Reverend Whitney

Reverend Gordon W. Whitney, 98, of West Grove, PA, went to be with his Savior on Wednesday, October 21, 2015.
Beloved by his surviving children, Martha Ann Rowe and husband, Rick of Raleigh, NC; John H. E. Whitney of Bronx, NY; and Gordon W. Whitney, Jr. of Laurel, MD. Reverend Whitney is also survived by a sister, Virginia Buchman of Sayre, PA; brother, Dr. Leslie Whitney of Glen Mills, PA; as well as 11 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, and 1 great great grandchild.
He was preceded in death by the love of his life, Marguerite and by his daughter Maggie W. Mahood.
Born and raised in Horicon, NY, he entered Asbury College in Wilmore, KY at the age of 16. At Asbury he met his lifelong love and partner, Marguerite Elam. He received his Divinity degree from Eastern Baptist Seminary in Philadelphia, PA, was ordained into the ministry, and married Marguerite in 1940. His first congregation was the First Baptist Church in Mount Pleasant, PA where he served from 1940 to 1946. He then was called to serve the First Baptist Church of Coraopolis, PA for nearly 22 years from 1946 to 1968. He then served the First Baptist Church of Waynesburg, PA from 1968 to 1978. From 1979 to 1987, he served the Olive Branch Baptist Church, finally retiring to Newark, Delaware where he and Marguerite became members of the Calvary Baptist Church. There, he was honored by the church as the Associate Pastor of Evangelism Emeritus.
In his later years, he was afflicted with dementia, but it did little to quell his warm hearted good humor and his love of his caretakers. He brought countless souls to Jesus throughout his ministry to God and His people. When asked what his favorite and most important element of being in the ministry, he replied, "Evangelism, of course."
Friends will be received 10 to 11 a.m. Monday in Olive Branch Baptist Church, 296 State Route 981, Belle Vernon at which time a Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m. with Pastor Ken Sommerfeldt officiating. Interment will follow in Olive Branch Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Calvary Baptist Church, 215 E. Delaware Avenue, Newark, DE 19711.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to James C. Stump Funeral Home Inc., 580 Circle Drive, Belle Vernon/Rostraver Township (724-929-7934) www.jamesstumpfuneralhome.com