Pastor Gary Lee Gladfelter
June 7, 1956 - January 16, 2022
Pastor Gary Gladfelter’s legacy did not come to an end with his death. Gary met his Savior on January 16, 2022, at the age of 65. He was a loving husband to his wife Peggy, devoted dad to three children, Alicia, Candace and Micah, and adoring “Poppy” to five grandchildren, Ayden, Ella, Emery, Norah, and Piper. He lived a life loving others, and his acts of service knew no bounds. From fixing broken pipes, to mending broken lives with the love of Jesus. Gary was born on June 7, 1956, in Hanover, Pennsylvania. He completed his Bachelor’s degree at Bob Jones University and obtained a Master’s degree in Educational Administration and Supervision.
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He went on to teaching and administration in Toledo, Ohio, Greenville, South Carolina, Ft. Lupton, Colorado, and Plantation, Florida. This is where he felt God’s calling to church ministry. He moved to Elk Rapids, Michigan, in 1990, and took on the dual role of ministering to his church as well the students of the Elk Rapids School District as a beloved bus driver of 19 years. He also served faithfully for over 32 years at Elk Rapids Bible Church.
If you wanted to find Gary in the fall, it would be safe to assume he was out hunting with his son, Micah. You could also find him helping both of his daughters make their home renovation ideas come to life. He made many Pinterest ideas come to fruition. He loved taking trips with Peggy and sending “selfies” to their kids of their many adventures. His eyes would light up whenever his grandkids ran into the house yelling, “Poppy, we’re here!”
Gary is survived by: his parents, Art and Eileen Gladfelter; siblings, 8-minute-younger, identical twin brother, Terry; red-headed siblings, Lynn and Jennifer; wife, Peggy; children, Alicia (Todd) Key, Candace (Joshua) Tomei, and Micah Gladfelter; grandchildren; Ayden, Ella, Emery, Norah and Piper; and many nieces and nephews. Although they mourn the loss of him being gone too soon, they cling to the knowledge that they will one day see him again.
If you wanted to find Gary in the fall, it would be safe to assume he was out hunting with his son, Micah. You could also find him helping both of his daughters make their home renovation ideas come to life. He made many Pinterest ideas come to fruition. He loved taking trips with Peggy and sending “selfies” to their kids of their many adventures. His eyes would light up whenever his grandkids ran into the house yelling, “Poppy, we’re here!”
Gary is survived by: his parents, Art and Eileen Gladfelter; siblings, 8-minute-younger, identical twin brother, Terry; red-headed siblings, Lynn and Jennifer; wife, Peggy; children, Alicia (Todd) Key, Candace (Joshua) Tomei, and Micah Gladfelter; grandchildren; Ayden, Ella, Emery, Norah and Piper; and many nieces and nephews. Although they mourn the loss of him being gone too soon, they cling to the knowledge that they will one day see him again.