Edward J. Molnar

Edward J. Molnar, a beloved, long-time resident of Harleysville, passed away peacefully on February 14, 2026. Ed was the devoted husband of Judy (Simon) Molnar for 62 years.

Ed was born on July 16, 1940 in Shamokin, PA, and was the oldest son of the late Edward A. Molnar, and Catherine Miles Molnar.

Ed was the Chairman of Harleysville Savings Financial Corporation and Harleysville Savings Bank. He retired from full time duties as CEO in January of 2007 after serving in that position for 40 years. During that time the bank grew from $3 million in assets to over $760 million in assets with six full service office locations and one limited service facility.

Throughout his career, Ed believed strongly in giving back to the banking industry as a servant-leader.

He served four terms as a member of the Board of Directors of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh. He served as Vice Chairman of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh in 1987. During 1992, he served on the FHLB Stockholder Study Committee, a 24-member group of bankers from throughout the United States, which was mandated by Congress to study the Federal Home Loan Bank System. During 1993, he served as Chairman of the Bank Advisory Council of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia. During 1997 and 1998 he served on the Thrift Institution Advisory Council, a twelve-member council of bankers from throughout the United States advising the Federal Reserve Board in Washington D.C., chaired by Alan Greenspan.

Throughout his banking career he served on numerous committees and elected positions locally, statewide and nationally. In 1994-95 he served as Chairman of the Pennsylvania Association of Community Bankers. One of the most important achievements during his time as Chairman was providing industry leadership in the strengthening and recapitalization of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, including testifying before Congress. On a national level, from 1998 to 2004, he served as a member of the board of directors of America's Community Bankers. On a local level, Molnar served as president of the Montgomery County Savings and Loan League and as President of the Insured Financial institutions of the Delaware Valley.

Mr. Molnar received the Person of the Year award in 1984 from the Savings and Loan Mortgage Officers Society of Philadelphia and received the Person of the Year award in 2008 from The Financial Managers Society of Philadelphia. He was inducted into the Pennsylvania Bankers Hall of Fame in 2008.

Molnar was active for over 30 years with the North Penn United Way. He served as President from 1992-94, Treasurer from 1978 to 1987, and General Campaign Chairman in 1990. He received the 2007 Leadership Award from the North Penn United Way.

He was a member of the Harleysville Lions Club for 14 years and was the Club's president from 1975-76. From 1981 to 1987 he served on the Board of Trustees of Dock Mennonite Academy.

He served his church, Indian Valley Faith Fellowship in Harleysville, as Elder, Church Council Chairman, Church Council Secretary and as an adult Sunday school teacher. Beginning in 1987, he volunteered with Liberty Ministries for over 20 years teaching Christian life principles to prison inmates. In 2002, he received the Person of the Year award from the Harleysville Rotary Club and was a recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow Award. In 2006 he was the recipient of the Pillar of the Community Award from the Harleysville Senior Adult Activity Center.

Maintaining a good name in the community was the basis for all Ed's business decisions. Harleysville Savings Bank's motto, taken from Proverbs 22:1, "A good name is to be desired more than great riches" is displayed prominently in the bank's main lobby.

A strong passion for Molnar was teaching baseball skills to area youth. He began coaching baseball in 1964. Over the years, he coached players of all ages from 7 years old to high school. He served for many years as a member of the board of directors of Harleysville baseball and as Commissioner of the Harleysville Connie Mack program. Molnar was also the head coach for the freshman baseball team at Souderton Area High School. Over the years, even though his teams won many championships, he took the greatest pleasure in teaching younger players the basic skills of the game that he learned during his many years of coaching.

Two outstanding events marked Molnar's baseball coaching career: winning the 2010 Pennsylvania state high school championship as head coach of the Dock Mennonite Academy's baseball team; and receiving the special honor of having a baseball field named for him by Harleysville Baseball.

One of Ed's greatest joys was his family, and he threw himself enthusiastically into the role of husband, Dad, Poppop and Great-Poppop.

In addition to his devoted wife, Judy, he is survived by two children: April Sharayko and her husband Jim, of Harleysville; Tammy Allebach and her husband Jamie of Harleysville; 5 grandchildren: Nathan Allebach and his wife Chelsea of Collegeville; Matthew Sharayko and his wife Rhyan of Aston, PA; Jaclyn Sharayko of Philadelphia and her fiancé Taylor Doty; Tessa Allebach of Lansdale; Ashlyn Bergey and her husband Jason of Souderton; 3 great-grandchildren; Arwen Allebach, August Allebach and Violet Sharayko; and one brother, Randall Molnar and his wife, Valerie, of Texas.

Ed was preceded in death by brothers Clayton Molnar and Dennis Molnar, and sister, Cynthia Molnar.

Family and friends are invited to attend his Celebration of Life on Saturday, March 14, at Indian Valley Faith Fellowship Church at 190 Maple Avenue, Harleysville, PA. Visitation hours from 1:00 to 3:00pm; service immediately following. Interment will be private.

Memorial contributions may be made to Harleysville Baseball c/o Capital Improvements. www.harleysvillebaseball.org