Rev. Gilbert J. Bartholomew

The Rev. Gilbert J. Bartholomew, 89, of 9 Reading Drive No. 1-011, Wernersville, Berks County, formerly of Red Dale Road, East Brunswick Township, Schuylkill County, died Oct. 29 in Phoebe Berks Health Care Center Inc., Wernersville. He was married to Emma L. (Leinbach) Bartholomew for 65 years in June. A minister for United Church of Christ Ministries, he was pastor of St. Paul's Church, Westminster, Md., from 1963 until retiring in 1979. Previously, he was pastor of Lowell United Church of Christ, Canton, Ohio, 1957-63; Woodcrest Evangelical & Reformed, Philadelphia, 1952-57; St. John's UCC, Orwigsburg, 1946-52, and St. John's/St. Paul's, Pottstown and Stowe, Montgomery County, 1938-46. After retiring, he was a supply pastor and interim pastor until 1996 for Christ UCC, McKeansburg, Schuylkill County; Friedens Church, New Ringgold; United Church of Christ, Auburn; Trinity Church, Tamaqua; Salem (Hetzels) Church, Pine Grove, Pa.; St. John's Church, Port Clinton, Schuylkill County; Freidens Church, Shartlesville, Berks County, and St. Michael's Church, Hamburg. He received a bachelor of arts degree in 1935 from Ursinus College; a bachelor of divinity in 1938 and a doctor of ministry in 1985, both from Lancaster Theological Seminary, and a master of sacred theology in 1947 from Temple University School of Theology. Born in North Catasauqua, he was a son of the late Edwin J. and Meda M. (Wenner) Bartholomew. He was a member of St. John's United Church of Christ, Orwigsburg. Survivors: Wife; sons, Gilbert L. of Cincinnati, Ohio, Edwin W. of Kingham, Mass.; daughter, Constance A. Blood of Moorestown, N.J.; four grandchildren. Services: Remembrance of Life, 1:30 p.m. Monday, Phoebe Berks Village Auditorium, Wernersville. Arrangements, Hamilton Funeral Home, Orwigsburg. Contributions: Camp Mensch Mill, Collegeville, Montgomery County.