Pastor Ronald Erb Bowersox

Pastor Ronald Erb Bowersox passed away peacefully, surrounded by love and prayers, on February 16th in Pittsburgh, PA at the home of his daughter, Carol Kidner and son-in-law, Don Kidner. Pastor Ron was born on January 10, 1934 in McClure, PA, son of Cledith and Raymond Bowersox. He married Joyce Henry on August 21, 1954 in Siler City, North Carolina and they were blessed to have 61 years together. Ron and Joyce were the proud parents of four children; Carol Kidner (Don), Pittsburgh, Joy Sullivan, Camp Hill, PA, Mary Clary, Mountville, PA and David Bowersox (Patricia) of York. Ron cherished his ten grandchildren; Jason Kidner (Amber), New Delhi, India; Matt Sullivan, New Jersey; Coleman Clary (Bridgett), Landisville, PA; Brandon Sullivan, Philadelphia, PA, Ben Sullivan, Philadelphia; Andrew Bowersox, Morgan Bowersox and Julia Bowersox all of York; Jennifer Kidner and Kelsie Kidner of Pittsburgh; and 2 great grandchildren; Elliot Kidner and Aiden Kidner of New Delhi, India. His faithful and beloved dog Duchess also survives Pastor Ron. Pastor Bowersox studied at Asbury College and Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky from 1951 to 1956 and completed his Master of Divinity degree at Lancaster Theological Seminary in 1959. Ron faithfully served as a Pastor in the United Methodist Church for 61 years at the following churches- Nicholasville Mission and Penney’s Chapel in Wilmore, Kentucky as a Student Pastor; Loganville Evangelical United Brethren Charge, Loganville, Grace Evangelical United Brethren Church, South Williamsport, PA; Faith United Methodist Church, Bellefonte, PA; Bethlehem United Methodist Church, Dallastown. From 1988 to 1995, Ron was selected to supervise 119 churches in the Lewisburg District as a United Methodist District Superintendent. He then was chosen to be Senior Pastor at the Camp Hill UM Church, Camp Hill. After Pastor Ron retired in 2001, he was called back into the ministry to be an interim pastor at New Creation Church, Dover; Faith Church, Hellam; Asbury Church, York; Lewisberry Church, Lewisberry; and as Pastor of Senior Ministries at Pine Grove, PA; and Stewartstown Churches. Ron enjoyed mission work and travelled to Seoul, Korea; The Tonga Islands; Taiwan; Hong Kong; Singapore; Africa and Australia to share the gospel message. Pastor Ron conducted 81 New Life Missions across the continental U.S. and was asked to be a guest speaker at many churches around the Central Pennsylvania area. Ron was nominated for and received the Harry Denman Award for outstanding evangelism work in 1995. He was elected as a General Conference Delegate 5 times and led the delegation 2 times as its chairperson. He also was elected as a Northeastern Jurisdictional Delegate 7 times and as a World Methodist Conference Delegate in 1991. Pastor Ron was the co-founder of Salt and Light Youth Ministries, Camp Hill. Ron loved his work as a minster and was a faithful follower of our Lord, Jesus Christ. He was an inspiration to many and will be deeply missed by his family, friends, colleagues and members of the churches he pastored during his extensive career. The family expresses its deep gratitude to Heartland Hospice of York and Pittsburgh for their support and loving care of Ron during his final months of life. They would also like to thank the private duty nurses who helped take care of him with such compassion and kindness. A Memorial Service to celebrate Ron’s life will be held on Saturday, March 12th at 3 pm at Bethlehem United Methodist Church, 109 E. Main Street, Dallastown. Visitation with the family will precede the service, beginning at 2 PM. The interment was previously held at the convenience of the family. Heffner Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Inc., 1551 Kenneth Road, York is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Pennsylvania Chapter or to Salt and Light Youth Ministries c/o Camp Hill UM Church, Camp Hill, PA, in Ron’s memory.