David E. Climenhaga

1919 - 2017

David E. Climenhaga died on June 25, 2017--- at Messiah Village, Mechanicsburg, PA. He was born on the campus of Messiah College on June 14, 1919 to the late John A. and Emma (Smith) Climenhaga. He spent his early years in Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) where his parents were missionaries. He was a graduate of Beulah College, in Pasadena, California. He had a long career, primarily in church work in the Brethren in Christ Church. He was first appointed as a pastor to a church in Waukena, in Tulare County, California. In 1942 he married Dorcas (Slagenweit). In 1946, they were commissioned to mission work in southern Africa. They arrived early in January, 1947 along with their first child. They were first stationed at Sikalongo Mission, in Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia) where David served as superintendent of the mission. While they were there, a second child, Dorothy, was born, who died at age 8 months due to malaria. They were in Northern Rhodesia until early 1954 when they returned to the United States for a furlough. They returned to southern Africa in 1955, and were placed at Matopo Mission, in Southern Rhodesia. There they remained until 1959, then returning for a short time to the U.S., and then returned to Southern Rhodesia where David was named as bishop for the Brethren in Christ work there. Among his many accomplishments were David's helping accomplish the transition of church leadership in Northern and Southern Rhodesia from U.S. appointed bishops, to African appointed bishops. In 1965, David and Dorcas returned to the U.S. where David served as pastor to the Fairland Brethren in Christ Church in Lebanon, PA. In 1972, David was named bishop of the Central Conference for the Brethren in Christ Church in the United States. He remained there until 1984, having served two terms. David and Dorcas retired to Messiah Village, taking up residence there in 1987. In 1991, Dorcas died unexpectedly following heart surgery. After two years, David courted and then married Verna Mae Ressler. In addition to his wife Verna Mae, David is survived by his children, Donna Wenger and her husband Carlin of Harrisburg, PA; Daryl Climenhaga and his wife Lois of Steinbach, Manitoba, and Denise Harman and her husband Gail of Nappanee, Indiana. He is survived by five grandchildren—Geoffrey Wenger, Kristen Wenger, Vaughn Climenhaga, Leah Pippen, and Nevin Climenhaga, and by four great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his one remaining sibling, sister Leoda Climenhaga of Peekskill, New York. In addition to his wife Dorcas and their daughter Dorothy, David was pre-deceased by his parents and his siblings, Arthur, Joel and Kathryn. David was a resident at Messiah Village for 30 years, longer than any other place he had lived in his varied and rich life. Services will be at Messiah Chapel on Friday, June 30, 2017 at 10:30AM. Visitation with family will be from 9:30-10:30AM at the chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to Messiah Village Benevolence Fund or Brethren in Christ Missions. Arrangements by Weaver Funeral Home, LLC (weaversfh.com); Woodbury, PA. www.pennlive.com/obits