Obituary of Rodger D. Berkey

BERKEY - The Rev. Rodger D., 52, of 1148 New Franklin Road, Chambersburg, Pa., crossed over into eternity to be with his Lord and Savior at 3:20 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 10, 2007, in his home. Born Aug. 28, 1954, in Johnstown, Pa., he was the son of Wade A. Berkey of Johnstown, Pa., and the late Madeline Grace (Allison) Berkey. Rodger graduated from Richland Senior High School in Johnstown in 1972. He was employed at Bethlehem Steel prior to being called into full-time ministry. Pastor Berkey graduated from South Eastern Bible College of the Assemblies Of God in 1981. He and his wife served as children and youth pastors at Windber Church Of God in Windber, Pa., under the Rev. Richard and Jean Whetstone from 1981 to 1983, and as children's pastor at First Assembly Of God Church under the Rev. Ron and Nancy Loy of Orlando, Fla. He became senior pastor at Bethel Assembly Of God in Ebensburg, Pa., from 1985 to 1996. His ministries at Ebensburg included three years as Pen-Del District Youth Rep., Chaplain Ministries at Laurel Crest Manor for 10 1/2 years, Ebensburg MR Center for seven years, Altoona MR Center for 10 1/2 years and 4 1/2 years at Cambria County Prison. Rodger served as senior pastor at Antrim Assembly Of God Church in Greencastle, Pa., from April 1996 until the present. He continued his chaplaincy at the Altoona Center until January 2006. He and his wife, Renee Ruth (Uncapher) Berkey, were married Oct. 23, 1982, in Johnstown. Surviving family in addition to his wife and father are two sons, Justin David Berkey and Christopher Alan Berkey, both at home; three brothers, Dennis (husband of Jane Banak) Berkey of Lewistown, Pa.; Raymond (husband of Angie Pippin) Berkey, Orlando, Fla.; and the Rev. Richard (husband of Linda Sarka) Berkey, Fairmont, Pa.; one sister, Doris Berkey (wife of Eugene) Hosler, Shanksville, Pa.; eight nieces and nephews; and two great-nephews and two great-nieces. Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16, at the Grace Assembly of God Church, 598 Ash St., Johnstown, Pa., with the Rev. Steven Tourville and Bishop Richard Berkey officiating. Burial will be at the convenience of the family in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Johnstown, Pa. The family will receive friends at Geisel Funeral Home, 734 Bedford St., Johnstown, on Thursday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. and at the church one hour before the service on Friday. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Antrim Assembly of God Church for youth missions, 11192 Bemisderfer Road, Greencastle, Pa.