Rev. Malvin F. Warntz

Rev. Malvin F. Warntz, formerly of Coburn, passed away Friday, February 2, 2018 at Riverwoods Nursing Home in Lewisburg.  He was 97.  Born May 5, 1920 in Aaronsburg, Malvin was a son of the late Harry S. and Lydia E. “Long” Warntz.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, June E. “Auman” Warntz in Sept 2002; his second wife, Roberta A. (Guinivan) Warntz on October 23, 2017, and one son, Larry Warntz.  Also preceding him in death were brothers, Leroy H. and Carl Warntz; sisters, Lida M. Breon and Marian Bower; brother in laws, Russell Stover, Paul Bower and Walter Breon and sisters in law, Marion Warntz and Hazel Warntz.

Malvin is survived by step daughter, Lisa A. “Guinivan” Shellenberger (Michael) of New Cumberland; 2 step-granddaughters, Megan Shellenberger of Port Orange, FL and Natalie Shellenberger of New Cumberland; one step-great grandson, Cole.  Also surviving is a sister, Violet Stover of Belleville, and numerous nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Malvin was a 1937 graduate of East Penns Valley High School in Millheim.  Following graduation, he assisted his father in farming until 1941 and for a brief period of time, he worked at the Millheim Hosiery Mill.  Malvin graduated from the Central Pennsylvania Business College in Harrisburg.  In March of 1943, he was inducted into the U.S. Army, and served in WWII with the 141st General Hospital for 23 months in the US and 12 months in England.

In 1946, Malvin entered Asbury College in Wilmore, KY, from which he received a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors.  He received his license to preach from the Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Evangelical United Brethren Church in 1948.  After graduation, he attended the Evangelical School of Theology at Albright College in Reading, and was awarded the degree of Bachelor of Divinity, and, later the Master of Divinity from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, OH. 

Malvin was a dedicated minister of the United Methodist Church who serviced the Central Pennsylvania Conference for 36 years.  He served as the Secretary of Commission on Town and Country Church and as Chairman on the Commission.  He was a member of the Board of Missions.  He was a pastor of Penns Creek E.U.B. charge from 1950-1954.  This included Penns Creek, White Springs, Salem, Zion and St Peters Churches.  From 1954-1972 he was the pastor of Burnham E.U.B. (United Methodist Church) charge which consisted of Freedom Avenue, Salem, New Lancaster Valley, St. Peters, and Havice Valley.  Later he served Church Hill United Methodist Church in Reedsville.  From 1972-1985 Malvin serviced Garden Heights and Lakemont United Methodist Churches in Altoona.  He then retired in 1985.  In 1987 he was appointed Chaplin for Poe Valley State Park and also for Hemlock Acres.  He served this area until 1991.  In 1992, Malvin was inducted into the Eckels Society of the United Theological Seminary in recognition of over 40 years of “Faithful Service for Living a Life that Honors God, Christ, the Church and United Theological Seminary”.

After retirement, Malvin enjoyed traveling to Florida every winter, gardening, golfing, bowling and reading….mostly Biography and Christian Literature.  He was a lifetime member of the Millheim Lions Club.  He highly anticipated spending a week camping every year at Grange Fair, where he would meet up with friends and former parishioners from all the churches he served.

A visitation for family and friends will be held on Tuesday, February 6th from 11 am - 12 noon at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Woodward, followed by the funeral service at noon with Chaplain Peter Geschwindner officiating.  Malvin will be laid to rest in Fairview Cemetery in Millheim. 

Contributions in memory of Malvin may be given to Albright Care Benevolence Fund, 90 Maplewood Drive, Lewisburg, PA 17837, to Hospice of Evangelical, 235 Hospital Drive, Lewisburg, PA 17837, or to Millheim Lions Club c/o Paula Smith 117 Orpha Lane, Spring Mills, PA 16875.  

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Rev. Malvin F. Warntz, please visit our floral store.