The Rev. Dr. Johnnie David Panther, 56, of Butler, a good and faithful servant, returned to the loving arms of his Father May 26, 2013, while surrounded by his loving family.

Pastor Dave served as senior pastor at Butler First United Methodist Church for 21 years, launching the Crossfire Campus in 1999. He had previously served United Methodist churches in Ambridge, Pa., and Clarion, Pa.

Along with being the senior pastor, David was the chairman of the Episcopacy Committee of the Western Pennsylvania Conference.

David received the Paul Harris Fellow Award while active in the Ambridge Rotary, and the Diversity Award from Slippery Rock University. Dave touched many people's lives and will be greatly missed by so many.

Beloved husband, best friend and soulmate of Jana "Janis" (Reid) Panther for 31 years; loving father of Bethany Leigh (Panther) Raraigh and her husband, Douglas Raraigh, of Butler and Jonathan David Panther of Pittsburgh; proud and adoring grandfather "Spud" of Ella Faith and Keira Hope Raraigh; dear son of Johnnie Lee and Patricia Ann Panther; caring brother of Lisa Ann Pontiere and her husband, Ernest; cherished son-in-law of Estella D. Reid; and brother-in-law of William A. Reid. Devoted uncle of William T. Reid, Travis J. Reid, Alexia M. Pontiere, Brooke A. Reid and Elizabeth A. Pontiere; brother in Christ and friend to the First Church staff and congregation.

Friends and family are invited to a time of fellowship, sharing and love from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, June 2 at the First United Methodist Church's Crossfire Campus, 1802 N. Main St. Ext., Butler. A celebration of David's life will follow at 3:30 p.m. 

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Crossfire Faith Promise Appeal. The family would like to use a portion of donations received to place a memorial Good Shepherd Window, duplicating the one in the downtown sanctuary, at the Crossfire Campus. Checks can be made out to First United Methodist Church with Crossfire Fund in the memo line.

Arrangements were entrusted to Jobe Funeral Home, Turtle Creek, Pa. For more information, go to www.jobefuneralhome.com.

The Rev. Conway Keibler, 85, of Brownsville, peacefully passed away on Saturday, April 27, 2013.

He was the beloved husband of Betty (Bumgarner) for 58 years; loving father of Charles Calvin (Tracy), and Robin Ann (Joe) Ashley; caring grandfather of Nicholas (Heather), Michael, Julia, and Charles Giacobbe, Brandon, Jennifer and Calvin Keibler; brother of Marilyn (Robert) Clarke; uncle of Anita Lawson and Mary Grace (Dan) Griffin.

Conway served as a pastor for over 40 years at United Methodist churches in Braddock, Clairton, McMurray, Ligonier, Washington, PA, as well as at the Smithfield United Church of Christ in Pittsburgh. He was also focused in community development in Ligonier and Brownsville.

Conway was very active in the youth program in Jumonville United Methodist Church Camp.

Funeral arrangements by BEINHAUERS. Friends welcome at 2828 Washington Rd., McMurray, 724-941-3211 on Wednesday from  2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Additional visitation will be held in Christ United Methodist Church, 44 Highland Rd., Bethel Park, 15102, on Thursday 10 a.m. until time of Memorial Service at 11 a.m. Interment private.

Memorial contributions may be made to BARC or Jumonville United Methodist Camp. Please add or view tributes at:
www.beinhauer.com

Rev. Robert Foltz of Pittsburgh died on Sunday, April 14, 2013 at the age of 73.

Dr. Foltz was born in Pittsburgh on December 27, 1939 to the late Joseph W. and Nannette Harris Foltz. He and his wife Nancy Thomas Foltz were married for 48 years.

A 1962 graduate of  Westminster College, he earned his Master of Divinity degree from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington D.C. in 1965, and a Master of Social Work degree from The University of Pittsburgh in 1972.

Ordained into the ministry of The United Methodist Church in 1962, he served parishes in Rogersville, Meadville and Pittsburgh. He served as the Protestant chaplain and program director at The George Junior Republic in Grove City, as well as executive director of The Ward Home for Children in Mt. Lebanon. From 1977 until his retirement in 2002, Dr. Foltz served as the CEO and President of Goodwill Industries. He also served as the interim pastor of The Smithfield Church.  

He is survived by his wife Nancy; their two sons, Drayton Scott Foltz of Pittsburgh and Nelson Foltz of Brooklyn, NY; as well as a brother, Joseph Foltz and his wife, Dorothee of Sewickley Heights.

A Service of Celebration will be held at the Smithfield United Church of Christ at 620 Smithfield Street in Pittsburgh on Friday, April 19 at 11 a.m. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Goodwill of South Pennsylvania, Robert S. Foltz Building, 118 52nd Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15201. Arrangements by the SMITH FUNERAL HOME, in West Middlesex, PA. See Pittsburgh Tribune news obituary. 
 

Betty I. Plyler Shaffer, 92, of Brookville, died Thursday, April 4, 2013, at McKinley Health Center, Brookville.

Born Feb. 20, 1921, in Strattanville, she was a daughter of the late Cameron Fike and Mary Shingledecker Fike.

She was married to Ronald E. Plyler, and later to Richard A. Stockdale, who both preceded her in death. In 1993, she married Clarence Shaffer, a widower who served as a full-time local United Methodist pastor from 1972-78 and died in 1999.

She worked as a clerk for South Side Market in Brookville for 27 years.

A member of the Brookville Church of Christ and Brookville Area Senior Citizens, she enjoyed cooking, canning, crafting and planting flowers. She especially loved her grandchildren, nieces, nephews and her bulldogs.

She is survived by two sons, Charles G. (Sharon) Plyler of Natrona Heights and Edward Plyler of Bowie, Md.; 10 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Friends were received at the McKinney Funeral Home of Brookville. A funeral service was held Monday, April 8, at the funeral home with the Rev. Timothy McConville officiating. Burial was in Temple Cemetery in Warsaw Township.