Howard W. Leverett

Howard Wayne Leverett was born in Greeley, Colorado on July 21, 1922. He was born into a family of five children. He married Frances Marie Parker-Fischer on November 20, 1941. Howard joined the Merchant Marines and served proudly on four ships during WWII. They had two daughters, Sharon and Marva. After the war, Howard was a brakeman for the Denver and Rio Grand Railroad and later went to work at the Public Service Company as a boiler operator. At the age of 26, he felt the calling to the ministry and moved his family to Portland, OR. There he attended Pacific Bible College, now Warner Pacific College.

Howard began his ministry at 33 years old as Associate Pastor for the Richmond Church of God in Portland, OR. He pastored the First Church of God in Roseburg, OR for 6 years and then in Santa Maria, CA where he pastored for 26 years and then retired in 1986. Howard continued his ministry through conducting wedding ceremonies, funerals and benedictions for the Santa Maria Police Academy graduations.

Howard and Marie moved to Lebanon, PA in 2004 to be close to family. They lived at Hearthstone Independent Living for 3 years and then moved into a new apartment attached to the Rhode's residence in 2007.

Howard was a man of integrity who lived a life of service to others. He loved fishing whether it was in a stream on a lake or out in the ocean. His main desire was to be like Jesus and he was a faithful servant of God.

Beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and counselor to many, he will be greatly missed. Howard passed away on April 13, 2011.

He is survived by daughters; Sharon Unger wife of Glen Unger of Cranbrook, British Columbia, Marva Rhode wife of Ralph Rhode of Lebanon, PA, grandson; Jeffrey Dodge, Eugene, OR, grandaughters; Michelle wife of Jason Allen, Lebanon; Angela Rhode, Lebanon; great-grandchildren: Benjamin Allen, Colton Allen, Jayden Dodge; step grand-daughters; Debbie Crasweller, Eureka, CA; Jennifer Patzer, Calgary, Alberta; and four siblings: Elsie Crane, Monroe, OH; Edith Murphy, Denver, CO; Willard Leverett, Fairview, TX; Darlene Kiernan, Blanco, TX.

He was preceded in death by his wife Frances Marie on April 12, 2010 and his grandson Shelby on July 20, 1993.

His family is grateful for his wonderful caregivers: Marva and Ralph Rhode, Linda Artz, Karen Simpson, Julie Leibich, and the wonderful staff members from Pinnacle Health Hospice, Harrisburg, PA that allowed him to remain at home. There will be a viewing at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 16, in the Rohland Funeral Home, 508 Cumberland Street, Lebanon, PA 17042 with a funeral to follow at 11 a.m. Interment will be in the National Cemetery at Ft. Indiantown Gap on Monday, April 18.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the Calvary Chapel, Lebanon, 9 South 9th St, Lebanon, PA 17042 or to Pinnacle Health Hospice, 2645 North Third St, Suite 300, Harrisburg, PA 17110 or to the First Church of God, 613 N Elizabeth St., Santa Maria, CA 93454.