COLUMBIA CITY – Pastor John Edward Gregory, 73, of Columbia City, died at 11:40 p.m. Oct. 15, 2012, in his residence. He was born Oct. 28, 1938, in Berkley County, W.Va., to Franklin Forbes and Myrtle M. Morrison Gregory. On June 22, 1958, in Martinsburg, W.Va., he married Betty Jane Lake, who survives. He graduated from Martinsburg High School in 1956 and Washington Bible College, Washington, D.C. and completed his education with a master of divinity from Grace Theological Seminary in 1969. He worked for four to five years at Owen’s Super Market, Warsaw; Melrose Garden Grace Brethren Church, Harrisburg, Pa., as an associate pastor; Leamersville Grace Brethren Church, Duncansville, Pa., as the senior pastor for 31-1/2 years; and most recently facilities coordinator at Community of Hope Church and The Center, both in Columbia City. He was a member of Community of Hope Church, Columbia City, and was a member and served several times as the moderator of the West Penn Ministerium and served as trustee of Grace College Board of Trustees. Also surviving are two sons, Keith E. (and spouse Ruth) Gregory, Columbia City, and Daniel L. (and spouse Jennifer) Gregory, Doylestown, Ohio; a daughter, Stephanie R. (and spouse Jeremy) Hammer, Columbia City; seven grandchildren; a sister, Hazel (and spouse Vahe) Geukgeuzian, Stephens City, Va.; a brother, Donald (and spouse Connie) Gregory, Winchester, Va.; and his stepmother, Nellie Morrison Gregory, Stephenson, Va. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at DeMoney-Grimes Countryside Park Funeral Home, Columbia City, with Pastors Jeremy Wike and Daniel Gregory officiating. Burial will be in Greenhill Cemetery, Columbia City. Calling is from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday and one hour prior to the service Saturday at the funeral home. ***** Memorials may be given to Community of Hope Church or The Center. Condolences may be sent via www.demoneygrimes.com
