Joseph Howard Rodgers, Sr.

Joseph Howard Rodgers, Sr. 103 years old of McMurray, died Monday, January 29, 2018 in McMurray Hills Manor.

He was born January 11, 1915 in Pittsburgh, Son of the late William and Mary Lilly Shaw Rodgers.

He was a graduate of Duquesne High School in 1933. He went on to attain his B.S at University of Pittsburgh in 1938 with high honors and then Western Theological Seminary now Pittsburgh Seminary to earn his Master of Divinity in 1941 and his Masters in Church History in 1944.

He started working at Duquesne Trust Co. while attending the University of Pittsburgh, then started his Ministerial career as Assistant Pastor

at Mulberry Presbyterian Church in Wilkinsburg. He became Pastor of Trinity Presbyterian Church in McDonald in 1944 and went on to be Pastor of Center Presbyterian Church from 1951-1980. He was then assistant to the Pastors of The Church of the Covenant in Washington until 1986. He never really gave up being a Pastor, as he still visited those in need through last year.

Other activities he was involved in include moderator of both the Pittsburgh and the Washington Presbytery, Stated Clerk, and Interim Executive Presbyter of Washington Presbytery, Member and President of the Board of the Western Center, served on the United Way Board of Washington County, Life Member of Duquesne Lodge No.731 F & AM, Beta Gamma Sigma, University of Pittsburgh honorary business fraternity, and was made a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International in 1992.

In recent years, he enjoyed attending "The Seekers" Sunday School Class of Center Presbyterian Church and meeting friends at Eat 'n Park for breakfast.

Surviving are two sons, Joseph H. (Edith) Rodgers, Jr. of North Kingsville, OH, and John A. (Gail) Rodgers of McMurray, Grandchildren, Lisa Hernandez of Oconto Falls, WI, William (Jill) Rodgers of Las Vegas, NV, Jonathan Rodgers of Lawrence, Grandchild, Heather Rodgers of Plum Borough, and great-grandchildren, Steven (Dominique), Christopher, Michael, and TJ Hernandez, and great-grandchildren, Cody and Hailie Rodgers.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Jessie Anna Rodgers in 2010 and a sister, Dorothy Harmon, and half brothers and sister Herbert, William and Jane.

Friends will be received at the Center Presbyterian Church Saturday, February 3, 2018 from 3 to 4 PM when a Memorial Service will be held with Reverend Craig A. Kephart, and Rev. Donald C. Austin officiating.

An inurnment at a later date will be in the Center Church Cemetery.

Contributions may be made to the Center Presbyterian Church, 255 Center Church Road, McMurray, Pa 15317.