Hospital in Jersey City back under diocesan control where he served as Chairman of the Board. On the topic of acceptance in the church, on the day of his consecration, he stated that he wanted to serve in a church where ALL five of his children would be welcomed and accepted for who they are and for whom they love. He had a gift of being a masterful storyteller and preacher and was known for his ability to write (late on a Saturday night) and deliver a sermon that had meaning for anyone who listened. He always rooted for the underdog and had an uncanny ability to sit in empathy with those in need. Probably one of his longest-lasting traits right up to the end of his life was his sense of humor. He was always quick with a pun or a joke and loved to make people laugh. He will be deeply missed by his children: Amber Brisk (Steven), Judy Innis (Richard), Rebecca Smith (Stephen), Timothy Croneberger (Glenn), Jennifer Croneberger (Jennifer), his sister Ann Louise Liu, brothers Alan Brian Croneberger (Susan) and Richard Lee Croneberger (Nancy) as well as his nine grandchildren; Tyler (Bridget), Ryan, and Samuel (Marisa) Brisk, Jack and Luke Innis, Palmer and Carey Smith, Thomas and Theodore O'Neill, two great-grandchildren, Kelly and Crosby Brisk, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, and his diocesan family and friends. Jack was predeceased by his wife Marilyn (2013), his parents, his brother Robert Bruce Croneberger II, brother-in-law Nansen Liu, and his nephew Ky Richard Croneberger. His family is truly grateful for the love and care he received from the amazing team at Berks Heim. A Celebration of Jack's life will be held on Saturday, March 18, 2023, at 12 pm at Christ Episcopal Church located at 435 Court Street, Reading, PA 19601. It was important to Jack to donate his brain for further research regarding Parkinson's Disease just as Marilyn did ten years ago. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his name to the Neurological Institute of NY. Checks can be made out to Columbia University Taub Institute in memory of John Palmer Croneberger and mailed to: Office of Development 100 Haven Ave., NY, NY, 10032. Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., West Reading is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhome.com.