Mervin C. Weidner

NAZARETH, Pa. - The Rev. Dr. Mervin C. Weidner, 89, died on Friday evening, May 14, 2005, in Moravian Hall Square in Nazareth. He was the husband of Catherine (Brandon) Weidner and they were married 63 years last June. Born in Allentown, Pa., he was the son of the late Walter and Helen (Gardner) Weidner. He was a graduate of Emmaus High School, class of 1933, and Moravian College, where he received his bachelor's degree and later Moravian Theological Seminary, where he received his Master of Divinity and was awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity in 1958. He was also the recipient of the John Hus Award in 1986. Throughout his ministry, he focused on church development and the need of the people of God. He served in Moravian churches in Philadelphia, Allentown, California and North Carolina, as well as director of church extension for the Southern Province in Florida from 1958 to 1965 and organized the Coral Ridge Moravian Church in Fort Lauderdale. He also founded the site of Boca Raton Moravian Church, Boca Raton and was the founding pastor of three other new congregations and involved in three additional new churches. He was the senior pastor of the Central Moravian Church and was the head pastor of Collegiate Churches of Bethlehem from 1965 until retiring in 1983, concluding a 43-year ministry in the Moravian Church. After retirement, he served as an interim minister at several Moravian congregations and also served as the director of professional studies at Moravian Theological Seminary, Bethlehem, from 1984 to 1991. In addition to his ministerial activities he was also chairman of the board of Moravian Preparatory School from 1965 to 1971 and co-chairman of the board for merger with the Moravian Seminary for Girls into Moravian Academy. He also served on the board of trustees at Moravian College; the Alumni Board at Moravian Theological Seminary and board of managers of American Bible Society. He was active in the community and was a member and past president of the Rotary Club of Bethlehem, and was a member of the Rotary Club of Nazareth. He also served as chairman of Bethlehem City Historical and Architectural Review Committee. Survivors in addition to his beloved wife, are a son, Timothy B., of Longwood, Fla.; daughters Nanette C. Weidner of Bethlehem, Carol Ann and her husband I.B. Southerland III of Winston-Salem, Jane E. and her husband Phillip Corvino of Allentown and Martha L. and her husband Eugene Lisa of Winter Park, Fla.; grandchildren Mary Catherine (Southerland) Pittaro of Raleigh, Scott Southerland of Winston-Salem, Stephanie Weidner and Brandon Weidner, both of Orlando, Fla., and Andrew Lisa of Tallahassee, Fla. A memorial service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 21, at the Central Moravian Church, Main and Church Streets, Bethlehem. There will be no calling hours. Arrangements entrusted to The Long Funeral Home, 500 Linden St., Bethlehem. Memorials in Mervin's memory may be made to the Central Moravian Church, Church and Main Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018; the Good Samaritan Fund c/o Moravian Hall Square, 175 N St., Nazareth, PA 18064; or The Board of Homeland Ministry - New Church Development, 1021 Center St., Bethlehem, PA 18018.