Joseph F. Herr

The Rev. Joseph F. Herr, 64, pastor of Calvary United Methodist Church, Wyomissing, died of natural causes Sept. 6 at 1:50 p.m. in Reading Hospital, shortly after admission.

Herr, of West Neversink Road, Exeter Township, had been pastor at Calvary Church since 1998, last working on the day of his death.

He was the husband of the Rev. Melody E. (Smith) Herr.

Born in Lancaster, he was a son of the late Landis H. and M. Marion (Glackin) Herr.

Herr was a 1957 graduate of Lancaster McCaskey High School. He received an accounting degree from Franklin and Marshall College in 1961, and received the "Wall Street Journal Award" for accounting.

He served in the National Guard from 1961 to 1967.

Herr had been employed in management training for several years at Farmers National Bank and Trust, Lancaster, before entering Lancaster Theological Seminary. He was ordained a deacon in 1968 and spent time as a student assistant in Wesley United Methodist Church, Strasburg, Lancaster County. He graduated from Lancaster Seminary in 1971.

He was ordained an elder at First United Methodist Church, Lancaster, in 1971, and served at Gap (Lancaster County) United Methodist Church until 1976. Herr then served as pastor of Marshallton United Methodist Church, Chester County, until 1986. He later served as pastor of Siloam United Methodist Church, Booth's Corner, Delaware County, until 1998 when he came to Calvary Church.

Herr had served as treasurer of Reading Shared Ministries for four years.

He is also survived by a daughter, Lesley (Herr) Juckett, Denver, Colo.; and three sons: Hans, Claymont, Del.; Christian, Reading; and Martin, Allentown.

Other survivors include two sisters, Barbara Herr and Margaret Herr, both of Lancaster; and three brothers: Tom, Baltimore; John, Lancaster, and Jim, Lititz, Lancaster County.

There is also one granddaughter.

Services will be Tuesday at 11 a.m. in Calvary United Methodist Church, 831 North Wyomissing Blvd., Berkshire Heights. Viewing from 10 until time of service in the church. Burial will be private. Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home Inc., West Reading, is in charge of arrangements. Contributions may be made to Reading Shared Ministries PO Box 820, Valley Forge, Pa 19482.