Donovan Earle Diffenderfer, 82, of McAlisterville, died at 2:37 a.m. on Monday, December 26, 2016 at the Holy Spirit Hospital, Camp Hill.
Born on December 23, 1934 in Mifflintown, Juniata County, he was a son of the late Ralph O. and Anna E. (Garman) Diffenderfer. On June 20, 1959, he married his surviving wife, Reva (Shontell) Diffenderfer, with whom he was blessed to share more than 57 years of marriage.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his siblings, Sandra Stroup and her husband Glenn, of Evendale, Joanne Goodling, of Mifflintown, Shirley Strawser of Mt. Pleasant Mills, Robert Diffenderfer and his wife Erma of McAlisterville, Ralph Diffenderfer and his wife Pearl of Jacksonville, FL, Richard Diffenderfer and his wife Eloise of Peyton, CO, also many nieces and nephews and their families.
An infant brother, Larry Diffenderfer preceded him in death in 1950.
He was a member of the Faith Bible Church, Port Royal and a 1952 graduate of Fayette High School, also a 1958 graduate of Bob Jones University, Greenville, SC and later attended Johns Hopkins University Oriental Seminary, Baltimore, MD for further training.
Mr. Diffenderfer served as pastor and assistant pastor at churches in Maryland and New Hampshire. He later served as a financial manager and as a bible teacher for 25 years at the Dublin Christian Academy, Dublin, NH.
Donovan enjoyed spending time in his garden.
A funeral will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, December 30, 2016 from the Faith Bible Church, 317 East 4th St., Port Royal, with Rev. Dr. Glen D. Webb officiating. Interment will be private in the Lost Creek Mennonite Cemetery, Oakland Mills.
Viewing will be from 10 a.m. until the time of service, Friday at the church.
For those that wish, memorial donations in Mr. Diffenderfer’s memory may be made to the Juniata Mennonite School, 289 Leonard Hill Road, McAlisterville, PA 17049 or to the Faith Bible Church, 317 East 4th St., Port Royal, PA 17082 or to the American Heart Assoc., Capital Region, 1019 Mumma Road, Wormleysburg, PA 17043.
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