Reverend Kenton E. Kreider, 71, of Hershey, passed into the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Tuesday, April 20, 2021, surrounded by family. Born Sunday, May 1, 1949, in Hershey, he was the son of Clair E. Kreider and the late Edythe I. (Robinson) Kreider of Hershey.
Ken was part of the Lower Dauphin High School Class of 1967 where he met his high school sweetheart and future wife, Charlene “Char” R. (Kolak) Kreider. Upon graduation, Ken immediately began his four-year commitment to the United States Navy with his first assignment stationing him in Jacksonville, Florida. Ken and Char were married in Jacksonville on March 16, 1968. They recently celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary.
Ken went on to earn a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biblical Studies from Lancaster Bible College and his Master of Education Degree from Millersville University. He was a 6th grade teacher at Mt. Calvary Christian School, Elizabethtown and then taught Science and Bible Studies in the middle school for many years. Later in his teaching career, he was a short-term teacher of History and Social Studies at Lititz Christian School.
Following his retirement from teaching, the Lord called Ken to be Visitation Pastor for Elizabethtown Christian & Missionary Alliance Church (now The Alliance Church of Elizabethtown) and more recently he became the pastor of Cassels Alliance Church, Manchester.
In addition to his wife, Ken is survived by five children, Kendra Wilber, married to Jeffrey, of Lititz, Christen Largent, married to Dale, of Whitehouse, OH, Katie Gosselin, Kevin Kreider, married to Jodi, of Elizabethtown and Clairissa Mertz, married to Robert, of Lititz, PA. Also surviving is his father, Clair, of Middletown, 24 grandchildren, one great-grandchild, a sister, Karol Saner, married to Edward, of Virginia Beach, VA, as well as Ken’s extended family and caring friends.
A viewing will be held on Wednesday, April 28, 2021, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at GracePoint Evangelical Free Church, 740 Leon Avenue, Palmyra, PA 17078. Private interment will take place at the convenience of the family. A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. (visitation to follow the service) on Thursday, April 29, 2021, at GracePoint Evangelical Free Church with Pastor Bob Sproul officiating.
Arrangements have been entrusted with the Rothermel-Finkenbinder Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., 25 West Pine Street, Palmyra, PA 17078, 717-838-9211.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Align Life Ministries, PO Box 707, 131 South 8th Street, Lebanon, PA 17042, www.alignlifeministries.org or Water Street Mission, 210 South Prince Street, Lancaster, PA 17603, www.wsm.org
Condolences and memories may be shared at: www.FinkenbinderFamily.com
